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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Tow Vehicle

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garabaldi
Deckhand

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5 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/15/2003 : 18:04:09

I am buying a truck in the near future. My parking space is limited in height and I am therefore limited to a 1/2 ton pickup. The Ford F150 with the larger V8 comes with a tow package rated for about 8,500 lbs. I was going to get the standard F150, but would upgrade if I thought it would be practical to tow a C25 with the tow package (tranny cooler, bigger axle, suspension, rearend ect.) I am thinking that it may be too light of a truck to handle the sway but I figured I'd ask what you all thought?
Thanks, Bill

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pwhallon
Admiral

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USA
694 Posts

Response Posted - 03/15/2003 : 20:44:45

Hi Bill,

In my opinion:

I think an f-150 with a towing package would be fine.

Banks engineering makes a product called the "trans command" that helps the Ford E4OD transmission pull weight. It simulates a load and the E4 locks the torque converter sooner to eliminate wear and tear.

I had a trans command on a 35 foot Bounder motorhome (Ford 460/E4OD) and really liked the way it performed.

Look into the warranty issue before installing it. I don't know if Ford will warrant the transmission with the trans command on it.

A long wheel base will help with stability.

A limited slip rear end would be good as well.

Properly setting the tongue weight will eliminate swaying.

Check the hitch. Ironically, these trucks have a Class IV towing capability but sometimes the manufacturers put a class III hitch on them, which lowers the towing rating.

Example: I have a Chevy Express LT van with a towing package. It is rated to tow 7400 LBS. They put a Class III hitch on it that is only rated for 5000 lbs towing. I don't know why they do this.

Anyway, I think you're on the right track with your research. It's best to be safe.

Paul

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Gary B.
Admiral

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USA
969 Posts

Response Posted - 03/15/2003 : 22:38:12

Question: Is a 250 significantly taller? I know they have bigger wheels and tires, but I guess I didn't realize they were that much taller.....for what it's worth, I use a 250 Ford 2 wheel drive and I have a steep ramp (don't need the tongue extension on my home ramp). Occasionally I have to let a little air out for traction when it's wet, but I haven't needed four wheel drive. Have you considered that? I love the 250 for braking, weight, etc. Maybe check to see if a 2 wheel drive 250 is as tall as a 150 FWD.....just a thought....

Gary B.
Encore! #685 SK/SR

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garabaldi
Deckhand

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5 Posts

Response Posted - 03/16/2003 : 00:09:35

You're right, Gary B., the 250 is not too much taller...only a couple of inches, but our garage door clearance is only 6' 1.5" and the 150 just barely makes it under. Thanks for your input! Bill

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MattL
Admiral

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USA
990 Posts

Response Posted - 03/16/2003 : 02:10:15

We bought a used 1 ton Dullie (spell checker thread where are you?) They had it sitting next to a new 3/4 ton truck on the yard, both chevys, and it was significantly lower. I mean it looked a foot or so lower. Neither where altered they just had a different stock suspension. If height is a problem, look into a used truck. Also I am glad I got the extra pulling capacity. with the 1/2 ton you are going to be at your upper limit, ours has lots of leeway. In pulling there is no difference between the 1 and 3/4 ton. The difference is how much you can put in the bed.
Ours is also a real 4 door pickup. not one of those half, or suicide door jobs.

Matt/Brigitte Loeffler
E.C. Rider
Cat 25 86'
FK/SR _/)

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lcharlot
Master Marine Consultant

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Antigua and Barbuda
1301 Posts

Response Posted - 03/16/2003 : 16:59:09

A half-ton pickup is probably okay for towing short distances over level ground, but I would hesitate to do a long cross-country trip towing a Catalina 25 with anything less than a 3/4 ton HD. As Matt Loeffler says in his post, the F-150 would be right at the upper limit of it's towing capacity to haul a Cat 25. Something to keep in mind is that cubic inches and engine horsepower isn't the whole story. The F-250 and F-350 Super Duty models have much heavier frames, brakes, and power train components than the F-150. If you ever encounter a long, steep downgrade towing your boat, and the trailer brakes overheat or fail completely for some reason, you will need to stop the whole 14,000 pounds with just the truck's brakes, and without jackknifing the rig.

Larry Charlot
Catalina 25 #1205 "Quiet Time"
Sacramento, CA

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John Mason
Admiral

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USA
687 Posts

Response Posted - 03/17/2003 : 14:09:28

I've got a '99 F-150, 5.4L V8, tow package with the low geared rear-end, four-door extended cab. Upgraded the hitch to a 10,000 lb rated one. I think the extended cab version has a higher tow rating than the standard cab (not positive on that).

It tows my '82 fk/sr cat just fine. Boat and trailer about 6500 lbs. But I definitely know something's back there and take it kinda easy going down the road.

John Mason
<img src="http://www.users.qwest.net/~jamason/ali.jpg" border=0>
pronounced "Ali Paroosa"
1982 - FK/SR #3290

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OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 03/17/2003 : 20:30:45

I have a 3/4 ton Suburban with 2-wheel drive that fits under a standard residential garage door.

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WGriswold
Deckhand

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USA
23 Posts

Response Posted - 03/18/2003 : 15:43:23

Several years ago I towed my 1986 sk C25 from South Lake Tahoe to the San Juans in Washington. I had a 1991 F-150 extended cab with the 302 cu in engine. It was set up for towing and rated at 7700 lbs. The boat and trailer weighed 7200 lbs. (I weighed them at a public scale). The only problems I had were going over the passes. The engine was not powerful enough and I was often in first gear. On the level it towed very well. I would even forget it was there and be suprised to look in the mirror and find a boat following me. I think that a F-150 with the towing package and the larger V-8 would be fine. All that said, I now have a 3/4 ton suburban with the 454 cu in engine and it is more than adequate.

Wait Griswold
C25, South lake Tahoe

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