Second Happiest Day . . .

[Lou C]

PS the Ram 2500 with the 6.4 gas will tow about 17,000 lbs.
The dry weight of that boat is about 11,000 lbs trailer is what 2000? Might be able to do it with an HD 2500 gas truck….

 

[tpenfield]

Guys - the dry weight of the boat is 11,400 lbs and typical weight would be 12,000 ish. I believe the trailer will come in at 2,600 lbs, making my tow weight about 14,600 lbs. I am not seeing where an older Ram 2500/3500 is rated for 17,000 lbs. Maybe the new ones are, but you might be forgetting I just bought a boat and I am down to my small bills.

 

[alldodge]

2001 3500 with 5.9 max at 15,150

 

[Lou C]

Ted what model year range are you looking at?
the one I posted about is current to late models

 

[Scott Danforth]

How old are you looking

with the right gear ratio, you can tow well over 17k

https://www.ramtrucks.com/assets/towing_guide/pdf/2017_ram_3500_towing_charts.pdf

https://www.ramtrucks.com/assets/towing_guide/pdf/2016_ram_3500_towing_charts.pdf

https://www.ramtrucks.com/assets/towing_guide/pdf/2015_ram_3500_towing_charts.pdf

https://www.ramtrucks.com/assets/towing_guide/pdf/2014_RAM.3500.Towing.Specs.pdf

https://www.ramtrucks.com/assets/towing_guide/pdf/2013_RAM.3500.Towing.Specs.pdf

https://www.ramtruck.ca/en_dir/pdf/hd/HD_Payload_Selector.pdf

 

[tpenfield]

My truck budget is $15K . . . I'd really like to be in the $10-12K range, saving the rest for beer money.

I am looking at 2000 - 2007 F-350 or F-250 diesels. My understanding is that the older 7.3 engines (2000-2002) may be a bit more reliable than the 6.0 engines (2003-2007), but if the engine has been 'bulletproofed' than it would address many of the reliability issues.

Also looking at 2003-2007 Ram 3500/2500 diesels - those have the Cummings diesel engines and are probably the best of the bunch. Fords are more prevalent, making the Dodge trucks a bit more pricey.

I am finding the tow rating on the Ford diesels in those model year range (with single rear wheels) to be 12,500 lbs. (so, the rig will be over by about 10%, but still under on the total vehicle weight, since the truck would have minimal other payload). I think the Dodge trucks are more in the range of 13,500. With dual rear wheels they get to 15,000 lbs and about 16,000 for the Dodge. All the gasoline engine versions of the trucks have tow ratings in the 8,000-10,000 range, which I feel is too low.

The truck needs to make 1 trip pulling the load at highway speeds, thereafter it is local 30 mph towing. 4-wheel drive to get up the ramps.

Plenty of trucks for sale on FB Marketplace. I do need something that needs nothing done mechanically. . . I can probably address a little bit of rust, but it would need to be mechanically sound.

TIA for any sage advice on trucks

 

[tpenfield]

Here is an example of what I am finding for tow rating . . . conventional towing, not 5th wheel.

 

[Scott Danforth]

My truck budget is $15K . . . I'd really like to be in the $10-12K range, saving the rest for beer money.

look at an older F450/F550. you can tow ohio (assuming ohio only weighed 21000#) plus, most were used as tow trucks, and service trucks, so the general masses wont be looking for them and hyping the cost up.

once you get to the F650, the Cummins engine is available

https://www.ford-trucks.com/specs/2004-2/2004-ford-super-duty-specifications/#350

not much at the auctions right now

here is from ironplanet and ridesafely

if you want to tow safely....

Online Auto Auction: Used, Wholesale & Salvage Cars, Trucks & SUVs for Sale | RideSafely

Search RideSafely inventory now. Shop online salvage, used & insurance auto auctions. Over 80000 cars, trucks, RVs & SUVs on sale. Find your next car at RideSafely!

www.ridesafely.com

Auction Ended: Used Truck 2001 International 4700 is Sold in Suffolk VA | VIN: 1HTSCABM81H******

Auction Ended: This 2001 INTERNATIONAL 4700 WHITE is Sold Out for Used Truck auction in Suffolk VA. Live bidding ended on TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2021 9:30:00 AM at IAA. VIN is 1HTSCABM81H******. Shop Similar Vehicles on RideSafely.

www.ridesafely.com

Ford F550 2012 at Vehicle Auction - RideSafely Search

www.ridesafely.com

the 4x4 our of the bunch. https://www.ridesafely.com/en/used-truck-auction-ford-f350-2004-black/bid/2110048200

these are other options

2008 Ford F-450 Super Duty 4x4 Crew Cab Service Truck

Ford Powerstroke V8 Diesel Engine, Air Conditioner, Cruise Control, Power Windows, Automatic Transmission, 6,500 lb Front Axle, 12,000 lb Rears, 16,000 lb GVWR, 225/70R19.5, Spring Suspension, 200 in Wheelbase, SCELZI 13 ft 3 in Body.

www.ironplanet.com

2007 GMC 5500 4x2 Service Truck

GMC Diesel Engine, Air Conditioner, Cruise Control, Automatic Transmission, 7000 lb Front Axle, 13500 lb Rears, 19500 lb GVWR, 245/75R-19.5 Front Tires, same Rear Tires, Spring Suspension, 173 in Wheelbase, 2007 Knapheide KC157H2094CJ 13 ft Body, Compressed Air Systems Gasoline Air Compressor

www.ironplanet.com

 

[tpenfield]

All those stats makes my head hurt . . .

I'm not planning on towing Ohio, Rhode Island is closer and does not require as big a tow hitch

I think my overall weight is going to be 21,000 lbs w/ an F-350, which is right near the top of their overall spec. My boat hauler had an F-450, then upgraded to an F-550 recently.

 

[Scott Danforth]

All those stats makes my head hurt . . .

I'm not planning on towing Ohio, Rhode Island is closer and does not require as big a tow hitch

I think my overall weight is going to be 21,000 lbs w/ an F-350, which is right near the top of their overall spec. My boat hauler had an F-450, then upgraded to an F-550 recently.

starting bid is $25

Ford F550 2012 at Vehicle Auction - RideSafely Search

www.ridesafely.com

 

[captmello]

couple of thoughts, as a ford f250 owner and product follower.
the Ford diesel engines from 2003 thru 2010, 6.0 and 6.4 have terrible reviews, a major repair could cost close to your buying budget.
I can't speak to Chevy or dodge...
Imo, I would have your boat and trailer delivered if possible, giving you time to figure out how to tow it the shorter easier distance. if you can swing the cost of a newer truck, 2015+, with good maintenance and low usage, the truck will hold its value pretty well, and could be used as a driver while you own it. thanks for sharing your adventure with us, good luck!

 

[Lou C]

I've heard the same, the 6.0 Ford (Navistar) engines had a lot of troubles, the ones to get are the older 7.3s. I have not heard bad things about the Cummins in the Dodge/Ram pick ups, or the Duramax in the GM pick ups.

 

[froggy1150]

What if you bought a big truck just for this trip and sold it once you got the yacht home and got something smaller for your daily splashes

 

[tpenfield]

Lots of good ideas . . . thank you and keep them coming. I could get a beast of a truck for the haul and then trade down to a F-150/1500 for local hauling.

Probably the best truck for the tow home would be a 350/3500 Dually. Any thoghts on the 7.3 Powerstroke or the Cummings 5.9 TD HO ? How 'bout the Ford Triton V10 (gasoline) . The V8's won't cut it.

As I pour through the spec's it looks like 20,000+ lb. GCWR spec is what I need. 21,000 lb. would be ideal and I believe 26,001 is CDL territory. So, trying to stay in the 20,000 - 22,000 lb range.

The newer trucks have this rating as well as the older Dual rear wheel trucks.

 

[Lou C]

Either the 7.3 Powerstroke (International Harvester) or the 5.9 (Cummins) are well thought of. Try to get one just old enough to not have the extra EPA mandated emissions equipment.

 

[alldodge]

The Ford V10 will eat a lot pulling (son in law has one) but will get the job done

DOT is anything over 26K requires CDL unless its Farm related. I have a single axle International dump truck that is 26K. The plates for the truck is higher unless you can use something like a Farm or other tag

Wonder if you could rent a truck to get it home?

 

[Lou C]

All Dodge I was thinking the same thing! Rent for the ride home store the boat and have time to find a good deal

 

[Scott Danforth]

Probably the best truck for the tow home would be a 350/3500 Dually. Any thoghts on the 7.3 Powerstroke or the Cummings 5.9 TD HO ?

I would do a cummins all day long over a powerstroke I may be biased

 

[alldodge]

Newer cummins is 6.7
The 7.3 has been a good motor, just don't get the 6.0

 

[nola mike]

couple of thoughts, as a ford f250 owner and product follower.
the Ford diesel engines from 2003 thru 2010, 6.0 and 6.4 have terrible reviews, a major repair could cost close to your buying budget.
I can't speak to Chevy or dodge...
Imo, I would have your boat and trailer delivered if possible, giving you time to figure out how to tow it the shorter easier distance. if you can swing the cost of a newer truck, 2015+, with good maintenance and low usage, the truck will hold its value pretty well, and could be used as a driver while you own it. thanks for sharing your adventure with us, good luck!
[/

All Dodge I was thinking the same thing! Rent for the ride home store the boat and have time to find a good deal

This also crossed my mind