boat purchase dilema with towing in mind??

Finally getting more serious about making a boat purchase. However I am not sure on what size of fiberglass boat I should be looking at for my pickup to handle safely.

Towing vehicle is ’18 f-150 quad cab 1/2ton 3.5 ecoboost with 10sp tranny, has the towing package. Towing would be 400mi round trip a couple times a year, otherwise most trips would be about 100.
Ideally looking at a Ranger 620 or 621
or Skeeter Wx2060 or Wx2100

Are these too much boat for pulling, Do I need to rethink my expectations, should I be looking more at a 19fter?

Should be fine.

My buddy pulled a 20′ Lund deep V to Arizona and back with his F-150.
Be smart, leave space between you and those in front of you and you will be fine. Easy to tow a trailer, it’s getting it stopped that can be a issue.

You’ll be just fine, especially with a tandem axle trailer.

Your truck will be fine pulling any of those as long as the trailer brakes are fully operational

You would be fine towing a boat that size, the Ford 3.5 and the GM 6.2 are the best towing half ton engines in my opinion (the 5.7’s are solid too). I knew someone towing a 621 with the Chevy 5.3 and they did feel it was underpowered towing a 621 for reference.

Just don’t pound the crap out of it. Not every light is flagged for a street race. Nice easy acceleration gets you up to speed no problem.

I pulled a dynatrak and a 620 with a jeep Comanche up and down the hills along the Mississippi. It worked that little truck, but never abused it. All about not driving like your in a diesel

As mentioned above, trailer brakes are a good thing!!!

Randy: great advice for anyone towing anything more than a canoe, work up to speed, threw your gears-no hurry.

Good to hear, wasn’t sure if any of them would squat the back to make the front end feel light or bounce the backend going over bumps and potholes.

I have a 621fs that I used to pull with my ’13 F-150 crewcab, 3.5l ecoboost and 6 speed. Truck pulled and stopped the rig just fine with power to spare. The newer eco with the 10 speed should be a bit better than the ’13 version. I purchased an F-350 and no longer pull the boat with the half ton. Payload became a limiting factor on the F-150 (1440lbs for my truck). My tongue weight is ~750 lbs and with 3 guys and a topper on the truck, I was at/above payload without any gear in the truck. I also had airbags on the half ton to prevent too much tail sag. There are many that ignore the payload, gvwr, and gcwr ratings but I try not to be one of them. Only you can decide which side of that argument you want to be on.

No way would I pull that boat with that puny truck. That little V6 is going to whimper like a little girl after a 100 mile trip.

I wouldn’t pull one of those rangers with anything less than this. Plus if you ever upgrade to the Ranger 628, you’ll have something to pull it.

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biggill wrote:

No way would I pull that boat with that puny truck. That little V6 is going to whimper like a little girl after a 100 mile trip.

I wouldn’t pull one of those rangers with anything less than this. Plus if you ever upgrade to the Ranger 628, you’ll have something to pull it.

A 628 is puny. I’d flip that thing over and put it on the top of a Prius like a kayak.

I’m holding out for the 634 with triple 600’s and the new garmin AI powered mega ultra HD 5G livescope with a 52” screen.

biggill wrote:

No way would I pull that boat with that puny truck. That little V6 is going to whimper like a little girl after a 100 mile trip.

I wouldn’t pull one of those rangers with anything less than this. Plus if you ever upgrade to the Ranger 628, you’ll have something to pull it.

LPT

Justin I pull my WX2060 with a 2017 F150 1/2 ton Crew Cab. I have a V8 not the Ecoboost. I did some research before I bought my truck as I was skeptical of the Ecoboost and its towing ability. The info I found said the Ecoboost is more then capable. I just ended up with the V8 because the truck had everything I was looking for, engine size wasn’t high on my list as the info said it wasn’t a big difference in the 2. I think you will be fine no matter what boat you buy.

From what I have read and heard the last several years the big ecoboost IS a tow engine and specifically excels at what you are talking about.

I have your truck but 2020. My boat is an 1850 Alumacraft with 115 and 9.9. Obviously, a lighter boat. But I literally can’t tell the boat is back there passing or on hills. Truck is rated to pull 3x what my boat weighs. Very seldom shifts down on hills with the torque that it has. 5000# boat is half your towing capacity. If you are worried. Test drive the boat. Behind your truck, before you buy. But you will be fine. Also, half again or better gas milage, compared to my 2011 GMC 5.3 towing.

Justin Laack wrote:

Good to hear, wasn’t sure if any of them would squat the back to make the front end feel light or bounce the backend going over bumps and potholes.

Can always have rear air bags installed in the suspension for towing for about $900. Helps level out the truck big time

If you purchase a boat factory set on a trailer. Tongue weight shouldn’t be an issue. Most couple hundred pounds or so. No different than standing on the bumper.

I have the same truck, 18 f150 with max tow. I haul a skidloader at close 10k lbs. Without an issue. I also bagged the rear to keep it level when towing and the box is loaded. How much does the boat weigh that you are looking at?

onestout wrote:

I have the same truck, 18 f150 with max tow. I haul a skidloader at close 10k lbs. Without an issue. I also bagged the rear to keep it level when towing and the box is loaded. How much does the boat weigh that you are looking at?

looks like dry weight on a 620 is 2165 lbs. A 621 is 2271 lbs.
Add another 500lbs for a merc 250hp
Add 551lbs for a Yamaha 300hp.

Justin Laack wrote:

looks like dry weight on a 620 is 2165 lbs. A 621 is 2271 lbs.
Add another 500lbs for a merc 250hp
Add 551lbs for a Yamaha 300hp.

Need to ensure you are including trailer weight, gear, electronics, gas, etc in your calculation. My 2020 621fs Cup came with a trailer rated at 5800lbs. Based on actual scale weights, my down the road weight is nudging the 5800lb range.

Depending on wheelbase and rear end ratio. If the rig is 6000#. You are at about half of towing capacity. Approx. 10,800 to 13,200#. That’s well within capacity.

No issues pulling any of the boats your looking at. I have a 621 puled with a f150 no issues. I have a 2017 621 for sale with a 2022 hull just 17 motors. Yamaha’s FYI