Can an F-150 tow a 236 w dual axle trailer ?

[peachboy]

Hi there,

Just wondering if a 1/2 picked F-150, Ram 1500 etc is enough to safely pull a 236 over long distance ? I see the boat weighting 4,500 plus fuel and equipment plus heavy trailer bring it to around 7,000 Lbs. Most 1/2 claim to pull more but I'm looking for anyone with practical experience. would a 3/4 ton truck be required or the 1/2 tons more than sufficient.

Any feedback appreciated.

Cheers

[NautiqueJeff]

RE: Can an F-150 tow a 236 w dual axle trailer ?

I have pulled my 230 all over the east coast with a Ford Excursion with no issues at all. The Excursion is roughly equal to the F-250 though, and mine is diesel.

[WakeSlayer]

RE: Can an F-150 tow a 236 w dual axle trailer ?

My opinion is that the F150 will struggle a bit. Will probably do it, but it is going to work that thing hard. F250 and above, especially a diesel like Jeff and I have will do far better. We have an F-350 dually so I have zero issues with whatever I tow. My Jeep says it will tow fa more than my boat weighs but it works hard at it.

[peachboy]

RE: Can an F-150 tow a 236 w dual axle trailer ?

I once heard someone says that because it "can" tow a certain weight it doesn't mean it "should".
If I was going 15 miles to the lake that I would be fine but I will tow it from Canada to Florida this winter. I currently own a diesel F-250 which will do the job easily but my family finds that it rides too rough, I have a supercab with a short box, thus a short wheelbase which make the ride bumpy. Txs for the feedback s far.

[SkiTower]

I have an F150 and a 211 (smaller boat) and I am comfortable with pulling it, and wouldn't hesistate to add 1000 lbs (difference with the 236). That being said, I would rather have a diesel and 'forget it's back there'. CAN it, yes. But I'd stick with the diesel. FYI: I have the 5.4L, 4X4, Supercrew shortbed with a 5.3 rear end. Towing Capacity on it I believe is 7500, which is minimum for F150's. Change the options and it increases.

Short answer: deal with the ride and stick with the F250.

[WakeSlayer]

If you have the option, as you do, use the F250. No question.

[KYSCJohnson]

Well I know it's a old post but I pulled the 230 with my trailblazer... No 4x4... It did ok hated life though.. But then I upgraded to a escalade... No prob's now

[prairiethunder]

Peachboy

would a 3/4 ton truck be required or the 1/2 tons more than sufficient.

3/4 not required.... 1/2 ton not more than sufficient.

I tow my 97 SN with an f-150. It handles it fine.... friend kicks my a$$ towing a 210 with f-350 diesel. I really believe braking is where the bigger vehicles will make the most difference

[TRO]

i pull my 230 with my 1/2 ton z71 4x4 with a 5.3L. i have pulled it on a 600 mile trip before. i wouldn't be pulling it long distances every day, but it pulls fine around the neighborhood and short highway trips.

[wildsv211]

Not sure abot the Ford lineup ... But my 1/2 ton GMC Yukon XL 2 wheel drive, tows the SV211 on a tandem trailer with zero issues. Up hill with the air conditioner blasting full crew... no sweat. I would not trade it for a 3/4 ton model..

[SkiTower]

3/4 not required.... 1/2 ton not more than sufficient.

Agreed

I really believe braking is where the bigger vehicles will make the most difference

My F150 brakes my 211 just fine. My only complaint is lack of acceleration. It's also big enough so the boat doesn't 'wag' the truck.

[2gofaster]

I've owned 5 F250 crewcab diesel's in the last 10 years. This year I traded my last F250 in on an 09 Silverado with the 5.3l and 6 speed auto. That **** truck kicks the crap out of any of the F250s in towing my boat. It accelerates better, stops better, and gets better mileage when towing. I attribute it to the shift strategy in the 6 speed auto. It REALLY downshifts well and uses engine braking to augment the truck and trailer brakes. Now I couldn't go tow my 28 foot enclosed car hauler for long distances, mainly because of wind resistance.

[Nautiquehunter]

The most important part of towing is the set up. Engine size, transmission, rear end gear ratio, wheel base, engine and trans cooling system. The F150 set up correctly will do better than a 250 that's not. A truck with a HD towing package is best . A higher gear ratio [373,410] will tow better but will hurt gas mileage. Everything is a trade off
too heavy bad ride and mileage too light mechanical failure and dangerous high speed driving. I always add a large trans cooler and temp gauge anything over 200 degrees is not good. Synthetic trans oil and diff oil will help with cooling.

[TravisFling]

I tow with a Tundra and have zero problems. Tows a lot better than my Chevy AND it's made in the USA!

[Nautiquehunter]

Travis
Please dont even hint that TOYOTA is an American truck .