TRX, AT4, Raptor type trucks to tow a 2023 G23?

[Brien]

Need a new truck to pull my G23. Only pull it a few times a year and less than 50 miles yet most of the trucks that have the cool options I like are not rated to tow the 9500 points of the boat and trailer. What do you all use? Could I get away with a lifted half ton with big tires or do I need to still to the more plain trucks that are rated to tow?

[bturner]

IMO, which won't be popular with the aftermarket, buy a purpose built truck rated to tow the weight of your intended load from one of the OEMs. They're on the hook for safe operation of the vehicle and have completed exhaustive testing on the vehicle to ensure it is safe and capable to do so. Adding bigger tires and a lift kit to a truck will be about as effective as adding a pair of swinging nuts to the trailer hitch in making the truck more tow capable. If anything adding bigger tires will decrease the mechanical advantage the stock gearing had. A lift kit will raise the center of gravity and will all but surely decrease the stability of the vehicle.

As to the capability of the Offroad offerings..... I have a friend with a Raptor that pulled his MC X2 with it a couple times a year. The truck did fine with it but his father's XLT F150 with the 5.0 did a much better job. Part of the problem with these trucks is that they're engineered for offroad use with bigger tires (see above statement on end ratio) and soft, long travel suspensions to absorb the uneven terrain experienced in offroad use. They are not designed for or meant to be high load carrying or pulling vehicles, hence the lower tow ratings. Pretty much two different use cases.

At the price points you're looking at it may make more sense to find yourself an older F250 like truck that's in decent shape or one you can get there for a reasonable amount of money.

Around my parts, something along these lines comes to mind.....

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...8-1d49ab840f97

[Scooter G]

Score bturner, an '06 with 61k miles, Sunday driver. Although one of the worst years ever produced, would probably have more miles on it, but it spent most of it's life in the shop, lol.
I see big surf ships being lugged by 1/2 tons & similar way too much, doable on short runs, but I think they're pushing the envelope. There was a new tripe axle G25 at the ramp this week following an old 1/2 ton Chevy, $300k boat and a $10,000 rig, I'll give them this, guys got his priorities straight. I personally wouldn't pull a G with anything not rated at 10,000 lbs or more, unless my '06 was in the shop (satire) and the water was calling. A grumpy State Patrol Officer on an off day can give you a little grief and delay if they think something is amiss. I'm a Ford guy, but you are on the right track with the AT4... Anything diesel is going to be a pulling beast.

[DCM]

I occasionally tow my 230 with a current generation Raptor. It does OK, but I would not tow a G23 with it.

[srock]

I towed my 230 with two different Raptors. The original 6.2 liter and the newer Ecoboost model. Pulled it ok but not even close to the ease of my F250 which makes it almost fun. Power is not the issue, the downfall is the soft suspension that made it "loose" at highway speed. A lifted half-ton with big tires will only make things worse, but a reasonably paced 50 miles, it's doable but probably not legal.

[swatguy]

Well GM just released the Trail Boss / AT4 versions of their 2500’s for 2025 if that’s the look you like and were after. Putting lift kit/leveling kit and adding wheels only even lessons the 1500 tow capabilities.

Grab an F250 and put some wheels on it. It changes the entire complexion. I’m a GM fanboy but the 250’s look the best.,