Is boat too big to trailer??

[Take Five]

Hey guys, i got question, i have serious thought about what to do with my boat. since i got a house last month, with 4 month old son and pregnant wife (yeah again lol), i am putting my house and family top of my list with money. My boat is 25 foot sea ray and it comes with trailer. since the gas gonna be 4 dollars this spring/summer, i am thinking about bringing my boat to my house (to save money on storage since i declined to get a slip to save $$$) and i know i won't be using my boat often this year.

is 25 foot boat too big to trailer? it's about 11 miles from my house to nearest ramp. all local road. i plan to look for another truck which i found a nice one, 1993 ford f250 supercab 7.5 460 diesel 4x4 5spd which i know can handle heavy towing. how big do you tow?? would u tow that big or it's nothing to u?

i have asked my few of my friends and they wouldn't tow more than 20 feet boat and thinks i'm nuts for towing that big.. what your opinion? thanks! :thumbsup:

 

[johngus]

with any 3/4 ton and up truck you should be fine.You write 7.5 460 Diesel?The 460's are gas from that era.the diesel should be a 7.3.I would think a 93 is probably non turbo though so if it is diesel it will be slow,plenty of torque but not much horsepower,How is your driving with the 5 speed?take care of the clutch and you'll be good.you can use low range too at the ramp which will make haul out much easier.I would not even think about a 25 on a trailer,I would just do it.with a 4 month old and pregnat wife good choice not to waste the money for a slip,that boats not getting much use this year.

 

[Summer Fun II]

Towing that size boat with your setup is no problem. :thumbsup:

 

[JimG]

Your 250 (about 5,000 lbs dry) will be easy to tow with the right truck. I towed a 1999 270SE (about 7,000 lbs dry) every weekend for a couple of years with a 1500 Silverado... no problem. I later traded the 1500 for a 2500HD which I now move my 310 with twice a year.

 

[Take Five]

with any 3/4 ton and up truck you should be fine.You write 7.5 460 Diesel?The 460's are gas from that era.the diesel should be a 7.3.I would think a 93 is probably non turbo though so if it is diesel it will be slow,plenty of torque but not much horsepower,How is your driving with the 5 speed?take care of the clutch and you'll be good.you can use low range too at the ramp which will make haul out much easier.I would not even think about a 25 on a trailer,I would just do it.with a 4 month old and pregnat wife good choice not to waste the money for a slip,that boats not getting much use this year.

i apologized, i meant 7.3 not 7.5. good eye u got lol. driving 5 spd is not a problem.. i owned 1994 ford f150 4x2 5spd for 12 years. but it can't haul that boat this big, the only thing i haul with my truck is waverunner.

7.3 diesel is not enough horsepower? but i def know diesel is known for strong torque.

 

[popeye]

Live on the trailer-have fun.....Popeye-----

 

[Take Five]

Your 250 (about 5,000 lbs dry) will be easy to tow with the right truck. I towed a 1999 270SE (about 7,000 lbs dry) every weekend for a couple of years with a 1500 Silverado... no problem. I later traded the 1500 for a 2500HD which I now move my 310 with twice a year.

wow u tow this boat with 1500?? is it v8 motor? bse ford i know is 2 different f150, one with straight 6 which is my 150 and other 150 is small v8 5.8l

is your 2500hd gasoline or diesel? i hear diesel motor last longer and can take heavy work without a problem while gas is strong but motor lives is shorten??

 

[JimG]

wow u tow this boat with 1500?? is it v8 motor? bse ford i know is 2 different f150, one with straight 6 which is my 150 and other 150 is small v8 5.8l

is your 2500hd gasoline or diesel? i hear diesel motor last longer and can take heavy work without a problem while gas is strong but motor lives is shorten??

The 1500 that towed the 270 was a 5.7L gasoline. It was a load that you knew was back there, but your 250 would be very comfortable for that size truck. The 2500HD is an 8.1L gasoline.

 

[PostTime]

I towed a Rinker 265 which pretty close in size and weight to your boat with an Expedition. Obviously had tow package and 5.4 V8 and had no problem. Also having worked in the boat business dealing your size boat and tow vehicle for over 10 years I have a pretty good idea what will handle your boat. You have all the truck you need. If any worries, maybe add a transmission cooler and check everything over for piece of mind.

 

[jitts3]

A 25 ft boat is no trouble on a trailer. I'd stick with gas on the truck however. If that's all you tow no need for the diesel and the added expence. Also from my experience the non turbo ford powerstroke was a BIG POS! She'll just belch black smoke and make little power. I blew one up and have a buddy that lunched two.

 

[AKBASSKING]

Just 25' boat? No problems.

http://clubsearay.com/forum/showthread.php?t=27625


I am 30'...

 

[CoralReefer]

I pulled my 260 with my Tahoe Z71, no problem. I plan on moving my 250 this year as well. You're good with the 3/4 ton. The first move you'll be a little nervous. After that, piece of cake. You'll have more than enough truck to pull.

 

[Gone Boating]

I borrow my neighbors 98 GMC 2500, 5.7 to tow my 21' Chris-Craft. Driving on the Northway (I-87), the truck didn't break a sweat to stay at 75mph. I wouldn't hesitate to throw a 25 footer behind it.

 

[tdappleman]

25ft is no problem as everyone is saying. I'm towing a 270 DA with a V10 Excursion and it is no problem. The early 7.3 IDI's weren't known for being power houses - ~210hp but had decent torque - but wont compare to a turbo model if you can find one which was introduced in mid 94.

 

[Old Vet]

There are many people around who tow 25' boats and bigger.

Based upon these 2 statements.....

"it's about 11 miles from my house to nearest ramp. "

"i know i won't be using my boat often this year."

....I wouldn't be too worried about towing...and your truck sure wouldn't be getting terribly over worked doing this once in a while. It's not like you plan on towing daily...cross country.

 

[mysticowner]

I pulled my 92 270 sundancer up a steep ridge yesterday with my new to me 92 Ford F250 with a 351 engine.

I won't do that again. It was all it could to to pull that grade.
When I came to the second steep part I put the truck in low range with the hubs unlocked and it handled it much better.

These are big boats for towing on steep grades. I was wishing I had my son's turbo diesel.

We'll just take the other route from now on that isn't as steep.

So I would say "yes you can tow" But watch those mountains :thumbsup:

 

[wish2fish]

I won't comment on the towing issue but one of the benefits is you will be able to work on your boat a little easier since it is at your house. Are you sure you are not gonna use the boat? My boys were on the boat at 3 months. You could just put the boat in and not do as much cruising. Hang out and catch some rays.


Maybe the boat can be your hideout! Honestly you could take you young son up in there while your working. He isn't gonna walk off and get hurt yet.

 

[Clam Bake]

I pull my 250DA with a 2500HD and have no problems. Just take the time to also make sure your trailer is in really good shape with tires, bearings and lights - and then pick a few very quiet days to practice towing it and launching/retrieving. You don't want to try this on a busy weekend for the first time...

Have fun!

 

[Cincy Aquaholic]

I pull a 31'. The size of the boat is hardly a problem with the right truck. In my case, I have to rent since I don't own one anymore. I get either a F250/350 diesel from Enterprise.

 

[330DA]

What is the beam of the boat? Boats with beams over 8'6" need a permit. You are probably smaller with your size boat, but just checking.