Trailering a 290 1200 Miles

I'll just throw in a few things not mentioned yet. SRW vs DRW, with SRW in the event of a rear tire sudden blowout, there is a very high chance of loosing control because of the sudden shift of weight. I have seen it many times on the highway, usually people towing heavy bobcats on F250's etc. Almost always seems to end in the ditch and sometimes upside down. There is much less chance of this though if your trailer is gooseneck or 5th wheel as the weight is distributed much better. Don't mean to scare you, but if you can deal with the dually, buy it. I have a friend that this happened to and it was quite a mess.
2nd, I always put a heavy 10k rated strap across the bow to the frame and the same at the transom. I saw a 320 that was hit midships in the side while stopped by a camry, rolled it right off the trailer because the single bow cable ripped the u-bolt out of the boat. MM was delivering that boat to its new owner :smt009 With that said, I made an offer tonight on a second hand 08 F450, find out tommorrow if they'll accept it :thumbsup: SB
 
Excellent information everyone. Thanks very much. Looks like a long bed 1 ton with DRW and a quality trailer with a gooseneck or 5th wheel is probably the way to go. Diesel is the obvious choice for the truck. However, a friend tows with a Ford V-10 gas and has high praises for that. Anyone here have any experience with this big gasser?
 
The only thing I've heard about the V10 is the owners complaining about the towing and non towing mileage!! I'm sure it's a stump puller, but pour enough gas in anything and it will do the job! :)
 
Alright, I'll go ahead and post a few strong opinions. First, I and most of my close friends and family have been towing extremely heavy loads of one form or another for two decades. In this time there have been literally countless blowouts. Nobody has ever lost control. The right hitch and careful driving can handle a blowout.

Also, that Ford V-10 is a wimp. I've driven plenty. It does not come close in power to any of the big 3 diesels. The dodge V-10 is the closest gasser, and even that is not up to the diesels
 
What is that sucking sound I hear?

At least I could use the same pump to fill the boat and the truck, and watch those digits go REAL high.

The only thing I've heard about the V10 is the owners complaining about the towing and non towing mileage!! I'm sure it's a stump puller, but pour enough gas in anything and it will do the job! :)

Definitely true. I've learned that on the gas 454 4 barrel on the boat.
 
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How about manual vs. automatic on a diesel truck for towing? I've always driven manuals on my vehicles, but maybe automatic would be the way to go here.
 
It just depends on the strength of your left leg!!

I prefer automatic because we have tons of stop lights. I hate going one block and then downshifting to do it all over again. I know the clutch will last a long time, but it still bugs me. If I still lived out in the country, I go with the manual transmission. I think it's just a personnel decision. Years ago, manuals were the only way to go, but the new technology has changed that somewhat. The Allison (and the rest by now?) has the tow/haul mode which adjusts the shift points as it moves up and DOWN through the gears. This includes using the transmission/engine to do some braking when traveling downhill. We've got a lot of hills around here and it's nice not to use the brakes as much on a downhill segment when towing the boat or travel trailer.

I knew there was a reason we didn't go with the Megacab! It was the shortbox and not wanting a sliding hitch!!! I'd forgotten about that.
 
It just depends on the strength of your left leg!!

I prefer automatic because we have tons of stop lights. I hate going one block and then downshifting to do it all over again. I know the clutch will last a long time, but it still bugs me. If I still lived out in the country, I go with the manual transmission. I think it's just a personnel decision. Years ago, manuals were the only way to go, but the new technology has changed that somewhat. The Allison (and the rest by now?) has the tow/haul mode which adjusts the shift points as it moves up and DOWN through the gears. This includes using the transmission/engine to do some braking when traveling downhill. We've got a lot of hills around here and it's nice not to use the brakes as much on a downhill segment when towing the boat or travel trailer.

I knew there was a reason we didn't go with the Megacab! It was the shortbox and not wanting a sliding hitch!!! I'd forgotten about that.

Yea, I think it was Paul who pointed out the short bed problem.

And this is probably the wrong place to ask this, but how's the new Cummins 6.7l with the new automatic looking so far?
 
The automatic will be fine. The 47E was a problem when people tinkered with the motor and increased the torque too much. The 48E is far supperior and unless you work on the motor will be plenty of transmisson for you. I would get some gauges to keep track of things since you will be towing heavy. If you do this I will expound later on that subject. I know nothing about the 6.7. It does say Cummins which is a good start
 
Excellent information everyone. Thanks very much. Looks like a long bed 1 ton with DRW and a quality trailer with a gooseneck or 5th wheel is probably the way to go. Diesel is the obvious choice for the truck. However, a friend tows with a Ford V-10 gas and has high praises for that. Anyone here have any experience with this big gasser?

My F250 with the v-10 (6.8l) is a "hoss" and has pulled anything I have hooked to it without any problems (haven't pulled a boat your size, but have pulled a trailer with a tractor/front end loader) but this thing loves gasoline. Without towing, it get about 11mpg, and has a 36 gallon tank.
 
You need to go each states website and get information on oversize loads. Every state is different with their permitting process and fees. Tennessee is probably the easiest and cheapest for a recreational boater.
Oh, almost forgot, you can have an agent get the permits for you. I cqan't find my file,but, you can find them by searching for something like oversize permits.
 
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You need to go each states website and get information on oversize loads. Every state is different with their permitting process and fees. Tennessee is probably the easiest and cheapest for a recreational boater.
Oh, almost forgot, you can have an agent get the permits for you. I cqan't find my file,but, you can find them by searching for something like oversize permits.

Thanks for this tip.

And to everyone who has helped out, I'll give an update. I got a very detailed quote on the required trailer and all the accessories needed, and found a great deal on a Ram 3500 dually and have had a test drive, and am now letting it all sit for a few weeks to be sure this is the right thing to do, vs. shipping the boat down, or taking it on the ICW down to the Bahamas. Right now, the allure of driving it down the waterway is winning, so I may end up delaying getting the trailer/truck until we return.

Sadler
 
Thanks for this tip.

And to everyone who has helped out, I'll give an update. I got a very detailed quote on the required trailer and all the accessories needed, and found a great deal on a Ram 3500 dually and have had a test drive, and am now letting it all sit for a few weeks to be sure this is the right thing to do, vs. shipping the boat down, or taking it on the ICW down to the Bahamas. Right now, the allure of driving it down the waterway is winning, so I may end up delaying getting the trailer/truck until we return.

Sadler

When are you planing this excursion? When ever, we will need alot photos and updates.
 
When are you planing this excursion? When ever, we will need alot photos and updates.

Don't worry. A lot of the fun will be sharing this crazy adventure. We leave March 21, and return two to three weeks later. My plan is to keep a blog. I'll be sure to post the link. My hope is, depending on availability of Verizon EVDO service, to do daily posts with photos. Lots to do to get the boat ready.
 
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Looking forward to reading your blog. May be the only way I get to cruise this year.(Grin)
 
I have a '99 Ford F250 Super Duty with a V10. I wonder how that would do pulling a 29' - 31' ft. boat?

Doug
 
I have a 2000 F250 V-10 that I use to pull my 270 to Canada and back. The trip is 2400 miles R/T. The 270 that I have is really a 290 in sheeps clothing (ie:LOA of 30'6"). Truck doesn't break a sweat pulling the load. I think it is rated to pulled 18 or 19,000 pounds, have to look at manual to see. Not so sure about the need for dually. Boat trailer (Loadmaster tandem) tracks very well. A triple would probably be rock solid. The biggest issue is stopping.

Here is a link to a pix: http://rideaur.googlepages.com/testpage
 
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I have a 2000 F250 V-10 that I use to pull my 270 to Canada and back. The trip is 2400 miles R/T. The 270 that I have is really a 290 in sheeps clothing (ie:LOA of 30'6"). Truck doesn't break a sweat pulling the load. I think it is rated to pulled 18 or 19,000 pounds, have to look at manual to see. Not so sure about the need for dually. Boat trailer (Loadmaster tandem) tracks very well. A triple would probably be rock solid. The biggest issue is stopping.

Here is a link to a pix: http://rideaur.googlepages.com/testpage

That looks like a good setup. The 18-19,000 lbs. is GVW though, correct? (Truck + load)

Doug
 

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