Towing TTs vs boats

[RamFP620]

I have read a lot of threads here about the capabilities of a 1500 towing 6,7,8000 lbs TTs but then there are a lot of opinions/responses regarding the handling of long/heavy TTs. I get the fact that TTs can be big sails on the roads.

On the flip side, I don't see many posts about trailering boats with similar weights and lengths. Im sure there are similar handling issues but maybe not as bad since boats have a smaller profile....well...at least bow riders. The big 26+ft cuddy cabin boats are probably more like TTs.

One reason I bring this up is I have a 2017 1500 with 3.92 gears and I'm on the verge of purchasing a 25ft boat that looks like to be on a 28-29 ft trailer. Im estimating total weight with full takes in the 7k range. I've seen post by folks who have the same boat I'm looking at but say their setup weighs 8500#....the boats probably have the bigger engine and other crap stored onboard.

I'm curious to here people's opinions on this.

 

[MADDOG]

Weight is weight.

While TT tongue weights may differ from boat weights (give the different weight distributions of each platform) bottom line is that while payload may be a bit less due to lower tongue weight, the weight of the boat & trailer all counts towards your Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating figures.

 

[dhay13]

I have been towing my boat(s) the past few years but have also towed my sons TT with the same 1500. Last truck was a 2013 1500 5.7 4x4 QCSB 3.55's. Our boat and trailer weigh about 8800lbs with all tanks empty. The 1500 pulled it pretty well but my tow capacity was only about 8600lbs. Boats also generally have a lower tongue weight % due to most of the weight being at the back of the boat. I weighed ours last year and from what I remember (my weigh slip is in the truck but I want to post it here) my boat and trailer were about 8750. Tongue weight was about 670lbs so about 8%. Boat handled perfect. No sway even when semi's were flying by. The boats are much more aerodynamic and not as affected by wind.

Your truck should have about a 10,000lb+ tow capacity. Our boat site lists the dry weight at about 6600lbs but I know our trailer weighs 1300 so the boat is about 7500 and we had hardly anything in it. Had the anchor, anchor line, 2 batteries, and some misc stuff. We do have AC in ours and that probably isn't added in the dry weight so an open bow wouldn't have AC. But to be safe I would add about 1000lbs to your dry weight to get a better idea. Then add whatever fuel you have. That should give you a pretty close conservative guesstimate of what it will weigh. I would think you are under 9000lbs with trailer and tongue weight will probably only be about 800 or so give or take about 100lbs. I think you should be ok but I would weigh it on a scale and get a tongue weight. The truck will definitely handle it but just want to be sure you are legal in case there are any mishaps. Your payload is probably about 1300lbs or so. With your tongue weight taken out you will probably have about 400lbs or so of payload left. But like I said, get it all weighed.

Oh, and towing my sons 26' 8000lb TT I had some sway every time a semi passed me. The boat is much easier to tow

 

[Firetruck41]

I would suspect a boat trailer of similar length may handle a little better, because it seems that the wheels are further back than on the average travel trailer, making for a longer "wheelbase". But I don't have any experience with a boat trailer. Interested to hear from some others with experience

 

[Travelin Ram]

The killer with TT is the wind resistance. You pull a big boxy rectangle. Boats have a pointy end.

 

[Quyonmob]

As mentioned, boats tow much better than TTs of the same weight, due solely to the aerodynamics.

I frequently tow 6000lbs of logs on a 16’ Low deck landscaper. Towing 4400lbs of TT feels like a lot more strain.

 

[RamFP620]

Your truck should have about a 10,000lb+ tow capacity. Our boat site lists the dry weight at about 6600lbs but I know our trailer weighs 1300 so the boat is about 7500 and we had hardly anything in it.

I would think you are under 9000lbs with trailer and tongue weight will probably only be about 800 or so give or take about 100lbs. I think you should be ok but I would weigh it on a scale and get a tongue weight.

Thanks for the feedback. Per the towing charts, tow capacity is 10400ish with a GCWR of 15950. My current boat weighs in ~5000# with a tongue weight ~300lbs. When I got the 1500, I went back to the scales and with full tank on the truck and family of 4, truck came in around/little under 6300. To round up, truck weighs in at 6600 with the boat. I think with the new boat, I may be pushing the GVWR of the truck (assuming full load on boat). This may also put me a little over 2000# under GCWR.

 

[dhay13]

Sounds like GCWR will be pretty close. I have no idea what my GCWR was on my 1500 but I was probably about 15,000 towing our current boat. Best you can do is weigh it and see where you are at. I don't think power will be an issue but need to worry about stopping

 

[tron67j]

Trailering boats is very different than TT. Some already mentioned above. Center of gravity is generally higher, and bounce/sway can be more pronounced. More chances for things to go wrong as max meight rating is reached or exceeded.