First Tow w/ New Truck

Towed my 22' Boston Whaler Outrage for the first time with my new truck. I had towed the boat before w/ a friends Taco, it seemed like mine struggled just a little bit more than his. He is running 265/70/17 and I have 265/75/16...I didn't think it would make much of a difference but I guess the slightly larger diameter is enough to change the gearing a bit. Mostly it was fine, but there were two pretty long and steep grades that I had to slow down to about 45-50mph.

The truck needs air bags bad. Want to get them asap but need to make sure they will work with the lift I've purchased (TX Baja suspension components which is basically the TSB in the back).





Edit: Photo shows truck with stock OR suspension/3 leaf pack. Still trying to get my hands on the Baja lift components.

 

You got some squat in the rear any idea on the tounge weight?

 

Not sure. I would guess 3-400 lbs.

 

really bad squatting...might want to look into airbags

 

He already said that?

 

LOL

 

Go to the scales and weigh. If you don't you have no clue where you stand. My truck didn't squat that much with 800#'s TW. You need a WDH and weigh the truck and boat to see where you stand.

 

I should get around to doing that, but I really don't think the tongue weight is that high. Of course I could be wrong too.

All the weight on the boat is center/back. The fuel tank is behind the console and the engine is obviously in the stern.

I've towed the boat with my friends Taco behind mine on this trailer and a different trailer and it had the same squat. Both 3 leafs. Just standing in the bed or tailgate by myself (205lbs) makes it sag some.

 

You said you had three leafs which is not the TSB. The TSB is the four leaf packs. My truck sags like this with 500# in the back and I have the OR package (3 leafs).

 

Sorry, let me clarify. I had ordered the suspension package but nothing is installed yet. The photo is stock OR suspension package with 3 leafs in the back.

My order was successfully pushed through, still waiting for confirmation that I can get the kit.

Sorry for the confusion.

 

How much drop do you have for the tongue? That trailer looks pretty level...maybe you're squatting soo bad because you don't have enough drop. You don't want to try to lift the trailer up too high...

...just a thought.

 

I had to reverse the hitch so instead of a drop it's a riser. With the hitch in the normal drop position the trailer was not level whatsoever.

 

So how much does the entire boat and trailer weigh?

 

Still have not weight it. Best guess is around 5,000 - 5,500 lbs fully loaded up.

I've since installed bags and a supercharger. Search my posts for info.

 

Oh nice. Thanks man. The reason why I was asking is because I have to tow a 14ft tandem axle box trailer from Orlando to Ft.Lauderdale that is loaded front to back, top to bottom, and weighs about 6,500 Lbs. It sits exactly like yours when it it hooked up. It's going to be a 1 time tow. I'm going to avoid highways and I shouldn't exceed 60mph. Do you think it's a good or bad idea? I just installed a Curtis trailer brake controller on my truck. It's otherwise stock.

 

Probably not a "good" idea...but assuming its flat over there, as a one time thing and going slow, I don't think it'll be the end of the world...

 

Move the axles forward or the boat back on the trailer.