Here is what you need. Go big or stay home.
PS, make sure you have a “leveling” kit installed.
Here is what you need. Go big or stay home.
PS, make sure you have a “leveling” kit installed.
With that rig, no more worrying if there are any motel rooms available.
The way some people talk on here you need a Mack truck just to pull a 4,000lb boat and even then they would claim it’s not safe enough.
1995 Ranger 481v
1995 Johnson Fast Strike 175hp
I have a Chevy. It's old. It's half ton. Get whatever you want in half ton but be sure it has the towing package from the factory. I've driven other Chevies, Fords, Rams and Toyotas with bass boats behind. (The Toyotas are kick ass)
I only have experience with Chevrolet 1/2 ton. If you are pulling long distances with this vehicle, I'd recommend the 5.3 with 3.73s (if available) or upgrade to the 6.2L. My 2016 5.3 with 3.42s could not handle the hills of east Texas, pulling a 21' Bullet. Constant downshifting, resulting in 2 blown transmissions.
The Toyotas seem to be tough as nails and would be my choice for 1/2 ton. I switched to a 6.6L Duramax 3/4 ton last year and could not be happier.
Good luck!
1/2 ton is a very vague description, are we talking about a 65 F100 with a l6 or a 2020 V8 5.0 F150?
You will be fine. If trucks are half as tough as the commercials say you will be just fine. Just keep up on scheduled maintenance. Oil changes coolant, transmission transfer case and differentials
New Ram or new Chevy can’t go wrong! We tow my 21i with both of them. But the Chevy is a 5.3 and it drinks oil like a drunk at a open bar wedding. The Ram has no issues and the mpg may be a couple better. My .02
That looks like a “Skeet Reese” rig...
There’s a bunch of elite/FLW pros that are towing with 1/2 tons and those guys are putting 50k miles a year.
Honestly any of the modern truck brands are all very capable and just comes down to what you prefer. Toyota has the Toyota Bonus bucks program, which I’ve enjoyed getting checks from. Plus, they spend millions toward conservation. Plus, the Tundra pulls like a beast so that’s why I’m in one.
good luck
Last edited by Jocephus; 08-29-2020 at 07:20 PM.
I moved up from a 1/2 ton to a 3/4 ton diesel. The constant downshifting and turning 3500RPM running uphill was a huge factor for my decision. I had already upgraded the brakes and had a fresh differential installed and the motor was running well. But I was still bothered by the high revs, especially after moving up from a 18 foot boat to a 21 footer. Everything was bigger, the hull, the motor, and the trailer had tandem axles. As well as the truck was running it struggled on long grades.
My current truck is a world ahead of the old beast. I tow with cruise control on and it rarely downshifts on hills, and when it does it's usually slowing down on the downhill side. The drive is much more relaxed, a lot less stressful to be sure.
I was getting 8-10mpg with the 1/2 ton. My diesel gets 15-16mpg, keeping it at about 70-75mph. With 35 gallons, I'm able to make round trips on a single fill-up.
I even looked at cost. I paid $51,500 for my 2019 3/4 ton diesel. It doesn't matter what the maker is, that is not a bad price, especially when most 1/2 ton gas pickups were very close to that in price. If I wanted a 1/2 ton diesel, the best I was able to find was $69,000. I went for over twice the torque and horsepower for almost $20,000 less.
Hands down, the way to go for me was a 3/4 ton diesel.
Truth!Originally Posted by Amistad Tackle
USN Retired
2020 Basscat Caracal
2020 Mercury 225 ProXS 4s
F-150 with a 3.5 or 5.0 ten speed trans with tow haul mode. Yep I’ve had both outstanding power and performance for a 1/2 ton.
I have a 18 6.2 sierra half ton 4x4. I love this truck. 21-24 highway mpg. All the power I need. I have a 6000lb travel trailer I tow regularly, tows it great, I average between 9-12 mpg depending on headwind running 75.
Our 24ft pontoon i get 13-15. My little 17ft bass boat, I barely know its there.
I really can't see a need for a 3/4 ton with a bass boat. Maybe a large I/O but not a bass boat. They are all very short, and weigh what maybe 4-5000lbs tops? And thats probably overshooting.
Alumicraft,
I believe that you meant 3.73 final gear ratio, and I agree that if you were just towing on dry ground a 2wd would be the choice. Problem is a slimy weed covered steep launch ramp, or when you need to back up your trailer and partial truck into the water to float off.
Personally, I tow 300+ miles round trips with my '12 GMC 1500 heavy towing package 6.2L HO 425HP/445Tq 6 sp auto 3.73 finals 4wd. My '02 Viper Cobra with '03 Merc 225 total weight with trailer is at just under 3000#. So, I should have about 350# of tongue weight, and that should leave a crap load stuff that I can carry in the truck, since I have the 7900# option.
I have had 3/4 and 1 ton duallies that I have used to pull race trailers and RV, so unless you are pulling in that 9000-10000# class often, you will do just fine with 1/2 ton V8 with good HP and Tq.
I don't know what bass rig you have, but my 21' with 10" JP and motor on my trailer total up to 29'+ end to end, and 4-5000# would be more like a fish and ski boat set up.
I meant vertically short. As in shorter than the tow vehicle height. Not like towing a 28ft cuddy cabin thats several feet taller than the tow vehicle.
So really the best boat to be able to tow, somewhat aerodynamic, short, and light. There is no need for a 3/4 ton here.
Your talking about a boat that is less than 1/2 the max tow, if not 1/3rd or 1/4 of max towing capacity of most 1/2 ton trucks.
Got you, and I agree with this statement.
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