Best Truck To Pull A Boat

[DaveBrabec]

It’s not that you can’t tow heavy with some light duty trucks. It’s just a way more enjoyable towing experience with a big truck. I’m sometimes 7-8 hours behind the wheel on travel trailer trips.

[digthemup]

Just to make some of yalls heads explode............... The tractor/loader/backhoe is pushing 7500 pounds on the trailer..........

If you can't see how overloaded that rear end is on that SUV by just looking at the wheel gap difference or the chains nearly dragging on the ground, it make no nevermind what anyone tries to help you with.
BTW, unless that single axle weigh 3000+# empty, I have a one series bigger JD 4410 with same backhoe attachment on a 5 tons GVWR tandem car trailer scaled at 6400# still attached to my truck.

I pray you never loose brakes on those trailers, cause on that day you will find out what we have been trying to tell you about. I wish you were closer to me so I could let you use either of my trucks for a day giving you a better understanding of the differences, and so that you can see I know a thing or 2 about towing, these are what I used to tow my 20 tons Eager Beaver deckover with for the smaller machines.
Volvos excavators Nica.JPG

[Mcjenson]

It’s not that you can’t tow heavy with some light duty trucks. It’s just a way more enjoyable towing experience with a big truck. I’m sometimes 7-8 hours behind the wheel on travel trailer trips.

Exactly, plus the OP asked for "best to tow around the whole country". Many of us go a little smaller so its a better daily driver, or its overkill for regional towing. But if you are regularly crossing the country and mountain passes it's hard to argue against a heavy duty truck being the "best".

[SGrem]

I've had non operational brakes on a couple of those trailers from time to time. Hasn't been an issue. Trailer brakes in saltwater is a constant battle. The don't work as often as they do. That X5 still stops it better than the truck it replaced.

I've had duallys and F550s since high school....don't miss it one bit. Don't haul heavy anymore. And much much more comfortable towing or not in the luxury SUV. The relaxed stability and smoothness is such a difference.

Trailer 2700
Tractor 2900
Backhoe 1420
Loader 795

Depending on your tongue weight what yours scales at.

[jerzia]

Exactly, plus the OP asked for "best to tow around the whole country". Many of us go a little smaller so its a better daily driver, or its overkill for regional towing. But if you are regularly crossing the country and mountain passes it's hard to argue against a heavy duty truck being the "best".

I towed the boat I picked up through the Rockies on the way back to NY. My 5.7 Hemi had a hard time making power on some those steep hills at 13,000 feet. Foot to the floor and I was maxed out at 45mph.

[Highcentered]

Exactly, plus the OP asked for "best to tow around the whole country". Many of us go a little smaller so its a better daily driver, or its overkill for regional towing. But if you are regularly crossing the country and mountain passes it's hard to argue against a heavy duty truck being the "best".

You're right. Pulling the biggest bass boat made like the OP is considering I'd probably go the Ram 2500 and Cummins route. For a truck that was also my daily driver and mainly fished local I'd have no issues pulling it with a 1500 with the right driveline. With the boat in my signature a midsize would be more than plenty even though some on here say that's putting lives at riskI do love this little single cab Ram I have now and a voice in my head is telling me to keep it even if it's just a dedicated tow pig eventually.

[digthemup]

.................I've had dually and F550s since high school....don't miss it one bit. Don't haul heavy anymore. ........................
Depending on your tongue weight what yours scales at.

Best towing and comfort I have ever owned was a dually with 8.1L Allison trans 4.10 rears. Put anything on the hook and set the cruise. Pulled 7 tons trailer with S250 Bobcat enclosed extra wide tires 4 ways bucket and snow bucket from King of Prussia up I476 to Rochester cruise set at 70+mph with one stop to fuel and take a piss.
Didn't notice for 2 yrs that I ripped the cross over line on the trailer brakes on my Cobra 201DC with Merc 225EFI.
I miss that truck and wish I never sold it to my cousin.
GMC 3500.jpg

[ChampioNman]

I am a full time guide fishing about 220 days a year then duck hunting from my duck hunting boat blind another 30 or so....

So my BMW x5 diesel stays hooked up nearly every day.
My 26ft center console bay boat is 6800 pounds on the trailer.
Duck blind boat is a 21ft Lund Alaskan. It is a treat to tow comparatively.. But I also have to pull my tractor/loader/backhoe which is 7500 pounds including the trailer.
Or the two draft horses in the horse trailer will be 7500 or so.
Or the airboat i Captain for environmental survey work.
Or the 26ft twin engine offshore boat I Captain sometimes for a different charter company.

10 yrs now.... excellent tow vehicle.

Your brother the #1 captain on the gulf that was on the water 300 days a year in the Tampa incident?

[Panama]

I have had 3 Expeditions... they are great trucks and are beasts when it comes to towing. I recommend them.

[polywad6963]

Volvo or Frieghtliner should do the trick.

The all-new Volvo VNL | Volvo Trucks USA
Trucks | Freightliner Trucks

[Highcentered]

Volvo or Frieghtliner should do the trick.

The all-new Volvo VNL | Volvo Trucks USA
Trucks | Freightliner Trucks

Would one of those be enough truck to pull a 12' flatbottom on a dilly trailer? Don't want to put any lives at risk.

[polywad6963]

Would one of those be enough truck to pull a 12' flatbottom on a dilly trailer? Don't want to put any lives at risk.

No chance! May need a locomotive and some train tracks for that haul.

[bdubz0r]

Just get a 1 ton dually and be done with it. That said, I'd have no problem pulling something as big as a Jag with my Ram 1500 and GOOD tires. That truck tows larger bass boats like a big Champion like a dream at 75mph. 2500 and 3500 trucks tow better but not a must unless you just have money burning a hole in your pocket. Sounds like you got a bon fire in your pocket so may as well get a big dually with an 8' bed.

Can confirm lol. I could put my 2019 Ranger Z520C and trailer on a flat bed with a skidsteer and another could thousand pounds of bricks and still pull it just fine with my 6.7 dually. Getting it backed in at a tight ramp with just the boat is another story haha

[Roper56]

For occasional short runs to your local lake , general light duty pickup truck duties, easy to park, a little better mpg, etc, I'd look hard at a midsize.
If I fished a lot and traveled long distances, used a truck for other medium duty pickup truck duties and never needed heavy duty capacities, id get a 1/2 ton.
If I really traveled hard and long distance, fuel and maintenance costs were built into my budget, Id get a 3/4 ton single rear axle. They are just more comfortable for hours and hours on the road if the suspension is set up correctly. Usually the lounge weight of a bass boat is about right for 3/4 tons. The weight of 3/4 tons just feels planted and doesn't get blown around in the wind and big trucks as much which reduces stress and fatigue.

Gas vs diesel is really not a factor for bass boat duty, thats dependent on many other situational and personal needs and wants.

[cmclairday2]

This question is as open ended and subject to debate as asking what the best porn is