Will a '04 Ford F150 (5.4) 2wd tow a 5000lb boat up a boat ramp or do I need to get a 4x4?

Question

Will a '04 Ford F150 (5.4) 2wd tow a 5000lb boat up a boat ramp or do I need to get a 4x4?

Answer 1

First of all I used a F-150 twd to tow a 3500 pound boat (with all the gear and fuel, it was used for off-shore fishing was most likely between 4500 and 5000) for about two years, and would recommend getting something bigger (I did) because it just didn’t have the power to handle well.  It is about 120 miles to where I put in to fish, about half the trip hills.  But it will work if you are willing to put up with not real good performance.

A little trick we found out of desperation (couldn’t get the boat out in a low tide situation and no one else around to help) in getting boats out of the water when only having two wheel drive, use the boat to “push” the truck out.  What we do when the tide is out and the truck is on the wet slippery part of the landing, or if we go somewhere the landing is very steep  is to have one person in the boat and put it in gear, and when the truck starts pulling hit the gas on the boat hard for a very short time.  This allows the truck to start moving, and also gets enough of the boat out of the water that the tongue weight on the trailer helps hold the back of the truck down without putting a load of people in it.  Just very quickly cut off the boat motor before it gets out of the water.

I now have a F-150 5.6 (unbelievable how much difference that little bit made) 4x4, and is much easier getting out and much better performance towing.

Answer 2

Depends on the ramp. Some have better surfaces than others. I've seen a LOT of 2WD trucks spin tires until a half dozen people piled into the back for traction. Just bring a lot of friends along to the lake.

Answer 3

This is a very Heavy boat I dont know if this will help but At one time I had difficulty coming up a ramp with poor traction,  I removed air from my rear tires and it gave me double the Traction,  only a couple of Pound,s,  keep a small air compressor in your truck you may need it.

This also is good in the Snow

Answer 4

yea, no sweat...don't spin.

Answer 5

PLENTY OF POWER!  Ford's 5.4 L engine, 2WD or 4WD will easily pull this and more anywhere.  Another factor is the

rear end and transmission as well.  Ford has installed comparable mechanics to accommodate this engine as well.

Always check your User's Guide" and insure to install proper category of "hitch".  Remember gas weighs, to round off, 7# (actually 6.2 +/-) per gallon and trailer approximately 1,000 # +/-.

You are doing the first thing most don't before towing a boat.  Before you tow or purchase make sure you have proper vehicle and engine.

Answer 6

I tow my 24 ft cuddy cabin with a 2002 Ford Explorer v8 4.6 L. Its two wheel drive and fully loaded the boat wieghs 5500. It handles fine at the boat ramp even with wet tires.

What I do is put it in the lowest gear, put one foot on the brake and one on the gas, i get the rpm's up to around 2500 and take my foot off the brake slowly. I have never spun my tires when I do this. Your 5.4 L truck will pull it up no problem if you do this.

Answer 7

Yes it should if your not gonna be stupid and floor it from a dead stop and get the wheels spinning

Answer 8

SHOULD DO IT WITH NO PROBLEM IF YOU KEEP TIRES DRY AND OUT OF GREEN SLIME!!!!

Answer 9

Yes.  Make sure your tires are in condition and don't get the wheels wet.

Answer 10

If the tires get wet then chances are low if not then with the weight you should have traction.