Question on EB with no 4K tow package: can it launch and retrieve at the boat ramp?

[ISU-Goose]

Hi Fellow Mav Owners!

I have a couple of questions. We just received our XLT EB AWD with factory hitch installed. NO 4K package. We have a 21 foot ski boat that weighs roughly 3,750 lbs. with trailer. I have a Nissan Armada to tow it for long distances. My question is can I use the Maverick launch and retrieve at the boat ramp. Will it hurt the truck?

Thanks!

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[The Weatherman]

It will work perfectly fine as long as you stay within its hauling capacity of 2k lbs.

 

[CLH917]

I run a large marina in south Louisiana for a living. I've towed (albeit short distances) boats up to 4700#'s with my AWD, 4K equipped Maverick. I would NOT feel comfortable launching and pulling a nearly 4000# boat out of the water with a non-tow package-equipped vehicle. A straight line tow is a whole different ballgame than yanking out of the water up a wet/slippery ramp, that's a good way to lose your new vehicle.

 

[Maverickman74]

I question why you didnt get the incredibly cheap 4k tow pkg, when you had an almost 4000lb boat? It does not seem logical, especially considering the longevity and performance parts included in the package.

I dont know if it will be enough for your boat as I havent ever launched something I couldnt carry over my head, but I do know that the 4k package would have been cheaper than what it could cost to call a tow truck to pull you out of the drink if your transmission fails.

I would stick with your larger vehicle for anything but moving the boat around the yard.

Edit, launch maybe. Retrieve? Get water damage insurance.

 

[Area51BS]

I run a large marina in south Louisiana for a living. I've towed (albeit short distances) boats up to 4700#'s with my AWD, 4K equipped Maverick. I would NOT feel comfortable launching and pulling a nearly 4000# boat out of the water with a non-tow package-equipped vehicle. A straight line tow is a whole different ballgame than yanking out of the water up a wet/slippery ramp, that's a good way to lose your new vehicle.

Not so sure a gear change and transmission cooler makes pulling a boat out of the water that much safer. Traction, driver and weight perhaps is the most important. Besides enough power.

 

[CLH917]

Not so sure a gear change and transmission cooler makes pulling a boat out of the water that much safer. Traction, driver and weight perhaps is the most important. Besides enough power.

You could do it with yours, I certainly would not with mine. If you want to advocate for essentially doubling the tow capacity; then put it on an incline that’s wet and slippery, that’s cool, those YouTube videos always entertain me.

 

[Area51BS]

You could do it with yours, I certainly would not with mine. If you want to advocate for essentially doubling the tow capacity; then put it on an incline that’s wet and slippery, that’s cool, those YouTube videos always entertain me.

I hear you. I just made the comment based on the tow package does nothing to counteract weight and slippery ramps.

 

[matt09ad]

idk i read about a guy who pulled nearly 9000lb with his. it would do i suppose but good luck trying to get ford to warranty it later if they find out somehow. my 19ft sailboat weighs 1200 plus the trailer. I got the 4k because why not

 

[LEDLITES]

Hi Fellow Mav Owners!

I have a couple of questions. We just received our XLT EB AWD with factory hitch installed. NO 4K package. We have a 21 foot ski boat that weighs roughly 3,750 lbs. with trailer. I have a Nissan Armada to tow it for long distances. My question is can I use the Maverick launch and retrieve at the boat ramp. Will it hurt the truck?

Thanks!

You should of gotten the tow package. That being said on paper no.
Real life you still have an AWD 2.0 Eco Boost that would likely be fine for very short distances but! You should be watching your heat and I would suggest looking into a heat monitor and aftermarket oil cooler if you're doing this in the heat of summer.

 

[SkeeterB]

Practically, it depends on where you will be taking the boat after the launch ramp. 2K - 4K the truck is the same for slippery. Power, a little bit less due to the gears, but not enough to make a difference. If home is in the subdivision or flat local streets it should be doable. The extras with the 4K deal more with long trip, hills, highway speeds, etc. This my $0.02. 50 years ago we towed where we wanted and with what we had. I towed a 2,000 pound boat and trailer with a VW Bus on a three hour trip from NY to East Hampton 8 to 10 times a summer. Never had any trouble. The ramp was very flat.

 

[Mavonorder]

Practically, it depends on where you will be taking the boat after the launch ramp. 2K - 4K the truck is the same for slippery. Power, a little bit less due to the gears, but not enough to make a difference. If home is in the subdivision or flat local streets it should be doable. The extras with the 4K deal more with long trip, hills, highway speeds, etc. This my $0.02. 50 years ago we towed where we wanted and with what we had. I towed a 2,000 pound boat and trailer with a VW Bus on a three hour trip from NY to East Hampton 8 to 10 times a summer. Never had any trouble. The ramp was very flat.

I'm no tow expert, but I don't think the posters situation shouldn't hurt his Mav either if he's pulling the boat out and not driving it around. Seems the damage would happen the longer the truck is used since stress and heat will be building up in all the drive components since he has no "coolers" which the tow package would have provided. My Mav has the tow/4k and I'll be towing a 20 foot pontoon which will be under 4k when loaded, but only pull it 3 miles to our local launch. The ride is hilly but the speed limit is only 55. I'll be watching the temp gauge closely!

 

[NJBob]

I'm no tow expert, but I don't think the posters situation should hurt his Mav either if he's pulling the boat out and not driving it around. Seems the damage would happen the longer the truck is used since stress and heat will be building up in all the drive components since he has no "coolers" which the tow package would have provided. My Mav has the tow/4k and I'll be towing a 20 foot pontoon which will be under 4k when loaded, but only pull it 3 miles to our local launch. The ride is hilly but the speed limit is only 55. I'll be watching the temp gauge closely!

I have a 20 foot pontoon similar to yours. I just need to tow it a quater mile to launch it. I have used a 2wd Dakota and my current f-150. But I will need to tow it about 20 miles to get a cover fitted. My concern with the Mav is going to be how far I can back it into the water. Both trucks has to go deeper than I would like as the ramp is so flat.

 

[Old Ranchero]

FWIW: 4k tow also requires AWD, which likely would help with the slippery ramp issue.

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