Over the Manufacturer's recommended towing capacity.

[FTMaverick80]

I have the 4K Towing package.

I've come across a boat I was thinking about buying. Problem is that all in (boat, engine, full tank of gas, trailer, etc. etc.) I'm going to be at around 4250 pounds. Let's just say 4500 for argument's sake.

I will be driving it max 2,000 miles a year with no inclines. I use 93 octane when towing, change engine oil every 4000 miles and I will be changing the transmission, diff, transfer case the recommended heavy use interval which I believe is 30k miles.

How bad of an idea is this?

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[commadorebob]

The official party line will be to not tow above the recommended rating of the truck. If it is just ever you in the vehicle when towing, you might move some of the gear to the truck itself to get under that weight.

That said, the rating is based on safety considerations and not capability. I saw someone towing an Airstream with a VW crossover and late one night saw someone towing a camper too big for the Maverick with a Honda Accord.

So, I fully expect your truck to be able to handle it fine. But you will guzzle gasoline.

https://www.vdm.ford.com/content/da...owing/pdf/2024-Ford-Maverick-Towing-Guide.pdf

 

[A.Bursell]

I looked at a truck quite a while ago, maybe a Nissan, that had a separate tow rating for boats, presumably because of the aerodynamics. Only time I've ever seen that. The Maverick is also the only truck I've seen that has max tow information on the frontal area of the trailer, also for aerodynamics. Nothing is going to change the weight of the boat, but don't forget that aerodynamics also come into play. I wouldn't recommend going over the max weight rating, but wanted to drop some info you might not have considered.

 

[FTMaverick80]

I looked at a truck quite a while ago, maybe a Nissan, that had a separate tow rating for boats, presumably because of the aerodynamics. Only time I've ever seen that. The Maverick is also the only truck I've seen that has max tow information on the frontal area of the trailer, also for aerodynamics. Nothing is going to change the weight of the boat, but don't forget that aerodynamics also come into play. I wouldn't recommend going over the max weight rating, but wanted to drop some info you might not have considered.

Thanks for that info. I assume boats have worse aerodynamics (uncovered).

 

[A.Bursell]

Thanks for that info. I assume boats have worse aerodynamics (uncovered).

Looking back at my message I wasn't clear. I think generally boats have better aerodynamics and the tow rating I mentioned was higher. While something like an enclosed cargo trailer will be much worse with a big flat front on it.

 

[Darnon]

That said, the rating is based on safety considerations and not capability.

Capability certainly is also a factor, especially cooling. I recall when TFL did their Ike Test with the 4k it ran on the hotter end. And the Tremor doesn't have much headroom over 2k.

 

[Hybrid25XLTAWD]

here's another thing thAt I"m surprised hasn't been brought up....

say you're running your setup & something extremely serious happens...even if it's not your fault....serious enough to cause a ful-blown accident investigation....

it is learned that you are over your max tow capacity

your insurance company tells you to go pound sand as you were not within the specified capacities

now, you are not only on the hook for all damages during the accident as well as any civil litigation

not really something that's worth the little extra weight

JMHO

 

[commadorebob]

Capability certainly is also a factor, especially cooling. I recall when TFL did their Ike Test with the 4k it ran on the hotter end. And the Tremor doesn't have much headroom over 2k.

I was thinking more of the failure point of steel. But yes, the extra wear and tear is a factor.

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

Thanks for that info. I assume boats have worse aerodynamics (uncovered).

Because I usually bought universal Mooring covers. The covers weren't necessarily a tight fit on the boat.
I would tow my boats uncovered because of the billowing of the large covers.
A custom made tight cover would probably help aerodynamics.
I believe they make boat covers especially for Towing.
Below is copied from a boating article.

• Proper fit is crucial:
  A cover that doesn't fit tightly can billow in the wind, acting like a parachute and increasing drag significantly, negating any aerodynamic benefit

 

[Tim d]

I have the 4K Towing package.

I've come across a boat I was thinking about buying. Problem is that all in (boat, engine, full tank of gas, trailer, etc. etc.) I'm going to be at around 4250 pounds. Let's just say 4500 for argument's sake.

I will be driving it max 2,000 miles a year with no inclines. I use 93 octane when towing, change engine oil every 4000 miles and I will be changing the transmission, diff, transfer case the recommended heavy use interval which I believe is 30k miles.

How bad of an idea is this?

Think itsaskingfor trouble

I have the 4K Towing package.

I've come across a boat I was thinking about buying. Problem is that all in (boat, engine, full tank of gas, trailer, etc. etc.) I'm going to be at around 4250 pounds. Let's just say 4500 for argument's sake.

I will be driving it max 2,000 miles a year with no inclines. I use 93 octane when towing, change engine oil every 4000 miles and I will be changing the transmission, diff, transfer case the recommended heavy use interval which I believe is 30k miles.

How bad of an idea is this?

I think it's asking for trouble and would not go over the 4000lbs.

 

[Zjr]

Only add fuel at the launch... save some weight...

 

[FTMaverick80]

Yeah. I'm going to keep the weight under 4k. Happens I found a boat that I may like a little more. Full fuel tank, engine, boat, trailer is about 3100. (According to the manufacturer) This leaves plenty of wiggle room for underestimated weight, gear in both car and boat, and passengers in my car.

Boat, full fuel, trailer, engine : 3100lbs.
Gear in boat: 400lbs.

This leaves me with 500 pounds of wiggle room. Now, I will NEVER have 400 pounds of equipment, accessories, etc. in the boat. A cooler, Rods, tackle boxes, etc. etc. will not even be half that.

 

[slashsnake]

Looking back at my message I wasn't clear. I think generally boats have better aerodynamics and the tow rating I mentioned was higher. While something like an enclosed cargo trailer will be much worse with a big flat front on it.

Yup, my Wrangler had a frontal load limit thing. Basically could tow a nice amount but most travel trailers wouldn't fit the frontal load requirement so it was pop ups as all that truly fit.

 

[Hybrid25XLTAWD]

Now, I will NEVER have 400 pounds of equipment, accessories, etc. in the boat. A cooler, Rods, tackle boxes, etc. etc. will not even be half that.

Unless you can create an exceptional haul of fish that puts you over the weight limit

 

[Joe Strummer]

You need to factor in the Tongue Weight. This will reduce the Payload of the truck but not its GCVWR. Typically it means moving Payload to the boat/trailer, impacting max towing load.

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