Ecoboost setup for kayaks and 16ft boat using Thule Mid Pro racks - trip report

[Nwduffer]

Some of you may recall my initial post on the Thule Mid Pro racks for the Maverick which I've just been able to test out while also pulling my 16.5 foot fishing boat. Here's a photo of my Ecoboost with the 4K towing package, the Thule racks and 4 Thule Hull-a-Port Aero kayak racks carrying two 10 foot fishing kayaks. Behind my rig is my Crestliner 1650 with another 12 foot tandem fishing kayak on top.

We drove down about 3 hours away to our favorite end of summer lake with 3 adults in the truck and provisions for 10 people for the week in the back of the truck. Caught a little bit of crosswind noise with the kayaks, but otherwise, completely stable and the truck did a great job hauling everything. Averaged between 19-20 mpg after running down and back. (Also have slightly larger AT tires and wheels since the first post) Probably about 1500lbs with the boat and kayak on it, another 400-500 in the truck with kayaks and provisions, and around 500 in the truck in passengers. Definitely a little bit of squat.

I love this setup--12,000 miles in and completely happy with this truck!

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[Swimstaffswim]

Love to see it in full truck mode. I can't wait to do the same with my EB w/ 4k

 

[h20mxracer222]

Some of you may recall my initial post on the Thule Mid Pro racks for the Maverick which I've just been able to test out while also pulling my 16.5 foot fishing boat. Here's a photo of my Ecoboost with the 4K towing package, the Thule racks and 4 Thule Hull-a-Port Aero kayak racks carrying two 10 foot fishing kayaks. Behind my rig is my Crestliner 1650 with another 12 foot tandem fishing kayak on top.

We drove down about 3 hours away to our favorite end of summer lake with 3 adults in the truck and provisions for 10 people for the week in the back of the truck. Caught a little bit of crosswind noise with the kayaks, but otherwise, completely stable and the truck did a great job hauling everything. Averaged between 19-20 mpg after running down and back. (Also have slightly larger AT tires and wheels since the first post) Probably about 1500lbs with the boat and kayak on it, another 400-500 in the truck with kayaks and provisions, and around 500 in the truck in passengers. Definitely a little bit of squat.

I love this setup--12,000 miles in and completely happy with this truck!

With the squatting in the rear do you plan to do anything to the rear suspension? Air bags? If I get mine, I will have my 450cc dirt bike on a hitch mounted rack. Approx 350-400lbs total. I'm concerned about squatting. My Ecoboost is AWD with 4k tow and Fx4 package.

 

[Nwduffer]

With the squatting in the rear do you plan to do anything to the rear suspension? Air bags? If I get mine, I will have my 450cc dirt bike on a hitch mounted rack. Approx 350-400lbs total. I'm concerned about squatting. My Ecoboost is AWD with 4k tow and Fx4 package.

With this load it didn't squat so much that I was concerned about rubbing or any driving issues. If I was going to be hauling closer to capacity on a regular basis, I certainly would think about it. I considered it for a moment before heading out, but didn't feel like it needed it for my daily use. Only have this kind of load once a year

 

[Bodageta]

With the squatting in the rear do you plan to do anything to the rear suspension? Air bags? If I get mine, I will have my 450cc dirt bike on a hitch mounted rack. Approx 350-400lbs total. I'm concerned about squatting. My Ecoboost is AWD with 4k tow and Fx4 package.

I live in Georgia where the squat with no load is popular. Makes no sense to me. I realize this has nothing to do with your statement.

 

[h20mxracer222]

I live in Georgia where the squat with no load is popular. Makes no sense to me. I realize this has nothing to do with your statement.

I live in GA also and don't understand it either..

 

[Jmav2152]

With the squatting in the rear do you plan to do anything to the rear suspension? Air bags? If I get mine, I will have my 450cc dirt bike on a hitch mounted rack. Approx 350-400lbs total. I'm concerned about squatting. My Ecoboost is AWD with 4k tow and Fx4 package.

Just curious as to why you don't Haul it in the bed? Not attacking, just a fellow rider who's curious is all(and yes I've used hitch racks before)

 

[h20mxracer222]

Just curious as to why you don't Haul it in the bed? Not attacking, just a fellow rider who's curious is all(and yes I've used hitch racks before)

Your setup looks good but I want to get the hard trifold bed cover to keep all my gear safe in the bed from theft and weather. The bed is small and I have do have a lot of gear plus I'll be hauling my standup race jetski along with pulling a trailer with another race ski on it.

 

[Jmav2152]

Your setup looks good but I want to get the hard trifold bed cover to keep all my gear safe in the bed from theft and weather. The bed is small and I have do have a lot of gear plus I'll be hauling my standup race jetski along with pulling a trailer with another race ski on it.

I totally get it. I have a 3 bike moto trailer for that sort of trip or ride.

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