Towing a Bass Boat? 1500 sucks at towing?

[LyleLukas11]

So I have been towing my Ranger Bass boat. It is a Ranger z520 which is 20'9" long, on the trailer its a total of 24 feet.

 

I feel the rear end is too "bouncy" at times. Is there a tongue ratio or something I should be worried about? Also the truck feels very bouncy when hitting a bump and towing.

 

 

Just wondering what others have seen.

 

 

 

 

Ive been pondering changing over to a Diesel, possibly Ford and or the new Ford Raptor.

[Heavy 5.7]

What's the TW?

[lawnboy-5247]

They just are not great tow vehicles in my opinion especially it you have a 3.08. I had my first experience towing heavy with my 3.08 a week ago and with a 5000 lb trailer it felt pretty gutless. It was also very bouncy like you described even though I had made shure to get the load balanced correctly.

 

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[NWI Denali]

What's your tongue weight? It sounds like you don't have enough. Can the boat be moved forward at all on the trailer? Is the room for the winch to be adjusted further forward?

[gtpilot]

Tongue wieght should be 10% to 12% of boat and trailer combined. I would guess yours should be around 350 to 425lbs of tongue weight.

[carlosh]

I have same truck combo as you. Ensure trailer height is 15 to 18 inches and if crappy stock tires, ensure you bump ip pressure a bit

[O_J_Simpson]

You failed to mention what year your trailer is and what GVWR you selected when your ordered the boat. Help us help you.

[Fishbait]

I had a 2014 with the 5.3 and now have a 2015 with the 6.2. Both pulled my ski boat with ease. I can't even tell the boat is behind me with the 6.2.

It sounds like you need to check the tongue weight.

 

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[EFLine]

You have been given some great advice here. Tongue weight and correct PSI in the tires, and if they are stock tires, Goodyear SRA's they suck.

 

I tow a 21 foot Bayliner, fully loaded, 25 foot long on trailer and 5800lbs with my 2014 5.3L and have no issues towing it at all and can honestly say its not many times i know its back there.

[truckguy82]

Tow 3500lbs often and I unfortunately sometimes forget I'm towing it.

 

Infact I raced a 5.3 suburban and won

 

Raptor is an awesome truck, but towing? No way is it better

[jamin87ss]

I pull a 10000 pd 30 ft Formula with no issue

[Rkaroll953]

if your still using the stock god awfull ranchos thats a start. ditch those. i added an air bag to the back to help squat and that helped tremendously.

[Buckshot556]

Pretty much listen to everyone above me. The truck itself should shrug a load like that with ease. The trucks these days are being sold with daily driver in mind so the tires and suspension work but are not ideal for utility work. Additionally your trailer tongue weight and height are pivotal. I used to have troubles towing my ski boat with a Tahoe I had. Amazing the difference a drop down hitch made for me

[BigBadSierra]

Light boat with a big motor is back heavy no mater what you do.

 

It's the boat bouncing your truck.

 

Almost all boat trailer axles are adjustable do not assume they are set right.

 

There is allot of information and videos on this start by checking the tongue weight and adjusting it.

 

Remember to do this with the boat loaded including fuels and live wells if you keep the filled while traveling.

[Donstar]

It is not an issue with your truck. It is your choice if you want to switch to a Ford but don't do it to solve your towing issues! Take the advice given in this thread and I'm confident you will have a different experience!