Just have a couple of questions:

I just purchased a new boat. The weight is around 9,000 lbs. Obviously my truck is not capable of towing this capacity stock. It's an 05 1500 with the 4.7 and 2wd (purchased the 4.7 last year because it was more than what I needed to tow the old boat). What I am wondering is if I upgrade the rear suspension, the exhaust, and the gears would this be enough to handle this much weight? I would only be pulling the boat twice a year about 350 miles one way.

Let me know if I'm just crazy and will need to break down and buy a new truck.

Thanks for your help.

 

Can it do it, probably. Is it safe, probably not.

You must have one helluva boat for the actual boat to be around 9K pounds. Sure you don't need a permit for that thing! What you must realize is that even though the boat is 9K pounds it is all the gear and gas and oil and extra stuff you add that jack up the weight. Don't forget to take into account occupants and everything else that is in the truck. When you do this, you surpass the weight limit of any Dodge 1500 truck. Even as a max, the Ram 1500 is rated at something like 8750. Sure it is "under rated" but why risk your life or even a law suit if you are involved in an accident (regardless of fault).

IMHO, you should move up to at least a 2500 and get a nice weight distribution set up with a good electric brake controller (Tekonsha) on a Class V hitch platform.

 

The 4.7L is a great engine can make more then enough power to tow your boat. What you should look into is first... 4.56 gears. Not only will your truck tow the boat better with the 4.56's... you will also get better fuel economey from 0MPH-70MPH... So as long as you stay in that window you will be getting better fuel economey than you are right now at those same speeds.

1) 4.56 Gears
2) Second I would remove your clutch fan and install an electric fan. That will free up 10RWHP.
3) A performance "Y" Pipe and then 3"ID SINGLE exhaust from the "Y" pipe back going into a 3"ID high flow muffler.
4) Cold Air Induction system... =AIR=RAM=> is one of many...
5) Fast Man 69MM throttle body.
6) 206 cams


Im sure there is allot more ... but if you do the mods in the order I listed them you will find that you be more than ready to tow your boat and eat a HEMI alive to the 1/4 mile. The Gears need to be the first mod though without a doubt... I have had mine for nearly 3 years and would have it no other way.

SPEED SAFE, AIR RAM

 

Sorry sperf but towing 9000 lbs with a 4.7 is absurd! I tow a 26' camper at about 5000 + or - and it's all the truck can do to make it up the hill. I'm doing a 4:56 swap in about a week and then the other bolt on stuff but if I were you, I would go to the 2500 diesel or a Super Duty. Good luck finding a used one. Trade-in on the dodge is going to kill you, ask me how I know..........

 

Diesel would be overkill...especially if he's only going to tow it twice a year.

I'm guessing towing it twice a year is to 1) Put it in the water and 2) take it out of the water?

If it is, it would probably be better...as far as the hassle and dangers go (and maybe even cost) if you looked into renting a 3/4 ton or larger truck for those two times a year.

YES, you could get away with doing it with your truck...but I do agree with all of osteodoc08's statements. Gears and suspension/hitch are the biggest issue you'd run into. But another issue that a lot of people overlook is braking. Bigger trucks have bigger brakes to help stop the loads they can tow/haul.

 

Yes but if you look at the STANDARD disk brakes on our trucks compaired to the trucks of the past... he has more than enough truck to tow that weight twice a year. I do sugest useing a trailor with electric brakes so it would take a load off your own brakes.... But again he already has HUGE 4 wheel disk brakes fromt he factory which is far better set up than a 2500 had only a few short years ago.

But I do agree that if he plans on towing more often then he may want to look into a larger truck... but for what he intends to do... it would not be worth the price tag to trade in only to tow your boat 2 times a year.

SPEED SAFE, AIR RAM

 

Let's see. An over loaded truck going 700 miles round trip twice a year. Not worth it to me. Renting a more capable truck is a very good option as mentioned by The Burning Rom.

A boat and trailer combo that weights 9K pounds is likely going to have a triple axle. As far as guessing which boat, a Sea-Ray 260 Sundancer weights 7500lbs dry. Add a trailer and we are at 9K DRY WEIGHT. Fill the water and fuel tanks, you are adding another 800lbs or so. Not to mention other gear. Before you know it your pushing 10K pounds. This would be very dangerous over such a long haul. If nothing, it is a legal liability if something happens. Now if you were going 1 mile to the ramp, I'd say sure, go for it. We are talking about 700 MILES ROUND TRIP. Just not worth it.

 

I did not catch the 700 mile drive... I was assuming he was close to the watter. Renting a truck that could handle the weight would the better option... and cheaper option in the end

SPEED SAFE, AIR RAM

 

Looks like you will be overloaded. The 4.7 is not the problem as has been suggested. The general limits of the truck would dictate a 2500 series. I have towed more than you would think with 6-cylinders! I don’t mind maxing out my truck/trailer combo because I have all the proper things in place ie: hitch set-up, trailer brakes and controls, true truck tires – LT’s, auxiliary power supplies, emergency road equipment and a lot of other things in place. But I don’t want to be over my limits for towing down the road. (Doesn’t matter how fast you can go if you can’t stop!) Renting as suggested may be a good alternative.

 

Thanks for all of the input. It's only hauled twice a year to put it in the water and take it out. Looks like rental might be an option (never thought of that). The boat is on a triple axel so that helps, but not enough.

Thanks again for all of the input.