First Towing Impressions with 2023 F-150 5.0L V8 and 3.31s

[JExpedition07]

Have now launched my boat a few times after working through some troubles on it lol. Boat is a Four Winns 200 Horizon with a steel roller trailer. Have to go over the I-190 grand island bridges to launch so it sees a decent grade and you have to merge pretty fast. All in all I have to say I’m impressed, going into this truck I was concerned about the 3.31 ratio but on my test drive it seemed good so I went for it. Tow/Haul mode made the shift points perfect and it happily goes uphill in 6th gear with tons of power to spare. I honestly feel like the engine could handle a lot more weight but the trucks brakes were definitely struggling. I’d say this is about as heavy as you can go before trailer brakes because it pushed the truck downhill. I last hauled my boat with an Expedition EL with 5.4L 3V/ 3.73 gears. You can definitely feel the extra 100 horsepower the 5.0 has on the 5.4, she pulls the boat with a lot more authority even with 3.31 gearing. I think the 10R80 has a-lot to do with this. If you are towing a boat or lighter trailer don’t shy away from the 3.31 ratio if that’s what the lot has. I’d likely still order a 3.73 if I ever ordered though.

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[powerboatr]

i had a 1988 four winns 200 horizon, for over 20 years, i hated to sell it
great STURDY boat, float on trailer,
back on topic

 

[JExpedition07]

beautiful! I’ve really struggled with the gel coat on this boat, it was so so chalky. I’ve buffed and waxed it several times, the before photos are so dismal I won’t even show them. I’ve had to do alot of work to it. Gimbal bearing, bellows, rebuilt sterndrive, bilge pump, all new canvas, reupholstered some seats. It’s only got 400 hours on it since 1988 lol. It’s definitely different working on the boat though, I enjoy that work lol. Keeps me busy when I’m bored. Love the dark hull on yours! Classy look.

 

[powerboatr]

beautiful! I’ve really struggled with the gel coat on this boat, it was so so chalky. I’ve buffed and waxed it several times, the before photos are so dismal I won’t even show them. I’ve had to do alot of work to it. Gimbal bearing, bellows, rebuilt sterndrive, bilge pump, all new canvas, reupholstered some seats. It’s only got 400 hours on it since 1988 lol. It’s definitely different working on the boat though, I enjoy that work lol. Keeps me busy when I’m bored. Love the dark hull on yours! Classy look.

they dont build them like that anymore
we spent many hours polishing since it was new, each trip it got scrubbed, flushed to get rid of salt and waxed twice a year. it also stayed in garage or in a big storage area unless it was on the water.
had 1 engine swap, several exhaust manifolds, probably a dozen propellers (floating debris)
i miss skiing behind it, but old bones stopped that
i had just over 800 hours on it when i sold it. it was hard to watch it leave

 

[rugedraw]

My truck has the 3.5TT, but also has the 3.31 gears. Tows my 25" center console with ease. Probably weighs 6,500 pounds with trailer, fuel and a cooler full of ice and beer. I agree that the brakes are the only thing that would prevent me from going heavier.

I'm actually going to do a gear swap to 3.55's or 3.73's (still undecided), but more for improved acceleration than towing. As far as my towing needs go, the 3.31's do just fine. I trailer my boat down to the keys a few times a year going up and down several bridges and it does not struggle one bit with the current set up.

 

[780]

Have now launched my boat a few times after working through some troubles on it lol. Boat is a Four Winns 200 Horizon with a steel roller trailer. Have to go over the I-190 grand island bridges to launch so it sees a decent grade and you have to merge pretty fast. All in all I have to say I’m impressed, going into this truck I was concerned about the 3.31 ratio but on my test drive it seemed good so I went for it. Tow/Haul mode made the shift points perfect and it happily goes uphill in 6th gear with tons of power to spare. I honestly feel like the engine could handle a lot more weight but the trucks brakes were definitely struggling. I’d say this is about as heavy as you can go before trailer brakes because it pushed the truck downhill. I last hauled my boat with an Expedition EL with 5.4L 3V/ 3.73 gears. You can definitely feel the extra 100 horsepower the 5.0 has on the 5.4, she pulls the boat with a lot more authority even with 3.31 gearing. I think the 10R80 has a-lot to do with this. If you are towing a boat or lighter trailer don’t shy away from the 3.31 ratio if that’s what the lot has. I’d likely still order a 3.73 if I ever ordered though.

First thing I noticed was how well your truck and boat match colors.

 

[powerboatr]

My truck has the 3.5TT, but also has the 3.31 gears. Tows my 25" center console with ease. Probably weighs 6,500 pounds with trailer, fuel and a cooler full of ice and beer. I agree that the brakes are the only thing that would prevent me from going heavier.

I'm actually going to do a gear swap to 3.55's or 3.73's (still undecided), but more for improved acceleration than towing. As far as my towing needs go, the 3.31's do just fine. I trailer my boat down to the keys a few times a year going up and down several bridges and it does not struggle one bit with the current set up.

I AM DROOLING freaking awesome BOAT dude

you need a 1st mate or navigator???? hmm i can meet you in the keys
FISH ON

 

[rugedraw]

I AM DROOLING freaking awesome BOAT dude

you need a 1st mate or navigator???? hmm i can meet you in the keys
FISH ON

Always looking for seaworthy people. I'm always the one doing all the work out there. 🫡

 

[powerboatr]

Always looking for seaworthy people. I'm always the one doing all the work out there. 🫡

it can happen
my wife used to back up the trailer, i would drive off and head to the dock
then when we returned she would back trailer in water, i drove boat on and locked it down and off we went...only one time did she crunch the tailgate on the trailer winch...she left it down in a hard turn to avoid an un trained hmm man putting his boat in the water

i miss being out there miles from land, playing old man and the sea ...
fishing is superb way to let the world go.

you do the BILL FISH tournament up in Jacksonville?

 

[rugedraw]

@powerboatr Nah, I don't do tournaments. I fish casually, and mostly bottom fishing nowadays. Tbh, I prefer to do my fishing in the water than on the water. Spearfishing and catching lobster is my therapy. Already booked almost an entire week in the keys in September when lobster season opens. Nowadays, my boat is mostly a sand bar princess since my son is only 8. He hasn't learned the patience it takes to fish yet and gets bored. When he gets older, I plan on spending more time in deeper waters. Nowadays, the only time I get to do fishing is when the kids don't come on the boat, which is very rare.

 

[powerboatr]

@powerboatr Nah, I don't do tournaments. I fish casually, and mostly bottom fishing nowadays. Tbh, I prefer to do my fishing in the water than on the water. Spearfishing and catching lobster is my therapy. Already booked almost an entire week in the keys in September when lobster season opens. Nowadays, my body is mostly a sand bar princess since my son is only 8. He hasn't learned the patience it takes to fish yet and gets bored. When he gets older, I plan on spending more time in deeper waters. Nowadays, the only time I get to do fishing is when the kids don't come on the boat, which is very rare.

MAJOR props for DAD time with the kids, someday they will out fish you
nothing wrong with hanging on the sand bar with the family

 

[Samson16]

Have now launched my boat a few times after working through some troubles on it lol. Boat is a Four Winns 200 Horizon with a steel roller trailer. Have to go over the I-190 grand island bridges to launch so it sees a decent grade and you have to merge pretty fast. All in all I have to say I’m impressed, going into this truck I was concerned about the 3.31 ratio but on my test drive it seemed good so I went for it. Tow/Haul mode made the shift points perfect and it happily goes uphill in 6th gear with tons of power to spare. I honestly feel like the engine could handle a lot more weight but the trucks brakes were definitely struggling. I’d say this is about as heavy as you can go before trailer brakes because it pushed the truck downhill. I last hauled my boat with an Expedition EL with 5.4L 3V/ 3.73 gears. You can definitely feel the extra 100 horsepower the 5.0 has on the 5.4, she pulls the boat with a lot more authority even with 3.31 gearing. I think the 10R80 has a-lot to do with this. If you are towing a boat or lighter trailer don’t shy away from the 3.31 ratio if that’s what the lot has. I’d likely still order a 3.73 if I ever ordered though.

She looks good! Dual console with the nice bow rail and solid sharp entry hull . Thanks for sharing your towing experience.

 

[Ranger621]

I have a 2022 Lariat with the 5.0 and 3.73 max tow. I use to have a 2010 lariat 5.4 with a 3.55, the 2022 tows leaps and bounds better than my 2010 did. I have a Ranger 621VS walleye boat that is probably close to 5000 lbs fully loaded with fuel and gear. This new F150 is amazing. Traveling to Northern Michigan we have the Zilwaukee bridge that has i rise to 125ft. Not the steepest but still a good slope. I can accelerate all the way to the top with no problem, passing cars hat are going 70 mph. There are many high grades that also are no problem. My 2010 would struggle going up this bridge. I am extremely happy with my 2022.

 

[powerboatr]

I have a 2022 Lariat with the 5.0 and 3.73 max tow. I use to have a 2010 lariat 5.4 with a 3.55, the 2022 tows leaps and bounds better than my 2010 did. I have a Ranger 621VS walleye boat that is probably close to 5000 lbs fully loaded with fuel and gear. This new F150 is amazing. Traveling to Northern Michigan we have the Zilwaukee bridge that has i rise to 125ft. Not the steepest but still a good slope. I can accelerate all the way to the top with no problem, passing cars hat are going 70 mph. There are many high grades that also are no problem. My 2010 would struggle going up this bridge. I am extremely happy with my 2022.

that is one good looking ranger boat
we dont see many down here with a high windshield and deep draft, and kicker . it looks like its saying, lets go fish NOW ...i mean NOW ..take me to the river

 

[EricR]

I have a 2022 Lariat with the 5.0 and 3.73 max tow. I use to have a 2010 lariat 5.4 with a 3.55, the 2022 tows leaps and bounds better than my 2010 did. I have a Ranger 621VS walleye boat that is probably close to 5000 lbs fully loaded with fuel and gear. This new F150 is amazing. Traveling to Northern Michigan we have the Zilwaukee bridge that has i rise to 125ft. Not the steepest but still a good slope. I can accelerate all the way to the top with no problem, passing cars hat are going 70 mph. There are many high grades that also are no problem. My 2010 would struggle going up this bridge. I am extremely happy with my 2022.

You provide a lame example of a hill.

You also provide an excellent example of a boat!!!

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