What package/model/engine should I get on a F150?

[Bass Guy 365]

I previously asked about a Tacoma but came to the conclusion that it is not sufficient for towing long distances along with towing very frequently. I plan on getting a 18 or 19 foot aluminum bass boat in the future, possibly fiberglass. I was wondering what engine and package I should get on the F150. I appreciate any feedback. Thanks. 

[E-rude dude]

I have a Triton X18 aluminum boat

My F150 has 2.7 eco boost, 10 speed Transmission, no trailer package but a trailer hitch. If all your going to do is haul a boat package of 2700-4000lbs that’s all you really need. 
More than that in weight and you definitely need the trailer package.

[slonezp]

My opinion. Get the V8. 

 

I have an F250 gasser 6.2L with the standard transmission. The 10 speed wasn't available when I bought mine. I'm not a fan of the bells and whistles. I'm at 50k trouble free miles, knock on wood. My son has an F150 with the 3.5 Ecoboost. It's been in the shop for various engine issues. All under warranty, some under recall. 

Keep it simple.

[Jig Man]

Last year I was making the decision on a new truck.  I had a Ford F250 and wanted a 150.  My boat is a glass with tandem axles weighing in at around 4500 #.

 

Ford and I couldn’t reach an agreement so I wound up with a Chevy 1500.  I settled on the 5 litre V8 with a 3.23 rear end.  It does a great job pulling up and down these Ozark hills.  Without the boat it gets 22 to 25 mpg.  

[huZZah]

Yeah all this info is on the door sticker for you. You’ll need to know the weight of the boat w/ motor and trailer so you can figure your gross weight.  Just don’t exceed what is in your door for max. If you’re towing a lot, go for a max gross that is 1k lbs or more over what you will actually tow every time.  Don’t forget it’s all the weight, not just an empty boat. 
 

Trailer package with internal brake is nice, but you can do aftermarket as well.  The brake is the most helpful to keep from tearing up your truck brakes.  Any 150/1500 truck will do it fine. A standard fishing boat isn’t heavy. A 250/2500 will be overkill. Unless it makes you feel better and then go for it. It’s yours.  I will say a heavier truck (curb weight) makes towing less stressful simply because the boat won’t be able to shift you around as easily. Also 4WD makes steeper boat ramps less stressful as well, but it’s personal preference I think. 
 

I have a Nissan Titan XD, a wannabe heavy half ton, and I love it. I tow a 10k lb trailer regularly (with weight distribution setup) and it’s great. But I made sure to get a truck specifically for this trailer. 

[Bass Guy 365]

8 hours ago, Jig Man said:

Last year I was making the decision on a new truck.  I had a Ford F250 and wanted a 150.  My boat is a glass with tandem axles weighing in at around 4500 #.

 

Ford and I couldn’t reach an agreement so I wound up with a Chevy 1500.  I settled on the 5 litre V8 with a 3.23 rear end.  It does a great job pulling up and down these Ozark hills.  Without the boat it gets 22 to 25 mpg.  

 

I have heard about transmission issues with chevy. Have they fixed this in the newer models?

[E-rude dude]

11 hours ago, slonezp said:

My opinion. Get the V8. 

 

I have an F250 gasser 6.2L with the standard transmission. The 10 speed wasn't available when I bought mine. I'm not a fan of the bells and whistles. I'm at 50k trouble free miles, knock on wood. My son has an F150 with the 3.5 Ecoboost. It's been in the shop for various engine issues. All under warranty, some under recall. 

Keep it simple.

3.5 eco boost has been a problem child for Ford.

2.7 eco boost is on its 2nd generation and so far no issues for me at 30,000 miles.
The v8 is a good motor but being a flex fuel engine, once you put a tank of ethanol in it over 10%, your fuel mileage will forever be horrible.

[Jig Man]

6 hours ago, Bass Guy 365 said:

 

I have heard about transmission issues with chevy. Have they fixed this in the newer models?

I’ve never had a transmission problem with a Chevy truck and I have had several.

[MN Fisher]

6 hours ago, Bass Guy 365 said:

 

I have heard about transmission issues with chevy. Have they fixed this in the newer models?

Transmission on my 2001 Silverado 1500 has never given me a problem, so don't know anything about 'issues'.

[TnRiver46]

7 hours ago, Bass Guy 365 said:

 

I have heard about transmission issues with chevy. Have they fixed this in the newer models?

My buddy had all kind of trouble, he said the mechanic told him it was an 04-07 problem

[Bubba 460]

 Well, I'm sure no authority on trucks, owned at least one of every major brand but Ford is my chosen chariot. Personally I have had the least amount of trouble with Fords so that's what I drive. I'm sure a F-150 will  easily tow any "freshwater fishing boat as well as some inshore boats as long as it's not approaching the size of the Titanic.

 

Here's a couple photos of my last and current boat haulers. My last one a 1995 Ford F-350 Turbo. This was a rare factory special with everything Ford had to offer that year and I had it for 18 years. It had 246,000 miles on it when I sold it. I believe that truck would have pulled the Titanic.

 

The current truck I've had 3.5 years now is a 2011, F-150, Platinum 3.5  EcoBoost. First thing I did was strip it of most of the emblems, decals & badges (Badges?... We don't need no stinking badges!). just to "clean it up". Then bought a custom grill off eBay to replace the wimpy looking factory grill. This truck pulls my boat up steep hills like it's not even there.

 

I've had my share of trouble with Dodge and Chevy. Toyota (the official battle truck of the Taliban) is a dependable truck but anything less than a Tundra for long hauling is a bit light ~IMHO.  

[Wildbillb]

2 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

My buddy had all kind of trouble, he said the mechanic told him it was an 04-07 problem

I have 203k on my 2004 Z71.  Other than wheel bearings and brake lines( thanks to salt) I have had no issues.  I change my filter and fluid every 50k in the transmission. 

[TOXIC]

Tranny problems with the chevys are well known.  They had a problem with them downshifting very hard and at some inopportune times.  There is a TSB out on it and very easy to look up.  My 2016 5.3 with the 8 speed would occasionally do a hard downshift and when I read about the recall the dealer did the fix which is a drain and refill of a different transmission fluid.  But you are looking at Fords so I would just suggest you go to a Ford owners group and read about the model you are looking at.  You will get the good, bad and ugly.