Towing Expertise Needed

[Jim_in_Delaware]

Folks, when towing, often run out of payload capacity before they reach towing capacity.

I would assume that with two kids, the OP has a quad cab or crew cab. While there is a lot of good information in post #15, I would use the chart for the quad or crew cab in post #14. The difference between the charts in posts #14 and #15 would be a reduction is tow capacity of about 400 lbs but and increase in payload capacity of about 200 lbs.

As @FSH 210 Sport notes, there is still a decent margin in both tow/payload capacity no matter which table is used.

I would still suggest that you wait and try towing a 252 FSH with the existing truck. If you find it comfortable to tow - then great. Otherwise you start looking for a new truck.

Jim

 

[Jim_in_Delaware]

I would also add airbags if not equipped.
I prefer to be in the 50% range of towing capacity.
118* air temp, 150* asphalt, climbing to 5500' twice in 70 miles is typical.
High under hood temps and the puter will pull timing drastically affecting performance.

It’s been a looong time since I lived in Texas, but I don’t recall many mountains in east Texas.

Jim

 

[FSH 210 Sport]

Minute 2:29….
Hold the load!

Put it in the red.

Freaking love that movie.

 

[Bottom Bracket]

Brake upgrades are a nice improvement, I did the Powerstop Z36 stuff on my tow pig.

 

[Mid life crisis]

Intersting conversation here. So just so we are all on the same page, I have a 5.7L Crew Cab, 4x4 with the 8HP70 tranny and 3.21's.

I'm going wednesday to look at a 222 FSH just to see if I think the room will be enough but i'm pretty sure I know the answer since i'm already happy in the size of out 242. I know the truck can tow it. Longevity is my main concern. I considered adding a transmission cooler and will most likely add air bags, regardless.

Thanks for all the input so far, and was hoping someone with a Ram 1500 had some experience since i'm aware of the tranny issues with Ram/Dodge. I'm thinking i'll be fine for a twice a year trip to the coast and some multiple short trips to surrounding lakes. Buddy of mine is a GM for CDJR so if push comes to shove i'll look at getting a Power Wagon or something with a Cummins. I'd rather have the boat first, though. lol.

 

[FSH 210 Sport]

Intersting conversation here. So just so we are all on the same page, I have a 5.7L Crew Cab, 4x4 with the 8HP70 tranny and 3.21's.

I'm going wednesday to look at a 222 FSH just to see if I think the room will be enough but i'm pretty sure I know the answer since i'm already happy in the size of out 242. I know the truck can tow it. Longevity is my main concern. I considered adding a transmission cooler and will most likely add air bags, regardless.

Thanks for all the input so far, and was hoping someone with a Ram 1500 had some experience since i'm aware of the tranny issues with Ram/Dodge. I'm thinking i'll be fine for a twice a year trip to the coast and some multiple short trips to surrounding lakes. Buddy of mine is a GM for CDJR so if push comes to shove i'll look at getting a Power Wagon or something with a Cummins. I'd rather have the boat first, though. lol.
View attachment 205922

Looks like you just need to keep an eye on the fluid level and temp of the trans. If you see it getting hot back down a bit. If you’re not towing over mountains and such you’ll be fine. The truck should have a trans cooler in it already.

Make sure the fluid is good and change the internal filter as well.

You’ll be good.

 

[Jim_in_Delaware]

Intersting conversation here. So just so we are all on the same page, I have a 5.7L Crew Cab, 4x4 with the 8HP70 tranny and 3.21's.

I'm going wednesday to look at a 222 FSH just to see if I think the room will be enough but i'm pretty sure I know the answer since i'm already happy in the size of out 242. I know the truck can tow it. Longevity is my main concern. I considered adding a transmission cooler and will most likely add air bags, regardless.

Thanks for all the input so far, and was hoping someone with a Ram 1500 had some experience since i'm aware of the tranny issues with Ram/Dodge. I'm thinking i'll be fine for a twice a year trip to the coast and some multiple short trips to surrounding lakes. Buddy of mine is a GM for CDJR so if push comes to shove i'll look at getting a Power Wagon or something with a Cummins. I'd rather have the boat first, though. lol.

Nothing wrong with a Power Wagon or a Ram with a Cummins, but you don’t really need that much to pull 7,000 lbs. As I note in my signature, I have a 2020 RAM 1500 Bighorn Quad cab 4X4 with a 5.7 Hemi engine, an 8-speed 8HP75 transmission, and a 3.92 rear axle. Max. payload on my truck is rated at 1593 lbs. with a tow capacity of 11,493 lbs.

I love the new 22 footers, including the 220/222 FSH. I think the upgrades from the 210 turn the FSH into a great coastal fishing boat.

Jim

 

[FSH 210 Sport]

Here’s a good article on the SAE J2807 test standard. As a fyi Toyota was the first to adopt this standard, Ford, then GM and Dodge. This towing test is comprehensive and kinda brutal, but it’s a real world test.

SAE J2807 Tow Tests - The Standard

Maximum trailer tow ratings have been a bit of a mystery over the years. Manufacturers each had their own somewhat secret ways of determining how much weight th

www.motortrend.com

 

[Bottom Bracket]

It would be interesting to read the actual paper (saeJ2807).

 

[FSH 210 Sport]

It would be interesting to read the actual paper (saeJ2807).

This is the 2016 version.

https://fifthwheelst.com/documents/tow-test-standards-2016-02.pdf

Or you can go here and pay $125 to read the latest version.

J2807_202002: Performance Requirements for Determining Tow-Vehicle Gross Combination Weight Rating and Trailer Weight Rating - SAE International

This document establishes minimum performance criteria at GCWR and calculation methodology to determine tow-vehicle TWR for passenger cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles, and trucks. This includes all vehicles up to 14000 pounds GVWR.

www.sae.org

 

[Bottom Bracket]

Have you read
J2807_202002
2020-02-13 ?
My work supplied subscription is a distant memory.

 

[Speciulboy]

I own a FSH 255 and tow it with a modern 2500 cummins, which I upgraded with 4.11 gears due to my 35" tires. The truck tows it with ease, but I'm lucky to get 10mpg. The size of the boat in general, including the T Top on the 252/255 models is significantly larger and as such, catches a lot more wind resistance. Folks comparing it to a standard open bow configuration on a 21 foot are not making an apples to apples comparison.

I think the truck will tow it just fine, but beware, you'll suck fuel like never before, and you need to consider that once you put 111 gallons of fuel in it, fishing and family stuff, and trailer, you're closing in on 7k lbs behind you. Again, not much static weight, but the wind resistance is noticeable.

Here's a picture for reference behind my megacab, you can see how tall the boat is behind the truck.

Good luck and safe travels