Towing Tomcat with 3/4 ton Modern Gas Motor?

[Granath]

Hi all,

Looking for feedback if anyone has towed a Tomcat with one of the newer 3/4 ton GMC 6.6l gas or Ford 7.2l gas motors. On paper it seems these motors should handle the weight of the Tomcat. I'm in the initial process of penciling out the cost of initial ownership and tow vehicle. I really don't need a diesel for daily use, curious if these newer gas motors would be satisfactory for towing.

Thanks for anyones experience or thoughts.

Michael

[thataway]

It should be no problem. I had a diesel and in some ways was sorry. I did not run it enough as my daily driver to get the DEF, Regen hot enough. So I had to take it out on a "Trip to No Where" to et it hot enough every week or so.

These trucks have plenty of power. You won't get the fuel economy or the speed up a grade, but more than satisfactory.

[C-Wolfe]

I used my 2014 Chevy 2500HD with a 6.0 gas engine once to pull my tomcat. It did great, no big hill though but I’m sure it will have been fine. Like Bob said, fuel economy was not great.

[Donald Tyson]

Granath,
It is essential to have the tow weight fall within the legal limits. My F250 Lariat was manufactured to tow 13,000 lbs. But when I licensed it I put 9999 lbs as the registered tow limit. So although I could have towed 13k I limited myself to 10 to avoid insurance or legal issues. With the Tomcat you may be close to 10k or more. Watch it...they're watching you. Get a tare tag (weight it on trailer) from a licensed scale (scrap yard, feed mill). Then you know what you you have. I had the 6.2l V8. At that time I felt it was the best towing and working engine I ever owned. You may have to downshift on exceptionally steep hills but who cares. I mostly hauled logs and lumber.
Best Wishes!

[thataway]

I get Cat Scales weight at a local truck stop. Good plan.

[Donald Tyson]

[T.R. Bauer]

Either one of those trucks will pull that boat just fine. Modern pickups have so much power and so many gears....it will probably tow it great as that boat isn't really that heavy and well within the capacity. I'm not even sure gas mileage will be that bad if you're conscientious, but it won't be as good as a diesel truck. It also probably won't spend nearly as much time in the shop.

[Granath]

Thanks all.

I was leaning towards the gas for some of its advantages, knowing that I will just have to live with lower fuel economy. Not planning on towing alot, so it sounds like the gas will fit the bill.

If I go this route with the Tomcat, will definitely post the scaled weight of Boat and Trailer.

Michael

[gulfcoast john]

Hi Michael,

We’ve been trailering our TC255 for 13 years now (is that a record?). We didn’t plan on much distance towing at purchase, but over the past 10 years typically trailer over 1,300 miles one-way to our next cruising grounds. We were never happy with the real life on the road performance of two new GMC HD2500 gassers, getting 6 MPH on a typical Florida hill with the feeling that those trucks were at the limit of their capability, although they both exceeded all the required spec ratings. For short, non challenging conditions they were just OK. The 2019 Ford F250 4WD diesel with HD towing pkg has been fabulous in comparison. None of them would make much sense as a daily commuter. If life is fair, we’ll get back some of the diesel cost premium when it’s time to sell. I’d recommend looking for a used diesel truck whose owner has already eaten the depreciation…it’d be cheaper than our three new trucks in the long run to get to our happy place.

Our 2015 EOH Float-On trailer weighs 2,000 lbs per VIN stamp. In typical cruise mode, the boat and trailer weighed 11,040 lbs on the CAT scale in Mar 2016 and 11,060 lbs in Dec 2016 with an adjusted tongue weight of 1,100 lbs. These weights are very close to the other 3 TC255 owners who have posted actual certified weights here (one weighed without unhitching his boat, so add the tongue weight).

Our weights are with less than ¼ boat gas (full is an extra 900 lbs since gas weighs 6 lb/g), no water or black water and after we had learned to pack light…i.e. all our clothing including footwear and rain gear for six weeks fits in two brown paper bags.

It’s a great, almost ideal, non-overwide trailer boat for a cruising couple. The downsides are the additional expense and complexity compared to other C-Dorys. For example, there are up to eight water pumps (not including the engines), each of which has a 12 month warranty and a 13 month life expectancy (plus or minus 2 weeks).

PM or call if I can help with any questions. Good luck in your search.

John

[Granath]

John..PM sent.