boat/trailer question

[Tim K]

I will be using my Ex to tow a 14' Boston Whaler to the ramp (and unload) and back a few times this summer. Can one of you "Boat Experts" tell me what the approx. weight of this boat and trailer is? And is the bumper strong enough to handle this (3800 Lb according to Ford) or do I need a class III hitch installed on my 97 XLT (OHV)?

 

[IAMCDN]

I pull a little 15.5 foot fibreglas fishing boat with mine, I have a class 3 hitch that came with the factory towing package. I like towing with that, because it is lower than the bumper and the boat unloads easier with the trailer lower. My brother in law tows the same boat the odd time and he uses the bumper on his truck and it is harder to load/unload due to the height.

So if you have a good boat launch at your lake and it loads/unloads OK, then I think the bumper would tow it ok, but otherwise get a hitch. I also like the hitch because I can put my bikerack on the hitch and pull the boat at the same time. Wouldn't be able to use the rack with just the bumper.