Best Trucks for Towing at Lake Hartwell

If you’re hauling a boat to Lake Hartwell, the question that matters isn’t “is this truck big enough” - it’s whether its specific tow rating actually covers your boat and trailer, loaded, with gear and a full tank.

How much does a typical boat and trailer weigh?

Loaded weight (boat + trailer + fuel + gear) commonly runs:

• Small bass boat / jon boat: roughly 2,500-3,500 lbs
• Mid-size bass or ski boat: roughly 3,500-5,000 lbs
• Pontoon boat: roughly 4,000-6,000 lbs, sometimes more depending on size

These are general ranges, not a substitute for weighing your specific rig.

What Ford trucks are rated for

Tow ratings depend on the exact trim, engine, and towing package, so treat these as typical ranges rather than a guarantee for any one vehicle:

• Ford Ranger: rated up to 7,500 lbs with the Trailer Tow Package - enough for most bass boats and mid-size pontoons. Note the Ranger Raptor is rated lower, at 5,510 lbs.
• Ford F-150: ranges widely by configuration, from about 8,400 lbs on the 2.7L EcoBoost up to 13,500 lbs on the 3.5L EcoBoost with the Tow/Haul Package and Max Tow Axle - covers essentially anything you’d tow on Lake Hartwell.

The one thing to actually check

Tow rating isn’t just about the engine - axle ratio, cooling package, and whether the factory tow package is installed all affect the real number for a specific vehicle. Don’t assume; ask.

Browse Ford trucks near Hartwell or see our current used vehicle offers and tell us what you’re towing - we’ll match you to a rating that actually covers it.