I have never weighed a 1998 23 CONQUEST and trailer and fuel and ice on a certified scale. For a rough estimate, take the factory hull weigh multiply by 2.15.Then add the weight of fuel and ice if they are in significant quantities.
For the truck rated towing weight subtract all the weight in the towing vehicle except the driver.
For example, a 1998 23 CONQUEST is listed at 2,900-lbs, so estimate 6,250-lbs. Add the fuel weight, let's say 100-gallons, so 625-lbs. Add the ice, lets say 75-lbs. Total estimated weight is 6,950-lbs. Now add any weight in the towing vehicle other than one person at 180-lbs. Another person, some luggage, anything other than a completely empty truck must be added. Typically that will be at least 250-lbs. Add that to the towed weight, and now the estimate is 7,200-lbs.
Can you tow 7,200-lbs with a half-ton truck rated for 7,500-lbs? Perhaps, but you are really getting very close to the limit. You should also calculate axle weights on the truck, tongue weight on the truck, and maximum combined GVWR on the truck to make sure you are not over the ratings.
How well this will tow depends on several factors:
- distance to be towed
- speed to be towed
- terrain, particularly long grades
- wheelbase of truck
If you just need to tow on level paved roads at 35-MPH for a few miles, then you may get away with the 7,500-lbs rated truck. If you want to tow long distances at interstate highway speeds of 65-MPH and ascend and descend long grades at high altitudes, and don't want the trailer wagging the truck, get a bigger truck.
Some background: My 24-foot long REVENGE 22 W-T Whaler Drive with single engine on a 1,300-lbs steel trailer with not much fuel weighed 5,600-lbs. The catalogue dry weight was 2,600-lbs. The ratio is thus 5600/2600 or about 2.15:1. I have been towing this rig for many years with a truck rated at 7,200-lbs, or 1,600-lbs below the maximum rating. I don't drive fast, perhaps 60-MPH maximum, and ascending long grades often means 30-MPH with the flashers on and downshifting to "2" from "3". Longest towed distance was about 2,300-miles one-way and then return. The truck has a very long wheelbase. The trailer has four-wheel brakes which are absolutely necessary. We never tow in D, always in "3" to keep engine revolutions higher and in the engine's real power band. The entire power train is original and now has 178,000-miles, with probably 100,000-miles towing boats.
In many trucks the real limiting factor is the transmission.