---
title: "Seaplane Tugs Are Half Truck, Half Trailer"
description: "Seaplane tugs are unique specialized vehicles made from the front half of a pickup and a front-mounted trailer."
date: "2023-04-30"
modified: "2023-04-30"
authors:
  - name: "Nico DeMattia"
    job_title: "Contributing Writer"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/seaplane-tugs-are-half-truck-half-trailer"
categories:
  - "News"
tags:
  - "Ford"
  - "pickup"
---

# Seaplane Tugs Are Half Truck, Half Trailer

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/30/sea-plane-tug-1.jpg>)

Seeing this seaplane tug truck broke my brain for a few seconds. Prior to seeing this [TikTok ](<https://www.tiktok.com/@bo.and.lo/video/7226464879178272005?_r=1&_t=8btm3qxL0SU&social_sharing=v1>)video, I never gave any thought to how seaplanes get in and out of the water. Now, though, it's all I want to think about because I had no idea that the most common seaplane tug is actually half of a pickup truck.

In the video, you see a regular cab [Ford F-250](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/9955/f250rs-ford-f-250-megaraptor-is-nothing-short-of-insane>), sans bed, with a very long trailer attached to the front, and a seaplane sitting on the trailer. The truck backs the trailer and plane up a ramp, out of the water, in one of the strangers automotive sights I've seen in long time. However, after learning about how these seaplane tugs work, and why they are the way they are, it makes a lot of sense.

The *how* is actually pretty simple. The back of the truck is removed and the front is mounted to a massive trailer. That trailer not only holds the plane but it also keeps the truck from tipping over. So the front wheels both turn and push/pull the trailer. In this specific application, I'm not entirely sure how its drivetrain works, as [Ford ](<https://www.thedrive.com/category/ford-news>)F-250s are rear-wheel drive-based, but I assume that everything behind the transmission is removed and the truck is locked in four-wheel drive, so it powers the front wheels.

> [@bo.and.lo](<https://www.tiktok.com/@bo.and.lo?refer=embed>) All in, all the time. [#halftruck](<https://www.tiktok.com/tag/halftruck?refer=embed>) [#seaplane](<https://www.tiktok.com/tag/seaplane?refer=embed>) [#nickolascage](<https://www.tiktok.com/tag/nickolascage?refer=embed>) [#fordF50](<https://www.tiktok.com/tag/fordf50?refer=embed>) [♬ original sound - 60 Minutes](<https://www.tiktok.com/music/original-sound-7226085377281411883?refer=embed>)

As for the why, it seems that these seaplane tugs are preferred for several reasons. The first is that they keep the very large, very expensive plane in front of the driver, making it easier to place and park. Another reason is that this setup keeps the driven wheels out of the water when towing planes up and down ramps. Weight could also be a factor, as planes are quite heavy and removing the unneeded half of a truck could reduce enough weight to make towing easier.

This half truck, half trailer setup might look odd but it works and seems to be common among seaplane transportation. There's even one made from an [Oldsmobile Toronado](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/3869/this-mutilated-oldsmobile-half-car-is-the-scariest-thing-in-canada>), which was a rare V8-powered, front-wheel drive car. Seeing these seaplane tugs is a reminder that there are unique, specialized vehicles for almost everything.

*Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com*

## Author
Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews.

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://www.instagram.com/ndemattia/>)  
[LinkedIn](<https://www.linkedin.com/in/nico-demattia-90885540/>)