4x4 or not?

[baylake]

I am considering a V8 truck to tow my 20 ft bow rider boat total weight (I guess) around 3200 lbs including the trailer. Do I really need 4x4 truck or a V8 Tundra or F150 is plenty of power to pull the boat out of a steep boat ramp? Thanks.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: 4x4 or not?

You'll get a lot of different opinions on this one and there are probabally a hundred threads on this already.

my .02 - I've got a 2wd, never owned a 4wd pickup and never had an issue getting a boat out of a lake. I've got a 19ft bowrider, also pull out a 21 foot pontoon and a heavy Malibu ski boat.

 

[NYBo]

Re: 4x4 or not?

My tow vehicles are 4WD and AWD, but I live where it snows, sometimes a lot and I like the security they provide. (No, I'm not one of those drivers who think 4WD/AWD changes the laws of physics and tire adhesion.:facepalm Proper tires and a limited slip differential would work for most boat ramps; 4WD or AWD not required. So it really depends on the ramps YOU will be using.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: 4x4 or not?

nobody can answer this with the info provided.... 4x4 is totally useless....... right up to the point that you need it and then it's mandatory

I pull my sig boat out in 2wd all the time.... once I backed in just a little too far with just the empty trailer and got the tires on the moss... she absolutely was not gonna come out till I kicked it in 4x4.... A couple years ago I nearly lost my jeep on the same ramp launching my 10' jetboat... backed in and stuck it in gear.... backed off the boat and was tying it up when I noticed the jeep sliding down the ramp on the slime.... I RAN to it and promptly busted my donkey on the slime.... by the time I got in the jeep the front tires were on slime and the floor was wet to the base of the front seat.... fired her up and kicked in the 4x4..... roasted off all 4 for what seemed like an eternity before she came out.... This is a steep ramp and being on the river the water level fluctuates.. when the water level is falling the slime appears....

SOOO If you are able to keep your tires on good traction and you have enough tongue weight you should be fine.... If you ever have trouble, that 4x4 feature could save your donkey

 

[NYBo]

Re: 4x4 or not?

4L on a two-speed transfer case can also come in handy on really steep ramps.

 

[CapeAnn]

Re: 4x4 or not?

I've spent a lot of time at boat launches in Alaska. All I've ever seen are 4 x 4/AWD. Heavier boats to launch, algae, snow/sleet and overall slick conditions make it almost a necessity in Alaska.

 

[JDA1975]

Re: 4x4 or not?

The ramps in my neighborhood all but require 4x4, on the occasion someone with 2 wheel drive launches the marina has a tow rope and a 4x4 to pull them out! our ramps are fairly steep and get slick...poor ramp planning, probably, but I still think a 4x4 is a must for any recreational needs (boat towing/launching included) you never really know what a ramp might look like at a new place so being prepared is nice.

 

[cribber]

Re: 4x4 or not?

Get the best bang for your buck whether it be 2 or 4 wheel drive... pick your price point and then get what ya like within that limit. I tow about 3300 pounds with a 2004 Chrysler Pacifica every weekend down to the local ramp. If you plan on upgrading your boat to something heavier then I would say get the most towing capacity you can comfortably afford.

 

[Alwhite00]

Re: 4x4 or not?

I pull & launch my 21' Seville - Heavy boat - right around 5,600 lbs ready for the weekend and I have a 2wd Avalanche and have never had a problem. I have decent tires on it and I think that helps - I have seen guys with HD trucks with the 8 ply or whaterver tires on it and they struggle to get up the ramp in 4wd.

LK

 

[sschefer]

Re: 4x4 or not?

I have it, I don't use it much but as was said before, there have been those times when I was sure glad I had it. Out here in Cali.. the 4x4's tend to hold there value a lot better than the 2x's. I'd say if it's in your budget then get it. If not then it's not absolutely necessary but just make sure of the conditions and if it feels like it's a 4x4 condition then avoid it.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: 4x4 or not?

another 2WD vs 4WD thread :/

 

[duped]

Re: 4x4 or not?

For me, 4 wheel drive has paid for its self, for the low range. I pull the front drive shaft in the summer...with a stick it makes everything quite a bit easier on the truck and me, maneuvering a heavy boat in tight spots. Traction wise, never needed it, and with an auto, I could live with 2wd just fine, I'm sure.

 

[zopperman]

Re: 4x4 or not?

NOTHING LESS THAN A DIESEL F350.


My v8 4runner (4wd) tows my rig ~2800 lbs just fine.
My dad's v6 4runner tows my rig just fine in 2wd. I have never used 4wd while towing with my dad's truck.

I get better mileage with my v8. I also like knowing I can tow up to 7000 lbs.

 

[jacoboregon]

Re: 4x4 or not?

I agree that a F150 2wd with posi is all that's really needed in all but extreme situations. However, around my neck of the woods, used trucks don't have much of a difference in cost whether 2wd or 4wd; so it would make sense to get the 4x4, for those rare situations it would be needed. There doesn't seem to be much of a difference in gas mileage either. At least not enough to worry about.
I used to haul my 1979 sea ray 20' cuddy (about 6000lbs loaded) with my 1992 F150 with a 5.0L and NEVER had to use 4x4 to pull out of any of the ramps used on the Oregon coast (a couple are pretty steep).

 

[joewithaboat]

Re: 4x4 or not?

I tow a 3,500 lb bow rider with a v6, ford explorer, 2wd, it pulls out at the ramp better than my v8, half ton, Chevy p/u which is also 2wd. I avoid several ramps near me cause they are too steep for either. Id say every other time i launch i end up helping someone in a 2wd pick up get out of the water. Never enough weight over the rear wheels. The ramp however is steeper than most. 4wd not necessary but may come in handy once in a while. Will prob depend on your ramps.
I also keep a couple nice straps in the truck in case i need help, i can make it pretty easy on someone.

 

[TomB985]

Re: 4x4 or not?

What are you towing with now? My boat is pretty similar to your Sea Ray, and I'm nearly 3,500 lbs. I've owned four 4x4 pickups over the last ten years and just sold my most recent one, which was a 2011 F350 6.7L 4x4. Sold my big trailer so I just didn't need it, and therefore we tow the boat with my wife's 2011 AWD Sienna. Does an awesome job for every boat ramp we've been to, and because it's FWD biased we have never had traction issues on slick boat ramps. Never have spun the fronts, but it's reassuring to know that the rears can help out if needed.

 

[bigdee]

Re: 4x4 or not?

Go to the ramp that you will be using and hang around awhile and observe what other people are using....you will find 2wd shortbed trucks will do better than 2wd longbed trucks and 2wd suvs are even better than 2wd trucks. If I had a long wheelbase 1/2 pick-up I would definitely go with 4wd.....I have pulled too many of them out of trouble with a 2wd blazer.

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: 4x4 or not?

If you have a choice I'd say go with 4x4 everytime.

 

[Failproof]

Re: 4x4 or not?

4x4 may save your a**, but 2x4 will save you gas. 4x4 generally have more rotating crud, more stuff to maintain, and lower fuel economy versus their 2x4 brethren. But it is nice to have when you need it! That being said, I frequent lake big mac, with miles of white sand beach. 2 wheel drive just would not work for me in the sand.

 

[drrpm]

Re: 4x4 or not?

My experience is that a 2WD pickup will handle that load easily. I had a V8 F-150 and now have a V6 Tacoma which I use to launch a 20 foot bowrider with a claimed weight of around 3,200 lb. Unless your ramps are especially steep or slippery there is no need for 4WD. All it will do is cost more money when you buy it, service it and gas it up.