4x4 or not?

[2300max]

Re: 4x4 or not?

Living in central pa it's great to have! I had to pull out a dually hooked up to a 5'ver that was stuck at the boat campground in the mud!

 

[Cobalt232]

Re: 4x4 or not?

My wife dropped the axle off the ramp one day. It allowed me to get it up on the ramp in 4Lo which wouldn't have been possible in 2wd. It also wasn't my new boat in which really would require 4wd due to the weight.

 

[Cheetah 210es]

Re: 4x4 or not?

I have a 21' cuddy on tandem axle trailer that I pull with an 85 swb c10 both with 305 motors (been a smart move more than once) and only had 1 occasion I was struggling with traction. My fault, I was low on gas and slope of ramp tipped fuel to wrong end of tank, not a biggie as I always carry a can, unfortunately I spilled a little right in front of rear wheel. Positrac would have got me up without the need for 4wd. But I only use a couple of local ramps that are concrete. Depends on your ramps slope and surface as to needing 4wd or not.

 

[BlueLightSpecial]

Re: 4x4 or not?

This is strictly my opinion: a truck isn't a real truck, unless its four wheel drive. But considering you live in texas, I suspect you don't get much, if any snow. 2wd will probably be ok for you, but I would definitely make sure you get one with a posi, or at least a limited slip. Some of the ramps in the Pittsburgh area can be pretty steep and slick, not sure how they are in texas. Newer 4wd pick ups aren't that much worse in the fuel economy dept.

 

[YZ165]

Re: 4x4 or not?

There sure are a lot of people boating/camping in one area! With a 4 X 4 / 6 x 6 I would opt for an area where there aren't too many folks and boats.

I like the flat top mesa in the background.

You can only camp/drive to the west side of the lake. Given there is only so much beach front at Elephant Butte, you gotta camp where you can, it does get crowded, but you can put your boat in anywhere you want.....Beachfront friends are valuable!

That flat top mesa is called KettleTop.

Honestly, I'm not sure why the east side is so inaccesible...other than its f'n inaccessible due to the mountains/mesa's.....it's beautifull, but rough country over there! I have heard there was a jeep trail all the around the lake, but have only met one man that claimed to have actually driven around the lake. He has a serious rock crawler jeep, and it took him three days....

When the closest lake,to the largest city in any given area is 150 miles away,it can get busy......fine by me, I still love it!

 

[3rdtimesthecharm]

Re: 4x4 or not?

You wont use 4x4 everyday but you`ll be glad it`s there when you need it.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: 4x4 or not?

Modern 4WD setups have a lot of extra rotating stuff as pointed out. But the vast majority of it does not rotate unless 4WD is actually engaged. Front hubs and drive shafts disconnect and even the transfer case is prettry free running. Not the case with AWD so the fuel economy numbers do suffer in that regard. Whether you neeed 4WD/AWD to pull up the ramp is not a matter of power but of traction. Most 4 cylinder vehicles are perfectly capable of toting a pretty heavy load up a ramp. It is the slime, sand, poor tire choice etc that determines available traction and therefore whether or not you can tug the boat up the ramp. In most cases 2WD is all that's necessary. 2WD with limited slip/posi-traction is next followed by 4WD/AWD preferably with limited slip/posi on the rear axle. Yes - I've seen a 4WD vehicle stuck on a perfectly flat icy parking lot. Spinning one front wheel and one rear wheel. Without Posi you still have two whieel drive at best. Three wheel drive IF three of the four wheels have traction.

 

[bigdee]

Re: 4x4 or not?

It is all about personal choice and what fits your lifestyle. Personally, I gave up 4wd years ago when I decided to be more frugal with my budget. 2wd, a tow strap and a smile for insurance put more $$$$ in my pocket. A cheap winch from Harbor Freight ain't a bad idea either.

 

[Wecanoe]

Re: 4x4 or not?

Couple of things that I didn't see mentioned (I didn't read page two) is auto tranny vs stick shift and tires. I haven't been without a 4x4 since 1976 and have had both stick shifts and autos, mud tires and ATs. I think an auto may get you out of situations that a stick will leave you stuck. And good all-terrains will get you going where a street tire will leave you in trouble. Sounds like a 2wd with limited slip diff, an automatic and all-terrain tires will do you fine. I'm a big fan of B.F. Goodrich ATs (except in mud ).

 

[Cheetah 210es]

Re: 4x4 or not?

This is strictly my opinion: a truck isn't a real truck, unless its four wheel drive. But considering you live in texas, I suspect you don't get much, if any snow. 2wd will probably be ok for you, but I would definitely make sure you get one with a posi, or at least a limited slip. Some of the ramps in the Pittsburgh area can be pretty steep and slick, not sure how they are in texas. Newer 4wd pick ups aren't that much worse in the fuel economy dept.

Positrac is a limited slip diff unless the clutches are worn

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: 4x4 or not?

I just wish we could get a few more opinions.... this question has only been answered 70 times..... gotta get at least 200 before anything is conclusive

 

[pyrotek]

Re: 4x4 or not?

2WD is more than adequate for boat launches. No reason for 4WD just for boat launch. In the rare event you get stuck, keep a tow strap or chain available and have someone pull you out. It doesn't take much to pull you out.

 

[BlueLightSpecial]

Re: 4x4 or not?

Positrac is a limited slip diff unless the clutches are worn

Positraction uses clutches, limited slip uses a viscous coupler. Posi will go to a full lock, limited slip wont. I should state that posi does slip when turning, so I guess you are right, they do slip because if it didn't, everyone will be wrecking. But posi will "lock" due to mechanical engagement of the clutches, when vehicle is traveling straight forward. Viscous couplers, found in LSD, still have slip when going forward. You can still get a one wheel peel condition with a limited slip.

 

[joewithaboat]

Re: 4x4 or not?

Positraction uses clutches, limited slip uses a viscous coupler. Posi will go to a full lock, limited slip wont. I should state that posi does slip when turning, so I guess you are right, they do slip because if it didn't, everyone will be wrecking. But posi will "lock" due to mechanical engagement of the clutches, when vehicle is traveling straight forward. Viscous couplers, found in LSD, still have slip when going forward. You can still get a one wheel peel condition with a limited slip.

You have this a little mixed up....

There are four types of differentials

open
limited slip
locking
spools

"posi" is a limited slip diff as is a "viscous coupler"

 

[180shabah]

Re: 4x4 or not?

Positraction is a trade/brand name of limited slip

which is better Q-tips or cotton swabs??? Vaseline or petrolium jelly???

 

[QC]

Re: 4x4 or not?

which is better Q-tips or cotton swabs??? Vaseline or petrolium jelly???

For gelcoat or ears?

 

[Thalasso]

Re: 4x4 or not?

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.

In Texas, i doubt you are going to need 4 wheel drive. If you do, stay home. Get the vehicle you will need for every day use and provides the most economical transportation for your use. What ever you choose it will be used far more for other things then towing a boat.
With that weight you don't need big v8's and four wheel drives. You are going to get replies from everyone about everything and alot of them will be people from the north and midwest that the 4x4 this and that come in handy because of this and that. You will not need a four wheel drive.Get something economical and family friendly.

 

[joewithaboat]

Re: 4x4 or not?

Positraction is a trade/brand name of limited slip

which is better Q-tips or cotton swabs??? Vaseline or petrolium jelly???

Not sure about it being a brand name....???

I think way back the Big three started describing their clutch type positive traction units as follows.

GM used the posi-trac
Ford used Traction-lock /trac-loc .......... Ford also had a Detroit locker (cone type)
Mopar used Sure-grip

 

[BlueLightSpecial]

Re: 4x4 or not?

You have this a little mixed up....

There are four types of differentials

open
limited slip

locking
spools

"posi" is a limited slip diff as is a "viscous coupler"

I am well aware of differential types, but thanks for reminding me. I don't care what anyone says about this, and if you read my post, you should have seen that I did state the posi, trac lock, sure grip does in fact have to slip, when turning, HOWEVER, these traction aid units provide more positive engagement, and I guess I should say less slip than the silicone fluid filled viscous coupler when traveling straight.
It amazes me how people critique every little detail. Why don't we just weld the spiders, and call it a day. May be I will rephrase my original post. "make sure your rear axle has a positraction limited slip differential if its a GM, a sure grip if its a mopar, a trac lock if it a ford. Excuse me for offering a little advise, thanks for the warm welcomes to this boating forum. Think I am done with this place!!

 

[BlueLightSpecial]

Re: 4x4 or not?

Oh, BTW, before you start, I do in fact know that the clutch style traction aids do "slip" in order for the clutches to engage. That a locker lock my some sort of outside force, such as electric or air.