4x4 or not?

[halfmoa]

Re: 4x4 or not?

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

I'll second that.

 

[baylake]

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.

Tom - I have similar set up, towing it with 2011 Sienna but FWD only. Towing is not a problem at all. I pick her up 300 miles away with my Sienna. The front spun once. Too bad the boat decision came after the Sienna decision.

 

[NYGiants]

Re: 4x4 or not?

i tow with a 99 honda odyssey rigs maybe 1000lbs fully loaded but i deal with the tidal delaware river and low tide theres a lot of slime FWD handles just fine.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: 4x4 or not?

Not that is going to matter with the load you are pulling but with everything else being equal, 4WD has less tow capacity that the 2WD because of the extra weight of the 4WD components.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: 4x4 or not?

I believe that 4x4 is seldom if ever a benefit, much less necessary, for towing.

As reflected in the comments, the only time it is needed is on the ramp--and not on every ramp. I'd venture to say, not on most ramps.
So if you know that you will typically use a certain ramp or ramp conditions, let that be your only determining factor.

Now, if you also have snow, unpaved roads, beach, etc. that warrants 4wd without a trailer, go with 4wd but that is not the "towing" question.

BTW I grew up towing/ramping without 4wd but with substantial American stawags. I have towed and ramped almost exclusively with a 4wd vehicle for the past 20+ years. I often put it in 4wd "because I can" but am certain I could do without it just fine.

 

[JDA1975]

Re: 4x4 or not?

This my tow setup...note: boat is on cradle in the carport while I was restoring trailer.

As long as i am not in 4WD i still get 20 MPG, so the 23 MPG that the 2WD version gets, isn't a substantial benefit to me to lose the peace of mind that 4WD offers....that being said 2WD does and can work fine, just be prepared in case you need help...carry a tow strap, that way you only have to look for someone willing and not someone willing WITH a tow strap

 

[four winns 214]

Re: 4x4 or not?

I towed a 5,900 lb deckboat and a 4800 lb cuddy with a 2WD Chevy Silverado for four years without a problem. It did have a locking rear differential that did engage a few times when pulling up ramps that had gravel above the paved portions. I now have a 4WD because I anticipate buying a larger boat. I will say that there were a few times that I approached some ramps with fingers crossed and I also carried a tow-strap, but never even came close to needing it. As others have suggested, if it's a toss of the coin, go with 4WD.

 

[veritas honus]

Re: 4x4 or not?

On the ramp I use most, at Lake Seminole, I don't need it. I've used other ramps, on other lakes, and on the intracoastal waterway, in Florida, where I did need it. Algae is really slippery. You may not need the 4WD for years. The one time you do, you'll be happy that you have it. If you don't have it... Well, you know how that may go. Hopefully, there'll be someone there to help with a tow... If not, hope you can call someone for help; and not have to wait too long for them to get there.

It costs a little more to buy; but there are no downsides to having it... None that I've ever run in to, anyway. I can easily say that not once, through all the times I had no need to use it, have I ever regreted having 4WD.

 

[sublauxation]

Re: 4x4 or not?

As said before, it depends on the ramps you use. A friend of mine launched with his 2wd pickup on a steep primitive ramp and couldn't get his empty trailer out. He laughed at my 4wd Ford Exploder but I got my boat in and out easily even though it weighed twice what his did. I offered to pull his out but he was embarrassed and drove to the other side of the lake and used a pay ramp to retrieve his boat. Before the Exploder I used a front wheel drive car for years but I had to be careful in picking ramps.

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: 4x4 or not?

I wouldn't limit my thoughts to just the ramp. I've stuck a truck just about everywhere you can. Stop at a friends and oh look their yard is mush. Not a problem just shift in the front axle and drive out nice and easy.

And remember nothing beats having a low range.

 

[joewithaboat]

Re: 4x4 or not?

I've stuck a truck just about everywhere you can. Stop at a friends and oh look their yard is mush.

If you were my friend, I would ask you not to park in my yard.
That's what the driveway is for.

Lol, just funnin with ya!

 

[bigdee]

Re: 4x4 or not?

1% of my experiences wished for 4wd......99% was satisfied with results and lower operating costs of 2wd. No-brainer for me. I once owned a Landcruiser,meanest,badest & toughest 4wd vehicle I have ever driven off road ( it is a shame they were discontinued) but never had to shift into 4wd while boating.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: 4x4 or not?

4x4 = hope for the best but plan for the worst
4x2 = hope for the best and only plan for the best..... you'll probably gonna be ok and should the worst happen, you can hope someone else was prepared and can save your bacon..... no brainer for me too

 

[drrpm]

Re: 4x4 or not?

Why settle for a 4X4? Maybe you can find a surplus halftrack or tank recovery vehicle for those really steep and slippery ramps.

 

[joewithaboat]

Re: 4x4 or not?

Why settle for a 4X4? Maybe you can find a surplus halftrack or tank recovery vehicle for those really steep and slippery ramps.

I have been to a few ramps where this would have been helpful!

 

[lncoop]

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.

I didn't know there were any two wheel drive vehicles in Sharp county, Judge.

 

[bigdee]

Re: 4x4 or not?

I don't know about Missouri, but in NC all the public access ramps that I have used were very well maintained and there are more than one on most lakes so you can have your pick. Unless you use some private or back country ramps I don't see the need for 4x4......a cell phone and tow strap are cheap insurance for that maybe once in a lifetime situation. I have found boaters to be some of the friendliest people around and most are happy to lend a hand to another boater.

 

[JDA1975]

Re: 4x4 or not?

I didn't know there were any two wheel drive vehicles in Sharp county, Judge.

Not many...to be sure...but living in Cherokee Village with the older folk...you'd be surprised what they try to launch with! Thunderbird Marina actually tells a lot of people to go launch at Lake Sequoyah then use the canal to get to Thunderbird. Some days its just fun to sit at the boat launch and watch!

 

[QC]

Re: 4x4 or not?

never had to shift into 4wd while boating.

My boat's 4WD switch has been fairly useless too . . .

With that silliness out of the way, it always surprises me when people ask about "power" on the ramp (OPs first post). Does anyone have an example where it was power that limited your ability on the ramp as opposed to traction? I can't imagine anything without enough power for 1 MPH.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: 4x4 or not?

I have never needed 4WD on a ramp before. Lots of other times in other circumstances, but never on a launch ramp. Of course I live in California and all ramps I am at are pretty well paved and not mossy.