pullin a boat with two wheel drive

ballsagna · Soul Rider Joined: 24 May 2003 Posts: 276 City: oc

My dad is looking at getting a knew truck. he was looking for a four wheel drive f- 150 supercrew, but there was a two wheel drive that we really like that already has a lift at tires and rims. I was wondering if there is that big of a difference and if we get it teh two wheel drive will there be any problems. Also does anybody have one of the trucks, thoughts?

wakeboarder · Addict Joined: 24 Apr 2003 Posts: 702

what are you worried about, a 2-wheel drive truck will pull a boat fine.

Todd Armstrong · Addict Joined: 04 Feb 2003 Posts: 758 City: Battle Ground

a 2wd with a lift? sound odd to me

Fishmaster · Posted: Jun 24, 2003 5:03 pm Post subject:

I now own my first 2WD truck and every one before it was 4WD. I notice no difference it towing or pulling a boat out of the water. Actually towing on the highway is better becuase of the lower center of gravity.

Bill

Partyb · Posted: Jun 24, 2003 5:11 pm Post subject:

I have a 1999 f150 now. Now problems at all. Actually, two wheel drive vehicles have a slightly higher tow rating then four wheel drives. Assuming same model of course. ex. 2wd v. 4wd f150. Only issue is pulling out of slippery ramps. If you have good tires on truck this should not be a problem though. Worst case scenario, you have to stand on bumper when pull boat out. This happened to me once only when lake was low and in the middle of a downpour. No problem.

ballsagna · Soul Rider Joined: 24 May 2003 Posts: 276 City: oc

yeah i just was not sure because my dad has always had four wheel drive, adn whats wron with a two wheel drive with a lift, it just makes it look better so it does not noes dive.

grady · Addict Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 547 City: d-block

Todd Armstrong, i was thinkin the same thing....

johnny · Outlaw Joined: 20 May 2003 Posts: 109 City: Myrtle Beach

2WDs arent the problem, its the manual transmissions that suck. I saw a chick peel out up a ramp one time, after she dumped the clutch, but she got the job done.

azwakin · Outlaw Joined: 30 Mar 2003 Posts: 160 City: oro valley, az

If the ramp is steep enough and wet you will have problems getting boat out if its heavy. I watch it happen every weekend at my lake. 10 dudes back there trying to push boat up the ramp.

johnny · Outlaw Joined: 20 May 2003 Posts: 109 City: Myrtle Beach

Sounds to me like the ramp is way too steep

azwakin · Outlaw Joined: 30 Mar 2003 Posts: 160 City: oro valley, az

2 wheel drives pulling too much weight.

OttoNP · Addict Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 848 City: MI

Manuals and 2wd are fine if you gots skills. However, here in MI the resale of 2WD trucks is god aweful. I've got a 4WD truck but I rarely use 4WD when towing. Even you have 4WD you should only use it when you pull your boat out and in bad weather, not while normally driving on dry pavement. Also use 4WD for offroading of course Wink

Nick
________
JAILBROKEN

boomerzuma · Criminal Joined: 04 Feb 2003 Posts: 95 City: Wichita

I pull my Air Nautique with a F150 Supercrew 4X4 and it does fine. However, when towing my MPG drops to 10 to 11 miles per gallon. On steep boat ramps it is nice to be able to put it in four wheel drive to avoid spinning the rear tires. Spinning the rear tires can cause gravel/debri to be thrown against the boat damaging your gel coat.

wakeboarder · Addict Joined: 24 Apr 2003 Posts: 702

as long as you just slower pull the boat out the water you wont spin the tires

B-rad · Posted: Jun 25, 2003 6:48 am Post subject:

Check with some people around you at the ramp you go to. 2WD will pull the boat fine, it's just getting it out. I have a friend that has a 2wd f-150, the ramp we go to is average. If it's wet you have to have about 3-4 people back there or he'll burn the clutch. He has good tires and knows how to drive it. Wet ramps with a decent incline will be hazardous to the truck though, watch out.

Dpierce37 · Ladies Man Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 7659 City: Austin

I drive a 2-WD Toyota 4-runner (sounds odd huh?) and pull a boat with a gross weight of around 3800lbs. It has no problem. I changed out the stock tires with All Terrain and it has made all the difference in the world. I have been scared only once, and that was at a ramp at Mansfield damn during Memorial weekend. The launch was crazy packed (a good 20-30 minute wait) and the launch is steep as hell and wet. So the whole time we watched truck after truck slippen and smokin trying to pull out, but they were just noobs I guess cause they left everyone in teh back of there boats and tried to pull out, then the peeps would finally get out and just watch, doing nothing. But my turn came around, i had a buddy stand on the back, everyone out, and I pulled it right up. My heart was beating though Mr. Green

wakeboarder · Addict Joined: 24 Apr 2003 Posts: 702

we usally pull my boat with a Ford Explore. never had any problems

chuck · Outlaw Joined: 22 Apr 2003 Posts: 170 City: Arlington Wa

we used to pull around the x-star w/ a chev 454ss. Only prob was gettin out of the lake on a wet launch...not much prob as long as you didnt stand on it.

gryffin · Criminal Joined: 10 Jun 2003 Posts: 89 City: SoCal

You should do okay, unless you encounter a really steep ramp, in which case you might want somone to stand on the back.

Lyte Skin · Outlaw Joined: 15 Feb 2003 Posts: 210 City: San Angelo, TX

i hope your not planning on pulling a boat in 4wd anyway that would burn up the transfer case pretty easy.
i have a 4wd truck and i rarely put it into 4wd to get the boat out of the water. it just depends if you know how to do it.
i keep one foot on the brake and give her a little gas with the other, then slowly let off the brake, try to keep the rpms low cause if they are high you will spin the tires.

T&T · Outlaw Joined: 07 May 2003 Posts: 192 City: Denver

Best thing if the ramp is steep and wet is to deflate the tires about 1/2 way (30 psi to 15psi), and the traction will increase dramatically. Only problem is inflating the tires again. I have a 69 bronco that won't pull my boat up the ramp in 2wd because it has tons of torque, it's a manual tranny, and it's too light in the A$$. Gotta use 4-wheel drive.

PimpinD · Addict Joined: 17 Feb 2003 Posts: 785 City: Orlando, FL

i use a 1995 Rodeo 3.2L V6 manual tran. 2wheel drive, and ive only chirpped the tired on the super steep ramp, while ive seen people with those trucks with 4 wheels in the back burn dirty rubber, i guess its just my manual skills Very Happy

, even though i sense clutch is about to go, i guess ill have to get the upgraded clutch, IF they make one for the rodeo. U should have a problem with the 2wd, specially since its a V-8.

6more · Newbie Joined: 08 May 2003 Posts: 26 City: Upstate, SC

The only trouble I have had with my 2WD vehicle has been in my own driveway!

Seriously, we don't bring the boat to the house that often (it stays at the lake), but when I do, I have to back it up the driveway (up an incline). If I get a wheel on the grass, it will start to spin. I just have to make sure I keep both drive wheels on the concrete and it's fine. That has been the only trouble I've had with 2WD.

tdes · Soul Rider Joined: 07 Feb 2003 Posts: 270 City: Orlando

some ramps are also less maintained...I sometimes put my truck in 4WD when there simply is not enough traction (wet pavement is bad enough, try wet weeds) to avoid excessive slipping and spinning my wheels and looking like a total idiot. 90% of the time I keep in 2WD and have no problems, but it's nice that I can pretty much launch my boat anywhere I want and don't have to even think about not being able to pull it back out.

Leggester · Posted: Jun 26, 2003 1:29 pm Post subject:

No problems with 2wd.

I do agree though, a lifted 2wd sounds odd. The "real" reason for lifting is not looks, it's to add clearance for the transfer case.

Someone jacked with a perfectly good truck and lifted it for "looks" - Oooh Boy!

As to towing, all of the above are correct, it'll tow better than a 4wd. Some steep ramps will be a little tough, but should still be manageable. I've never used 4wd for towing or at ramps. I think I've only used it twice in the past four years when the snow was bad coming home from work.

WAKE99 · Posted: Jun 26, 2003 2:04 pm Post subject:

dont you alwaysdrive in 2wd?

Johnny G · Outlaw Joined: 13 Feb 2003 Posts: 100 City: Orlando

I have the F150 Supercrew 2wd. No problems!!!! Unless your launching from a beach.

Also, be sure to get the 5.7 with tow package.

Best truck I've ever owned!!!!!!!!!

MonsterOutback · Posted: Jun 30, 2003 8:16 am Post subject:

I pull my Moomba Outback with my mom's Crysler Town and Country. The boat weight exceeds the vans tow limit and it is a 2wd and a front wheel drive it pulls my boat fine.

89comp · Posted: Jun 30, 2003 8:46 am Post subject:

Hmm...I have 4 wheels in the back and I've never had to put my truck in 4x4, even though I could. I've been on steep ramps, wet ramps, dirt ramps, etc, no issues. 4x4 is nice to have if you need it as I've watched people burn out at the ramp and never get anywhere.

Bluesman · Posted: Jun 30, 2003 1:39 pm Post subject:

We only needed four wheel drive twice. Both times we were at lakes where the water level was down so low that the paved launch ramps were high & dry. We had to launch on dirt/gravel ramps. Launching was OK, but we lacked two wheel traction for retrieving the boat. I used 4-WD both times to get the boat out of the lake. Aside from those two times we've never needed 4WD in 8 years of boating.