Who tows with 2WD?
01-05-2014, 09:48 AM
#23
artselectricinc.com
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I used an old GMC 2WD dually for years to pull my 42 Harley up the ramp. Boat and trailer weighs in about 19,500 lbs. It never ever spun a wheel. Now I have a Kodiak 4500' and it works the same except I don't have to hold the gas pedal to the floor while going up hill.
Save your money and buy a 2WD if getting the boat up the ramp is your only concern.
Save your money and buy a 2WD if getting the boat up the ramp is your only concern.
01-05-2014, 10:04 AM
#25
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Tow with a 2wd lowered square body dually. The trailer has EOH on two of the three axles. Never had a problem pulling out of a ramp! Many are amazed when they see how well it pulls up the ramps, the 800lbs of tongue weight probably helps! Boat and trailer are about 9000lbs
01-05-2014, 10:40 AM
#26
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That truck is slick. You just don't see them in that shape, anymore. I'm going to start getting all misty-eyed for the days when radios had 2 knobs and cars/trucks had sealed beams. And nobody used "liter" to describe a motor.
The boat looks good, too!
The boat looks good, too!
01-05-2014, 11:12 AM
#27
Obviously the only time you may need 4x4 would be on a wet ramp . Make sure trailer is adjusted so there is plenty of tongue weight . The light weight of the back of a pickup is the big problem .
So....
Who tows (launches) with a 2WD?
What's your tow rig?
What kind of weight are you dragging out of the lake?
Any occasion where you NEEDED 4WD, and conditions that necessitated it?
I ask because I upgraded the boat (3600# dry weight on tandem aluminum I-beam trailer),
but not the truck (2WD S/Cab Silverado, G80 Locker, A/T tires). I'm planning on venturing away from my known, moderately maintained, concrete boat launches this summer.
Looking for real life experiences on the subject. Let the horror stories commence!
Who tows (launches) with a 2WD?
What's your tow rig?
What kind of weight are you dragging out of the lake?
Any occasion where you NEEDED 4WD, and conditions that necessitated it?
I ask because I upgraded the boat (3600# dry weight on tandem aluminum I-beam trailer),
but not the truck (2WD S/Cab Silverado, G80 Locker, A/T tires). I'm planning on venturing away from my known, moderately maintained, concrete boat launches this summer.
Looking for real life experiences on the subject. Let the horror stories commence!
01-05-2014, 11:21 AM
#28
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Location: MARYLAND
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So....
Who tows (launches) with a 2WD?
What's your tow rig?
What kind of weight are you dragging out of the lake?
Any occasion where you NEEDED 4WD, and conditions that necessitated it?
I ask because I upgraded the boat (3600# dry weight on tandem aluminum I-beam trailer),
but not the truck (2WD S/Cab Silverado, G80 Locker, A/T tires). I'm planning on venturing away from my known, moderately maintained, concrete boat launches this summer.
Looking for real life experiences on the subject. Let the horror stories commence!
Who tows (launches) with a 2WD?
What's your tow rig?
What kind of weight are you dragging out of the lake?
Any occasion where you NEEDED 4WD, and conditions that necessitated it?
I ask because I upgraded the boat (3600# dry weight on tandem aluminum I-beam trailer),
but not the truck (2WD S/Cab Silverado, G80 Locker, A/T tires). I'm planning on venturing away from my known, moderately maintained, concrete boat launches this summer.
Looking for real life experiences on the subject. Let the horror stories commence!
01-05-2014, 11:41 AM
#29
Charter Member
Never needed 4wd with one of my trucks, the next required it almost all the time, and this is with same boat (27 Fountain)/trailer, and at same ramp. Both those trucks mono traction. Current truck never needed it yet with the 32, but it is posi. I think tire designs was the biggest factor. Some tires just don't do squat
__________________
Some people are like Slinkies - Not really good for anything, but they
bring a smile to your face when pushed down the stairs.
Some people are like Slinkies - Not really good for anything, but they
bring a smile to your face when pushed down the stairs.
01-05-2014, 11:49 AM
#30
VIP Member
Not true. I've been stuck on solid ground wet grass before when towing the boat as well, and needed 4x4.
A little trick on a wet ramp when you are in trouble:
With a skilled driver in the truck AND boat, you can use the boat to push the rig up the ramp.
You have to know the ramp and have your timing down though. You need to pull the throttles back, shifters to neutral, and shut them down before drying out the impellers. We've done it before at the 14th street ramp in Pompano.
A little trick on a wet ramp when you are in trouble:
With a skilled driver in the truck AND boat, you can use the boat to push the rig up the ramp.
You have to know the ramp and have your timing down though. You need to pull the throttles back, shifters to neutral, and shut them down before drying out the impellers. We've done it before at the 14th street ramp in Pompano.
Last edited by Sydwayz; 01-05-2014 at 11:53 AM.
