How necessary is for a truck to have four wheel drive for pulling roughly 11k lbs of boat and trailer? I'm most concerned with traction while pulling out of the water on a decent slanted ramp.

thanx

It depends on how steep your local ramp is,and its condition.I used my 4 wheel drive on 2 occasions both at the ramp.Slippery ramp no traction when the tide goes out and leaves the ramp wet.

I run a f350 dually big brakes and pulls like a sob.

Necessary, but not a must. You have to worry about wet ramps via rain, not just boat trailers. If you get stuck in a down poor you could be screwed. 95% of the time you can use the momentum coming out of the water to get you up the ramp in 2wd.

I very rairly use 4WD to pull 11K up the ramp with a single rear axle.

That being said, I would be nervous if I didnt have it to fall back on.

Discussed at nausea-um on this board for years.

"4WD is priceless when you are sliding down a ramp backwards with no help in sight."

Get the 4WD/4x4. I've lost traction just pulling my boat through a damp/dewy uneven grass field.

Very necessary on some of the ramps here on Lake Cumberland when pulling that big of a load. I had to use 4wd on mine last week when pulling about the same amount up the ramp at Lees Ford.

4 wd is the same as insurance. Mostly never need it, but when you do ....................

When I had my 2003 Dodge 3500 srw 2wd, several times I had to ask guys to stand on the bumper to get my 5000lb rig up the public ramp at Lake Lewisville(the one down the road from the Slalom Shop).

Sydwayz is right(as usual lol) get the 4x4.

I refuse to own anything without 4x4, between boat ramps and snow in Ohio.... must have.....it sucks that ONE time you need it and do not!

I use 4x4 everytime I pull out the water.....I'd rather let the gears and 6 tires (dually) pull at low RPM than have to run 3/4 throttle straining the rear-end to pull 14K out up the ramp.