Re: 4X4 Use on the launch ramp
 

Not much choice when I launch this monster.

Re: 4X4 Use on the launch ramp
 

I always use four wheel drive..but then again I have no choice. :eek:

Re: 4X4 Use on the launch ramp
 

try again

Re: 4X4 Use on the launch ramp
 

I use 4 wheel when ever needed, went to ohio last year for a run and the ramps there were the worst we have ever seen. I got the boat in the water but had to have it hoisted back on the trailer. I still wonder why such a big boating area on a great lake has bad launches. Or is it the Marinas that want to charge to hydro lift them ?????. Or is it no one launches . We have some bad ones around here also but have several to chose from.

Re: 4X4 Use on the launch ramp
 

Haven't had a need yet, not even on steep ramps. This truck has teeth for feet, haven't even broken a tire loose, but if I came to a "green" ramp (algae), I would probably engage it.

Re: 4X4 Use on the launch ramp
 

I used 4WD HIGH most of the time just incase on my 2500 Avalanche (w/ 37 Active Thunder) and my previous Tahoe (with 26 Sonic). I never ever had to put into 4WD LOW.

I have not launched yet with my Ford F-350 dually, but it is 4WD.

Re: 4X4 Use on the launch ramp
 

I don't feel a need to go to 4 low, but I would never consider anything but 4 wheel drive. I am pulling 16K. On my home ramp it gets alot of use and even on wet asphalt I will not make it out when in 2 wheel drive. I have an F-350 Powerstroker.

Re: 4X4 Use on the launch ramp
 

The only reason i used 4 low is because my parking brake didn't work. So if i was launching by myself and had to get out of the truck, i had to put it in park. Now, the 7000 lbs or so i was towing, plus the 5000 lbs the truck weighed, on an incline, meant a whole bunch of stress on that parking pawl in the transmission.

4 low works both ways. It steps up the torque going to the wheels. If you're in park, it reduces the amount of torque transmitted back to the transmission. So it basically cut the stress on on the parking pawl by a factor of whatever the low range ratio was.

I didn't need 4 low or even 4x4 to pull the boat out, but i used it anyway to help save the tranny.

New truck this year, but one of the rear parking brakes (drum in the hat of the disk setup) sticks. So i need to fix that before long, or i'm going to be doing the same thing, just with a much more expensive truck.

Back when i was younger, and i towed my dads jetboat (about 2000 lbs) on the bumper of my $100 beater S10, i had a couple of times where i almost didn't get it out of the water. I would make it almost to the top of the ramp, then lose traction. I'd have to convince whoever was around to sit in my pickup bed while i pulled it out, so i could get enough traction.

Re: 4X4 Use on the launch ramp
 

I've been on some pretty steep ramps with my 95 GMC 3500 Dually (Rat Motor, Auto) and have never had to use anything other than 4WD High to get my 386 Sonic out.

Re: 4X4 Use on the launch ramp
 

I have rarely used it but there were a few occasions I needed it, and boy was I glad it was there. Depends alot on your launch.