2WD towing????
 

I'm attempting to sell my silverado 1500 and want to buy a 2500 or 3500 chevy or similar but only use it for towing so was thinking to go 2wd. I never need my 4wd with my 260 Velocity, but also plan on upgrading boat.
Anybody tow, specifically launch with a 2wd truck?
How bad is it to come up a ramp?
What tow/ boat combos?
Thanks

I have had both 2wd and 4wd and never really used the 4wd mode, however it does depend a lot on boat and truck size. I would suggest getting more truck than needed and you should alway's be ok:ernaehrung004:

Ditto

I tow a 280 velocity with a Dodge Ram 2500, never needed 4WD, but then again you never know. If you're planning on going bigger then do the same with the truck. look at the weights of the boats your considering and then you'll have a better idea of the truck you'll need. Bigger is always better:drink:

When I had my Carlson 24 I towed it with a 2003 Dodge Quad Cab 3500 srw 2wd. I could not get the boat up the ramp(had to get four guys to stand on the bumper) with the Michelin hwy tires and the rig only weighed 5000lbs. I switched to Michelin LTX M&S and never had a problem after that.

If you're thinking of buying a bigger boat(aren't we all:rolleyes:) down the line, get the 4wd. Cheap insurance against slippery ramps, better resale and won't hurt your fuel mileage too much.

I think you'd be better off with the Cummins but I used to haul for a living so I'm prejudiced. You'll get better fuel mileage with the Cummins and overhauls are at 500,000 miles.

I tow with a 2500HD Chev 2WD and never ever have had a issue anywhere including Jamestown ramp at Cumblerland when wet, Limited slip diff and correct tongue weight and your good to go unless your launching where you shouldn't be anyway.

i think it was chris sunkin who said something to the effect of "4wd is your best friend when you are sliding backwards down the launch ramp with no one in site"

He's right, no doubt.

Chevy 1 ton dually 2WD, Formula 353, steel trailer. Total weight 12k. Limited slip rear, no problem on any ramp yet...wet or dry.

Dave

Thanks for the responses!

I was hoping he would chime in as I've read alot of good advice on this subject (towing) from him....

Thats actually the truck i'm going to look for (hopefully) when mine sells.... And that's kinda what I figured but wanted to get some first hand knowledge

Why would you even consider 2WD when 4WD is an option....your just eliminating potential uses for a truck....especially in NY. Better to have and not use than need and not have.

In my case the only thing I do with my truck is tow my boat. An occasional trip to Home Depot, but that's about it. So less to go wrong and less maintenance with a 2WD plus I think the ride is far superior to a 4WD.

Dave

I'll tell you what hardens a dually's ride; airbags.

4WD is PRICELESS when you are slipping down a ramp backwards with no help in sight.

I wouldn't think of towing without it.

Get the 4WD and if you can get the dually also. I have a 2wd extended cab dually with a Detroit locker in the rear and use it to pull a 38' Scarab. The boat and trailer weigh about 14000. I never thought I would need 4wd either untill the rear tires just started hopping on the DRY asphalt pulling the boat out of the water on a gentle incline (Metro Beach for those that know the area.) I had to very gently ease the throttle to keep the rear tires from spinning and this was about 30' from the waters edge. That experience REALLY made me want 4wd.

ya, thats it!

Towe Veichle
 

I have a 2001 F250 v-10 4W/D it will do anything that I would get into but it's rare that I use the 4 wheel drive I tow a 271 FORMULA and have towed a 353 a couple a times never a problem ! good luck on your pick of tow truck $$$$ on your side now days ! :evilb:

I have an F350 Dually. I wouldn't buy a truck without 4wd or diesel.

I have never had to use my 4wd, but the ONE time that you need it the extra expense will be worth it; net out the fact that resale on the truck will be better and quicker, and trust me - it will pay for itself.

It doesn't take much to get you in trouble - wet aggregate ramps, slightly worn tires, small amount of slime, etc.....

I tow a 4500# boat and bought a 4x4 truck last year. I have used it couple times in the past year, like everyone said it depends on the ramp/boat. I sometimes sue a crappy ramp on busy weekends because you need a 4wd or a really small boat. One time I used it is was about 9pm on a Sunday night with nobody around and I was 3 hrs away from home. Really nice to flip the switch and drive up the snotty ramp. I always buy 4wd, even though with proper ramp selection you can get away w/o it.

4wd.

Another situation I have had to use it... My steel 30ft triaxle has surge brakes at all 6 wheels. I cant back up the slightest of grades on any type of semi loose gravel drive unless I shift in to 4hi.

Pay too much to have a truck that can't go to work when you most need it too. Had one 2wd in my life, never again.

Sure is NICE to hit the 4-low button on a steep ramp....

On the ramps I use, I would never be able to pull my boat out without 4wd. They are pretty steep and usually wet. Not to mention 4wd is a must for me with our winter weather. I had a 3500 dually before my current 2500HD and if there was even a 1/2 inch of snow on the ground, it got real slippery real quick without 4wd.

A bit of my history...
1995 Chevy s10 2wd, 5 speed, 22' Scarab, sketchy ramp...made it! but stupid.
1995 1500 Chevy 4x4 22 Scarab or 24 Condor...no worries.
1989 Chevy 3500 diesel dually 2WD, new tires, sketchy ramp, 24' Condor=stuck.
1995 2500 454 Suburban 4x4, same ramp, 26' Sutphen..no problems, ever.
2006 F250 Quad cab,shortbed, turbo diesel,4x4...bring it on!
$.02
chris

Im not sure I would agree. The things that are going to go wrong on a newer truck are in the motor or the trans. Youve got that on both. Maintenance wise you have a front diff that along with the rear needs to be changed once every two or three yrs....if that. Ive never had any t-case issues or maintenance in any of the 7 or 8 4x4s ive owned. Im still of the opinion that it is just as easy and cost efficient to own a 4x4 as a 2wd and a whole lot more useful when you need it.

I would never ever buy a 2wd truck. once there was somekind of an accident at the boat ramp I launched. could not use it for hours and hours, so I asked my friend to drive the truck and trailer the closest lauch ramp. There was unfortunatly only one other launch ramp, and it was made more for small fishing boat than 357 formula. It was not even asphalt launch ramp, it was a dirt launch ramp...

Man was I happy to have the 4WD ! And I really needed it!

4 x 4 all the way!

Speaking of 4x4's does anyone have a line on a 2008 chevy 3500 crewcab dulley must be victody red LTZ gut loaded. I can't find one in Texas area all sold any leads will be appreciated. Thanks

Exactly. Buy a 4x4.

The good thing about 4X4 trucks is they have low range, great for pulling off a steep ramp with heavy boat, less strain on tranny & engine

my thought in going 2wd was to save money on the initial purchase (trying to save money). I only use my pickup for the boat and occasionally a car trailer. I am a dealer so snow and inclement weather are not really consideration.I'm not too worried about maintenance because the truck will probably be rarely used (the 20 0r so times I use the boat) and the boat is stored 1/8th of a mile from the ramp. I plan a couple of trips next season but probably won't put 2,000 miles on it anyway. But after reading most of the responses it looks like I'm going to shop for a late 90's Chevy or GMC diesel dually 4x4.
Thanks

The late 90s GM diesels are not strong towers. The 6.5L TD is a dog, as you can get more grunt and reliability out of the 454 gassers.

If you are shopping for that vintage of vehicle, look for a 7.3L PSD Ford. The 7.3L is one of their best ever, and the entire trucks are about as bulletproof as one could get.

Traded my 97 Chevy 3500 dually for a 7.3 PSD. I had a Manual 6.5 and I don't think it was nearly as much of a dog as the Autos probably were. Had 293k on it when I sold it I believe....3rd Gear Syncros were a bad problem in them.

BEST move I ever made. I don't know about ALL of the late 90's GM vehicles, but I know mine had drums in the rear and made stopping a nerve wracking experience with 15k behind me.... Got it done, but it wasn't pretty

thanks! are the 454's decent overall?

I never owned one, but a plenty of folks on here have. "Wally" had one jacked up on 37s, full tilt dually etc., with a 454.
They are just good old fashioned TBI and almost any mechanic can work on them.

I was raised die-hard GM fan. But I absolutely LOVE my 2000 7.3 PSD Ford Dually. It's got 93,500 miles on it, and I just had the drivetrain/suspension gone through with wheel bearings and ball joints, as well as a FULL fluid flush on the whole truck. It ought to be good for another 100,000 miles. I've also got mine chipped, with intake & exhaust. "OutlawMark" here on OSO who installed my mods said mine was the fastest stock turbo 7.3L PSD he had driven.

Not only that, but when you do want to change your truck up a bit, many 1999-2005 parts are interchangeable.

If your only using the truck to tow the boat in the summer then stick with the 2wd (limited slip rear). Less gas,more towing cap,lower insurance.

DON'T DO IT. Get the 4wd. If I could go back and find something like what kind of truck I have in 4wd I would. In 2001 I was looking for a GM diesel Dually. I had a 1992 2wd 454 dually and pulling a trailer it got 12 mpg empty and 6 mpg pulling a 28' car trailer. The diesel get 15 mpg empty and 9 mpg pulling the trailer. Yes the 6.5 TD is a dog (but at the time I could not justify 45000 for a brand new Duramax) and the 454 is stronger, but on the flip side the 454 will need to be rebulit around the 100,000 mile mark. Try looking for a 2003 and up Duramax. The chassis, brakes and transmission is much better.

IMO these are NOT good reasons to forego 4WD - and 99% of the people on here that tow on a routine basis will agree.

I'll take my 4WD and never have to use, but I sure won't ever have to worry about not having it either....

Joe/Guy's... I'm just basing this on my own experience only. Could give 2 chits to the 99% you believe agree seaford. Who goes to a different ramp to launch every weekend? From the Chesapeake to Florida would of come in handy once in 30 years. :cool-smiley-027:

I have a 4X4 ,,,and never needet it on a ramp.:eek:

Next one is going to be 2 WD !:cool-smiley-027:

Independent front suspension rides as good as any 2WD. In the long run 4WD will hold better resale value. My KV and trailer is 14,000 loaded. I use 4WD everytime I pull it out. Why put all the torque and strain on one axle.

That's why I said In My Opinion.

I have never had to put my truck in 4wd either....DOUBT I ever will because I do use the same ramp 9 out of 10 times I launch the boat.

The Day we sea-trialed my boat the guy I bought it from HAD to have 4wd at his ramp so it just depends on the ramp. I like knowing that if a ramp is suspect I don't have to worry about it.

IN MY OPINION- The premium you pay NOW for 4WD will be returned to you when you sell the vehicle for the most part. Fuel consumption differences are marginal, and if you are running an offshore boat that small difference is neglible in your annual fuel bill anyways - same for insurance.

Not to get in a pizzin match but if you have to have 4WD at a ramp your not running anywhere near correct tonge weight off the trailer. In 40+ years I've never seen a truck sliding backwards down a ramp either, some boats off roller trailers though. :eek: 2WD's of today are more then capable of towing any boat up a ramp if correctly loaded and re-sale is not as hard as you'd think, I've actually found it easier in my experience due to the limited number of 2WD vs 4WD in my area..
Not worth the extra 3K IMO if your never gonna use it but once or twice and you'll never re-coup it. I love my softer ride and larger load/ tow capacity but to each their own I guess.