Towing boats with or without 4WD?
02-19-2012, 08:31 AM
#11
I know it's backwards
It really comes down to the condition of the ramp Steve. I've never had to use four wheel drive to get my boat out, but the ramps around here are in great shape and not very steep. My advice would be if you don't want to have to worry about it...get the 4WD.
Good Luck and an early congrats on the new truck (whatever it may be)
Good Luck and an early congrats on the new truck (whatever it may be)
02-19-2012, 09:13 AM
#13
Senior Member
I have had 4 2wd fords (3 trucks and 1 exploder ) first thing I did was put a good set of all terrains and I had no problems. 20ft DC DEEP V PROSPORT not sure the weight but it should be on a tandem axle. (yep was just barely in the exploders range, had to get the tranny reworked to a heavy duty after 75000 miles)
When you do pull out the water, I recommend turn of tcs so you don't have any power lose. On mine there is a noticeable difference. If I do slip at all I hold the break down and increase the gas till it starts to move and let of the break easily. Never had any problems since I started using AT tires though.
When you do pull out the water, I recommend turn of tcs so you don't have any power lose. On mine there is a noticeable difference. If I do slip at all I hold the break down and increase the gas till it starts to move and let of the break easily. Never had any problems since I started using AT tires though.
02-19-2012, 12:24 PM
#14
Most of the ramps in my area are in pretty good shape. I pull a boat that probably weighs close to 4000lbs loaded down now with my Dakota (way more than it is rated for). I feel good about the F-150s ability to pull the bigger boat just not sure about traction on boat ramps.
It all depends on the ramp bud. I dont have a 4x4 and never have an issue. I also have a 21 foot DC (~3800lbs). The boat is a deep V hull so I have to usually get the rear tires in the water as I dont have a long tongue on the trailer. Never had an issue.
How to NOT launch/recover a boat:
02-19-2012, 08:36 PM
#15
Senior Member
Better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it.
I only personally witnessed one vehicle get pulled back down a wet ramp by a heavy boat, rear tires smoking.
Lesson learned.
I only personally witnessed one vehicle get pulled back down a wet ramp by a heavy boat, rear tires smoking.
Lesson learned.
02-19-2012, 09:37 PM
#16
I LIKE TRUCKS
Originally Posted by mr blue
It all depends on the ramp bud. I dont have a 4x4 and never have an issue. I also have a 21 foot DC (~3800lbs). The boat is a deep V hull so I have to usually get the rear tires in the water as I dont have a long tongue on the trailer. Never had an issue.
How to NOT launch/recover a boat:
http://youtu.be/wdZMK47lxg8Video Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdZMK47lxg8
02-19-2012, 09:44 PM
#17
Senior Member
Originally Posted by southportandford
That is a crappy brush guard
02-20-2012, 09:39 PM
#18
Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I am going to be buying an F-150 in the summer. I am definitely wanting the locking rear differential, but has anyone had trouble pulling boats out of the water without 4WD?
My current truck is a 2WD Dakota and I pull a 21' center console out with no problem, but if I were to get a bigger boat down the road I want to be able to get it out of the water. I hate to get 4WD for the chance that I get a larger boat 3-4 yrs from now. I have never needed 4WD in the 10 years that I have owned my current truck. I really don't want to spend the extra money and take the MPG hit if I don't need to.
My current truck is a 2WD Dakota and I pull a 21' center console out with no problem, but if I were to get a bigger boat down the road I want to be able to get it out of the water. I hate to get 4WD for the chance that I get a larger boat 3-4 yrs from now. I have never needed 4WD in the 10 years that I have owned my current truck. I really don't want to spend the extra money and take the MPG hit if I don't need to.
02-21-2012, 10:15 AM
#19
Senior Member
02-21-2012, 12:40 PM
#20
I LIKE TRUCKS
Originally Posted by SultanGris
Looks like a Westin, they are just for looks and to save driveability, they fold in and wreck stuff if you hit something, but protect the radiator.