Scuba Steve

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.

SultanGris

Buy a nylon rope and hope someone else is at the ramp, lol! I've had to use 4x4 to pull my jet ski out of the water before, but it was a crappy ramp.

Beastb15

I can't even make it up the ramp at my friends lake house WITH 4wd in my Harley. His dad had to use his 2500 with some better tires.

Keep in mind its a 7000 lb boat up a steep and windy compacted clay hill with a thin layer of gravel over it. I'm sure most good ole boys will know what clay does when you add water...

Scuba Steve

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.

SultanGris

You can't go wrong with 4x4, it will have higher resale than 4x2 when you trade it, if you use it once it's worth it. There really isn't much of a mileage hit either, maybe one half mpg.

p38fln

in this area, the premium you pay for 4WD you will get back when you trade it in. Not sure where you live though.

southportandford

Yes we have 3 27ft southport 20ft scout and a 17ft sun dance . We hav to use 4x4 to get the 27 and 20 ft out of the ramp. Our rams are very steep an are very very wet. I would go ahead and get 4x4 just invade you get a bigger boat. It is just nice to have IMO

rscastle

I agree with getting a 4x4. I've only had to use it a couple of times, but without it, I would have been waiting a long time for someone to help pull me out. Plus, in my area, besides this year, 4x4 is a big plus in the winter.

haha

If you didnt need 4WD in your Dakota you wont need it in a F150.

lguzman18

I pull 2 boats.. 17' Dargel scout and a 21' Bayquest... I have a 2010 4X4 XLT Supercrew... I literally just put it in 4x4 and let my foot off the brake... Pulls the boat right out... NEVER have problems