4x2 vs. 4x4 towing

[Jason B]

I use 4x4 every single time. Our ramps are slicker than snot; they always have that green slime on them. I can't tell you how many times I've had "oh sh**" moments when I saved myself from a good dunking by grabbing the trailer/boat/truck. Missed once...that was a bit painful & embarrasing

Moral of the tale: buy 4wd!!!

[ragboy]

Its funny, I use my 4wd all the time. Yesterday to get out of the driveway. But I can't remember last time using on the ramp. I have been on slick ramps before where I was glad I had it.

[dogbert]

Never fails seeing someone slip and slid and burn out the whole way up the ramp to try and get their boat out, if they had 4x4 they would not have that problem.

I've seen this happen even when they had 4WD and chose not to use it. It's someone on this board, but I won't name names

There's a couple of bad ramps on Lake Austin that are steep and slick. You definitely need 4WD for a stress free launch and recovery.

[Domsz06]

I have never used it to pull my boat out except the one time on this STEEP and SLIMMY ramp at dirty bird.

There are times I wish I had either put it in 4 to allow my friends to not burn my tires or that I had just pulled the boat out myself.

I normally don't drive out as my boat does not center on the trailer unless I keep it held till they pull out. Oh well. as long as they go easy the truck has ZERO problem pulling it out. but never fails wet tires and heavey foot

[tessa]

I use 4x4 up the ramp all the time. It started on a slimey muddy ramp at Resort Hell in Kentucky where part time 4x4 was spinning a bit. I said the heck with it I don't want mud and gook on the boat so I dropped into 4 wheel low which locks all four wheels and puts it into granny mode. I saidIhave got it lets us it. It walked up the ramp like nothing, Now I use it all the time just cause I have it and I don't worry about splatterin gunk over the Jeep or the boat.

[G-MONEY]

I have never used it to pull my boat out except the one time on this STEEP and SLIMMY ramp at dirty bird.

There are times I wish I had either put it in 4 to allow my friends to not burn my tires or that I had just pulled the boat out myself.

I normally don't drive out as my boat does not center on the trailer unless I keep it held till they pull out. Oh well. as long as they go easy the truck has ZERO problem pulling it out. but never fails wet tires and heavey foot

I have the same problem with the boat not centering on the trailer and I have pulled it at with the boat on the wheel-well, before I knew it was a problem. Now the wife holds the guide rail and I pull the boat out very slowly.
but I use 4x4 every time I pull the boat out.

[SPBFAN]

Many Auto manufactures offer a cone style, centrifugal force, clutchless limited-slip diff. No need for frequent service using that stinky @$$ fish oil additive

The Nissan Armadas and Titans have this type of diff. I have the TITAN and I can say I am glad I went with 4X4. I have had to use it a few times and each time I did the wife was driving and I told here to just flip the switch to high 4X4 and the stress all went away.

You know how they can get when things don't go as they are told they will and when they are pulling a 50K+ boat out of the water you don't what them to be freaking out because you can't get traction.

IMOP I say get 4X4 if you can then you have it if you ever need it. By the way Nissan builds a very nice set up.

[SPBFAN]

I have never used it to pull my boat out except the one time on this STEEP and SLIMMY ramp at dirty bird.

There are times I wish I had either put it in 4 to allow my friends to not burn my tires or that I had just pulled the boat out myself.

I normally don't drive out as my boat does not center on the trailer unless I keep it held till they pull out. Oh well. as long as they go easy the truck has ZERO problem pulling it out. but never fails wet tires and heavey foot

Unless your friends own a boat them selves they understand and know how to do it.

[dogbert]

I use 4x4 up the ramp all the time. It started on a slimey muddy ramp at Resort Hell in Kentucky where part time 4x4 was spinning a bit. I said the heck with it I don't want mud and gook on the boat so I dropped into 4 wheel low which locks all four wheels and puts it into granny mode. I saidIhave got it lets us it. It walked up the ramp like nothing, Now I use it all the time just cause I have it and I don't worry about splatterin gunk over the Jeep or the boat.

Sometimes I have to use the 4WD on low when backing in on a slick boat ramp because the brakes will just lock up and I'll start sliding into the lake.

[turbonine]

Not only do I appreciate AZ for the nearly year round wakeboarding, I now appreciate it for its very dry, sticky, concrete boat ramps.

[scootc]

Hey Lunchbox,
We probably visit the same lakes, so I'll give you my take on this. We have a 2wd Sequoia, and a 4wd Dodge Ram. The Sequoia does fine on the concrete ramps at all the lakes around Phoenix. However, last summer I got stuck beach launching at 3 mile island on Lake Apache. Some guy in a beat up old Bronco had to pull the Toyota and the boat out of the water. I had wished we drove the Dodge that day.
When we beach launch at Powell, the Dodge is the only way to go.
Hope that helps.

[goboardgo]

Several years ago, I needed help getting out with my 2 wheel drive chevy p/u. I had my wife drive and I pushed it using the boat on the trailer.

[Lunchbox]

Hey Lunchbox,
We probably visit the same lakes, so I'll give you my take on this. We have a 2wd Sequoia, and a 4wd Dodge Ram. The Sequoia does fine on the concrete ramps at all the lakes around Phoenix. However, last summer I got stuck beach launching at 3 mile island on Lake Apache. Some guy in a beat up old Bronco had to pull the Toyota and the boat out of the water. I had wished we drove the Dodge that day.
When we beach launch at Powell, the Dodge is the only way to go.
Hope that helps.

that's exactly what I needed to hear. I will be buying a 4wd in my next truck, no exceptions.

[Ruune]

Not only do I appreciate AZ for the nearly year round wakeboarding, I now appreciate it for its very dry, sticky, concrete boat ramps.

they're dry underwater where algae grows?

[Timmy!]

they're dry underwater where algae grows?

Of course, AZ is a dry heat... LOL!