2WD or 4WD

I've had a varity of 2wd trucks. Never been stranded at any ramp yet. Our ski club ramp has a slab but while the boat is still on the slab the truck is in pea gravel.

I always am amazed with people doing burnouts on boat ramps trying to pull things out.On ramps wet or dry I never had a problem even with my smallest truck the Dakota. It had 10 inch wide summer performance tires most of the time. 86 Ski Nautique as well but pulled various other boats. Clearly the best of all the 2wds was my diesel purely because of weight and low end torque/manual transmission required no throttle input to pull boats out.

My new 1500 will actuall slip a tire just a hair more than the little Dakota.
The only vehicle I owned I used 4x4 to pull out of ramps was my 04 Dakota Quad cab. It was a stick with a low gear ratio rear end so it took some throttle to move a boat and it was an open rear end so it would spin easily. 4x4 button and problem solved.

Don't blow the extra cash on 4x4 if it is not needed. Our river ramp is probably one of the steepest around and I've pulled out much heavier boats there than my 86.



96 2500 diesel dodge 2wd
99 R/T dakota 2wd
2010 Ram 1500 2wd

If you are at a slippery ramp & have someone with you when you pull out, have them sit in the bed, the extra weight over the wheels makes a difference.

I pull my 92 SN with a Suburban 4WD. I have never engaged the 4wd, for any reason with the boat, ramps, or drive. I like to have the option, but realisticly not needed. If the opportunity presents itself, I could pull a house down with it!!

Maybe its just my ramps boats and tow vehicles but I've never needed it. 4wd wasn't always so available, plenty of boats have been pulled out the old fashioned way.

And some people can't live without their GPS either...

in the good old days, the boats were heavy, the ramps were nothing special and most people towed with a station wagon or a convertable. Now everyone needs an AWD or a 4x4. Get yourself a late 70's Estate wagon, Country Squire, or even an Eldorado converable and you'll be fine

older tow wagons?

2WD all the way unless you are in the snow belt or have a need to use the 4WD feature for other things.

My Martinique will be a bit heavier than you SN plus I'm sure I have a fair amount of soaked foam adding to the weight. I tow with a Z71 Suburban and most of the time 2wd work fine. I have needed to use 4wd a few times though. The municipal ramp I normally use in natural shale beach. If it is real wet, I use 4wd. It is a nice option to have.

Use it if you've got it but why use it if you don't need it? No tire slippage, no need IMO. I will agree, it is definitely nice to have. The only regret I have with my 2WD is at the beginning of hunting season when the logging roads I use to get to my lease are still torn up from the summer rains and there's some deep mud holes. Having a locking rear diff definitely makes a big difference and helps a lot, off road and on the boat ramp. For me personally, the benefit of the up-front cheaper vehicle cost and the added fuel economy of a 2WD outweigh the benefit of a 4WD so that is the route I chose. I have had numerous 4WD trucks in the past and I just didn't reap the benefit down here in FL. But again, I feel it is location and personal preference specific. Need to weigh the positive and negative characteristics of each and make the proper decision for your own intended uses/needs and buy accordingly.

I love 4x4 but I couldn't stomach the change in payment. Maybe later on but as of now there is no need other than ego ;).

I used 4x4 on ramps if I had it. There is no reason not to kick it on if you have it.

i little trick for those with 2wd and an open rear diff (one wheel peel). engage your parking brake about halfway down before pulling out. it will act as a limited slip and apply more power the the non slipping tire.

the same technique can be used for the front tires with the brake peddle if in 4wd. 4wd isn't really 4wd unless you have lockers (locked differential) front and rear. very few vehicles come with lockers (h1 hummer and wrangler rubicon are the only two i can think of). a rear wheel locker was an option on the 3rd gen 4WD limited 4runners.

OK dere Bert, thanks for the invite, will need to take a pass as I culd only imagine what you gurl car drivin fellas consider a pulling contest. The old double dutch rudder just aint my thing.

quinner wrote: OK dere Bert, thanks for the invite, will need to take a pass as I culd only imagine what you gurl car drivin fellas consider a pulling contest. The old double dutch rudder just aint my thing.

Aww come on CQ, I'm ready to put the smack back in smackdown.
Had to post-whore on this one. 1000 posts!

I bought my truck so cheap I couldn't pass it up haha. It's well optioned and had 20k on it a year ago when I bought it. Darn near perfect.

Had less than 18k in a 2010 truck when I walked off the lot!

I'm pretty sure no manufacturer really makes a "bad" truck. They all just have features and things about them that appeal to people differently.