4 vs. 2 WD and Tow Vehicle Recommendations

[98Shabah]

Re: 4 vs. 2 WD and Tow Vehicle Recommendations

I've never been in a situation where I needed 4wd to get up a concrete boat ramp. I boat at lakes and rivers that have varying water levels throughout the season.

 

[jeeperman]

Re: 4 vs. 2 WD and Tow Vehicle Recommendations

Just get you some strips of expanded metal, 12" x 48" or longer. Use a length of rope to hook them to the bumper.
Before pulling out with the boat, place them in front of rear tires.
Go easy on the gas and away you go.
Then just imagine all the things you can do with the thousands of dollars saved over the life time of that two wheel drive.
More often than not, 4wd just gets most in more/deeper trouble than 2wd.

 

[sw33ttooth]

Re: 4 vs. 2 WD and Tow Vehicle Recommendations

4wd just gets most in more/deeper trouble than 2wd.

amen to that, if i had 4 wheel drive there are a few dirt hills i know of that i might try to drive up testing the 4x4. then again i might need to be towed out if i cant make it up.

 

[anymanusa]

Re: 4 vs. 2 WD and Tow Vehicle Recommendations

Toyota and Nissan more economical??? Both of those full size trucks cost more than Ford, Chevy, and Dodge, so I really don't understand your idea of 'economical'.

 

[anymanusa]

Re: 4 vs. 2 WD and Tow Vehicle Recommendations

I have a pontoon that combined with the trailor is right at 6800lbs. It pulls great with my gmc 1500, Chevy or gmc also offers the auto locking rearend. If you dont have any use for a 4x4 other than pulling the boat up the ramp I would definitley recomend a 4x2 with a locker as the 4x4 uses lower gears and will use alot more fuel and a much higher maintenence cost. Also keep in mind a 4x4 without lockers still only pulls with two wheals, one front and one rear, and if it breaks and you tell the dealer you had it in 4x4 on asphalt the warrenty wont cover it, 4x4 is not meant for hard surfaces. A 4x2 with a locker will give just as much traction as the 4x4 with a considerable difference in all around cost.

My 4x4 pulls with 2 rears and one front. Not sure where you get your information from. Auto locker rear, open diff front. The lions share of chevy 4x4's come in this configuration.

 

[rbh]

Re: 4 vs. 2 WD and Tow Vehicle Recommendations

If you ever drop your trailers wheels over the end of the launch strips, you may need a 4x4 to get it back on.
If you have come to a muddy or scummy launch, you may need a 4x4.
If you launch your boat in an area with alot of good looking women that luv a good ramp burnout?
you may need a 4x4
If you go to family reunions to find a date, you may need a 4x4????????



AH go for it and have some fun!!!

 

[mnypitboat]

Re: 4 vs. 2 WD and Tow Vehicle Recommendations

I can tow and put my boat in a ramp just about anywhere with a 2wd Trailblazer, 5.3 V8 EXT with tow package and 3.73 locking rear. It works fine just about anywhere. My boat is not as big as yours, but the TB has a 7300 towing capacity. Are you sure that at 22ft that you are that heavy?? Either way, I have not found a ramp that the locking rear has spun on.

Now sometimes I park the boat behind my house. There is a dirt road back there and it turns into sugar sand as you get behind my house. It is impassable in most vehicles, but with out the boat, my TB does fine. I put the boat back there after a heavy rain and it went fine. I tried to get it out with the 2wd TB and got stuck. I was able to easily pull it out with my 95 Jeep Wrangler with the 4.0 and in 4wd. Certainly wouldnt be towing it anyplace far, but I did get it out of the sugar sand.

If you are truley at 7k, or close, then I would suggest a 2500 or bigger. I towed my 21ft boat with my TB and it was fine. Towed it with my Dad's Lincoln Navigator Mark LT and it was a bit low on power. Or it felt like it was. As was a 1500 Dodge Ram with the small V8 and a Jeep Grand Cherokee with the 4.7 HO. They all did fine, but if I was towing regularly with them I would be looking for another vehicle. You do not want to be at the top of your towing capacity.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: 4 vs. 2 WD and Tow Vehicle Recommendations

In SC, I watched a Dodge Hemi try to pull a 22' sailboat out of the water. with no weight on the back tires, the truck simply spun the tires. We hooked a $500 Ford Taurus up to the trailer, and pulled it out. (that ultimatly killed the Taurus).

In Florida, I watched an F350 dually diesel just spin the tires trying to pull a Grady White out of the water on Anna Marie Island. there was not enough weight on the rear axles, and the algae/weeds on the ramp just greased the situation. I pulled down the ramp with the boat still on, hooked on to his frame and backed my boat and truck while pulling his boat and truck out with my lowly Durango 4.7 4X4. This is not the first, nor will it be my last rescue at a ramp with my truck.

so, with the question of "is 4x4 worth the extra expense" - YES!

 

[444]

Re: 4 vs. 2 WD and Tow Vehicle Recommendations

amen to that, if i had 4 wheel drive there are a few dirt hills i know of that i might try to drive up testing the 4x4. then again i might need to be towed out if i cant make it up.

You guys who've never owned a 4x4 really shouldn't comment. Trust me, when you have 4x4, you go out of your way to find places to use it. I routinely take my jeep places where 2wd trucks couldn't even think of going and where full size 4x4 trucks have a tough time. Always need to have a 4x4ing buddy with you just in case you need a pull.

I remember borrowing my parents early 90's chevy silverado 1500. It towed and launched/retrieved my boat just fine, but being a useless 2wd with an open rear diff, I got it stuck in a patch of grass at the campground. Luckily a 4x4 guy came by and pulled my butt out!

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: 4 vs. 2 WD and Tow Vehicle Recommendations

444, I disagree entirely. I would be willing to bet that if the statistical data were available, more than HALF of the vehicles equipped with 4WD don't leave the pavement. Only a small percent of 4WD owners go out on trails or in muddy fields where 4WD becomes necessary. You'd be surprised at how many people with 4WD don't know when to engage it, and end up ruining their 4WD systems by running them on dry pavement/going through turns. Again, in my 3 2WD trucks over the past 20 years, I've never been stuck once. I use it to tow the boats, I've pulled a Kubota tractor out of the mud a few times (bruied belly mower), and been through some of the worst snow/ice storms Oklahoma has seen the past 3 years. 4WD is great, but is not a necessity for 95% of drivers; the other 5% get their money's worth from the investment.

 

[jeeperman]

Re: 4 vs. 2 WD and Tow Vehicle Recommendations

You guys who've never owned a 4x4 really shouldn't comment. Trust me, when you have 4x4, you go out of your way to find places to use it. I routinely take my jeep places where 2wd trucks couldn't even think of going and where full size 4x4 trucks have a tough time. Always need to have a 4x4ing buddy with you just in case you need a pull.

Thanks for confirming what I said, LOL.
More often than not, 4wd just gets most in more/deeper trouble than 2wd.

 

[mnypitboat]

Re: 4 vs. 2 WD and Tow Vehicle Recommendations

You guys who've never owned a 4x4 really shouldn't comment. Trust me, when you have 4x4, you go out of your way to find places to use it. I routinely take my jeep places where 2wd trucks couldn't even think of going and where full size 4x4 trucks have a tough time. Always need to have a 4x4ing buddy with you just in case you need a pull.

I remember borrowing my parents early 90's chevy silverado 1500. It towed and launched/retrieved my boat just fine, but being a useless 2wd with an open rear diff, I got it stuck in a patch of grass at the campground. Luckily a 4x4 guy came by and pulled my butt out!

That is why I have a 2wd to tow and a 4wd to play. I always owned 4wd trucks to tow my boats, but when we decided to use the same vehicle as the family vehicle, and my wife's primary transportation, and to tow, we bought a 2wd. Not for any reason other than it is extremely hard to find a medium sized SUV that will tow over 7k with a V8 and have 4wd. We didnt see one. Wife wouldnt drive a large SUV like a Yukon or Expedition, so we had very few to choose from. We chose the Trailblazer because it fit the bill. Prior to that we had a dedicated tow vehicle. Kindof a waste, but we had a 98 Yukon, a 3/4 ton 97 GMC pickup, a 96 3/4 ton Suburban, a 99 Z71 Chevy pickup, a 99 Lincoln Navigator, and a couple others. All 4wd. Never needed it.

So in 5 years we have never needed 4wd. We have a Jeep Wrangler to play in. No need to bring the tow vehicle off road when you have a toy for that. Its like taking the tow vehicle to the drag strip when you have a race car sitting in the garage. Makes no sense. No sense breaking the DD.

 

[jkust]

Re: 4 vs. 2 WD and Tow Vehicle Recommendations

I can tow and put my boat in a ramp just about anywhere with a 2wd Trailblazer, 5.3 V8 EXT with tow package and 3.73 locking rear. It works fine just about anywhere. My boat is not as big as yours, but the TB has a 7300 towing capacity. .

Pretty sure the TB never went up to 7,300lbs but 7,000 as the max but I could be wrong. I have a 5.3 liter Rainier with 3.73's and AWD that maxes at right around 6,600lbs. Having the same set up but with on demand awd instead of 2wd, I'd be in a world of hurt many times without the rear locker and the front wheels pulling out too. That is with some crazy good tires. Sometimes you show up at a nice quality lake and can't believe how old and unmaintained the access is. They seem to put the accesses on the most undesirable part of the lake. I recently pulled my 2 tons out of an all sand access to avoid the busy but modern access and I needed all of the towing capability to pull it out smoothly. You really do actually utilize the front wheels so little, it's fun to actually need them once in a while. Also again in the winter you will use the AWD feature on all the GM trucks with 4wd 50 times a day some days. You may not actually need it in the strictest sense but it is really nice to have. Also I should mention that my roller trailer makes so the truck never touches the water probably masking some of the issues I would have if I had a bunk trailer.

 

[mnypitboat]

Re: 4 vs. 2 WD and Tow Vehicle Recommendations

Pretty sure the TB never went up to 7,300lbs but 7,000 as the max but I could be wrong. I have a 5.3 liter Rainier with 3.73's and AWD that maxes at right around 6,600lbs. Having the same set up but with on demand awd instead of 2wd, I'd be in a world of hurt many times without the rear locker and the front wheels pulling out too. That is with some crazy good tires. Sometimes you show up at a nice quality lake and can't believe how old and unmaintained the access is. They seem to put the accesses on the most undesirable part of the lake. I recently pulled my 2 tons out of an all sand access to avoid the busy but modern access and I needed all of the towing capability to pull it out smoothly. You really do actually utilize the front wheels so little, it's fun to actually need them once in a while. Also again in the winter you will use the AWD feature on all the GM trucks with 4wd 50 times a day some days. You may not actually need it in the strictest sense but it is really nice to have. Also I should mention that my roller trailer makes so the truck never touches the water probably masking some of the issues I would have if I had a bunk trailer.

Those numbers come directly out of the owners manual. The EXT has a longer wheelbase than a full size Tahoe. Yours is the shorter wheelbase which may account for the lower tow capacity. I also noticed that the 4x4 version has a lower towing capacity. Maybe the AWD does too. I would also bet you would find that if you didnt have the AWD, that you would be fine pulling the boat out especially with an 18ft boat. We have some pretty slimey ramps down here and I have never had an issue with a 21ft boat in 5 years of ownership. You just have to be smart about how you launch and pull out. We do not have a winter issue here, so AWD is really just parasitic drain. Although we did look at the Saab version of the Trailblazer with AWD. Wife loved it but it was about $15k more than the TB and pretty much the same vehicle.

I can scan that page from my owner's manual if you like. I might just do that anyway, because I always get somebody saying that.

 

[mnypitboat]

Re: 4 vs. 2 WD and Tow Vehicle Recommendations

Oh and incidently, I watched a guy in a Chevy Z71 and about a 18ft or so boat slide right into the water on a ramp that I had just pulled my 21ft boat out of with a 2wd Trailblazer. So just because you have a 4x4 does not mean you will be fine. You have to be smart about your decisions. He put his rear wheels in the water. Why he did this I have no idea. I have never had to do this to pull out any boat I have ever owned. He hit the 4x4 button and started pulling out his boat and started sliding. He stomped on the gas and slid right down the ramp into the water. Then, as his truck was sinking he wouldnt get out. He kept trying to start the damn thing.

 

[BRICH1260]

Re: 4 vs. 2 WD and Tow Vehicle Recommendations

I have had both 2wd and 4wd. Based on my lifestyle I will never own a 2wd again. Not only do I haul a boat but I also hunt and leave the roadway frequently. In addition, with the weather in the midwest, the 4wd makes it alot easier to get around after a snowstorm. There is a noticeably difference between the two, 4wd is not a cure all, but it does help.

Ultimately I think it will depend on where you will go and how you will use the truck, with the boat and without the boat and the climate that you live in.

 

[jkust]

Re: 4 vs. 2 WD and Tow Vehicle Recommendations

Those numbers come directly out of the owners manual. The EXT has a longer wheelbase than a full size Tahoe. Yours is the shorter wheelbase which may account for the lower tow capacity. I also noticed that the 4x4 version has a lower towing capacity. Maybe the AWD does too. I would also bet you would find that if you didnt have the AWD, that you would be fine pulling the boat out especially with an 18ft boat. We have some pretty slimey ramps down here and I have never had an issue with a 21ft boat in 5 years of ownership. You just have to be smart about how you launch and pull out. We do not have a winter issue here, so AWD is really just parasitic drain. Although we did look at the Saab version of the Trailblazer with AWD. Wife loved it but it was about $15k more than the TB and pretty much the same vehicle.

I can scan that page from my owner's manual if you like. I might just do that anyway, because I always get somebody saying that.

Anything that adds weight lowered the tow capacity. AWD lowers it (as does 4wd) but the optional v8 brings it up and then there is the effect of which of the three rear end ratios you have (if you have the i6 not the V8 which only came with the 3.73). I'd agree with you but my 18 footer is one of the heaviest 18 foot bowriders ever produced in the past 10 years plus the trailer is over the top HD as well. I've had a few times where the front wheels were needed. Would it have pulled it out eventially without the fronts, I can't say since you can't shut them off to try not that I'd want to. In reality, yes on demand AWD is 90% of the time parasitic drain and cost around 1mpg compared to the same Rainier with RWD. It sounds stupid but I'm always hoping the front wheels do kick in just to know I'm getting my money's worth in the summer. The Saab version is nice (nicer than the others in some ways) as I checked them out but I couldn't swallow a Saab. If you are a person looking for a luxurious v8 tow vehicle, the SAAB 9-7x is probably the best bargain out there because nobody wants them the prices are really low compared to the Rainier, Envoy and Trailblazer. All of the GMT360/370 vehicles were pretty much the same with dramatic price differences (my first Rainier not my current was almost 45k). In reality, you don't see many 2wd trucks or midsized suv's here in MN since they are par for the course.

 

[mnypitboat]

Re: 4 vs. 2 WD and Tow Vehicle Recommendations

Anything that adds weight lowered the tow capacity. AWD lowers it (as does 4wd) but the optional v8 brings it up and then there is the effect of which of the three rear end ratios you have (if you have the i6 not the V8 which only came with the 3.73). I'd agree with you but my 18 footer is one of the heaviest 18 foot bowriders ever produced in the past 10 years plus the trailer is over the top HD as well. I've had a few times where the front wheels were needed. Would it have pulled it out eventially without the fronts, I can't say since you can't shut them off to try not that I'd want to. In reality, yes on demand AWD is 90% of the time parasitic drain and cost around 1mpg compared to the same Rainier with RWD. It sounds stupid but I'm always hoping the front wheels do kick in just to know I'm getting my money's worth in the summer. The Saab version is nice (nicer than the others in some ways) as I checked them out but I couldn't swallow a Saab. If you are a person looking for a luxurious v8 tow vehicle, the SAAB 9-7x is probably the best bargain out there because nobody wants them the prices are really low compared to the Rainier, Envoy and Trailblazer. All of the GMT360/370 vehicles were pretty much the same with dramatic price differences (my first Rainier not my current was almost 45k). In reality, you don't see many 2wd trucks or midsized suv's here in MN since they are par for the course.

I am aware of why 4x4 has a lower towing capacity. We have the EXT LT with 5.3 V8 and 3.73 gears. Had it been available in 4x4 in our area, Central Florida, we probably would have bought it. Unfortunately we bought it a year old, and we do not get very many 4x4 Trailblazers in our area. I have not been disapointed in any way with the 2wd version. Like I said, prior to this one we had nothing but 4x4s. We even kept the Yukon for 6 months after we bought the TB just in case, but never needed it, so we sold it.

Wife had a Saab 9-5 prior to the TB. She loved it, and at 130k we never had an issue at all. It even had air conditioned seats. LOL.

 

[jkust]

Re: 4 vs. 2 WD and Tow Vehicle Recommendations

I am aware of why 4x4 has a lower towing capacity. We have the EXT LT with 5.3 V8 and 3.73 gears. Had it been available in 4x4 in our area, Central Florida, we probably would have bought it. Unfortunately we bought it a year old, and we do not get very many 4x4 Trailblazers in our area. I have not been disapointed in any way with the 2wd version. Like I said, prior to this one we had nothing but 4x4s. We even kept the Yukon for 6 months after we bought the TB just in case, but never needed it, so we sold it.

Wife had a Saab 9-5 prior to the TB. She loved it, and at 130k we never had an issue at all. It even had air conditioned seats. LOL.

I don't know which year Trailblazer you have but below is directly out of the 2005 owners manual. The 2wd, EXT, with the 5.3 seems to be the same each of the few years it was in production being 6,800 lbs with the 4wd version dropping down to 6,300lbs. A few of the selections differed by year depending on which engine presumably since they increased the HP over the years.

Look in the following chart to find the maximum trailer weight for your 2005 vehicle.

Vehicle Axle Ratio Max.Trailer Wt. *GCWR
3.42 5,300 lbs (2 404 kg) 10,000 lbs. (4 536 kg)
2WD TrailBlazer (L6 Engine) 3.73 5,700 lbs. (2 585 kg) 10,500 lbs (4 763 kg)
4.10 6,200 lbs. (2 812 kg) 11,000 lbs. (4 990 kg)
3.42 5,100 lbs. (2 313 kg) 10,000 lbs. (4 536 kg)
4WD TrailBlazer (L6 Engine) 3.73 5,500 lbs. (2 495 kg) 10,500 lbs. (4 763 kg)
4.10 6,100 lbs. (2 767 kg) 11,000 lbs. (4 990 kg)
3.42 5,000 lbs. (2 268 kg) 10,000 lbs. (4 536 kg)
2WD TrailBlazer EXT (L6 Engine) 3.73 5,500 lbs. (2 495 kg) 10,500 lbs. (4 763 kg)
4.10 6,000 lbs. (2 722 kg) 11,000 lbs. (4 990 kg)
3.42 4,800 lbs. (2 177 kg) 10,000 lbs. (4 536 kg)
4WD TrailBlazer EXT (L6 Engine) 3.73 5,300 lbs. (2 404 kg) 10,500 lbs. (4 763 kg)
4.10 5,800 lbs. (2 631 kg) 11,000 lbs. (4 990 kg)
3.42 5,900 lbs. (2 676 kg) 11,000 lbs. (4 990 kg)
2WD TrailBlazer EXT (V8 Engine)
3.73 6,800 lbs. (3 084 kg) 12,500 lbs. (5 670 kg)
3.42 5,700 lbs. (2 585 kg) 11,000 lbs. (4 990 kg)
4WD TrailBlazer EXT (V8 Engine)
3.73 6,300 lbs. (2 858 kg) 12,500 lbs. (5 670 kg)

*The Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) is the total allowable weight of the completely loaded vehicle and
trailer including any passengers, cargo, equipment and conversion. The GCWR for your vehicle should not be exceeded.

 

[Angrywasp]

Re: 4 vs. 2 WD and Tow Vehicle Recommendations

I've never needed my 4x4 for my boat at the ramp but I've had a definite need for it in the past moving cars. Had a Hemi 06 Ram Mega cab 1500 with a 1949 dodge on a uhaul car trailer. While maneuvering it to back the trailer into the driveway the rear wheels of the truck started down the incline of the ditch and sat the tongue of the trailer/truck hitch on the ground. 4x4 would have been able to back the truck up but the 2wd would just spin both rear tires. Had to jack the hitch of the truck up until the trailer wasn't holding the truck off the ground. Then unhooked the trailer and rolled the trailer into the driveway and let the line of cars that had stacked up go past. Put some bricks under the rear wheels and got the truck out. I don't offroad my F250 but it's got 4x4 for when I need it.