Do I need 4x4 to launch boat?

[sw33ttooth]

Re: Do I need 4x4 to lauanch boat?

Re: Do I need 4x4 to lauanch boat?

i wouldn't get a dually if i was you, first off no one in the world knows how to rotate tires..... my dad bought a 2000 chevy 3500 dually. almost no replair shops will touch it after it was in an accident because there lifts cant lift a dually. then theres the fact that in winter we can't put enough sand in the back end to saftly run it threw the snow we've got stuck once towing a single axle box trailer going up a muddy hill had to back down and try again made it the 2nd time[wasn't prepared the first time]. plus milage will be better with out them. not the mention the turning radis on my dads dually would take aproximently 6 lanes to make a circle. i would get rid of your v-10[hear that the power isn't any better for the fuel you use, and that they are a junk motor], but i dont know that i would buy a dually if i had my option with or with out them. however 2 wheel drive or 4x4 just depends on the ramps you use if there all cement then you dont need 4x4 but if your backing into mudd then get it even with duallys.

just my imput from my experience, duallys are nice with a heavy toung load but about it.

 

[Gohot]

Re: Do I need 4x4 to lauanch boat?

Re: Do I need 4x4 to lauanch boat?

Sounds like your trying to justify buying a dually or 4x4. Just Get the Dang thing, your boat is only secondary as to the uses it will perform. I have a 17.5 foot bow rider and pull it with a 318 powered V8 Dodge Van with an automatic. I'v had incidences where one tire would spin and I'd not have enough traction to pull out of the ramp... So I'd slightly apply the brakes while on the gas, and it would engage both rear tires and Bingo, Traction.... It would pull out just fine. I never lacked for power, only occasionally traction. Ulltimatly a 'limited slip' would have been ideal, but the added expense really didn't justify the need when simply applying a slight amount of braking accomplished the same thing. Of course my Dodge B250 Van has its limitations, especialy and singularily with the small 318 ci. motor, nothing a similar 360ci. motor wouldn't cure ie. 140 hp with the 318 to 300 hp with the bigger 360. Were I to haul a twin axle 27' boat everything would need to change in tow vehicles however.

 

[Joshua Nichols]

Re: Do I need 4x4 to lauanch boat?

Re: Do I need 4x4 to lauanch boat?

Once I pulled out with 4 Low, I never went back- it practically walks up and out on its own.

Yep!! Used it last Sunday.. If ya got it.. Might as well use it.. If ya don't.. Watch out for the green slick stuff

 

[rbh]

Re: Do I need 4x4 to launch boat?

Just going to jump in feet first-

4x4, launching and retrieving is great due to the low gearing of 4 low, your not riding the brake pedal as much so it is smooth not jerky.
Great having the additional traction in slippery conditions.

A dually will be overkill for a 5-6 thousand pound boat and trailer

Duallys are great for 8-10.000+ pound boats as it takes the bumps and curves better due to heavyer spring packs and more side wall strength on the rear tires (2 per side)and pavement contact.

And you can not beat a diesel for towing, better power over gas and better milage over gas as they do not have to work so hard to get the same torque.

 

[JRJ]

Re: Do I need 4x4 to launch boat?

I have never launched or retrieved a boat without a diesel 4X4. I don't leave home without 4X4. Good luck

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: Do I need 4x4 to lauanch boat?

Re: Do I need 4x4 to lauanch boat?

If running it will ingest water into the bores and hydrolock.
Possibly breaking rods, pistons, heads, etc.
If it goes in not running, that wont happen.
Still wet but still possibly able to dry it out and get it running again.

It may hurt it but that doesn't mean it will.

We've dunked my brother's old Scrambler a good number of times and it just needed some fluids drained and replaced. Running and not. Jeep don't swim if it's not running!

It's just a risk of swimming a jeep it happens.

I think my point was if you have a newer truck with modern electronics and you dunk it, it's junk you ruined it. So it doesn't matter if it was running or not it's still a total loss.

 

[emoney]

Re: Do I need 4x4 to lauanch boat?

Re: Do I need 4x4 to lauanch boat?

I still say it's a whole lot easier to just relocate to Florida.....move to a subdivision that has a channel out into the Gulf park the boat in the back on a lift and sell the trailer!

 

[2300max]

Re: Do I need 4x4 to lauanch boat?

Re: Do I need 4x4 to lauanch boat?

I know this is an old thread but wanted to send out an update....Well I went out and pick up a new to me 2006 SD F-350 powerstroker crew cab diesel. The more I thought about it I moved away from getting a dually. You know the saying " the bigger the toy". I drove diesel before but forgot how nice it is to have all that torque! I like a truck that has some height to it but not overly aggerssive. It had brand new 35" Cooper SST E rated so I'm happy. I'll post some pic's later...now I'm rushing to finish up getting the boat ready to make it's first splash this year but my son is getting married next week and it's been hectic around here dealing with his mother my wife! It's her first, so you know it's tough to let her baby go!

 

[Joshua Nichols]

Re: Do I need 4x4 to lauanch boat?

Re: Do I need 4x4 to lauanch boat?

my son is getting married next week

Congrats... How many more do you have to get grown and moved out?