Do I need 4x4 to launch boat?

[2300max]

This is my problem/issue..... I'm thinking about upgrading my tow vehicle which is a 2000f-250 v-10. I pull a 23' maxum with a venture tandem trailer which is approx 5500 -6000 lbs. I'd like to move up to a dually because I'd like to travel to different boating locations. I'd make out better with price and upgrade if I go without it being a 4x4. So do I really need a 4x4 to launch my boat? What's your thoughts.....

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Do I need 4x4 to lauanch boat?

Re: Do I need 4x4 to lauanch boat?

If you get a locking rear end and are careful a 2wd will handle "most" ramp situations. I have seen some 2wd owners carry a set of traction mats just in case. It really depends on the ramp, how deep you need to launch and the surface conditions. I know of some ramps that a 2wd is fine and some where a 4wd is required.

I have to laugh a bit...... driving a 2wd is NOT common here in VT. You know your ramps better then us.

 

[robert graham]

Re: Do I need 4x4 to lauanch boat?

Re: Do I need 4x4 to lauanch boat?

Sounds to me like you'd be fine with either your F-250 V-10 or the dually, but like Bob said, a lot can depend on the ramp conditions, angles, etc. Some of our tidal ramps down south can get a growth of algae/slime or pluff mud on them making them so slick you can't even stand up on them. I pull my boat with a Buick Roadmaster with positraction and never had any real issues, but I'm familiar with all the ramps we use, so no surprises. Those traction mats should be a good idea just to have if/when you need them. Seems like a dually would have plenty of traction in most areas. Good Luck!

 

[Subliminal]

Re: Do I need 4x4 to lauanch boat?

Re: Do I need 4x4 to lauanch boat?

You DEFINITELY do not need a dually to pull 6k. For a F250, 6K is like a little treat. I'm guilty of this as well, but really you could dang near use a Dodge Durango to pull 6k. My truck, people pull 16K+ without duals...

Duallys are nice, I guess, but you have the extra pain of the extra wheels, and occasionally have to spend quite a bit more on tires.

I'd be more inclined to opt for a diesel, rather than spending the extra money on duals.

4x4 is definitely nice on those occasions where you just can't get traction, but I would say it's not necessary.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Do I need 4x4 to lauanch boat?

Re: Do I need 4x4 to lauanch boat?

I agree with the Subliminal and Bob but one other thing that only you can answer is this, I have had a dually here in Colorado, and while it was nice in the summer I hated it in the fall and spring, when we would get heavy wet snows the rear tires would pack with snow sometimes below 20 mph. I am the guy that is always out in the snow when they are saying to stay home, but when my customers have issues I have to respond you know? I have a 248 Crownline BR, nearly 25' easily 5000 lbs, as Subliminal stated I would go for the diesel power over the dually, but either way good luck!!

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Do I need 4x4 to lauanch boat?

Re: Do I need 4x4 to lauanch boat?

I'd say you need a dually if you were towing a 30' cruiser but for that boat.... you already have all the truck you need.... I generally never need 4x4 launching my boat but I always use 4lo anyhow because my boat weighs nearly 10k and my truck also weighs 10k... 20k on the ebrake is a LOT on a ramp and in low the trans in park can hold 2.7 times as much as high....

Last summer a guy backed a few inches too far and got his rear tires on the slime.... he was in his boat when the whole rig suddenly slipped .... he started the boat and gassed it and I shot down the ramp and hooked a chain to his truck.... got him out but he drove home with a wet seat.

fwiw I buddy and I towed the boat in my sig home over 900 miles without engines (7000k) with a 3/4 ton suburban with no issues

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: Do I need 4x4 to lauanch boat?

Re: Do I need 4x4 to lauanch boat?

I think you'd be better off with four wheel drive then dual wheels.

 

[Kuna Matata]

Re: Do I need 4x4 to lauanch boat?

Re: Do I need 4x4 to lauanch boat?

I dont know about the V10... I have a powerstroke and this bad boy will pull a house down lots of power. I have a 4x4 and have needed this many times at the lake pulling others out of the water and other trucks that are not 4x4's on the beach that get stuck.

You can never go wrong with a 4x4 but as far as getting a dually just my thoughts to you is I would not do this. Dually trucks do not do well at all in the sand or mudd even if its a 4x4. The other item is cost you will need to spend more money on tires and this is not cheap at all. If you need to get a 4x4 and like the V10 stay with that and just get a truck that is a 4x4. Duallys are ment to pull very heavy loads around 15,000 lbs very often. The dually set up helps even the load. If you dont pull alot of weight you wont need one. Hope this helps you out

 

[Joshua Nichols]

Re: Do I need 4x4 to lauanch boat?

Re: Do I need 4x4 to lauanch boat?

I have a little 4x4.. Nothing special.. standard...V6..Regular cab.. Sure makes boat launching gravy.. No wheel spinning.. No extra strain.. In four Low.. Don't even need throttle to get out...

 

[Dave1251]

Re: Do I need 4x4 to lauanch boat?

Re: Do I need 4x4 to lauanch boat?

I am a boat dealer and have two one ton duallies. Both are 4X4, but with boats this size, hardly ever use 4 wheel drive pulling a boat. With larger boats, we do use 4 wheel drive. But I would not spend the extra money unless you plan on upgrading boats in the near future.

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: Do I need 4x4 to lauanch boat?

Re: Do I need 4x4 to lauanch boat?

I think, the rig you have is OK. As Dave said.
Most people would Love to have your truck.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Do I need 4x4 to lauanch boat?

Re: Do I need 4x4 to lauanch boat?

I think, the rig you have is OK. As Dave said.
Most people would Love to have your truck.

a 2wd duelly? Nope, long list of vehicles I'd rather have before that! (see v6 regular cab above!) Hard to find a more worthless vehicle on the slippery stuff.

But... that said, if you don't need the vehicle for ice/snow, and long distance fair weather towing is your thing, its a great vehicle. You will want to be a little mindful of the ramps you visit, and there may be ones you need to avoid. If you get the back tires of that onto a slimy ramp below the waterline, the truck isn't going to pull itself out, let alone a boat!

Like others mentioned, do you NEED the load capacity of the 2 additional tires? They will hurt you for traction in slippery conditions. 2 tires means reduced ground pressure, which directly translates to less traction on ice/ramp slime.

 

[DJ]

Re: Do I need 4x4 to lauanch boat?

Re: Do I need 4x4 to lauanch boat?

You do not need 4X4. A rear locking axle will do you well. The 2011 Ford SD offers a full lock rear (electronic) axle as an option.

The V-10 is a great engine, virtually indestructable. A bit thirsty, by todays standards, but can deliver decent MPG if you keep your foot out of it.

Think about it.

-A diesel is a $6k+ option.

-Diesel fuel is more expensive. Regionally.

-Diesel maintenance is four times that of gas. $140.00 oil changes as opposed to $40.00. Ford Dealer average. (I only use OEM service).

The new 6.7L Ford Powerstroke is awesome, by any measure, but is it worth the money to you? Think twice.

 

[Captain Caveman]

Re: Do I need 4x4 to lauanch boat?

Re: Do I need 4x4 to lauanch boat?

...I'd like to travel to different boating locations...So do I really need a 4x4 to launch my boat?

You already answered your own question. You should get 4x4 if you're traveling to unknown boating locations. A 300 mile trip would be ruined if you got to the launch and saw how steep and slimy it happened to be. You will lose mpg because of 4x4, but you're paying for piece of mind.

 

[infideltarget]

Re: Do I need 4x4 to lauanch boat?

Re: Do I need 4x4 to lauanch boat?

Speaking from experience with both, a dually is completely worthless when traction is low. I got my dad's crew cab powerstroke stuck in my VERY slightly inclined yard, on wet grass, trying to pull an EMPTY 18' flatbed trailer. the truck had to sit until the grass dried up. I am talking DEW wetness here...with NEW tires. Even if you only need that 4wd once...you have it. You will wish you had it that ONE time you see the water line is lower than normal, and the ramp is covered in green slop. The difference in mpg and maintenance overall is very negligible between the same vehicles in 2wd or 4wd configuration. Better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it. Never have understood why anyone would want a 2wd truck or SUV. Just my opinion.

 

[rndn]

Re: Do I need 4x4 to lauanch boat?

Re: Do I need 4x4 to lauanch boat?

You already answered your own question. You should get 4x4 if you're traveling to unknown boating locations. A 300 mile trip would be ruined if you got to the launch and saw how steep and slimy it happened to be. You will lose mpg because of 4x4, but you're paying for piece of mind.

Couldn't agree more!!

 

[Slide]

Re: Do I need 4x4 to lauanch boat?

Re: Do I need 4x4 to lauanch boat?

Speaking from experience with both, a dually is completely worthless when traction is low. I got my dad's crew cab powerstroke stuck in my VERY slightly inclined yard, on wet grass, trying to pull an EMPTY 18' flatbed trailer. the truck had to sit until the grass dried up. I am talking DEW wetness here...with NEW tires. Even if you only need that 4wd once...you have it. You will wish you had it that ONE time you see the water line is lower than normal, and the ramp is covered in green slop. The difference in mpg and maintenance overall is very negligible between the same vehicles in 2wd or 4wd configuration. Better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it. Never have understood why anyone would want a 2wd truck or SUV. Just my opinion.

Living in the Midwest where we run the gamut from 100 degree days to 1 foot snowstorms, there's an adage that goes around...

If you get a 4x4, you only need it 5% of the time. But in that 5%, you REALLY need it.

The diesel and the dually are overkill, but I say go for the 4x4. It's just wonderful to have in a pinch.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Do I need 4x4 to lauanch boat?

Re: Do I need 4x4 to lauanch boat?

2300max..... POST UP keep talking to us...

It occurred to me that there might be a reason that you feel you need a dually... What are you running for tires? If they are load range c or d then you could be VERY impressed with the difference in stability with a new set of load range e

 

[scoutboater]

Re: Do I need 4x4 to lauanch boat?

Re: Do I need 4x4 to lauanch boat?

We've got a Ford Excursion with the V10 in it. Great motor. Its just 2wd, but we just run the roads with it. I can see the need for 4x4 pulling a boat out sometimes, expecially on unfamiliar ramps. As far as the duals, IMHO you don't need them. We have a set of 10 ply tires on our Excursion, and we have yet to even squat them. They are rated to 80 psi, and we only run them at 40-60.

P.S. - I've heard the V10 called 'the poor man's diesel' before, just to give an idea of its power.

 

[2300max]

Re: Do I need 4x4 to lauanch boat?

Re: Do I need 4x4 to lauanch boat?

Sorry, I've been tied up with some projects and haven't been able to check in....I have M/T D rated tires on my truck. I've thought about going to E rated tires but I have good tread life on my tires. I thought with going with a larger truck/dually I woud be increasing safety and comfort.....I live approx 25-30 mins from lake charles (susquehanna river in pa) and decided to keep my boat on the lake at SYC (boat club) rather than trailering but I want to boat at several locations in pa,del and md.