4 wheel drive or not
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2007
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4 wheel drive or not
when i pull my boat out of the water, i use 4 wheel drive, some others say that it is great and helps out alot and some say that it makes it much hader ojn the truck, engine etc. how will i get the best grunt of power thanks
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 780
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From: Chicago suburbs
The power needed to pull out your boat will be approx the same weather use use 4WD or not. When using 4WD, the power is dispersed between the front and back evenly. I would use 4WD so that the back wheels don't slip on the way out. Just my .02
Dave
Dave
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Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Buckingham, IA
And you will have more traction on the front axle due to the weight of the engine. Plus the rear tires might be in the water a little which reduces traction, especially with all the green stuff that grows on those ramps.
Of the next Riffraff East
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 8,679
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From: Concord NC
I fish pretty much year around and have a 21ft Skeeter bass boat with a 300hp engine and I have never used 4wd to pull the boat out. Now if the boat is big enough and the ramp is steep enough or if the ramp has frozen over, then you may need 4wd. If you do use 4wd, then use caution when turning on hard dry surfaces.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Buckingham, IA
I have an older 19' fiberglass ski boat with a Chevy 305 i/o. We have had to use the 4wd to get it out of the water and yes, the slope of the ramp is a factor. As soon as the boat is out of the water and traction on the ramp isn't a problem, we go back to 2wd.
Elder User
Joined: May 2005
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From: Refugio, Texas
I would say...If your are pulling the boat out and your rear wheels start to slip....Put it in 4x4 and try again.
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Of the next Riffraff East
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Concord NC
Originally Posted by 4X4 IN REFUGIO
I would say...If your are pulling the boat out and your rear wheels start to slip....Put it in 4x4 and try again.
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Of the next Riffraff East
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 8,679
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From: Concord NC
Hi should be more than enough and the problem with 4wd on hard surfaces it when you make hard turns, puts a lot of stress on drive train. I have seen axles broken on lesser trucks.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,760
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From: Hampton, Maryland.
These Dana axles can handle hard dry surfaces. It's not something that you should do all day every day, but it's not something to be paranoid about when pulling a boat out and driving in the parking lot of the boat ramp.