4 wheel drive vs 2 wheel drive for a truck

[bassmansports]

I am looking to buy a truck to tow my boat. Anyone have problems towing their boat with a 2 wheel drive?

John Bracamontes

[OutdoorFrontiers]

Under normal circumstances, you shouldn't have any problems towing your boat with a two wheel drive truck.

Now, with that being said, there will be times you'll wish you had four wheel drive.  Here's some "for-instances."

Early/late in the season when snow/ice might be a problem.

Algae coating the ramp at the waterline.

Steep ramps.

Unimproved boat landings.

If you never have to deal with any of the above, then a two wheel drive should be sufficient.  I on the other hand, deal with one or more of the issues on a regular basis.

Steve

[lipripper14]

Hey John I think one of the main things to think about is the condition and angle of the ramps you will be putting your boat in and out at and if your going to fish much in the winter. If I had to choose i would go with a 4x4 just for peace of mind. I know your boat and I don't know what size truck your looking at but the colorado is a good truck if you dont want the larger pick-ups like the silverado or F150.

                               Brad

[Fish_myster]

I prefer the 4X4. I have seen the conditions that are mentioned more than once. I hope never to use the 4X4 but it sure is nice when you do need it.
The reasons to me are: steep ramps, alge on the water line, black ice in the winter after someone else pulled back out(along with a bag of rock salt). But as far as just pulling down the road, 2 wheel is just fine.
Chip

[Warpath]

I have a small boat, and onlya 2 wheel drive and have been very happy with it.  My truck has a tow package though, and I hvaen't had any issues on steep ramps or primitive ramps.  The issues mentioned above are good ones.  Everything said is pointing you in a good direction.

Eric

[imp81318]

Another condition nobody has mentioned is the case where you are at a small ramp with limited parking after a rainstorm and have to park in a field across the street or something.... or pull off the side of hte road to prep for launch.

As others have stated, it is up to you to know the conditions you encounter, but for me, I would go with 4x4, but then again, I will have a 4x4 truck for the winters here in PA... If not for the snow around here, I would probably give much more thought to 2WD...

[bass1cpr]

   John I know the ramps and lakes your fishing. Have peace of mind and get the 4X4. Stay away from things like an S-10 with your boat. Emergency situations are where you'll be glad that you have a full size truck. Emergency braking you want weight to stop the weight behind you and stay in controll.
   A Ford explorer is the lightest truck I would get with your boat, and that's only if your giving in to gas mileage and everyday use. 

[Bassinkorea]

The lakes in my part of Korea have almost no real ramps, just a rough and steep ramp and I have only a 2wd. I can manage because my boat is so light but a 4wd would make life soooooo much easier.

[Nitro Fish]

I'd go with the 4x4, my last truck was a 2 wheel drive version, it worked in most cases, ramps, etc., but the 4x4 will give you additional ground clearance and man mines great in the snow what fun.  The only ramps I had an issue with my 2 wheel drive was a few steep ones at LOZ and Wappapello Lake, and if you add algae or ice, you are done for sure, tow truck time for your rig and boat, if you're lucky (complete rig may slide towards the water, not a good feeling). Get the 4x4 you won't regret it.

Nitro

[POE]

i pull my 18 foot boat with my 95 s-10 extended cab pickup v6 217,000 miles on it all the time. i do encounter the mud on occasion but not ice and stuff. its 2wd and i have never had a a problem with it. plus i checked my gas mileage the other day (without the boat) and i got 25 mpg! but if i had my choice it would be a z71 4x4 or toyota tacoma 4x4.

[bass1cpr]

   Hi Dave! The Golconda ramp could be fun when it's raining also. One ramp I really hate is the Glenn Shoals main Marina ramp, especially when the waters down. It's long and steep. Saw a truck and boat take a swim there once.

[coldfront]

I think I'd go with a 4x4...my current tow vehicle is a dodge minivan...which works great for the small boat I have...but what I really like?  Front wheel drive and power to tires on 'dry' ground...never had a problem pulling the boat out....

Now, when my budget grows up, I plan on getting a 4x4 pickup...just hoping they find better gas mileage along the way somewhere before that happens...at $4/gal 10-12 mpg gets kinda old kinda fast...

4x4 if it's a choice...

[Nitro Fish]

Hi Tom, haven't seen you at a tourney in a while, hope everything is going good for you.  Are you going to make the Vandalia Tourney in October? If you do I'll see you there.

[bass1cpr]

   Hi Dave! Yep ya got that wright I've only fished  the First Vandallia tournament from the back of the boat. Things could be much better. Thanks for the thought.

   I'm not shure but I'm going to try and be at Vandallia. I've got a couple of places I've been able to fish from the bank a little until things get too uncomfortable. One of them is Long Lake thought about callin ya and see if ya wanted to go fun fishing out there.

   I have acess to a 14 foot jon boat out there. I've been in it a few times this year. It's my old Jon boat. Best trip out there so far has been a 17+ pound limit.

   Saw Josh out there one evening on one of my short trips caught a four pounder before he was out of sight I don't think he saw me catch it, He was trying to cover some water after we talked.

   I've been fishing Mallard lake too, have two sections of the bank there I can fish. I've been hitting it about 3 to 4 times a week the last couple of weeks about 2 1/2 hours a trip.  Went out there this morning from about 9:00 to 10:30 stuck one good keeper bass and a Drum about 24 inches guessing 8 or 9 pounds. I've seen a couple of big bass out there but they've seen me too waters real clear. A big one's due I know where he likes to hang out now. That's pretty much what I've been up to fishing just keepin the the feel alive so i don't foget what a bite feels like.

[Nitro Fish]

Tom,

         Just let me know when you want to fish Long Lake, I'm out of pocket this week, working in WI, any other time should work for me.

         I've fished Mallard a couple of times from the bank, there are some large bass in that lake, caught mine on spinnerbaits around the laydowns on the west bank.

[bass1cpr]

   Will do Dave I was at mallard this morning caught five nice one's big boy wasn't hanging around today.

   Hey I like the new siggy meant to say something yesterday.

   I'll give you a call next week.

[Nitro Fish]

Thanks, I had fun creating my new siggy.  Yeah, give me a call next week, I'm pre-fishing Vandalia on Friday, Oct. 5, all other days open at this point, unless the wife has plans on Wednesday.

[Rudy]

I used my 96 Chevy 1500 to tow my Ranger for three years and never, ever had an issue. You can use a 2WD w/o any problem and you'll get better fuel economy. I now drive an '05 F-150 4X4 because it was the best deal out there at the time. All of the points made in the previous posts are valid. However, if you come accross a late model or new full size with a V8 and automatic transmission for a great deal I say go for it.

[OutdoorFrontiers]

My thoughts on 4WD versus 2WD for boat towing is:

I would much rather have it and not need it than need it and NOT have it!

Steve

[coldfront]

My thoughts on 4WD versus 2WD for boat towing is:

I would much rather have it and not need it than need it and NOT have it!

Steve

Just upgraded from the minivan ('the beast') to a Tundra...love the increased ground clearance, power and know the 'on the fly' 4x4 option will be great on the ramps...

Having an opportunity to get the 'front feet' (tires with traction) on a dry, non-algae segment of ramp is a nice thing...