Tow Vehicle: 2 Wheel or 4 Wheel Drive?

[wabislander]

Looking at towing an R25.

Targeting a vehicle with 11,000 lbs towing capacity.
Next question is 2 wheel or 4 wheel drive?

Initial research is you get a reduced towing capacity with the 4 wheel drive but it is better on haul out on steep or slippery ramps. Would like to get some feedback from experienced towers.

 

[scross]

My vote is for 4 wheel drive. Use it every single time when getting back up the ramp. Also use it any time the road is wet when towing. And for me, I use 4x4 when we have snow - like is forecast for later this weekend!

 

[Osprey]

I tow a 2012 R27 using a 4-wheel drive truck. I always need to engage the 4-wheel option to pull the boat (& trailer) out of the water and up the ramp. The towing capacity you mention, 11000 lb, is good .I need all of that when the boat if "fueled and Watered' for extended cruising.
You should make sure the hitch (ball and receiver) has sufficient capacity. The receiver installed by Dodge, factory option, was, I thought, rated at 10000 lb, but that was only if equalizer bars were used. If no bars, as is the standard for towing a boat, the receiver rating drops to 5000 lb. I had to switch out to a stronger receiver, 16000 lb.

 

[Irish Mist]

I also like the 4 wheel drive low function. Lets me ease the trailer into the water. Coming out it just idles no strain at all with our R29 classic.

 

[YukonRon]

For us, 4WD was a necessity for the towing and launching we did. Up in Yukon and Alaska there were many poorly maintained ramps with heaved concrete slabs, big drop-offs at the end of the concrete, and slippery marine growth. We also towed on gravel roads and launched in lakes that had gravel ramps or no ramp at all, backing in on a gravel shore. Having low range along with four wheel drive made theses launches possible instead of no-go.
When we moved to BC and towed the Alaska Highway we boater-homed along the way. We pulled into roadside pullouts that were dirt or mud and had the confidence to get back onto the highway using 4WD if we had to.
Think about where you plan to tow and launch and what your own travel plans are. If your type of towing involves good highways and good ramps, you might forego having 4WD.
For me, I like the pulling and stopping control of having a big diesel hooked up on all 4 wheels.

 

[SgtAlf]

I tow my R-23 with a Silverado 1500 4WD rated for 10,000. Chevy says I'm fine for 8,000lbs, but that's max. The 2500 is rated for 13,500. I wonder what Chevy says is the max for that? You might have to go to 3500/F350...

 

[ixlr8]

I have slipped and slid on too many ramps using just 2wd. It is 4wd for me each and every time. I wouldn't consider pulling a boat up a ramp without 4wd.

 

[S. Todd]

I think it depends on your ramp(s) and if you almost always intend to use a decent ramp. I towed for decades with two wheel drive and figured if needed for the money saved in truck costs and improved mileage I could pay for a tow to get up the ramp. Once when towing our R25SC I elected to pull out from a ramp that was less steep than the one I launched at, although it was also steep. Two wheel drive did fine but tanks were empty and I off loaded some of the heavy items (tools and spare anchor etc.) first. One other time the wheels on the truck started to spin as soon as the boat cleared the water. Finally had to drop the tailgate and move the admiral from the boat to the tailgate and we made it up. (I goofed on that trip and filled the fuel tanks before launching without first checking the gauge. Thus, I was going up the ramp with more than 75% full fuel tank.) On my favorite ramp on Lake Michigan, which is not real steep, I never had a problem with two wheel drive. All that said, when we ordered a new truck in fall of 2018 I ordered a F350 diesel dually 4X4 (with visions of some day getting a larger boat). The truck is a long bed 4 door and not a daily driver, does not understand the words "turning radius" and likes 4 parking spaces. Pulling up the ramp with 4 wheel drive low is a piece of cake with zero suspense! Going down the highway is a pleasure with the boat in tow. This fall we ordered a R29S and I have no questions about its towing ability.

 

[bob daily]

I see that your located in Decatur,Ga. So I assume your an inland boater and will be required to do a lot of tailoring to enjoy your boat. I agree with the prior posts that I would recommend 4X4 in a 3/4 ton or larger tow vehicle. The best insurance you have for a safe road trip with a load of that size is a vehicle that will handle the unexpected be it at the boat ramp or on the highway.
Stay safe and enjoy your boat! Bob

 

[EdHat]

Would never buy a 2w drive truck they are useless no traction when you need it. I always use 4w on any ramp. Keep the front wheels on the dry. Slid on a slimy ramp once since then always 4 w. I have a R23 with the trailer, fuel,water and gear I figure around 8500. I had a f150 rated a 9000 lbs. Don’t care what it was rated at it pulled it but not comfortable. Upgrade to a f250. Standard F150 is rated at 500 Tng and 5000 tow. F250 is 14000

 

[ohioan55]

Put it this way, I have had to pull 2WD trucks up the ramp (with their boat) with one of my 4WD vehicles before. If they get the rear wheels down near the waterline or in the water, then there is little traction to pull the wet boat and trailer back up the ramp. Those front wheels pulling can sure make a difference.

 

[Alpina]

Besides traction to get your boat out, 4x4 has the advantage of better traction when in park and loading your boat. you put it in 4x4 low when backing down the ramp therefore when you put it in park, all 4 tires are preventing the truck from sliding back on a slippery ramp.


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[Matty]

Just pull up some youtube videos on boat launch fails. That will scare you into being sure you have all you need and a little more. Not that a high percentage are due to 2wd ( they don't tell you why in the videos) but you want to eliminate that as a possibility.

 

[Alpina]

Just pull up some youtube videos on boat launch fails. That will scare you into being sure you have all you need and a little more. Not that a high percentage are due to 2wd ( they don't tell you why in the videos) but you want to eliminate that as a possibility.

You got that right. I also use large wheel chocks and put them under my front tires. A little caution goes a long way.


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[S. Todd]

I just did a search locally at two of our large dealerships for a relative that was interested in a truck. Finding one without 4 wheel drive in today' truck market, at least here in the Midwest, is nearly impossible. That may tell you what the market thinks should be on a truck, and therefore that the resale market is going to make up for any savings that you might have up front by getting 2 wheel drive. I think the same rule holds for spending the extra for a diesel - at resale you get your money back.