2x4 or 4x4

[dm25advantage]

i have friend that is in the market of a new truck and he is towing 21 ski boat. i have been telling to get a 4x4 instead of 2x4.for those steep ramp. whats everybody 2 cent.

[djunkie]

4x4 all the way. You never know when your gona need it. And the first time it saves you it pays for itself.

[NOTALENT]

Go 4x4 always comes in handy...

[cc322]

Always had 4x4 always will tell your friend to get it if he uses One time he will be a happy man

[HOOTER SLED-]

I have a 21' jet boat that I haul with a 2WD Suburban. Have no problems at all. Been on a few steep ramps no probs. Like Castaic. Also at Telephone Cove at Mojave which is dirt. Knock on wood no probs there too. I would like to have 4WD now though. Just to have for the desert for dirt bike riding and access. BUt as far as regular launching with that size boat. NOt a problem.

[Old Texan]

i have friend that is in the market of a new truck and he is towing 21 ski boat. i have been telling to get a 4x4 instead of 2x4.for those steep ramp. whats everybody 2 cent.
Spend the money and go 4X4.

[rrrr]

I have a 2WD EX with a limited slip diff. Boat weighs 6,000 lbs, no problemo.
But I guess it really depends on if you want to do something else with the truck. No hills, mountains, snow, or sand around here. Don't need 4WD.

[H20 Toie]

You should never need 4x4 for that small of a boat but it is always nice to have.

[Flying Tiger]

4x4 all the way. You never know when your gona need it. And the first time it saves you it pays for itself.
Yep.. as good as reason as any.
I have limited slip too,, and then still,, the 4x4 saves the day. A major BFD.
Also,, it's essential at the dunes pulling your rig to/from the campsite across the sand.
He must dune,, Hot Boaters invented duneing, like rockers invented drugs, it's madatory.
Ya get the upfront expense of the 4x4 back when ya sell it.
If it's a $1400 option new,, it'll juice the resale $1400.
In some frames of mind,, it's a free option.

[BADBLOWN572]

4X4 all the way. First time you need it, you will be VERY happy that you spent the extra money.
My truck is on '04 and I have used it probably about 10x. If I am on a steep ramp with a heavy boat, use it. You may not need to, but since you have it, why stress over if you can get traction to pull it out. I mainly use it whenever we go to the sand. Switch it to 4x4 and head on out. Never gotten stuck yet. :)

[HocusPocus]

in the past year i have used my '05 dodge 4x to help 2 people pull their boats up the ramp who coudn't get enough traction.
2 wheel drive trucks, lifted up with big tires.. are still only 2 wheel drive. ;)

[2Driver]

4x4 only for me.
I've watched 2 people lose their rigs. One at Windsor and one on a ramp between Winatou and Moonridge in Parker. Wasn't pretty. One boat was a 20' and the other was a 2-place jet ski trailer believe it or not.
Always nice to go camping or take a trip to the mountains in the winter time too. Some of the price will come back at resale time too. Why not have the peace of mind?

[Biglue]

Never had a problem with either my old truck or my new one. My 26 footer was not an issue even at CAstaic where the ramps are very steep. My old truck was a half ton at that. Never had a traction issue. Knock on wood.

[Roxysnow]

Go with the 4x4! Lake is low and algae on the ramp! I went with the 2500hd 2x4, biggest mistake! Now I'm stuck with it for 2 more years! :mad:

[YeLLowBoaT]

I have never had a prob with a 2x4 auto.... that being said I have gotten stuck with a 2x4 stick... Unless you need the 4wd your just carrying around a extra 1000lbs and costing yourself alot of $$$. Not just in the price. Maintance and INS will cost you more.

[spectras only]

What's the weight of your rig ? Do you want to go 4 wheeling occasionally ?
All depends ! I've used this [ 5050 #] 4 X 2 pulling my 21' boat [ 4030 lbs with trailer ] . Steep ramps no problem. Weight of the tow vehicle is the key with a two wheel drive. My 90 Cherokee only weighed 3000 # , pulling up the same boat at most ramps , without putting it in 4 drive .
http://www3.telus.net/spectrasonly/spectralincolln666.1.jpg
I wouldn't hesitate towing a 21' boat with a 4X2 Lightning , with proper load range tires :idea: :)

[77charger]

nice option to have.If you cant pull it then at least get the limited slip.MOst times with my 2500hd i can pull my 21 ft boat out easily.I mainly use the 4wd if i go to powell to launch from shore,to glamis(main reason i always go 4wd),or shooting-camping trips.
mpg and insurance can cost more but that is the only drawback for me i still get full cvg for under 400 a year pays to be over 30 and married.

[Riverkid]

My buddy and I had a big Fountain we kept down at the Dunes. He had a dually 2by, and I had an F-150 4by. Guess who had to launch the boat, every time???
Wasn't the dually. Plus, if you snowski, you don't have to do the chain routinme when driving up...
In sand, it's a given. I pulled big moho's out with a little Toyota 4by.

[Schmick]

it would be a 4x2 and not a 2x4 since you can not drive 2 wheels with 4.
if youre towing somethjing, especially up wet boat launches, a 4x4 or an awd will perform better

[HOOTER SLED-]

it would be a 4x2 and not a 2x4 since you can not drive 2 wheels with 4.
if youre towing somethjing, especially up wet boat launches, a 4x4 or an awd will perform better
Maybe he meant sticking 2X4s under the rear wheels for traction when he's stuck. :D

[SummitKarl]

when faced with the same choice
I went with the simplicty of a Posi 2x, it's better on gas and there is no expensive transfer case to maintain or take power from the primary job of towing
so far in 10yrs I have only broke traction once, and that was a very bad day at site 6 for everyone
the biggest boat I have pulled out was a Advantage Party Cat, not exactly a monster but darn heavy
and after 10yrs I would make exactly the same choice again.. it has worked very well for me :)