Do I really need x4 wheel drive?

[wetwhopper]

My Ford F140 4x4 has 200k miles on her 6 cyliner engine with no probs. She's a standard cab so my family does not fit anymore. I mainly launch my boat out of Ocean Shores here in Wa. I also have launched from Seiku, Bellingham, and a few other places in Wa. I've never come close to ever needing 4-wheel drive. Do all you guys have x4 wheel drive rigs, or do some of you tow your alloy with x2 wheel drive? Thanks.

[Sabs28]

Here is mine. 2004, 5.4L 3 Valve, 2WD. I have towed a 5-6k Glass boat up a couple different ramps & never had a problem. The Glass boat was on a single axle trailer & only had around 100 lbs. of tounge weight if that. My Lund has 300 lbs. of tounge weight & tows Great.

ONLY 200,000 MILES. Just broken in my friend. I worked on one yesterday had 315,000 on it. All original drivetrain.
But not every body is that lucky.

What are you looking at for a new toy????

[goatram]

Rich
I got the big boy cause of the camper and boat. I tried a 2WD in 2002 got stuck on my property a few times. I have gotten stuck both a backhoe and a 4WD Suburban, my property is wet and has some hills so now I have my truck.

When I pull out of the launches I am in 4WD, When I back up my driveway I am in 4WD Low. Smoked my tranny oil on my 2003 Dodge 3/4 ton. Lessons learned by the University of Hard Knocks.

[wetwhopper]

Hmmm... One for and one against

[welder]

Running a 2500HD 5.9 cummins 2X4 , 6 speed man. 3.73 gears. No problems so far.

[wetwhopper]

OK. Thanks for the input guys.

[spoiled one]

I have a 2003 GMC with the duramax with the allison transmission. I always launch and retrieve in 4 low. Is it necessessary? Probably not. But it is much easier on the truck. I am launching and retrieving a boat that is twice the weight of the truck, though. Like Goatram, I also use low range to back it up my 100 plus foot driveway. Nearly all trucks up here are 4 x 4s. We get a bit more snow than many of you guys.

[welder]

Pete, you don't have a driveway , you have a hill climb. Wish I had it.

[JETTYWOLF]

Your boat doesn't need a 4x4......unless you just want one.

For 16 years I trailer my boat (my old boat & the Jettywolf) with out 4x4.

But then again I live and use all "civilized" boat ramps. 'YA KNOW, JUST LIKE THAT SUPER CIVILIZED PLACE SPOILED ONE USES FOR HIS BOAT RAMP AFTER TRAVELING THRU THE MOUNTAIN."

Actually, Spoiled One's boat ramp situation is more civilized than where I go out of, with all those ammenties. (either one of the three, I use) DISCLAIMER: "per what I saw on video"

I was a "tad disappopinted" on how civilized it actually was, and so busy with humanity. (Not a huge fan of humanity, personally) DISCLAIMER: "I ain't talking driveways, private roads, or ice and snow up yonder"

You could probably go with a plain ole 1/2 ton'r and be just fine, or even a SUV, or Midsizer. In this world of higher fuel prices, carrying around all that extra steel that makes up a 4x4, if you have no genuine use for it is just not economical, if you don't use it "very often". And affords cheaper insurance, maintenance, fuel useage, and MORE fishing

There. You now one my .02 cents. I'll want it back later, C'C'mon

[spoiled one]

The preacher has spoken...must be the gospel.

[welder]

Guess I should add more to my post ....
1) If I lived where Pete lives I would have a a 4X4 under my Cummins.
2) If my ramps were not very good [ice in winter, holes, sand Mud] I would have a 4X4 under my Cummins.
3) If I had Petes Drive way , Mountain, I would have a 4X4 under my Cummins.
4) If I don't load the bed full of wood when there is snow on the ground I spin/get stuck in my 2X4 Cummins. Torque is a woolly bugger on snow and ice.
5) I normally carry a chain just in case and am not to proud to ask for help at the ramp if needed, so far though, no problems.

Oh Yeah, Daddy'O, thanks for pulling me up the drive way in 8"s of snow last time.

[Sabs28]

The preacher has spoken...must be the gospel.

OH BOY, Here we go again.

[JETTYWOLF]

Sabs,

They ain't getting it......."I added my disclaimer."

Ohhhh, maybe you could just use these, and be done with it.

Looks really efficiant to me.

[wetwhopper]

LOL!!! I love a 4x4 as much as the next guy but man the deals to be found on a newer vintage 4x2 compared to a 4x4 would make my boat payments for a couple of years!

[JETTYWOLF]

Yeah...and this question was from a guy who was gonna sell a brand new upside down still shiney boat?

Hey me too, brother!!!

I dreamed of a 6" lift kit 4x4 Ford F-250 diesel Harley edition, with all leather and serious black smoke and attitude. The key word dreamed!

My first house was 45K......that same truck new by the time I'd get out the door. 60K!

Used with 100 thousand miles... 37K

I also use Ugly Stiks now, versus G. Loomis rods.

Call it "Armegedom preparation."

The only way self employed these days, can survive.

[goatram]

First 2 houses where $36,900 @ 10%,and 9.5% Payments sucked then as they do now. Do the smart thing and buy a new commuter car and keep looking for a cheap used quad cab truck and still use the old truck to pull the boat and have the misses drive the boys to the launch with the new car you bought for you but she stole it cause is the one that she picked out.

[paulh]

It's alot easier to pop it into 4L than chain up, especially if you find yourself on the ramp needing more traction and a line of boats waiting to launch or retrieve.

I've got a 2500 ram 4X4 w/ the 5.9 cummins. More than enough truck for my current boat and enough truck for my future boat.