Anyone use a 2WD w/ 4rear wheeels to haul boat up wet ramp

L

Lanlocked

New member
My neighbor has a 2000 F350 super duty w/ 7.3L turbo diesel. It only has 79,000 miles and has all service records.
I was thinking about selling my 2010 F-150 4.6L gas engine 4WD Super Crew cab, and buying his F350.
I could sell my truck and buy his, and put 10K in my savings account.
His truck looks like new in and out.

Big Question:

Is an F350 with 4 rear tires and 2WD up to the task of yanking out my CD-22 on a wet salt water ramp after everyone else has it slopped up and slippery?

Anybody try this?
 
Dual rear tires are not usually a big plus unless you have it loaded with some weight. One tons can have a pretty jarring ride. :shock: I would take an extended test ride on something other than a smooth road before breaking out the dead presidents.
D.D.
 
LOL. Thanks. I know that when I pull my CD-22 out of the water at Beaufort NC ramp, It would not be possible without my 4WD.

By the end of the day the ramp is soaked from people hauling their boats out.
You have to be careful just walking on the ramp.

I tried 2WD mode one day just for fun. Truck wasn't going anywhere.

I didn't know if the dual rear wheels would compensate, but Unless I hear otherwise there is no way I am going to buy his truck.
 
buy the truck and use the part of the 10k to buy a POS 4x4 for the local ramp. I towed my 22 with a four ranger for three years that had 150k plus miles on it and rarely used 4x4 unless the ramp was really slimy. if you are looking for a better long haul rig then the diesel is it. can own enought trucks or boats :wink:
 
Lanlocked":33cb6zc5 said:
Is an F350 with 4 rear tires and 2WD up to the task of yanking out my CD-22 on a wet salt water ramp after everyone else has it slopped up and slippery?
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If anything, I'd think the advantage would be to single rears over duals, although there are tons of variables. Just as in mud and snow, I'd bet the increased weight per area of single thinner tires would provide more traction - particularly if there is any lose material on top of the ramp.

Setting the single/dual issue aside, I think it's beyond debate that any 2WD truck could approach the ability of 4WD to retrieve a boat in iffy situations. Simply having a set of drive wheels that are not in the water, leaves much less chance of stranding you in ugly situations.
 
I bet your towing gas mileage goes up 40% or more. but I'm to big a baby to even try the boat launch with a 2wd vehicle. (even though I dont always use 4wd when pulling the boat out...)
 
Well that about sums it up. Popular opinion is 2WD an't going to cut it on a steep wet ramp.

Oh well. (I really liked that F350 7.3 turbo). LOL
 
my grandpa was a military man who always used the ft lewis ramp and was an avid salt fisher. I guess that's how it got into my blood. He told my dad a long long time ago (died in '94) that he got his 2wd jimmy stuck at the ramp and had to have it pulled out one time when pulling the boat. he took the boat home, put it away, drove to the dealership, got rid of the 2wd, bought a 4wd (all in the same day) and vowed never to use a 2wd at the ramp again, lol.


I dont know why that story stuck with me but I'm glad it did.
 
There is another option--and that is to put a hitch on the front of the truck.

Agree that dually is not the best for pulling out. The 7.3 L diesel is one of the best trucks built and with 79 K that is a gem! I have seen them for nearly $20K!

I have been pulling boats for a long time with 2 x only. (Although I currently own a 4 x 4, mostly for the neutral transfer case). I sold a 10,000 lb boat on a tripple axle trailer a few years back. I offered to pull it out for the new owner with my 7.3 excursion. He wanted to use his pickup. He was going backward until we put 4 big guys on the back bumper--and he had enough weight (He didn't have tow hooks on the front either, which I do consider essential, if you are using 2x, then someone up high and dry can hook onto you and help pull you out.
 
I've got Dr Bob's 2000 Excursion, 2WD only two tires on the rear and have no problem with a 10,800 lb TC255 on any ramp I've tried to date. 15 mph towing, 21-22 on the highway, no tow. Same engine, 182k miles now and I expect to get 4x that. You might need some weight in the rear but sounds like a great buy! It holds almost 4 gal of oil!
 
Don't dink around with two wheel drive when putting up that kind of money. Just get 4wd diesel with two wheels on the back. You won't be sorry. The extra tires just increase the ride from rough to terrible if you aren't carrying a heavy load back there. Look for a late model three quarter ton 4 wd diesel. Brand doesn't matter. Dualies are for people who regularly are hauling big heavy loads and fifth wheel trailers. Not CD's.
 
Obviously, I meant mpg, not mph. And Harry, what kind of $$? Didn't see a price. That's the best Diesel engine made to date according o the reviews I've read lately. We don't know what else he uses it for.
 
Just some thoughts: Do you now or ever plan to use a truck camper on the truck? If so, the dually might be an asset. Granted it will never be as good on a slippery ramp as 4WD or a non-dually, but if you are retired (and if you want that truck for other good reasons), then you might be able to plan ramp timing accordingly (i.e. don't retrieve at low tide, etc.)
 
I just assumed that a good 2000 model year dually with those low miles, even in 2wd will still be pretty pricey. It just sounds like overkill for a really rough ride to pull a CD, and the slippery launch ramp downside cuz of the 2wd. But it would be a great fifth wheel horse trailer puller for sure.
 
the rough ride of those heavy duty trucks is realistic too. My hemi cherokee gets considerably lower gas mileage than the 3/4 cummins, but I can't keep a cup of coffee in the cup holder on the cummins, it will splash on bumps I didnt know existed and mess up the ceiling in the cab (no joke).
 
The ride in the large SUV's is far superior too the pickups. For towing you don't need the pickup. The enclosed cab of the SUV is also a plus.
 
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