Is 4x4 really necessary?

[swdias]

Here's a question for you folks.
Does everyone really think that a 4 wheel drive tow vehicle is necessary?

I've been using a Bronco 2 with 4 wheel drive to pull and launch my boat(14 ft alumacraft). It's on it's last leg and it's main purpose is just to tow the boat. I rarely even unhook it from the boat trailer. I've been thinking of just having a tow hitch put on my E-150 van , which of course is only 2 wheel drive, but runs and drives like a dream.

Do you see alot of 2 wheel drive tow vehicles getting stuck out there?
It feels like I would be limiting myself as to where I can put in at, but I'd also like to remove the headaches that I foresee with the Bronco.

As always...your advise does get hammered in

[RiverKing]

I never use 4 wheel drive to tow my boat , and its a 17 footer deep V, that is almost bigger than my SUV....It pulls it fine, it is a 4 wheel drive vehicle, but i dont engage it when pulling, i dont think you should use 4 wheel drive on dry pavement.

[Mr.T]

Spend some quality time trying to pull your boat up an algae-covered, slimy, slicker-than-snot concrete ramp with a 4x2 pickup and you'll probably understand the advantage of 4x4. Same goes for a river ramp covered in silt and mud.

If I didn't have 4 wheel drive, there would be a lot of ramps I couldn't (wouldn't) use and a significant part of the year that I couldn't fish.

[777]

4X4 99% of the time is useless but that 1% of the time will get you if you don't have it:smile2:.

[RiverKing]

I fish the Ohio River, and use a 3.2 rodeo 4x4 to pull my boat, I pull a 17 ft deep V tracker with a 110 on it, and up to now, i have never had to use 4 wheel drive at all to pull up out of a ramp..I actually used to use a ford bronco 2, it was 2 wheel drive, and it did fine also, i had only had a 15 ft boat at that time though. But there are alot of people who pull boats without 4 wheel drive.

[swdias]

thanks guys
Normally I just fish local lakes...walborn, berlin (I always considered drive time as cutting into my fishing time) I know the ramps and what to expect.
Just recently I started fishing the NeoCat tournaments and of course I never know what the ramps will be like 'til I get there.

What's the standard for the Ohio River? paved? gravel?

[RiverKing]

thanks guys
Normally I just fish local lakes...walborn, berlin (I always considered drive time as cutting into my fishing time) I know the ramps and what to expect.
Just recently I started fishing the NeoCat tournaments and of course I never know what the ramps will be like 'til I get there.

What's the standard for the Ohio River? paved? gravel?

It just depends on where I launch, 2 of the ramps are pretty good, but I have used a few that were not so great. If the river came way up, and left a bunch of mud when it went down, then I may need the 4 wheel drive, but like one of the other guys said, 99% of the time you dont need it, but you are glad you have it when you do have to use it.

[GMC FishHauler]

4X4 99% of the time is useless but that 1% of the time will get you if you don't have it:smile2:.
Good point. I have had to pull alot of guys up boat ramps here lately with the water level changing. Some slime or mud gets on the ramp and the more powerful the truck is the more likely it is to break loose and start spinning.

[micus]

It all depends on where you are going to ramp & under what conditions. I used 2x for over 20 years, but the boat was light and I had to be carefull about the ramps I used. I use a 4x now and have a lot more versatility and am happier for it.

[Pirate Jerry]

I have owned and towed boats from a 12 foot jon boat with a 3 1/2 Evenrude up to a 24 foot cabin cruiser with a 302 V8 and have never used anything but a 2 wheel drive. Common sense is the name of the game. If you have doubts that you can get in or out, don't try it. Find another place to launch. 4 wheel drive is of course a good thing, but I have on several occasions (with a 50 foot tow chain) snaked 4 wheelers back on terra firma after they guessed wrong. I also carry 4 rubber door mats that have metal mixed in the rubber to put under the tires if things go just a little bit wrong. About $40.00 for an insurance policy. Cheap at twice the price...:wink:

[metalman]

Spend some quality time trying to pull your boat up an algae-covered, slimy, slicker-than-snot concrete ramp with a 4x2 pickup and you'll probably understand the advantage of 4x4. Same goes for a river ramp covered in silt and mud.

If I didn't have 4 wheel drive, there would be a lot of ramps I couldn't (wouldn't) use and a significant part of the year that I couldn't fish.

What he said!

I very rarely engage 4WD but Marty is exactly right. I drive a long way to the major rivers and I want to know I have every chance that when I get there I am able to launch and more importantly get out...W

[Bubbakat]

This is my second year without a 4x4 and I feel the pinch sometimes not being able to launch at some good spots on a river near here. I have a 17 foot boat that I can get in that ramp with but the wife likes to use the toon. I can't launch there because It is to steep and I would burn the tires off trying to pull it out.
There fore I have to drive 50 miles to launch but fishing is good any way just father out.
There is another ramp closer but the theives will cost you plenty there. I have been broken into at that ramp and refuse to use it any more.
I see a 4x4 in my futeure again

[coach]

here's some input from a guy that has never had a 4x4............ about 5 times a year i think to myself.. "self , why in the world did u think u could pull back up that damn ramp without 4x4 drive """........................cell phones do come in handy................... get a 4x4 and don't worry about bad ramps ....

[Creteus]

You dont need 4X4 to tow anything unless you are off road or in the snow. BassMassy a member here uses a 4 banger passanger car to pull his 17 foot boat. Believe it or not it'll pull it right up the ramp.