How often do ya'll use your 4wd at boat ramps?

Never. Just gotta know how to use the e-brake on slippery ones. Been towing boats and used alot of boat ramps in my fishing adventures and I've never had or needed a 4wd truck.

Never

Never used 4x4 on a cement or asphalt ramp. I have also never used the E-brake or needed a bunch of people jumping in the bed of my truck or started in 2nd gear. Just ease on the gas and it will do just fine. For the record this has worked with all my trucks, ranging from 2wd half ton chevy with street tires to 1 ton 4x4 diesel with A/t's.

matt

everytime we launch.


at jacobs creek ramp at canyon if you don't have 4wheel forget it, its too steep

Been to jacobs creek and rebeca creek on the guadalupe, before I even had a 4x4 truck and didnt have any trouble.

It's all about throttle control. I have used 4x4 once one a ramp. It was covered in ice.

It all depends on where and when you fish.

if you air your tires WAY down your can make it at jacobs creek. i've seen umpteen tires get worn out at that ramp. i'd rather just put it in 4 wheel and cruize right up it.


rebecca creek is cake.

A while back a trip to Canyon was enough to push pops over the edge and get a smaller boat. I wasn't there but I heard it wasn't pretty. He was fairly pissed off about it.

If he would have had a 4wd he might still have that 23 Mako.

I had a 4wd when I was a kid and used to try and get stuck on purpose just to see if I could make it in 2wd. Now that I am older I still hunt, fish, pull a boat and I'll never have another 4wd. No need, I don't go off roading or hunt in the mud, don't use chitty ramps either. For most people 4wd is just a toy that cost money. Like everything else, if you have the money and want to spend it go for it. Me, I'll stick with cheaper initial cost, better mileage, and simpler drive train.

I have used but only in certain situations. Once on Travis (very steep), pulled a big heavy boat out at Texoma, and once after an ice storm. I use to launch off the bank in Lavon when it was low and used it there. Since I have been buying trucks with limited slip I have not needed it.

i cannot drive a 2wd, i come across too many situations where i need it. at the ranch not so much, I can take the mule, but when its 20 degrees outside and wet then i'm driving the truck to the blind, forget the mule.

Never, don't have it don't need it.

If you are in snow country you need it. In the south I think it is more of a macho thing. I saw some numbers one time on the percentage that own a 4x4 and never use it. They were very high. Mfgs. like to push it too because of the higher price. I have always had at least one 4x4 in the driveway but not now. Fortunately on the ranch I hunt LS and or a locker will work fine. Gound clearance is the biggest concern.

Every 6 weeks at the Ranch weather I need to or not!

I use mine every time we go to the ranch, lots of loose sand, it is a gamble going down there without it, although we do have a tractor now, but it is much easier to put it in 4 than to walk half a mile and get the tractor, and it is kinda dificult to pull your truck out with the tractor when you are the only one there too, but never used it at a boat ramp.

I know a guy who drives a 3/4 ton crew cab diesel 4x4 truck jacked up on super swampers, has no need for the 4x4 and doesnt own a trailer and he is single... talk about a waste!

I have a 24ft Century that is heavy. On steep ramps I put it four wheel drive just to be safe. Its already paid for. Right now having to launch of the bank It is necessary.

You're right on the money. Ground clearance, the right tires, and driving experience (common sense) is all you need.

The first time you stop at my ranch you will realize that tires ground clearance and experience only get you so far... as the sand swallows you

I have heard that before and ended up digging out 4x4's. Throttle control works.

Don't need 4wd. Just need a compressor. I used to take my 2wd silverado to pismo out in california. EVERYBODY had 4wd. All I did was take my tires down to about 8psi. They float like a boat in the sand. Never got stuck...even pulling my buddy's trailer with 4 quads on it. Good times! When it was time to go back on asphalt, air the tires back up and go.

Every truck I ever owned was 4wd unitl I thought that I didn't need 4wd anymore. My last truck ('03 Dodge) was 2wd and I found myself too limited as to where I could go and when. I got stuck too many times on the beach in Port A. Yeah, I got myself out but had to air down the tires, dig out sand and other BS before getting free.

Also, depending on the angle and depth of the ramp, I sometimes have to back the boat in until my rear tires are in the water. Some of those ramps are mossy and slick. My boat is big and heavy.

Anyway, in '07 I went back to 4wd with my current truck. I haven't regretted it one bit. No more getting stuck on the beach or the ramp. Sometimes I run Padre Island Nat. Seashore down to Big Shell Beach or the Mansfield Cut. Also, I can go anywhere on the deerlease, in any conditions and don't worry about getting stuck. No more 2wd for me.

You can do alot in a 2wd with know how, but you can do alot more in a 4wd with the same know how.

Dads pickup is the only one that isnt 4x4, and it is the last one we pick to head down to the ranch in. You say drop the air to 8lbs, well Why when you dont have to. I know how to drive, and when you get to pick where you go and at what rate of speed that is great, but when you have to stop here, or have to slow down here or have to go somewhere else it makes a big difference in your ability to get by with a 2wd.

only if the ramp is icy. 2 years ago was the last time.

i do use it weekly to help get my boat in our warehouse at work...seeing as i have to drive half my truck off an incline when backing it in the doors.

nice to have it when needed, it would suck to not have it and need it. i wont ever own another truck that isnt 4x4.

I only went to pismo twice and I know alot of guys who went more than I did who taught me about airing down the tires. I can't justify spending $5,000 extra for 4wd when I am only going to have maybe 2 chances to use it a year (and in reality I'd rather chip in an extra $30 in gas than 5 grand on 4wd when I know I can get away without it by hitching a ride with a friend). This is why me and alot of my buddy's did the 8 psi trick. Sand is easy in 2wd with tires almost falt.....mud on the other hand....I have never needed 4wd because of some of the tricks I have learned in 2wd. I'm smart enough not to put myself in a circumstance where I need 4wd in a 2wd truck.

Yes I understand that...

but your answer is oh if you know what your doing you can do whatever in 2wd, but you cant, you can stop before you get stuck, yes that is true, but if there is something you have to do on the other side and your not just driving for fun then you will learn the hard way.