who all pulls their boat with a truck not have 4x4 and are just fine with it and not needing it.

I have years ago. Just have to be mindful of the ramp you plan on using

pull mine without, two or three clicks on parking brake will get you out of trouble if needed,

As long as you are launching on concrete you should be fine.

The 4x4 makes no difference in the towing aspect, but I gotta say once you own a 4x4 it’s hard to run anything else. I use mine for a variety of reasons, but the handful of times I’ve needed it on a ramp was completely worth it.

Exactly. I wouldn’t own a truck without it, but I use my truck as a truck.

I had a '93 F150 with limited slip and never had a problem on a boat ramp with a 18' Ranger 375V. The only time I have needed 4wd was on a steep ramp on lake Travis. Primary reason I own a 4x4 is for the ranch I hunt on in NW Burnet County and I now have a fairly heavy boat.

If you are looking at a 2 wheel drive, verify it has a LIMITED SLIP slip rear end. Like Bruce's said, with LS it will make both wheel pull.
My last Chevy DID NOT have limited slip and I had problems on slick steep ramps. Had several guys tell me to get out and let them pull it up saying I didn't know how to drive. After a few tries, they told me and several others to get in the bed of the truck for extra weight.

I pull w/no 4x4 but I drive an 05 2500 with off road tires. When the trk was new and had the factory tires. I would have a hard time on the steep ramps on Canyon Lake, specifically when they were wet. I never had that problem with the AT tires.

thanks for the imput.

i did for many years, tire pattern can make a difference too. Only had 1 or 2 issues during that 10 year span of 2wds. I had a 4x4 since than i have always ran at tires, in the last 10-15 years i have only needed it 1 or 2 times at the ramp. And it seemed it was always pulling an empty trailer out of the water was my issue.

So for towing a boat , its unnecessary.

I have a 4x4 just in case I have to park in dirt or grass. How many have fished Squaw and got to park on the pavement?? Now add the chance of it being rainy and have to park in the mud?? Or just getting up the hill to leave after several boats pull their drain plugs and wet the road?? I've always had the mind set...better to have it and not need it.... than need it and not have it.

I'll buy a 4x4 next time but I've not had any issues with my 2wd Ram with a limited-slip differential. But I do pay attention quite a bit.

I don't have the heaviest boat and I would pay attention to trying to pull out of a busy ramp in freezing temps.
There are also some ramps that require you to park off of the tarmac, which can be problematic if it's been very wet out.

I used to get stuck on that hill at Squaw Creek in my 2WD Ram. Took 3 tries last time, but it's been replaced by a '24 F150 4x4 and I'm ready for that sumbitch now...

I’ve never owned a 4x4.

The only ramp I ever had trouble coming out of was on Joe Pool when it first opened.

The ramp at the marina was damn near impossible to come up.

If I recall correctly they tore it up and changed the slope on it.

The resale on two wheel drive trucks is horrible here in Arkansas. A lot of dealers don’t even keep many on the lot unless it’s a stripped down work truck.

4x2 forever here.

First truck was a little Ranger with open diff. Had to learn the value of getting a little momentum going while pulling heavy (old school glass tri-hull) boat was floating with that one. Otherwise no isssues. Previous truck was limited slip and it was never an issue. Currently factory e-diff but I've yet to bother to lock it, even when on silted in side of some ramps, albeit with 18' Aluminum that's less than 3K pounds before the livewells are filled.

I haul a 22ft center console with a 2WD Silverado 2500. I’ve never once gotten stuck on a ramp, freshwater or saltwater. I did have some slight issues back in September at the Walter E Long ramp and the Bastrop ramp, but my tires were pretty much maypops. Good set of AT’s though, no problem.

With that said, I’ll never buy another 2WD truck because these 2WD diesels will get stuck in wet grass

Problem with diesels is the weight on the front end.

Exactly right. You get into wet grass with one and you can physically feel the front end sink down. When I got the truck I really didn't care if it was 2WD or 4WD, I just wanted the LBZ under the hood. Although I never plan to get rid of it because of how good it's been to me, any future truck purchases WILL BE 4x4 without exception

You don't need 4x4 to pull on roads or handle 98% of ramps. You need 4x4 to go off road.