Tow vehicle dilemma (yeah, still at it...)

TunaHead

TunaHead

Senior Member
I am still looking for a truck to tow the V. Do any of you find it necessary to have a 4x4 to get it out of the water and up the ramp?

TH
 
Not neccesary for most good paved ramps to have more than a 2 wheel drive with a limited slip(limited slip is a MUST, unless you like being a one wheel wonder at the ramp). I use some pretty crappy ramps so 4X4 is a requirement for me, but not for many.
 
You must have the limited slip as said above!! I use 4x4 from time to time here, it all depends, we have some pretty steep ramps here!
With the Sea Ox being much heavier I will use it more on them steep ramps!! But you should be ok!
 
No 4x4, but a limited slip rear diff I think is a good idea. I always keep a rake in the back of my truck too to rake off any seaweed, marshgrass etc. Having your trailer tongue weight properly set up helps a lot too.
 
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My 95 Dakota is 2/WD and I never had any problems at the ramps. I don't even know if the Dakota has limited slip diff or not, but it does great at cement ramps. I would never attempt to launch/retrieve at a gravel type ramp with 2/WD because that's just asking for trouble.
 
Tuna - I just picked up a big old 1995 Buick Roadmaster wagon for towing. It tows like a dream!!! Suspension is a little soft in the rear, but that can be fixed with airbags or stiffer suspension. I wish I had bought one sooner!! 22/23 mpg highway. Roadmaster has a limited slip diff too.

2wd has been fine for every ramp that I've used here on the west coast.
 
Tuna, agree with everyone above, but would emphasize definetley get at least a good working limited slip.
Here we have a big mix of ramps, some gravel and dirt and a four wheel drive is the only safe way to go. But I have had issues on concrete ramps at lower tides due to the algae growth, slicker than greased pig sh!t
 
"slicker than greased pig sh!t" I am defently steeling that line from you:beer:
I have a Dakotta V8 and only use the 4 wheel drive at low tides
 
if you have a long ramp and back in the water with your tires you may need it to pull out or as some concrete ramps if it has been washed out at the end and you are loading at low tide you will need it if your trailer wheels fall off the back of the ramp and you have to pull the boat trailer and all back up on the ramp. i've had to (not with the V20 ) but with a much heavier boat had some one drive with my diesel in 4x4 and had to use the twins on the boat to push the whole rig out of the ramp due to the ramp was washed out and super low tide. i say it's better to have and not need than to not have and then be stuck.
 
Ah memories SKOOLS, the memories. I remember having to do that in the KEYS a few years back on a gravel ramp. The boat was the 248 WELLCRAFT with twins and we were in his truck, a 99 F-350 2 wheel drive. He was rolling smoke off the rear tires on the gravel and couldn't hardly budge it. Needless to say the 2 225 EVINRUDES SHOT him up the ramp:sun:, a real sight to be seen.
 
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