4 x 4 or 4 x 2 for launch # retreival

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Don

I used to trailer a 1500# boat with a 2 wheel drive v-8 pick-up truck and never had a problem putting in or out of water, so, now I need to purchase a truck to trailer a c22 and need to know if I will run into problems pulling a c22 wing keel out of the water with a 2 wheel drive v-8 pick with limited slip, or is 4x4 the only way to go. I have always had 2 wheel drive pick-up's but have never towed a boat with trailer weighing in at around 3500# with gear. Anyone have experience with a pick up with limited slip pulling a c22 out of the water? I know I have seen people trying to pull out 22' boats with 2 wheel drive trucks with out limited slip and boy those tires or should I say tire spin. Thanks, Don
 
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mg

not that much extra

i went 4x4. by the time you add in the trans cooler alternator and towing package, you are half way to the extra $2500 for the 4x4(which has it all standard). which actually puts the extra axle in at about a grand or so. then you can recoup on the higher resale value of the 4x4 when you sell the truck. the f150 six cyl. tows 5000lbs with the standard rear bumper , no need for a hicth even . good luck
 
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Jack

How 'bout a C30

I have a friend who pulls his C30 out of the water with a 2 wheel drive Chevy Pickup. A lot depends on the ramp. His ramp has good traction out of the water and no holes under the water.
 
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Don

Towing

I used to tow a Venture 25 with a 2 wheel drive Chevy S10 with a 4.3L V6 engine and trailer towing package and I never had a problem. A lot depends on the angle and condition of the launch ramp you are using. If the ramp is very steep, then you might need a AWD Hummer with the 6.5L diesel to pull it out.
 
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Dick of Sylvan

2 WD Maybe

I tow my C22 w/a Chev. Silvarado, 2 WD, Auto. trans. Have some spin problems especially if the concrete has a covering of wet moss or of dry gravel. Extra weight on real wheels helps, as does keeping the drive tires a little on the soft side while pulling up the ramp. And a steeper ramp wherein the extended tongue is not needed works better than a less steep ramp for my outfit. All in all, I wouldn't advise a 4 WD unless you want it for something else, like snow or if your ramps are really tough.
 
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Tom

Old F100 works OK

I use an old F100 pickup truck to pull my C22 wing keel on an extension tounge trailer. On the three or four ramps I use, the tires have never slipped or spun.
 
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Mark Melchior

4x2 w/limited slip diff.

I use my Chevrolet Z-71 pickup (extended cab, short bed, 4x4, limited slip differential) to pull my Catalina 250 water-ballast up the ramp. I have never needed the four wheel drive; the limited slip rear end is much more important. My boat & trailer weighs about 6000 lbs coming up the ramp . . . the ballast water drains after I have the boat up in the parking lot to free the ramp up for other boaters. Why pay for 4x4 if you don't need it. I need it for other things . . . like driving through muddy pastures at the hunting lease.
 
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Aldo

2 wheel drive works for us

Don: My wife's Suburban has 2 wheel drive and we don't have any problem pulling our C-22 out of the water. I never had trouble with my other station wagons that also had 2 wheel drive. I just slowly pull the boat up the ramp. (We don't use the tongue extension). Like many others have said, unless you have other uses for 4WD in mind, you probably don't need it for this purpose. From what I understand, 4WD uses more fuel, even if you are not using the 4WD. I also think it affects the ride of the truck. Aldo
 
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Campy

towing

I tow my C-22 #2226 with a 1990 Chevy 1500 P/U. Got the 6 cylinder engine with 130K miles, two wheel drive, 5 speed manual transmission, new tires and a huge 30 gallon gas tank. Tows the boat quite well and doesn't even think about conching out on hills. Good truck for a good boat. Campy
 
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