Hunter 26 2wd or 4wd

Jimmy · Jul 31, 2018

I’ve had no problems in 2 wheel pretty steep ramps I did have to put in 4 wheel when there was sand on the ramp

gdudik · Jul 31, 2018

I’m always glad to have 4wd on a slippery ramp. Since my truck is a manual transmission, I like having low range so I don’t have to slip the clutch quite so much hauling out.

Probably not a problem for a, shall we say, more modern vehicle.

A very wise friend of mine said to me, “the only time you’ll regret buying a 4x4 truck is when you write the check. You’ll never regret it once you own the truck.”

Actually, what he said was, “don’t buy a f$%king two wheel drive truck!” But the intent was there.

Kermit · Aug 1, 2018

I have no trouble pulling my H260 out with my 2wd Expedition even before releasing the water ballast. And even when the ramp is sandier than normal. But I bog down everytime I try to pull my AquaCat 12.5 (about 400 lbs. with the trailer) on a sandy beach at the lake. I had no trouble pulling it out with my Honda Pilot. I suppose 4wd would be great to have but it lowers your rated towing capacity.

jwilcoxon78 · Aug 1, 2018

I've never had issues with our H260 and a 2wd F150. Granted I've only launched on a handful of different ramps. But, right or wrong, my back wheels are wet when I pull it out and all goes well. That said, I want a 4wd. In my opinion it's one of those "better to have an not need that to need and not have" items.

JimInPB · Aug 1, 2018

Slimy ramps, sand buried ramps, and sand ramps often require 4wd, even when pulling out small boats & sometimes even when pulling out empty trailers. If you have good traction, 2wd is not a problem.

The question isn't will 2wd pull out this particular boat? The question is, will 2wd pull out my boat at this particular ramp.

rgranger · Aug 1, 2018

My guess is that if you ever have trouble at the ramp, you can get a few on lookers to sit on your tailgate for a cold beer.

PropellerHead · Aug 2, 2018

Watched a 2WD truck fail to pull out 16ft center console during low tide at Herbert Hoover Marina. He foolishly persisted even though he had no traction. Quite a sight watching this truck throw up a rooster tail as it slid back into the water all the way to the doors. I hooked up my little Ram 1500 truck to his, dropped it into 4 Low, and pulled his truck and his boat out of the water. Hardly had to touch the gas. (From the Mrs.

Our 2015 model is an automatic, & has the high and low 4wd settings. (My wife also has a horse habit, so we invested in the 4x4).
That said, I think you just have to pay attention to the ramp conditions and not let your rear wheels get on the slick stuff. If you have the factory trailer then it has an extension. Use it and I think you'd be fine.

FastOlson · Aug 2, 2018

One caveat about "two wheel drive"... most such vehicles actually are One wheel drive, and when one one wheel loses traction you do not move.
For a decade I owned a small pickup with a a viscous-clutch limit slip differential. True TWO wheel drive when things get slick. Makes a world of difference.

You would still need some added weight in the bed, tho.
While four wheel drive is even nicer, the price is higher and the fuel efficiency a little lower all the time. More mechanical 'monkey motion' to maintain, as well.
It's all just choices, compromises, and options.
That, and avoiding slimy and sea weed-covered ramps at low tide!

gdudik · Aug 2, 2018

Definitely agree about limited slip diffs (old school guys know them as “posi’s”.

Otherwise 2wd is actually 1wd and 4wd is 2wd.

PropellerHead · Aug 2, 2018

If you don't have a limited slip differential, you can get some power to the wheel with traction by applying the brake with power at the same time. Modern traction control does this automatically in conjunction with the ABS system.