Looking to buy a new tow vehicle. To save a little money, I am considering a 2 X 4 instead of a 4 X 4. In your opinions, is a good 2 X 4, with good tires, enough to handle my h26? or should I spring for the 4 X 4.
Two Wheel Drive vs Four
- Thread starter Mergatroid
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Tow Vehicle
4 Wheel is nice to have getting up ramps but unless you live in snow country or travel back country roads, 2 wheel with limited slip rear end is sufficient. What is more important in towing are knowing the Vehicle Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), Gross Trailer Weight Rating (GTWR), Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR), Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) and Tongue Weight (TW). More on this at: http://kobernus.com/hunter260/travel/travel.html
4 Wheel is nice to have getting up ramps but unless you live in snow country or travel back country roads, 2 wheel with limited slip rear end is sufficient. What is more important in towing are knowing the Vehicle Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), Gross Trailer Weight Rating (GTWR), Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR), Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) and Tongue Weight (TW). More on this at: http://kobernus.com/hunter260/travel/travel.html
Limited slip/ lock-up rear
Not an option - necessity. While 4 wheel is great and almost guarantees being able to haul out of just about any ramp, lock-up rear is where it starts. I would not buy a vehicle I intended for boat towing that did not have it. I have 4 wheel and find it very helpful, especially pulling my 260 out at a sand ramp. If you're looking used, GM's code for lock-up rear is G80, which will show on the build sticker in the glove box on pick ups
Not an option - necessity. While 4 wheel is great and almost guarantees being able to haul out of just about any ramp, lock-up rear is where it starts. I would not buy a vehicle I intended for boat towing that did not have it. I have 4 wheel and find it very helpful, especially pulling my 260 out at a sand ramp. If you're looking used, GM's code for lock-up rear is G80, which will show on the build sticker in the glove box on pick ups
I aAgree with George
I live in Colorado and you can't buy a 2 wheel drive here if you wanted to. Snow and mud season dictates 4WD. That said I wouldn't be without 4WD no matter where I lived. When you need it, you have it. It adds to the resale value also.
I live in Colorado and you can't buy a 2 wheel drive here if you wanted to. Snow and mud season dictates 4WD. That said I wouldn't be without 4WD no matter where I lived. When you need it, you have it. It adds to the resale value also.
What was I thinking?
After consideration, I have to go 4 X 4. True I rarely need it but if you do, nothing else matters. I once had a nasty problem on a boat ramp and would have lost my whole rig if it were not for the 4 X 4. Answers my own question. What was I thinking?
After consideration, I have to go 4 X 4. True I rarely need it but if you do, nothing else matters. I once had a nasty problem on a boat ramp and would have lost my whole rig if it were not for the 4 X 4. Answers my own question. What was I thinking?
You only need it when you need it.
I have owned several 4x4 trucks and I think I will always have one in the family. I find that most of the time my tundra can pull my h22 out with no problems in 2 wheel drive. However, with a trailor sailor you never know what a new ramp is going to throw at you. I tow my boat to some ramps that are shallow and I have to back down pretty far (back bumper under water!) to get the boat off the trailor. I would be very concerned doing this without 4 wheel drive. Also, my marina has a gravel drive and I prefer to use 4 wheel drive rather than spin my tires when pulling uphill. It's a handy option even though I will admit not entirely necessary. I agree that a limited slip rear dif will get you out of most jams if you don't want to spend the extra money. Also, I have found that 4x4s tend to hold up better if you do often find yourself on rough roads. With most full size trucks you will probably sacrifice 1-2 mpg on the highway and little or no difference with city driving - at least thats my experience.
I have owned several 4x4 trucks and I think I will always have one in the family. I find that most of the time my tundra can pull my h22 out with no problems in 2 wheel drive. However, with a trailor sailor you never know what a new ramp is going to throw at you. I tow my boat to some ramps that are shallow and I have to back down pretty far (back bumper under water!) to get the boat off the trailor. I would be very concerned doing this without 4 wheel drive. Also, my marina has a gravel drive and I prefer to use 4 wheel drive rather than spin my tires when pulling uphill. It's a handy option even though I will admit not entirely necessary. I agree that a limited slip rear dif will get you out of most jams if you don't want to spend the extra money. Also, I have found that 4x4s tend to hold up better if you do often find yourself on rough roads. With most full size trucks you will probably sacrifice 1-2 mpg on the highway and little or no difference with city driving - at least thats my experience.
Tow vehicle
I towed our h23 for 15 years with two wheel drive veicles . I found when I extended the trailer tongue that the boat is actually lifting the rear of the vehicle upward taking weight off the rear wheels . I solved my problem by putting a few hundred pounds of sand in the rear of my pick up . It made all of the difference in the world. There is no debating 4 wd is better than 2 wd but unless you have an unusually steep ramp 2wd with suffieient weight will do the job , Mike
I towed our h23 for 15 years with two wheel drive veicles . I found when I extended the trailer tongue that the boat is actually lifting the rear of the vehicle upward taking weight off the rear wheels . I solved my problem by putting a few hundred pounds of sand in the rear of my pick up . It made all of the difference in the world. There is no debating 4 wd is better than 2 wd but unless you have an unusually steep ramp 2wd with suffieient weight will do the job , Mike
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