Towing with a 2wd

earlandamys180

earlandamys180

New Member
Feb 15, 2009
46
Knoxville TN
Boat Info
1998 180 Bowrider
Engines
3.0 Mercruiser w/ Alpha 1
Heres my dilema I currently have a Toyota Tacoma 4x4 Extended cab that I currently use to tow my 1998 180 bowrider, but my family is outgrowing my truck so I am looking to upgrade to a Tundra with a V8 but the only good ones I can find in my price range are 2wd. Does anyone think I will have any problems pulling it up the ramps which are just guessing no more than a 30 degree angle? Thanks in advance for tour answers and I hope they come soon so I can go truck shopping!
 
earlandamys180 said:
Heres my dilema I currently have a Toyota Tacoma 4x4 Extended cab that I currently use to tow my 1998 180 bowrider, but my family is outgrowing my truck so I am looking to upgrade to a Tundra with a V8 but the only good ones I can find in my price range are 2wd. Does anyone think I will have any problems pulling it up the ramps which are just guessing no more than a 30 degree angle? Thanks in advance for tour answers and I hope they come soon so I can go truck shopping!
Click to expand...

If you go to 2WD make sure you get limited slip. Also...do you use 4WD in the Tacoma to get up your ramps? If so, the Tundra will need it also. :thumbsup:
 
I tow a 6000lbs boat/trailer combo with a 2WD expedition. I haven't had any issues with slippage at the ramps. That said, my ramps are concrete and the angle is fairly shallow...YMMV
 
My folks use a front wheel drive toyota highlander w/ a 4 cyl. to pull their 180 bowrider. They have never not been able to get the boat out, but have had some close calls. I towed my 230 weekender out a few times with my 2wd half ton chev, same results. Almost didnt get it out once, but never couldn't get it.
 
I use to tow my 6500 pound boat with my 1970 GMC Sierra camper special (402 engine). That was two wheel drive and I got stuck once when the rear wheel found a pot hole on the ramp... An F250 pulled us out while his boat was still attached to his hitch... I bought an F350 that week...
 
Thanks for all the responses I only use the 4x4 on my Tacoma to make it easier on the truck because of the 4cyl engine. I think I will go Tundra shopping!
 
Here's a very good trick: If your wheels spin, partially apply the E brake. This will help evenly distribute the power across both rear wheels (even much more so than limited slip). This really works very effectively.
 
I have a 08 2wd F150 with a 5.4 V8. It does have traction control. I have never had a problem pulling my boat even on steep ramps.
 
keokie said:
Here's a very good trick: If your wheels spin, partially apply the E brake. This will help evenly distribute the power across both rear wheels (even much more so than limited slip). This really works very effectively.
Click to expand...

If we are applying this to an open rear axle, the right rear will loose traction. The left wheel will never spin. It is even possible to raise the right rear wheel off of the ground with an open differential and the vehicle will not move with the left rear wheel on the ground in gear with the engine running. With limited slip the clutches/cones in the assembly will transfer the rotation to the wheel that has traction. Even in the case of 4WD with out limited slip, if the right rear and the left front loose traction you are stuck (unless the front axle has locking hubs). Don't buy a 4WD that does not have limited slip...you are better off with 2WD with limited slip.

I think what you are referring to here is the "traction control" theory that sends alternating pulses of braking to alternating rear wheels to reduce wheel spin. In a boat ramp situation the added load of a boat on a trailer with a slick ramp overcomes the abilty of this system to compensate.

I have pulled several truck/trailer combos out of ramps that had "single leg" rear axles that would not move...except backwards. Over the years here in Florida we've figured out what works and what doesn't especially with low tide on slick ramps. One of the worst is the ramp at John Pennecamp State Park in Key Largo...they launch on the average a car/truck a week at that ramp.
 
I agree with the previous comments, if you can get away with 2wd on the tacoma on the ramps you use, the Tundra will be similar. I put my tundra in 4wd only once in a while on the steep ramps or inclines out of the access I use which requires me to come to a complete stop on crushed stone before I can enter onto the highway. I had to do it less so when I had my 185 Sea Ray.

-VtSeaRay
 
Sprink, respectfully, you are mistaken. The E brake technique works even in open diffs. And limited slip diffs only transfer some (actually, not all that much) power. The loose wheel will still spin, limited slips just add resistance to the spinning wheel which puts some power across the axle to the other wheel. Sometimes the level of resistance is still not enough push the vehicle with the other wheel. Adding the resistance with the brake helps to distribute the power more equally across the axle This knowledge comes from practical application. The E brake technique is also widely known and used in offf-roading circles.

Just a few months back, I was at a local boat ramp where a 2wd Tahoe was unsuccessfully trying to pull a 25 footer up a slippery ramp. They tried lightly applying throttle, smoking the tires, people on the back bumper jumping up and down (dangerous), but nothing would budge the boat at all.

While they were sending one of their group to get another truck for a tow, I told the driver to depress the E brake a few clicks and try again. He did and the Tahoe climbed right up without the slightest spin. My dad occasionally uses this when pulling his 260 'dancer with a 2wd F250. It works.
 
keokie said:
Sprink, respectfully, you are mistaken. The E brake technique works even in open diffs. And limited slip diffs only transfer some (actually, not all that much) power. The loose wheel will still spin, limited slips just add resistance to the spinning wheel which puts some power across the axle to the other wheel. Sometimes the level of resistance is still not enough push the vehicle with the other wheel. Adding the resistance with the brake helps to distribute the power more equally across the axle This knowledge comes from practical application. The E brake technique is also widely known and used in offf-roading circles.

Just a few months back, I was at a local boat ramp where a 2wd Tahoe was unsuccessfully trying to pull a 25 footer up a slippery ramp. They tried lightly applying throttle, smoking the tires, people on the back bumper jumping up and down (dangerous), but nothing would budge the boat at all.

While they were sending one of their group to get another truck for a tow, I told the driver to depress the E brake a few clicks and try again. He did and the Tahoe climbed right up without the slightest spin. My dad occasionally uses this when pulling his 260 'dancer with a 2wd F250. It works.
Click to expand...

With all due respect...I know the difference between open, limited slip, positraction, Eaton, Dana,etc. I crewed for Parnelli Jones at the Baja 500 and the Mint 400 in the '70s and raced Sand Rails and open class air cooled Baja Bugs in both races. I have driven home on limited slip rear ends out of the Everglades with one axle broken. I know how they work and why. in the off road circles we used individually applied hand brakes to either or both sides to gain traction advantage but never with an open rear end. Again...40 years of practical experience dictates that I do know what does and does not work. There is no way in life that a single leg rear end will out perform a limited slip, positraction, detroit locker or any other double wheel pull system simply by applying the E-Brake.

Applying the E brake will help a poor traction situation but can't be substituted or considered to be superior to a two wheel pull application. Sorry...I stand firm on this one...been there too many times....respectfully.

But...besides our dis agreement on this issue...I really would like to hear your thoughts on the new big block replacement engine coming from GM...send me a PM...I value your opinion & thoughts on the "LSA" Cadillac super charged engine and wheather you think it is a viable replacement for the 496/502.
 
Last edited:
My Tundra is a 2wd, long bed, standard cab model and it has pulled my 240 'Dancer out of the water very well each time, on a variety of ramps, wet and dry. One ramp was steep enough that I was definitely concerned, but I only got a little wheel spin until the "ASD" kicked in and stopped it.

Most of the time I get zero wheel-spin, and only occasionally a very small amount of spin. On boat ramps, I always turn on the "ASD" in the truck, which is Toyota's computer-controlled brake-pulsing feature to stop wheelspin (when it happens on one side only), and splits the torque more proportinaly based on which wheel has more traction. I have only felt it activate once or twice. I estimate my trailer, and boat, loaded up with gas, water & gear weighs between 7500 and 8000 pounds.
 
earlandamys180 said:
Thanks for all the responses I only use the 4x4 on my Tacoma to make it easier on the truck because of the 4cyl engine. I think I will go Tundra shopping!
Click to expand...

I've seen people having hard time pulling off the ramps with 2WDs. But, I guess you need to ask yourself another question "how long do you plan on keeping the 180?". Usually, this size/weight boats are not an issue, but as soon as you go bit digger than you'll notice a big difference.
 
I'm currently towing my rig with an 07 Expedition with 2wd. I've never needed 4wd and have never spun the wheels. I came close on a rural ramp which had gravel near the top but it pulled right out. While it's not ideal, it does great for the short distances and low speeds I tow to get to the ramps in my area. However - when the lease is up in September a Super Duty will then be sitting in the driveway. I'll leave the ebrake debate to others - but one thing almost all vehicles have now is some version of winter start - put the drive selector in 2nd and it starts out there - less chance of wheelspin. The Tundra comes with 2 different v8's and 2 different transmissions - a 5spd or a 6spd - not sure if either has it but it's worth checking into.
 
Someone brought up the very good point of thinking about your next boat. That may be a very good reason to get 4wd.

Sprink56, maybe we arent't disagreeing? I didn't state (or mean to give the impression) that the E brake technique is a substitute for true two wheel pull. It is a temporary traction aid for low speeds and short distances that can be just the thing for climbing a slippery boat ramp. Those of you with 2wd should give it a try if you have trouble retrieving your boat. Another better option for 2wd is an air locker.

I have strong connections to sand rails, and drag racers as well. If I had more discetionary income and time, I would pursue that hobby, too. I bet you have some great stories.

As far as the Cadillac motor, I don't know enough about it to send a pm as to if it will be a good replacement for the 496/502. I am very familiar with the 496 and 502's in Merc's version. Both are good motors, but very different. I have a slight preference for the 502 for its internal components, even though it is considerable less refined than the 496.
 
I will have to say that until I got 4 wheel drive I used that E brake quite often, especially on the farm, it works real well to get moving. I will agree that limited slip is by far better and 4X4 is even better. I am on the water and have a very steep ramp out of my back yard and it get slick with marsh mud that settles out of the water so I use 4X4 to put in and pull out I did use an old 2 Wheel pickup with my old boat and it would work with the E brake and careful throttle operation.
 
keokie said:
Someone brought up the very good point of thinking about your next boat. That may be a very good reason to get 4wd.

Sprink56, maybe we arent't disagreeing? I didn't state (or mean to give the impression) that the E brake technique is a substitute for true two wheel pull. It is a temporary traction aid for low speeds and short distances that can be just the thing for climbing a slippery boat ramp. Those of you with 2wd should give it a try if you have trouble retrieving your boat. Another better option for 2wd is an air locker.

I have strong connections to sand rails, and drag racers as well. If I had more discetionary income and time, I would pursue that hobby, too. I bet you have some great stories.

As far as the Cadillac motor, I don't know enough about it to send a pm as to if it will be a good replacement for the 496/502. I am very familiar with the 496 and 502's in Merc's version. Both are good motors, but very different. I have a slight preference for the 502 for its internal components, even though it is considerable less refined than the 496.
Click to expand...

Check this out...http://www.marinepowerusa.com/Repower/PDF's/2009_6200_LSA_MarineBase.pdf

This is the replacement to the beloved big block Chevy :smt089

Looks strong!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,187
Messages
1,428,215
Members
61,098
Latest member
Klawson83
Back
Top