Just curious as to what everyone's experiences have been with towing... I
know that a good full size 4x4 pickup truck is ideal, however, for those of
us with toy trucks (smaller 2x4's) there could be some issues...

i have a 4x4 but never use it in 4wd to tow or launch.

What I find necessary is a low gear transfer case, hwich makes launchig
the boat so much easier. That esp. with astandard

M

What size of boat are we talking about? I went out over the weekend to
watch people loading/unloading boats and there were midsized cars
trailering the smaller boats. I plan on using the mini-van or my
daugters bonneville to launch our 16' boat (heck, I think a decent
lawn tractor could probably tow/launch my boat)

We can talk about any sizes, specifically the 16' and under I'm interested
in.... My truck is 2 wheel drive standard with a light back end... my boat
launch areas include:
1. beach with grassy incline to follow
2. an older gravel boat launch that could have a tiny bit of muck just near
the water.

My biggest thoughts are around the rear wheels spinning coming out of the
water with the boat on... then getting stuck...

For those using cars, I suspect a good front wheel drive would clearly help
out as you're in the dry with lots of weight on the front... As well those
launching on concrete boat launches should have an easier time too...


"Arcadefreaque" wrote in message
oups.com...
What size of boat are we talking about? I went out over the weekend to
watch people loading/unloading boats and there were midsized cars
trailering the smaller boats. I plan on using the mini-van or my
daugters bonneville to launch our 16' boat (heck, I think a decent
lawn tractor could probably tow/launch my boat)

You may want to ponder ways of solving these problems in other way, if
possible, before getting into a 4wd vehicle. Even for the 99% of the time
you're not using 4wd, you're still turning lots of extra metal parts. Gas
mileage can be rather appalling.



"Chris" wrote in message
.. .
We can talk about any sizes, specifically the 16' and under I'm interested
in.... My truck is 2 wheel drive standard with a light back end... my boat
launch areas include:
1. beach with grassy incline to follow
2. an older gravel boat launch that could have a tiny bit of muck just
near the water.

My biggest thoughts are around the rear wheels spinning coming out of the
water with the boat on... then getting stuck...

For those using cars, I suspect a good front wheel drive would clearly
help out as you're in the dry with lots of weight on the front... As well
those launching on concrete boat launches should have an easier time
too...


"Arcadefreaque" wrote in message
oups.com...
What size of boat are we talking about? I went out over the weekend to
watch people loading/unloading boats and there were midsized cars
trailering the smaller boats. I plan on using the mini-van or my
daugters bonneville to launch our 16' boat (heck, I think a decent
lawn tractor could probably tow/launch my boat)

"Arcadefreaque" wrote in message
oups.com...
What size of boat are we talking about? I went out over the weekend
to watch people loading/unloading boats and there were midsized cars
trailering the smaller boats. I plan on using the mini-van or my
daugters bonneville to launch our 16' boat (heck, I think a decent
lawn tractor could probably tow/launch my boat)

Chris wrote:
We can talk about any sizes, specifically the 16' and under I'm
interested in.... My truck is 2 wheel drive standard with a light
back end... my boat launch areas include:
1. beach with grassy incline to follow
2. an older gravel boat launch that could have a tiny bit of muck
just near the water.

My biggest thoughts are around the rear wheels spinning coming out of
the water with the boat on... then getting stuck...

For those using cars, I suspect a good front wheel drive would
clearly help out as you're in the dry with lots of weight on the
front... As well those launching on concrete boat launches should
have an easier time too...

You need weight over your drive (rear) axle to get traction.
Put something heavy in the bed of your pickup truck. A
slide-in truck camper works well!

--
frosty

Chris wrote:
We can talk about any sizes, specifically the 16' and under I'm interested
in.... My truck is 2 wheel drive standard with a light back end... my boat
launch areas include:
1. beach with grassy incline to follow
2. an older gravel boat launch that could have a tiny bit of muck just near
the water.

My biggest thoughts are around the rear wheels spinning coming out of the
water with the boat on... then getting stuck...

For those using cars, I suspect a good front wheel drive would clearly help
out as you're in the dry with lots of weight on the front... As well those
launching on concrete boat launches should have an easier time too...


"Arcadefreaque" wrote in message
oups.com...

What size of boat are we talking about? I went out over the weekend to
watch people loading/unloading boats and there were midsized cars
trailering the smaller boats. I plan on using the mini-van or my
daugters bonneville to launch our 16' boat (heck, I think a decent
lawn tractor could probably tow/launch my boat)




I have a wheeled tongue jack on my boat trailer. If the ramp looked too
slippery or soft on retrieval, I would keep the tow vehicle up where
traction is good and attach a tow rope from the hitch to the trailer. I
would very gently pull it forward until the boat cleared the bad spot.
Then I'd chock the trailer wheels, stow the tow rope and hook the rig up
for road travel.

For what it;s worth ... I use 4WD, Low pulling my boat (about 3000 lbs inc
trailer) up all ramps including muddy bottom and gravel. Just put it in gear
and it will idle it's way up, no tire spinning if necessary ... then it's
back to 2WD. This is with a 3100 lb or so '96 Jeep Cherokee which is
probably lighter than your truck. My opinion, you'll eventually have
traction problems ... but maybe as mentioned, a wheel on the trailer tongue,
and some good rope/tow strap, and/or a come along or winch ...


"Chris" wrote in message
.. .
We can talk about any sizes, specifically the 16' and under I'm interested
in.... My truck is 2 wheel drive standard with a light back end... my boat
launch areas include:
1. beach with grassy incline to follow
2. an older gravel boat launch that could have a tiny bit of muck just
near
the water.

My biggest thoughts are around the rear wheels spinning coming out of the
water with the boat on... then getting stuck...

"Chris" wrote in message
.. .
Just curious as to what everyone's experiences have been with towing... I
know that a good full size 4x4 pickup truck is ideal, however, for those
of us with toy trucks (smaller 2x4's) there could be some issues...

4WD is only of value in the rare instances when you really need extra
traction, like at a slippery boat ramp, or perhaps during those occasional
summer downpours when your wipers become useless, you're driving through 4"
of water, and everyone on the highway slows to a crawl. And, most car makers
recommend not using 4WD over certain speeds, for perfectly logical reasons,
so it's of little value at highway speeds.

The real issue is the design and condition of the suspension. If you're
shopping for a vehicle and need info on the suspension, you may have to
strongarm the salesperson to get him to introduce you to someone in the
service department who's actually well versed in how the various models are
set up. Some trucks are nice & stiff with regard to vertical forces (heavy
loads), but not well stabilized against horizontal forces, especially if
they're applied by an 18' lever, which is sort of how a boat & trailer act
in a strong crosswind.

So...it all depends. You can often modify the vehicle you already own, if
you can find a suspension shop that knows what they're doing.

I have a Venture 21 sailboat that weigh about 2000 lbs loaded. I have
pulled since I got it in 1970 with rear wheel drive. It has been from
coast to coast.

The cars I have use are a
1968 Buick Skylark Convertable
1973 Two door Buick Century
1985 small wheel base Dodge passenger Van
1994 GMC Sarfari

Chris wrote:

Just curious as to what everyone's experiences have been with towing... I
know that a good full size 4x4 pickup truck is ideal, however, for those of
us with toy trucks (smaller 2x4's) there could be some issues...