How do you guys w/4x4 pull your boats out of the water on pavement?

Out of all the numerous cars & trucks I've owned in my years.. this is the first 4x4. And I think I've heard that turning sharply on pavement while in 4low can hurt things? I know the truck seems to be in a bind when I do that. It'll come to a stop on it's own in short order.

The possible problem I have is that my local ramp is all paved *and* I have to make a 30 degree turn to the right as soon as the truck is level and the boat is still coming up.

My local ramp is not too bad. It's short and fairly steep. When pulling up in 2wd I'm on the verge of slipping but it works. I have 4.10s and limited slip.. but sooner or later the ramp or another ramp will be slick and I'll have to go to 4x4 to get it out.

Last night for the first time I tried this in 4low. That was a no brainer. All I had to do was look at the gas pedal and it pulled out just fine. But up at the top I have to make that turn on mostly dry pavement. How bad is this to do in 4low or 4high?

Rich

 

I would keep it in 4hi that way right before that turn you can click it back to 2wd for the corner, since you said it was mostly dry. (that is assuming there is time)

overall just that one corner will not hurt the truck in 4hi, go slow and no sudden hammering the gas and you will be fine. dont force it.

 

In my old Level II I always put it in 4low. It was alot easier on the clutch and I never had to worry about rolling it back into the lake. If I had to turn a corner, I would stop and put it in 2h. The people can wait ten seconds. Usually by the top of the ramp your truck can handle it in 2h. Its the pulling a lot of weight out of the waters suction that makes you feel safer in 4h. Now You can do it in 2h, I had a 2WD ranger before and I towed my boat just fine. Same with my Roadmaster and it has 2.56 gears.

~HJ

 

I don't hurry for anybody at the ramps. And I generally pull it out pretty slow until I see the rear plate come out.

Now that I think about it.. I guess my question is really about turning sharply in 4x4. Is 4low vs 4high different? Or are they both hard on.. I assume the transfer case?

btw: I could get addicted to that 4low. Man! Even with my foot off the gas it'll pull the boat out of the yard. And when I went to pull the boat ouf of storage (it had sank about 6" in mud) it came out effortlessly as compaired to our awd mountianeer.

Rich

 

It isn't a good idea to turn on dry pavement in 4wd at all (IMO)

I wouldn't even use it if you don't need to, I don't have the option and my truck does just fine with 5000 plus pounds.....

 

Use 2wd unless you actually NEED the 4wd. That will solve most of the problem. Put the gearshift into 2 or 1 (on an automatic) and you'll have even less trouble.

If you NEED the 4wd because it is too slick for 2wd, then turn it off before you make the turn.

 

Alot more TQ in 4low which is harder on the drivetrain while turning on dry pavement.

If you use 4wd on the ramp while pulling out the boat use 4hi.

try some 35x12.5 inch tires while in 4wd and dry pavement...

you are not going to mess anything up unless you are at high speed or on the throttle hard and turning.

 

i have just used 2wd every time, in any truck i have used. but then again i havnt gone down and step hills.

 

Don't feel too bad. The boat launch in our town goes completely under water at an astronomically high tide along with about 1/2 the parking lot. Try taking a boat in/out when you can't even see the ground. Someone has to walk out in the water to find the ramp and then stand there so you have something to aim for backing up. You can always tell the new people. They try to use their honda civic for this. Generally, they end up having their car dragged out of the river by wrecker after a diver finds it and hooks the cable up

 

^^^ Glad I don't have that... Great lakes, no tides...

 

you shouldn't need 4lo to pull a boat out. What I would do in your case is just put it in 4hi and get the boat going and right before you turn click it into 2wd. That is the great thing about shift on the fly. You should have plenty of momentum.

 

My only thought would be, is it safe to disengage the 4x4 with all that load moving behind it? That sounds like allot of strain on the xfer case....

 

its fine...
the transfer case will not disengage unless you let off the throttle some anyway.

 

Noted...