4x2 towing power

TheTanMan · 12-13-2006, 10:00 AM

Hey everyone, I have never really towed anything "major" with my titan yet. I was wondering if anyone has any trouble getting a boat in and out of water with the 4x2... as far as the tires slipping on the loading ramp getting the boat out of the water. I know these trucks can haul just about anything but I just didnt know about the two wheel drive not getting any traction on a boat ramp pulling the boat out of the water. So if any of you 4x2 owners out there that also get out on the water let me know how well the truck handles it! thanks..... oh yea I do not have the big tow package but have the tow hitch setup.

AgTitan06 · 12-13-2006, 10:49 AM

Hey- I use the boat ramp all the time with my 4x2 Titan. When I pull th boat out, I just put it in 4, and let go of the brake and slowly accelerate and she has no problems coming out and does not even spin the wheel. It will roll back though when you let go of the brake, so ease the accelerator as soon as you release the break..Don't forget to use the e-brake when you get out of the truck to help get the boat off the trailer. Stop the truck, put the truck in NEUTRAL, push the e-brake to the FLOOR, release brake, let it roll back a bit until it stops or until you realize its not gonna stop (titan e-brake is not the best!), then put the truck in park...When you want to go back up, put the truck in drive, then release the e-brake...Doing this puts the weight on the e-brake instead of the transmission, and you will not hear the trannsmission POP when getting it out of gear like you would if you put the truck in park first.

Hope this helps-if you need any other help, let me know.

TheTanMan · 12-13-2006, 11:05 AM

Thanks For the tip! That helped me out tremendously, or it will the next time i want to go to the lake!

FtWTitan · 12-13-2006, 11:10 AM

Ag had some good advice.

To add to that: your traction will really depend on the slope of the launch, what material they used to make it, and what kind of tires you have. The more important thing is the boat launch itself...if you're trying to tackle a really steep ramp and are having problems, look for a different one. Just remember though, the less slope it has, the farther you will have to back the trailer in to be able to load/unload the boat.

radiokid · 12-13-2006, 03:18 PM

Same problem. I have a 7000# load to haul out and didn't have any trouble with traction until I got back to the ramp at -1.3ft tide. All that algae that was normally covered with water was now under my tires. I burned off about 1000 miles of tread even with 4 guys in the bed but made it up. Right then I decided to get the Trutrac installed. Next time with a minus tide the wheels slipped a bit, I almost fell on my a$$ but I pulled it out with no assistance.

They did the speil on MOtorweek comparing the 2wd Ford Pickup vs the 2wd with locker and a 4wd. Long story short the 2wd with locker did very well and they were impressed. THing to remember is that posi is for traction on slippery surfaces like rain slicked surfaces or boat ramps or drag racing and 4wd is for deep stuff and such.

mykm · 12-14-2006, 10:21 PM

I tow a 26' mako with a 2x4 crew cab w/o tow package and it does fine. If you put enough tongue weight on it won't spin.

radiokid · 12-15-2006, 10:21 AM

Nice rig. What kind of fish do you catch with that?

titanmike · 12-15-2006, 07:29 PM

If you are having trouble pulling a boat out you can use the boat to help push the truck out. just leave the motor down and give it some throttle. But be sure as soon as the truck starts moving forward to start tilting the motor up and shut it off.

mykm · 12-15-2006, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by radiokid

Nice rig. What kind of fish do you catch with that?

Usually Grouper and Snapper, but I'll take anything that bites.

FLA-Titan · 12-19-2006, 06:46 AM

Tru Trac all the way and no problems. IMO a must if you tow a boat. I have a home that we rent in the Keys, which has a crappy ramp that is always covered in algae and dead leaves and muck ; but I am able to always put the boat in and pull it out with no issues.