Towing and launching big boats with a 2 wheel drive dually

[Homerr]

What are your thoughts on towing/launching a big boat with a 2-wheel drive daully?<br /><br />I might have found an F350 truck, but it's a dually 2-wheel drive.<br /><br />How are these launching on boat ramps?<br /><br />I would assume a 4x4 is almost a must if the ramp is slick.<br /><br />H.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Towing and launching big boats with a 2 wheel drive dually

They are great. Even if the ramp is wet you will have the weight on the hitch to help you out.<br /><br />If this is what you are going for - good choice.<br /><br />Bob

 

[Homerr]

Re: Towing and launching big boats with a 2 wheel drive dually

Thanks for the reply Bob,<br /><br />My 'ideal' truck is a 4x4 F350/F250, but this 2-wheell dually came along and the price is right:<br /><br />'FREE' ! <br /><br />The people want it off their property. Needs an engine, but I have a few laying around.<br /><br />I was just worried that my 26' tug wouldn't be hard to pull out with a 2 wheel drive.<br /><br />H.

 

[Ranger354]

Re: Towing and launching big boats with a 2 wheel drive dually

The dual wheels may help, but they are not fool proof. Just remember when they slip they throw twice as many rocks!

 

[BigBabyLou]

Re: Towing and launching big boats with a 2 wheel drive dually

Homerr,<br /><br />I have a 4x4 Suburban V2500 (3/4 ton) and I pull my 26-footer out of the water usually in 2WD. Rarely I have to use the 4WD option.<br /><br />I would guess the dual RWD is ok. Unless you are on a VERY steep and slick ramp. But you should avoid those anyway, having a 26-footer.<br /><br />Happy towing!<br />Lou

 

[Tinman]

Re: Towing and launching big boats with a 2 wheel drive dually

Hey Homerr, you mentioned 26' Tug, that wouldn't happen to be a "Nordic Tug" would it?<br /><br />Tinman

 

[BrianG]

Re: Towing and launching big boats with a 2 wheel drive dually

hello all,<br /><br />I am wondering about something.. I kept an eye on this thread cause I just picked up a 1995 dually. Mine has 4wheel drive though..<br /><br />Is this thread more about a 2wd drive truck or a dually? Cause I would assume that the dually wouldn't make any difference. Thanks.

 

[6MISFITZ]

Re: Towing and launching big boats with a 2 wheel drive dually

BrianG, Duallies come either 2 wheel drive or 4 wheel drive even though duallies have 6 wheels. <br />Sometimes the nut behind the wheel (steering wheel that is) is a little spun and they put 4x4 stickers on 2wd, but if there no transfer case then no 4X4.<br />In my experience towing with 2wd either dually or not, unless the ramp has snow it, you should not have any problems getting up with boat and trailer. With the weight of the boat and trailer on the rear hitch, it puts the weight on the rear axle of the truck or van and that is just where you want it for traction. <br />That's why you sometimes see some front wheel drives spinning like mad to get up the boat ramp; the boat & trailer transfered too much weight off the front axle.

 

[blifsey]

Re: Towing and launching big boats with a 2 wheel drive dually

Keep in mind too, that a 2wheel drive may be a "1 wheel" drive if it is an open diff. To get traction to both rear wheels, you need a limited slip diff. Also, some 4X4's are really a 2 wheel drive since the front diff is usually open (so truck can turn) and it has an open rear end. Or, it could be a a 3 wheel drive. One trick is if one rear wheel starts spinning and the other wheel isn't, put slight pressure on the brakes. This can cause the diff to kick torque to the non spinning wheel.<br /><br />BL...

 

[BrianG]

Re: Towing and launching big boats with a 2 wheel drive dually

ok, sorry. My question wasn't about 4x4's in general. I am actually in a 4wheel drive club myself and run a modified jeep on rocks. I know all about lockers and diffs.<br /><br />My question about the thread was about the 2wheel drive dually vs. 2wheel drive truck (not daully).<br /><br />Is that the concern of this thread or the fact that its not 4wheel drive?<br /><br />Thanks.

 

[6MISFITZ]

Re: Towing and launching big boats with a 2 wheel drive dually

BrianG, I don't see you having any problems towing with a 2wd (NON DUALLY). F350 Fords tow the same weight with or without dually. Both are rated for around 10,000#.<br /><br />I towed a 10,000# Race trailer around for a few years with a F350 Ford 460cid Extended Van and then with a Chevy 4X4 454 Dually. <br />The biggest difference was that the trailer was less trouble in strong winds with the daully. <br /><br />On a boat ramp with a large boat and trailer, as long as you have a posi or limited slip differential with 2wd then anchors away!<br /><br />Let us know how you make out.<br /><br />Mike

 

[BrianG]

Re: Towing and launching big boats with a 2 wheel drive dually

ok, I was just trying to figure out what homers question was about. Whether it was about dually's or 4x4's.. i assume the answer to my question is 4x4s vs. 2wheel drives...

 

[Homerr]

Re: Towing and launching big boats with a 2 wheel drive dually

Oops! Forgot about my first post on this!<br /><br />I just learned that this truck had a 1 1/2 ton rear axle stuffed under it. Don't know if it's posi or limited. Gonna have to get creative to figure that one out, since I can't find a tag.<br /><br />Also, it has a 400. I was originally told it was a 390. <br /><br />Thx,<br /><br />H.

 

[6MISFITZ]

Re: Towing and launching big boats with a 2 wheel drive dually

Easy chech to see if it is a posi.<br /><br />Put the truck in neutral and lift the rear end. With the rear end in the air turn one rear wheel. If it is not a possi the other rear wheel will turn in the opposite direction. If it is posi the opposite wheel will turn in the same direction and the prop shaft will turn.<br /><br />That has worked for me in the past.<br />Mike

 

[blifsey]

Re: Towing and launching big boats with a 2 wheel drive dually

Or, if its a real hot engine, romp down real hard on it and see if it lays down 1 stripe or 2 (oops, its a dually, see if it leaves 2 or 4 black marks )<br /><br />BL...

 

[6MISFITZ]

Re: Towing and launching big boats with a 2 wheel drive dually

BLifsey, good idea !<br />Daft cannuk, why didn't I think of that?

 

[Down South]

Re: Towing and launching big boats with a 2 wheel drive dually

Even if the truck has a limited slip differential the clutches can be bad. The best way to check this is have one set of wheels in the grass or in the gravel on the side of the road and the other set of wheels on the pavement. Get down on it pretty hard. If the clutches are bad the set of wheels in the grass or gravel will spin real easy. <br />The limited slip rear ends require regular maintenance too. the oil has to be changed on regular intervals with the proper amount of additive for the clutches.<br /><br />So much for rear ends. Really you shouldn't have a problem with that truck even without limited slip if the ramps are decent.

 

[Homerr]

Re: Towing and launching big boats with a 2 wheel drive dually

Well, I just found some good news on my $1500 dually purchase. I found a receipt in the glove box for rear axle work at a local shop.<br />It would seem all the gears have been replaced along with some bearings and seals. <br />The bill was $800. Guess my $1500 doesn't look so bad now!<br /><br />I think I'll drop by the shop who did it. I'm sure they can tell me exactly what I have.<br /><br />H.

 

[JRJ]

Re: Towing and launching big boats with a 2 wheel drive dually

Down South is right about posi clutches going out, but if someone just spent $800 on diff work they should be OK. <br />Duels give better flotation/traction in sand or deep snow. In light snow, or mud, or on wet pavement, single wheels usually provide better traction.