stuart guys? what do you use to pull you boat

beradtke · #1 08-25-2007, 11:32 AM

Here is my question what are you using to pull your boat out of the ramps in stuart/hobe sound. i was going down the road last night and i saw a seacraft being pulled buy what looks to be a 2 wheel drive dodge. do most of you have 2 wheel drives. i have a old 77 f250 4x4 that i use topull the boat with,but my other daily driver is a ranger and it will not pull the boat.i would like to get a newer truck so i can pull the boat to the keys/ sebastain inlet and just want to know if i have to have a 4x4 or not?

reelclassic · #2 08-25-2007, 01:01 PM

I have a 2 wheel drive toyota tocoma prerunner that pulls my 20 surprising well...no problems at any ramp so far! Im not in stuart by the way im in homestead!

Bushwacker · #3 08-25-2007, 01:20 PM

I have a 98 Dakota V-8 automatic 2WD & positraction that pulls my Seafari with no problems. I do have fairly wide 60 series tires and it's a roller trailer so I don't have to dunk it. Have used the east side ramps at Burt Reynolds park in Jupiter, which are fairly steep at low tide, with no problems; just have to go easy on the gas when starting out. Also used to pull it from same ramp with my '66 Cuda which also had wide tires and positraction. Should not need 4WD with a 20 as long as you have posi and decent tires.

countshock · #4 08-25-2007, 01:34 PM

a '66 Cuda is a pretty cool tow vehicle! I'm wondering if i can pull a 20' with my subaru wrx wagon (not stock) all-wheel drive and around over 250 hp. lol

ScottM · #5 08-25-2007, 03:23 PM

countshock,
That WRX must be fun out on East Beach!

beradtke · #6 08-25-2007, 05:12 PM

i have a float on trailer for my boat so you have to go in a far way. i have been looking at newer 04+ trucks f150 dodge 1500 toyota tundras didnt think about a dakota with the v8 that would have enough power just was not sure about traction.

Capt Chuck · #7 08-25-2007, 05:51 PM

I pull my 23' with a full size Bronco (350 cu in) The 4 four wheel drive helps at low tide or a slippery ramp. You should not have any problems at Palm City, Sandsprit or Ft Pierce. Many ramps in the Keys can be tricky with the float on type trailers because they are shallow.

FYI: 4x4 helps but if you want help for pulling out of a steep ramp the ticket is "Limited Slip" or "NO Slip" Differential (LSD). GMC has the option. You can buy a conversion kit,
click here--------> Phantomgrip <---------Click here

nestorpr · #8 08-26-2007, 01:02 AM

I used to tow my 20' Seafari with my 2WD Toyota Tacoma Pre-Runner with no problems in many different ramps along the Dade/Broward coast. Many times I had to dunk the trailer to its wheels to get to the boat and not once did I have a problem.

The 2007 Toyota Tundra 2WD also has an electronic "limited slip differential" that works very well in slippery ramps, and the 381 hp/401 lbs torque lets you pull up to 10,600 lbs. At this time they're selling them pretty cheap since the '08's are in so now's the time to upgrade. BTW, mine is giving me about 15 mpg in the city and close to 21 mpg on the highway, not bad for this monster!

wavelength · #9 08-26-2007, 08:48 AM

We use a 2004 F150 2 wheel drive with no problems. I used it to pull 27 World Cat's around the state when I worked for them just fine.

Fr. Frank · #10 08-27-2007, 07:05 AM

'02 F250 2WD Crew, posi diff. I have launched my old 23 in Yankeetown AND in the keys, no problem. I even pulled a more than half-sunken old 26' Searay Sundancer up a ramp in Crystal River when the owner's '06 Toyota Tundra 2WD could not. I lowered my rear tire pressure from 70 to 20 lbs, put 5 people in the bed and it came right up.