Tow vehicle concern

[paedbo]

Hi guys,

I was just wondering, I just picked up a 21 foot starliner. I have a chevy silverado 4x4 but i have an older 1994 ford explorer thats 2wd. I've never tried launching my old boat with it which was a 17 foot invader. However the launch i use is always pretty algae free and i've never had to use 4x4 on the silverado to pull the boat out of the water. I know the starliner is a bit heavier, Have many of you guys ever just used a 4x2 ? I was thinking maybe instead of getting rid of the explorer to keep it just to tow with so that i could spare the silverado plus the silverado can only carry 2 people where i would be able to take more if i used the explorer.

Anybody have any input or experience with a 4x2 that could tell me if this would be a bad idea?

Just for alittle more description, the launch i use is fairly deep unless at very low tide. Its a ribbed concrete launch.

Thanks

[aaronmt]

Well i have a starflite and a 20ft reinell with a V8 and quite honestly i would only use a 4wd drive rig at the boat lauches here ive seen some people with saltwater pooring out the doors on thee trucks. Aaron

[Boston Predictor]

Ive used a Nissan Frontier in the ocean and lake and never had to use the 4x4. My boat was a little lighter than yours but still it pulled it right out of the water no problem whatsoever. We used to have a chevy caprice wagon with rear wheel drive and launching a 19' thundercraft (about 2500lbs) was no problem either. I think you'll be fine with a 2wd explorer as long as the ramp isnt too steep.

[paedbo]

no the ramp isnt too steep at all

Id honestly like to know what my 1977 17' invader weighs with the trailer. I have a feeling it weighs more than the starliner! But the explorer seems to be able to pull the starliner around easier than my v8 silverado can pull the other.

Theres only one way to find out! I'm not worried about the explorer going in the drink. Im just worried about traction getting out. I'll try anything once! if i get stuck then I'll just use the silverado.

Theres other ramps i go to like lake linanonah that i would not dare try to launch the starliner with the explorer, in those cases I'll use the 4x4

Although i will take into consideration your advice aaron, I kind of lean towards it might not be enough but the explorer has posi rear end so we'll see

[Boston Predictor]

are you sure that the explorer has posi??? I think its limited slip....

[paedbo]

Yes, posi traction is just GM's name for Limited Slip sorry.

[F150GT]

I use my 2 wheel drive F150 and Windstar to launch my Enchanter all the time, even on a dirt launch, No problem unless idiots start rutting it up.
F150GT

[jgreen]

I would use the 4wd myself. Ive seen too many people at the ramps back in a little too far, get the back tires wet and there they sit spinning and spinning and.......
I have helped people out before and been called out in the truck at work to recover everything from the lake. I would rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

[Chris]

Both of my current vehicles have four wheel drive but I've never had to use four wheel drive to launch on any ramp I've been on. Usually I launch on our local marina's ramp which is concrete and not too steep.

Currently we've got a '04 GMC Envoy and a '05 GMC Sierra.

I've also launched with our old FWD Montana, S10 Blazer along with a bunch of other pickups and same deal, never a problem.

[Chris E]

Personally i have used an s10 extended cab and currently use an asto van, the van never had a problem, the s10 did it but not without spinning a bit. The marina's i have worked for have had everthing from beat up suburbans to F550 super dutys, and the only time i ever used 4wd was when i was pulling any thing over 28ft out of the water or it was snowing - don't ask, ugly memeories.

[dreamer]

I used to pull my 84 exciter with a 1968 chevelle. Never had a problem just don't back in too far try to find ramps that drop off quick, or let the winch do the work. Also pulled it a couple times with a 78 impala. Used to hav a couple of buddies stand on the tongue for weight if I anticipated problems. Pays to have fat friends

[paedbo]

Hahahaha, Thanks for the input guys i really appreciate it. I will definetly let you know how it goes when i try it, I have no concern whatsoever about the ramp I'm going to try it on. I never used 4x4 with my 17 foot invader (although the silverado had it), and the trailer for that boat sat so high i really had to have the rear wheels of the vehicle literally in the water to be able to get the boat off the trailer and i think its heavier than the checkmate! The only downside to all them years with the invader is alot of rust and exhaust pipe replacements on my truck! But i have a feeling with the starliner the truck wont even come close to touching the water with how low the trailer/boat is.

[claupie]

how about a "03 ford escape v6...is it strong anough to hawl a pulsare w225...even on long distances ??

[claupie]

forgot to mention pulsare 2100...

[Boston Predictor]

yes just be carefull not to burn out your brakes. The escape should be just fine

[claupie]

thanks bp ..

[Wildman78]

I use my 1992 jeep cherokee on a really steep ramp. I dont have to use the 4x4 either but i do only to pull out of the water. 4 low goes a long way when u have a 5speed. I dont even need to use the gas anymore, just let the clutch out and it'll idle the boat out! saves on romping on the tranny and clutch :D

[paedbo]

Well I launched it with no problems with the rwd explorer. What I'm suprised at is how much easier it seems to be to pull boats with the explorer than with my silverado.

The explorer is a lighter platform with a v6 4.0 liter, the Silverado has a 5.7 liter v8. Not that the silverado bogs down bad, but acceleration wise the explorer seems to be better with the extra load.


Thanks for the input guys, with all the rain we had last week there was alittle setiment on the concrete at the launch but it wasnt a problem.

[Costa]

Paedbo I have used my 92 exploder 2wd and had no problems at all with my 18' exciter glad you had no problems.
Costa