So I'm a relatively new owner of a 2009 Sport 2WD Hemi with 3.92's. I have searched and read every thread on these forums regarding towing, so please dispense with the "Search is your friend" flames. I own a Checkmate ZT280 28' offshore style boat weighing in at 6800 with trailer and a full load. I know I'm within towing capacity. I know it will pull it without much trouble. I have already done it. My question for anyone with any insight is whether or not the 2WD is gonna be an issue getting the boat up a fairly inclined loading ramp on those wet sloppy afternoons. I have a 10000lb Equalizer hitch setup with anti-sway and leveling. Now that I got the thing all set up, it has less than 1/4 of an inch squat and you don't even know its there, even at highway speeds. I figure if lack of weight over the rear axle causing slippage is an issue, I can just pop the weight distribution bars on the equalizer off and set all 700lbs of tongue weight right on the rear end. Should I be worried about the 2WD not havingthe grip to get a big boat up the ramp? Anyone towing a bigo boat with a 2WD? Any input would be great.

 

JLK I have been loosing sleep over the same question. I have an 09 Crew Cab 2wd Hemi Lone Star package w/ 3.21's and 20" wheels. I am planning to purchase a 20 to 24 ft bay boat soon and I am concerned about problems at the boat ramp with an open rear end and the Goodyear HP's. At least you have the LSD but after watching the Eaton locker test video on youtube, the LSD's are not that effective.

 

I have a 2wd drive quad cab with the 4.7 and 3.92's. My boat and trailer weigh about 4000lbs and I have absolutley no problem's taking the boat out of the water. I have used three different slips and never once had any trouble pulling the boat out of the water. Don't sweat it the truck will do just fine.

 

It really all depends on the loading ramp. Around here, my buddy with a 16ft ski boat can have issues getting it out with his 4x4 at some lakes. Lakes with good ramps, no issues in 2wd.

 

I have Crew Cab and pull my 26' Sea Ray deck boat when fully loaded weighs the same as what you want to pull and you should not have any problems. I do have 4x4 but I have never had to use it to pull my boat out. Don't sweat it.

 

I guess thats good news. Before the truck, we pulled it with a 4X4 hemi Grand Cherokee Limited and never had a slippage issue. I'm still worried. I would hate to be "that guy" on the ramp on a busy afternoon. Dozens of people waiting and my new truck slowing slipping back into the water...

 

Biggest boat I've towed was around 5K lbs and I've never had a 4wd tow vehicle. Still it's not a bad idea to have tow hooks on the front and a strap, just in case.

 

Around here the ramps are steep and slippery, dont think I have ever seen anyone have an issue with a 2wd pickup.

Well except for my wife when she was pulling me out (5500lb boat) and I forget to put my old duramax pickup in 4wd (they are part time) and she overdid the throttle a bit and almost slid off the ramp sideways. Most likely she just gave it a little too much throttle and didnt know to let off when it spun the tires and just stayed in it. The pitfalls of no traction control I guess..

That time I was 'that guy' on the crowded ramp lol.

 

I had to be towed off the ramp at Norris Lake - TWRA's Graveyard Point "Well Springs" Public Boat Ramp with an empty trailer when my buddy put us in too deep on a very slippery side of a short and not too steep ramp. The other half of the ramp had a little texture and we used that side to pull the boat out with no problems. When being towed out the guy with the 4WD GMC was having fun with it. He did say it happens there all the time, but being from KY too he would not accept a penny even though he had to run to his vacation home to get a tow strap and come back. Luckily it was not busy at all.

At Lake Cumberland using the Lily Creek ramp I spun the crap out up the wet top half but made it up pulling the boat at around 5,000 lbs. I did pull up a 6,000 lb. boat up the wet ramp at Worth, Illinois on the Calumet Sag Channel. These ramps are located at 115th Street and Harlem Avenue and was during the Chicago Loop Cruise, 2009.

 

How does the truck do with the towing part? I have a 5.4 F150 right now but am about a week away from getting a new 4x4 1500 Ram sport with the 5.7 and the 3.93 rear end.

I love the truck on the test drive but ofcourse they wont let you test drive it with the boat behind LOL.

My boat weights about 6500 lbs

Thanks in advance