4WD on Dry Pavement

adamsanders

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I had a quick question for the forum. I've been using my truck to tow my boat to and from the lake. Its a single cab long bed so it tends to spin the tires pulling the boat off the ramp (even just the trailer for that matter), so usually I have to kick it down into 4WD for a second to get moving. My girlfriend has been operating the truck lately and because its a 5 speed and she doesn't daily drive it, she'll kill it on the ramp occasionally. Our boat ramp is crazy crowded on the weekends with crowds of people standing around basically watching people struggle on the ramp haha. Anyways, would it hurt anything if we were to put the truck in 4 Lo and pull it off the ramp? This makes it way easier to pull out as well since in 4 Lo you basically can just let off the clutch. There would be very slight turn involved which is really the only part that has me concerned. Thanks for the input
 

The_Josh_Bear

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wont hurt it at all as long as your front tires have the same or more tread on them as the rears. As soon as she can have her stop and shift into 2hi and you don't even need to mess with the hubs until you're out of the way.
 

79jasper

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wont hurt it at all as long as your front tires have the same or more tread on them as the rears. As soon as she can have her stop and shift into 2hi and you don't even need to mess with the hubs until you're out of the way.
I would say air pressure would play more than tread wear.
And no turning. Straight is fine.

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mblaney

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I think your description is a little unclear. Previous responses suggest your hubs are locked... I think you want to leave the with the hubs unlocked, and use the gearing of 4 low to pull the boat out.

If this is the case then tire size or pressure don't matter, only that you are driving the front axle without them being engaged at the hub. For what you are doing (basically straight out and for a short distance and slow speed) I say fine! The hubs (the locking part) are not designed to support spinning axles; going straight ahead everything will be rotating at the same rate. Avoid tight turning.
 

adamsanders

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No the hubs would indeed be locked in. If they aren't, the truck spins pretty hard coming up the ramp. One time years ago, I got my dads 1972 F250 bound up so tight from moving it in 4WD on dry pavement that it was undriveable until we moved it over in the grass and got all the wheels spin. I just don't want to encounter anything like that in front of a crowd of people.
 

pelky350

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I don't see what would hurt about a straight line if using 4x4L with hubs locked to get up the ramp, I wouldn't turn very much the truck will defiantly tell you it's not happy lol I use 4L to back up trailers sometimes with hubs unlocked since my zf5 has some crazy tall reverse gear and 3.55+35's just idling reverse is like 10mph, ain't nobody backing a trailer That fast lol
 

MtnHaul

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I use 4-Low with hubs unlocked, so basically 2-Lo, all the time. Have you tried that on the boat ramp?
 

nostrokes

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Sounds like the boat ramp needs some work, a little roughing up goes a long way for grip!!

I wouldn't think just going strait would hurt anything. If it was me I'd use 4 hi, get the boat up the ramp stop for a second and pop it into 2wd and get out of the way.
 

79jasper

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I use 4-Low with hubs unlocked, so basically 2-Lo, all the time. Have you tried that on the boat ramp?
May not get a ton of wheel spin that way either.
Might as well try it. May not need to lock the hubs.

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Macrobb

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I've done 4x4 on dry pavement before, it's just kind of jerky when turning a corner as the tire eventually slips. Try to keep it straight and you won't notice anything, then just put it in 2wd once you are on flat ground.
 

Runningaford

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Yup, I use my truck a lot of the time just like Towcat describes, and it works.
 

IDIBRONCO

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If leaving the truck in 4 low keeps her happy, put the truck in 4 low and do not worry about it.
That's the most important point right there. I've seen a lot of boat docks that had moss on them and 4x4 was a must. On July 4, I saw a boat dock that was so steep that trucks/SUVs weren't allowed on it. It was called a tractor boat ramp. It was steep enough that I wouldn't have wanted to try using my truck on it.
 

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