FordyceCreek
New member
Watch a few boat loading mishap videos on you tube and you'll be committed to 4x4 on the ramp.
Use 4x4 or not?
- Thread starter Daddeaux
- Start date
Bourbonator
New member
I've never used 4wd while launching boats, with my current 4R or my previous Toyotas. I've never had an issue.
Greenamphibious
Banned
I just saw the fifth Fast and Furious movie, so I feel like I'm qualified to comment on this. What you want to do is shift into neutral (foot on the brake so you don't roll into the water). Then press the gas until the engine is revving close to redline and immediately shift into drive. This should generate a good amount of torque to get that boat going out of the water. When you're about halfway up the ramp, you want to hit your NOS to give you the extra boost that you need to drain the water from your boat (make sure the plug is out). Bonus points if blue or purple flames come out of your tailpipe. You'll know you're at the end of the tow ramp because there will be scantily clad women waving checkered flags and someone will be blasting hip hop music. If you follow my instructions and race for pink slips, you can be towing a Malibu Wakeboat instead of a Four Winns in no time.
SPENK05
Member
With every truck and boat I've owned (Chevy Tahoe, Dodge Ram, Ford F150, both 4Runners - Centurion Avalanche @5000lbs and Mastercraft Prostar @ @3000lbs) I have always put it in 4hi to tow it out. Makes it much easier and lets you get out and go rather than be that guy that spins all the way up. Never had an issue with the drive system or slipping.
kdcold
New member
My rig's not as heavy as yours, but I've been pulling my 4000lb+ boat/trailer up some fairly steep ramps in 2W "Drive" 2-3 times a month in warm weather with my '11 SR5, for 2 seasons now. And starting last summer, with my 33" tires (more torque needed).
But go ahead and use 4LO if not having to make any sharp turns before you get on flat land.
With my '03 Xterra SE S/C, I did get on one ramp so steep I literally could not pull the boat up and my parking brake wasn't holding on its own. Sat for a minute with my foot on the brake and my wife & kids looking at me all big-eyed until it occurred to me to try 4LO. Then even that weak little SUV had no problem with it.
But go ahead and use 4LO if not having to make any sharp turns before you get on flat land.
With my '03 Xterra SE S/C, I did get on one ramp so steep I literally could not pull the boat up and my parking brake wasn't holding on its own. Sat for a minute with my foot on the brake and my wife & kids looking at me all big-eyed until it occurred to me to try 4LO. Then even that weak little SUV had no problem with it.
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nevada
Senior Member
I would expect that is more often the case than not.
id agree with the others saying, 4LOW to start with. once you are up the ramp far enough to be out of the water, back into 2H.
Jetboy
New member
I drive in 4hi all the time on dry pavement. My last 4runner I sold with 208,000 miles with the ORIGINAL u-joints, CVs, transmission and transfer case. None of which had ever been serviced other than routine lubrication.
4hi on pavement does nothing meaningful other than reduce mpg slightly and wear tires a little faster.
I break axle shafts, transfer case output shafts, u-joints, pinons, you name it on my Land Cruiser. If you can snap it, I've probably done it in my trail rig. Stock tires with stock gearing will last a very long time no matter what you do. The forces just aren't there to do any real damage - even long term. The only way you could break something is to power brake in 4lo and stand on both pedals. Maybe. I've done something similar in my 8.1L GM and snapped an axle, but it has huge brakes and huge torque. A 4runner does not. Otherwise, I'm not sure it's even possible to damage the driveline in stock form on pavement.
4hi on pavement does nothing meaningful other than reduce mpg slightly and wear tires a little faster.
I break axle shafts, transfer case output shafts, u-joints, pinons, you name it on my Land Cruiser. If you can snap it, I've probably done it in my trail rig. Stock tires with stock gearing will last a very long time no matter what you do. The forces just aren't there to do any real damage - even long term. The only way you could break something is to power brake in 4lo and stand on both pedals. Maybe. I've done something similar in my 8.1L GM and snapped an axle, but it has huge brakes and huge torque. A 4runner does not. Otherwise, I'm not sure it's even possible to damage the driveline in stock form on pavement.
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[MENTION=118321]Jetboy[/MENTION], that is not how 4x4 was designed to work, it may not happen all of the time but it puts unnecessary stress on your driveline. Think about it for a bit there is a reason we evolved to differentials from solid axles.
A place and a time for it, but 4lo on a freeway would not be good on any rig.
A place and a time for it, but 4lo on a freeway would not be good on any rig.
C
Carolina Roscoe
Guest
We have a local boat launch at a bar / restaurant. For shits and gigs we will sit on the deck overlooking the ramp, drinking pitchers. Funniest stuff you will ever see.
Jetboy
New member
I agree that it's not intended for extended dicing in 4 hi on dry pavement. But that doesn't necessarily mean it is going to cause a component failure. In fact I'm certain it won't. In the end this is a simple mechanical device. And the components are significant stronger than the friction of the tires can apply. The tires will exceed the threshold of friction long before the components fail. This is by design not accident. 4 hi on dry pavement won't hurt a thing.
Jeremy556
New member
You better stay out of the 4th gen forum with that opinion, they'll burn you at the stake. You're totally right, though.
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9494runner
New member
solid axles have differentials...... :ybrick:
Edit: I do not think I can even get to 10 MPH in 4low.........
You know what I meant, extreme examples... And trying to get on a freeway in 4low would kill your engine before your drive shaft
Jeremy556
New member
Hardly. The 1GRFE will bang off the rev limiter in 4lo all day long without causing engine damage.
I don't want to be the one to find out if that's true, I have had it in the red a few times and didn't even notice a limiter kicking in. It was not for long and I was not really looking for it also. Do we have a speed governor also, I have only gotten to 100 once.
nevada
Senior Member
you have just been lucky.
its very bad advice to give someone.
the bolded section is not universally true.
