Pulling the boat with open diff 2WD

Hello Forum,
My truck is an '08 Prerunner DCSB 4.0 with LT265/75r16 BFG A/T's. As I've previously stated I was considering having the dealership ($1100: OEM LSD diff) or 4 Wheel Parts ($900: Detroit True Trac LSD) eliminate the open rear diff I currently have. However, With these tires I can't even peal out from a standstill at a traffic light and I can power brake but its hard to break them loose. I dont normally do that but I was testing its traction.

I towed my dad-in-laws 21' foot boat a few nights ago. (It weighs 4650 with trailer with its tandem axle trailer. My truck weighs 4250. I had them weighed at a truck scale place in Miami). I dropped the boat at the ramp behind Parrot Jungle which is pretty steep. When I took the boat out later that night it was low tide. The truck pulled it out with little effort. Not even a tire squeal. I had to lower the boat back into the water 2 more times because the boat didn't mount on the trailer correctly and by this time the ramp is wet yet I still had ABSOLUTELY no tire spin coming out. I have been on a couple of light dirt road trails in Miami (with standing water on them & light mud and have not had an issue). I'm not going to do hardcore mudding or rock trails. In your opinion. Does the use that I give my truck justify the expense? BTW, not just the expense but I worry about messing with my truck since it is trouble free. Please give me your opinion. THANKS!

 

Sounds like you don't really need it. It's the slick boat ramps you gotta watch out for. I have never needed to use the ALSD in my taco.

Just an example of why it wouldn't really help...pardon the rest of the video...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-rQTHMVAuw&sns=em

Do you really wanna spend $1100 on something you don't really need?

 

No you don't need it.

 

I bought my rims from there. They even mounted and balanced the tires...then again, I wouldn't let them do anything more mechanically challenged than that...and even then I had to take it to Tires Plus and have it redone.

 

I would get a ARB Locker before spending $1100 on a LSD in a heartbeat. That said, neither option you mentioned is worth considering.

 

I bet you anything the ALSD would make it thru the test section in the video- When I first launched my skiff with the Tacoma when it was brand new, as soon as I tried to pull off the ramp, the tires just starting spinning, and the truck just keeps sliding back torwards the water with every attempt. Keep in mind its a 5 spd manual. Freaking out thinking my new truck is about to go under, with the rear tires just in the water, I remembered reading about the ALSD feature, hit the button and the truck crawls off the ramp without a single wheel spin. It was like I was locked on all 4! I am not saying its like having 4x4, but in this type of situation I am a believer.
That being said, a locker may be nice to have if you deal with tough ramps at times.

 

I keep hearing bad things about 4WP! I could see maybe 1 or 2 unsatisfied customers but when it's as bad as I've been hearing, well, thats good enough for me. Thanks for the heads up folks.

 

you can see that the LSD did help the truck a bit. the open diff just rolled back like noting. the LSD almost made it.

I'm not knocking LSD...it is a great thing to have...just not for $1100. If hes that concerned, he night as well spring for a locker...