PreRunners and Boat Ramps?

This new Tacoma I bought is the first truck I have owned in over 10 years that isn't 4wd, just haven't needed 4wd since moving to flat mild climate Texas! I don't currently own a boat but may buy another one in the future, my question is do any of you that have a PreRunner and tow a boat (bass boat specifically) have any issues launching at wet boat ramps not having 4wd? I have always used 4wd at boat ramps whether I needed it or not but never attempted to launch in 2wd so I don't even know how it would work. Any input would be much appreciated. I know this truck has a ALSD but having never used that feature I am curious if it really would help on a wet boat ramp. Thanks in advance.

 

Definitely depends on your tires and the ramp you'll be using. I'm the opposite of you I've never used or needed 4wd on the boat ramp.

 

should be fine. It's all how you drive while w/the boat at the ramp. A good 2wd guy won't have any problem at all. you should be fine

 

Never needed 4wd at a boat ramp.

 

I've never had a problem launching my 5500 lb Boston whaler with my prerunner.

 

Well I appreciate the info guys, that's good to hear.

 

Agree there's a really slippery ramp to the lake at my inlaws house. I see a lot of people spinning out there getting stuff out of the water, but I've never had a problem. Good tires and good ol fashion know how is all you usually need.

If its a bigger boat, stick to the dry portion of the ramp and try not to get the rear tires in the water if you dont have to. Dry traction is obviously better...

 

dad pulls 16' boston waler with his tundra 2wd 3.4

 

You will be fine if you have a v6. The problem that I have is having enough power to pull out of steep ramps. Just don't back in to far. That could cause some problems.

 

you'll be fine. One time we had a friends prerunner pulling out a boat that was HEAVY and had a slippery ramp with a lot of surge. Truck slipped and couldnt' pull the boat out. We piled 8 guys in the back of the truck and with the added weight pushing down, pulled the boat out easy.

 

It's ramp dependent. I go to a few that I don't worry about traction but then there are others where I need it pull the boat out due to the gravel, steepness and how far I have to go into the water to load the boat. Watch out for a lot of water on the ramp, any vegetation or loose surfaces. Good luck. Any day on the water is a good day.

 

I just upgraded to a 2013 with 4wd but my old 02 'dbl cab pulled a 20 skeeter around and launched just fine amistad, choke even the ramp over at dunlap under 35 think i might have used the locking diff 2 times for extra insurance

 

Thanks for chiming in, familiar with all those lakes and as you know water levels are so low on the big lakes that the steep ramps made me think about it. This is my last Skeeter.

 

Anyone have any experience with the 2wd 4cyl tires on the ramps? Just looking to dump a jet ski in, nothing heavy. I'm just worried there isn't much meat on those model tires and the back end will be light.

 

I have used 4wd twice on a boat ramp. first time was when I towed a ranger that didn't belong to me and I used 4lo just to have less rollback and zero chances of dumping that nice rig back into the water.

2nd time I used it was when I couldn't pull my old aluminum basstracker out for unknown reasons. I still get the chills trying to figure out why it wouldn't come out on that day. 4lo was still not enough torque. . . . weird stuff. finally came out after I pulled the motor up, but I saw no scarring on the motor to indicate that it was snagged on something.

2wd is all that's necessary on a grooved, asphalt boat ramp. have never loaded on anything else

 

I like on a lake and have never once used 4x4 to pull a boat out...Ok once but it was in a chevy with crap tires.

As mentioned above good ol' know how will get you through it in 2x4

All the best OP