Considering an 05 3500 Quad Cab CTD RWD dually to tow a 4500lb. 23' Tremblay sportfisher (custom shallow draft rig made in Chiefland, Florida) in addition to a Lance 1191 Max slide in. 1988 Jeep Cherokee 4.0L AT 4WD needs 4WD to get boat alone up ramps. I don't think I'll have any need for 4WD in new truck unless there would be trouble pulling boat up ramp with RWD dually. Does anyone have experience with heavy boat with RWD dually?

BTW GMC offers locking differential what's the problem with Dodge?

 

Remember, Duallies spread the load over 4 contact patches instead of two.
Where a single rear wheel truck might get up a wet ramp, a similarly loaded Dually will probably spin.

 

My thinking was that duallies would provide double the traction and be less apt to spin. You have a point that I had not considered! Thanks for the info. I don't anticipate a problem if the Lance is on board, just when towing and pulling up ramp empty.

 

That's the purpose of tread on tires. They allow the displaced water a place to go so the rubber can contact the road. If you were at speed with slick tires then 2 wheels would be better than 4 but on a boat ramp with good tires then 4 is better than 2.

Edwin

 

Empty, they spin easier, more floatation, hydroplaning. Weighed down with a boat, it aught to bite in though. Also if it's a heavier trailer. If the ramp you use is frequently mossy, I'd get 4wd anyway. With the weight of that heavy engine over the front axle, those wheels bite right in.

 

Tread on tires doesn't eliminate the weight distribution problem on wet pavement.
You STILL wind up with 1/4 of the weight VS 1/2 the weight of the rear on each tire either way.

 

My buddy has a 36' Sonic (cigarette style boat)and a truck identical to mine. I have helped him launch and remove his boat from the river many times at the public boat launch. Even with a ribbed concrete surface on the launch I found it nessasary to slip the truck into 4WD to get up the ramp. I would go for the 4x4 or bring a tow strap

 

get a 4x4 anyway. its nice to have.

 

I have a 03 auto dually and pulled a 10500# 29' Striper up quite a steep ramp and never spun a wheel. I had to back in quite aways to center the boat on trailer.so the tires were wet also. Just my .02

Jim

 

My Ford CC 4x2 dooley didn't have a problem pulling the Formula up nice developed boat ramps, but if there was any kind of gravel nearby, it would be touch and go at times. But I will say that it pulled it out every time - but did have the tow strap at the ready a couple of times.

My lil brother has never had any issues pulling his Cigarettes or Scarabs out of the water with 4x2 doolies either (that he'd admit to anyways...).

That being said, 4x4 is the cats meow.......

 

One time I had to ask a couple guys to jump up on my back bumper to add another 400 pounds on the tail end. Other than that, no problem. That was a very steep ramp.

 

What's wrong with the LSD ?
I have a locker in my 95 Ram, but I wouldn't put one in a Dually. Load that sucker down and get the locker locked up... If you are on dry pavement and turn, somethings got to give. At least with an LSD it gives.

 

Never had a problem with my parents I/0 weighs about 4800 or 5200 on Trailer I believe??? somewhere there. Dad always pulled it with his F350 Dually, or previous 3500 GMC Dually, never had a problem, I do remember the GM slipping just a little when it was nothing but sand. I pulled the same boat with my old F150 and never had a problem. (That little 300 with the 2.73 rear end and 5 speed had to snort to go up steep ramps though ) You could smell clutch at the top.

I don't even bother putting the Dodge in 4x4 to pull that boat out.

 

" They allow the displaced water a place to go so the rubber can contact the road."

You put water in your tires!?!?!?!

 

What else would you put in them ?