Anyone launch with a 2WD Tahoe or Yukon?

[H2O]

Yea, I know it all depends on the ramp and the rig weight (i.e. don't try this at Site 6!), but found a huge number of threads on THT about launching with 2WD vs 4WD, and was surprised to read most people said "no problem" with their 2WD pick-up. Lots of those guys were launching 25-28' deep CC's with twins, and one was a professional boat transporter.

I've only ever launched with 4WD or AWD, but a buddy offered a good deal on a 2WD Yukon and got me thinking.

If so many guys on THT were doing fine with 2WD pick-ups...

Do the 2WD Yukon & Tahoes have enough weight over the rear wheels to handle most ramps in our area? with say a 5000-6000# boat/trailer weight?

 

[Bobby V]

I have a 95' 2 door Tahoe and a 2003' 4 door Tahoe. Both are 4wd. Never used 4wd to launch / retrieve my 25' Eliminator Eagle in either of them.

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

We have a 2WD Nissan Armada and have never had an issue pulling our 22 Offshore up any ramp. Pretty sure those trucks have traction control too.

SUV's are not pick up trucks.

 

[throttle]

For over 10 years my tahoe was my launch vehicle at the marina. Triple axle trailer and boat might have been close to 5000lbs wet. Never had problems, but only launched at lake Havasu marina.

 

[DWC]

Launched our Magic for 5 yrs and the ETicket for the first 6 mos with the Expedition. The ramp definitely matters but so do the tires and correct hitch height. Towing from Needles to Havasu was more of a concern than launching.

 

[H2O]

Launched our Magic for 5 yrs and the ETicket for the first 6 mos with the Expedition. The ramp definitely matters but so do the tires and correct hitch height. Towing from Needles to Havasu was more of a concern than launching.

OK dumb question, what was the issue towing to Havasu? The e-ticket was was too much boat for the Expedition?

 

[DWC]

OK dumb question, what was the issue towing to Havasu? The e-ticket was was too much boat for the Expedition?

Yeah, it was way too heavy for the expedition. Loaded up it's pretty damn heavy.

 

[3.Slow]

Never had any issues pulling the boat out with our Expedition in 2wd, backing it in was a different story last weekend. My wife normally backs the boat in and parks the trailer, in Sunday we were launching at Princess cove on Mohave, turned around at the bottom, when she touched the brakes going back the front tires locked up and stated sliding. So just keep in mind what the tongue weight will do to your front traction.

 

[ChiliPepperGarage]

You don't need 4 wheel drive......until you need it! D

That said, I think you would be fine with a 2wd Tahoe especially if you are at Havasu.

All my tow rigs are 4x4's but I hardly ever have to use it. A couple times at ocean ramps that were slimy or steep and I just wanted to use low range for the extra grunt pulling a big boat out.

One thing a lot of people don't know how to do is modulate brake/throttle. Instead of using your right foot on the brake and then quickly trying to take it off the brake and stab the throttle causing a lurching sudden acceleration and wheel spin you should use your left foot on the brake and right foot on throttle, slowly giving it gas until the converter is loading up. Then slowly release the brake as you give it more gas.

This will move the truck out smoothly and will also help engage the LSD if your truck is equipped with one. This also applies if you are off roading with an auto trans. :thumbsup

 

[Abc123]

I launched a 28' deck boat several times at the Islander with a 2WD Tahoe.

 

[Englewood]

I launch a 28' Magic routinely on a slippery ramp with a 2wd Tahoe. It pulls it out no problem and doesn't even spin the tires if you go slow.

 

[Kailuaboy89]

We launch my rollbar boat at 4000lbs with my GFs 2002 4 door Tahoe,2 wheel drive and it seems to do just fine even on a steep ramp. :thumbsup

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

2wd v6 4Runner (an 04 and a 16) launching our 23 foot Cobra. It has never even spun the tires at the Marina or Windsor. The key is light, steady throttle application.

The SUV has MORE weight over the rear tires than a comparable truck.

 

[ACS]

I have used my wife's 2 WD Tahoe to retrieve my 30' predator at havasu marina, Catherine's landing and Bolder beach launch ramp with no problems. The boat weighs in at 7300 Lbs. With my F250 I need to use 4 WD. The weight over the axle makes all the difference. Site 6 however 4WD is a must.

 

[havasunuts]

Yea, I know it all depends on the ramp and the rig weight (i.e. don't try this at Site 6!), but found a huge number of threads on THT about launching with 2WD vs 4WD, and was surprised to read most people said "no problem" with their 2WD pick-up. Lots of those guys were launching 25-28' deep CC's with twins, and one was a professional boat transporter.

I've only ever launched with 4WD or AWD, but a buddy offered a good deal on a 2WD Yukon and got me thinking.

If so many guys on THT were doing fine with 2WD pick-ups...

Do the 2WD Yukon & Tahoes have enough weight over the rear wheels to handle most ramps in our area? with say a 5000-6000# boat/trailer weight?

We've been launching boats for 10 years with 2WD Tahoe's and have never had an issue at Windsor or the Marina. Wife's owned a 2006 Yukon XL 2009 Tahoe LT and now has a 2016 LT. We've pulled a 2009 Magic Deck and our current 2009 Scepter.

 

[JayBreww]

Set the E-brake maybe 1/4 way if using 2 wheel drive [emoji1303]

 

[old rigger]

Set the E-brake maybe 1/4 way if using 2 wheel drive [emoji1303]

You beat me to it and you're absolutely right.

 

[RogerThat99]

I was using a 4WD Tahoe, but always retrieved in 2WD with no problems. One day it was a problem...I could not get the boat out of the water in the Tahoe in 2WD at a ramp I had launched at a million times. I tried every trick to get the rig moving in 2WD, but couldn't get it. I had to use 4WD for the first time retrieving. The ramp must of had something on it. I don't know the weight of my boat, but it is much less than 5,000 lbs.

Like was said above, you don't need 4wd, until you do. [emoji1]

 

[wsuwrhr]

Set the E-brake maybe 1/4 way if using 2 wheel drive [emoji1303]

You beat me to it and you're absolutely right.

Yep, soooouper bad ass idea. Goes forward under power, cant roll backwards easily.

Never heard it before. IMA test it and put it in the routine.

 

[wsuwrhr]

Ive only spun on Crazy Horses ramp and only use 4WD on that one now.

Otherwise, everywhere else, now sweat with a 2WD Yukon XL and a 5k boat