Drifter tow rig - is 4x4 mandatory

[ampersat]

After a brief period of intense guilt, I think I'm going to be selling my 97 Dodge Dakota. The intense guilt stems from being the only person in it for my 40 miles of commute every day as I listen to the 318 suck on the gas tank. In the six some-odd months I've had it, it has towed the boat once, to the car wash. Once the boat is fixed up, I'll be getting it out more regularly but even then the bulk of my driving will still be my 40 mile daily commute.

But I still need something to tow the drifter with. I refuse to put a hitch on the wife's SUV if for no other reason than I don't want to have to worry about getting her steering wheel all gooped up with "bait hands".

So, do you consider 4x4 mandatory for launching and retrieving a drifter? Or does it just take one time stuck somewhere up to the axle with 2wd to convince you otherwise?

[River Ranger]

I don't know about mandatory but it has saved me a few time's.Ice or snow on ramps.Mud on ramp like sollie smith gets sometimes.I love it.
R.R.

[ORoutdoorsman]

Well, depending on what you want to replace your dakota with(yes, those 318 are about as bad on gas as you can get)you can get another newer vehicle, and an older, good condition 4x4 rig, and with the gas difference save yourself money. Or, if you like the truck, keep it and get an inexpensive transportation vehicle. Just a few alternatives to throw out there.

[Silver Hilton]

Originally posted by ampersat:


So, do you consider 4x4 mandatory for launching and retrieving a drifter? Or does it just take one time stuck somewhere up to the axle with 2wd to convince you otherwise?

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">Option b).

If you know the rivers you're fishing, you know the answer. I fished the sandy and washougal for two years, dragging a drift boat behind a volvo 242. Burned the clutch out, but I never got stuck.

[jimh]

I don't think 4 wheel drive is mandatory for towing a drifboat. However, many of the driftboat only type ramps are gravel or dirt. That isn't ideal traction, but doable for most cars if you have enough ground clearance.

You could always buy a little Suburu sedan since you don't really need much tow capacity for a driftboat.

[rock bottom]

You can purchase cheep slip over canvas seat covers to protect the interior(thanks John) and wear gloves when you fish that way you can slip them off and toss them at the end of the day, no mess,hands dont dry out,no humane scent. husky liner makes great rubber floor mats as well with edges so the water cant get out. my wife travels 40 miles per day as well and she drives the Honda for that one very reason GAS!!!

[rob allen]

umm My experience is that 4wd is VERY nice to have some of the launches and take outs are impossible in 2wd. It's rare that I ever ancually need my hubs turned in but i definetly need the low range gears. There are lots of places you don't need it but there isn't anyplace that it isn't useful.

The commute thing though makes it difficult.
a friend of mine has an AWD surabru that he really likes and it works in a lot of places a 2wd doesn't but it doesnl't have the low gears of a 4wd. I think your best option would be a compromise between 4wd and fuel efficiency. I think a toyota 4wd pickup fits the bill nicely. extremely reliable and comfortable. great for any boat ramp and not to terribly bad on gas.. They also run really good with egg goo on the steering wheel...

[ORoutdoorsman]

P.S. If you want one rig that is a truck, a Ford ranger v6 4x4 is a great rig for towing a light boat. It will tow great, and will get very good gas mileage!

[cutt plug]

I wouldn't go as far as saying mandatory, there's always those that use two-wheel drives without any problems. But in my experience I would definitely stay with a 4X4. I've been in too many sandy boat launches, snow going over the coastal pass, and many more.

I used to tow my drifter with a toyota 4X4, it also got good gas mileage.

Good luck with the new rig.

[Flatfish]

Mandatory? No.

4WD creates opportunity not available to those without.

Will I ever be without? Never again.

Mark and the posi trac dog.

[stevo]

If you can find an older toyota 2WD with the lockable rear differential you shouldn't get stuck anywhere. I had a buddy that had one in college and could go about anywhere a 4X4 could, except for the center clearance. Good luck finding one though, I don't think they have made them for several years. I have a ranger V6 4X4 and it yanks my drifter like it weren't there, has even towed a friends 20' fiberglas tub w/ '68 60hp Johnson sea horse no problem.

[Riverkeeper]

Amp,

I have only had to use 4WD to pull the drifter out once (at Dabney), but that one time I was sure glad I had it.

I think you're making the right decision by getting rid of the hog. I find it mindboggling that you see so many people in Ford Excessives and F350's and the like driving in to town on the freeways every morning. Always just one person in the rig, too. I wonder if those same people are driving up rock screes and hauling livestock and stuff on the weekends.

I think you would do well with one of the small pickups mentioned above. If it were me, I'd have a 5-10 yr old toyota- they are reliable, beefy enough for a drifter, and many get 20mpg or better. Actually, that is me. Thats exactly what I drive.

[skrimmy]

4x4 amp, the only way to go. And another vote for a Ranger 4x4 4 liter V6. I've had mine 7 years and when I replace it, it'll be for a newer model.

[StinkyH]

Originally posted by stevo:
If you can find an older toyota 2WD with the lockable rear differential you shouldn't get stuck anywhere. I had a buddy that had one in college and could go about anywhere a 4X4 could, except for the center clearance. Good luck finding one though, I don't think they have made them for several years. I have a ranger V6 4X4 and it yanks my drifter like it weren't there, has even towed a friends 20' fiberglas tub w/ '68 60hp Johnson sea horse no problem.

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">I'd agree on the locker rear diff - makes a huge difference. I have one in my land cruiser - can really crawl up stuff in 2WD - have suprised myself on a few occasions.

StinkyH

[mophile]

Since the Toyota pickup is racking up the votes so far, I will offer an alternative (just for variety). I will assume that you are not looking to go new, but that like most of us, you do not use your pickup bed that much. How about a post-91 Jeep Cherokee (not the Grand, the little one)? Granted, they do not get quite the gas mileage the little 4 cylinders get (I got about 17-18 in both mine), but the 4 liter straight six is truly indestructable. I have a friend with 265,000 miles on the original engine and he does shoddy oil changes (actually, I think he just adds oil when it is low). Lots of torque and room for more people, if that might be a concern. I have a Grand, but I miss my little Cherokees...they go anywhere you have the guts to try! My $.02

[Redbull]

Amp,

Buy my Subby. Make ya a screamin deal and it's tough to beat.

[Dinikin]

Originally posted by ampersat:
. The intense guilt stems from being the only person in it for my 40 miles of commute every day as I listen to the 318 suck on the gas tank.

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">It is nice that someone thinking about invironment. Saving GREEN leaves $$. :smile: :smile:

So, do you consider 4x4 mandatory for launching and retrieving a drifter? Or does it just take one time stuck somewhere up to the axle with 2wd to convince you otherwise?

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">Yep, a simple test will work, all it takes is not turning on 4WD on several of your favorit launches.

[spinner53]

Toyo 4-Runner........... had a 89 till some meh-head stole & wrecked it, got a 97 to replace it with,,, not too new..... it can get dirty without the better half grumbling too much..
[img]graemlins/icon_argue.gif[/img]

and best of all............

my 9 foot poles fit front to back without breaking them down

Ran a notched piece between the back seat rest, placed a tube between the notches for the hide a thingy retractable tarp deal, rods lay across them, run a rubberband around the base of the rods and the notches keep the fronts in place. I can usssually keep up to 5 rigs ready, and at least 4 more in halves stored to the outsides ( between the head rest post and even to the outside) Makes for easy transport of all the rods when draggin' the DB.

[freespool]

Amp, I've got an 88 Toyota 4x4 pickup for towing my drifter. Great gas mileage and fair yankability in those bad spots. But it's a no go for pulling my sled,Landcruiser steps up for that job.


salmon hugger

[metalhead madness]

F350 powerstroke 6.0 crewcab :grin: . Thats what you want. Acually I do have one but I bought a hyndia accent for 2300 gets 38 mpg and my son can use it to let him tear up the cheap rig

[tag-a-long]

Get a TUndra. Plenty of room, power, and pretty good mileage compared to the 318

[Space]

I have 4 children so we have a Suburban and a Mini Van. The mini van is what I us to tow the Drifter. The men, gear, boat and motor is no problem. I don't use it during the ice and snow days of course. There will have to be some sacrificing made if you give up your 4-wheeler.

SPACE

[James in Idaho]

Used to tow my 10 tent trailer with an '89 Toyota with a 4 banger. Didn't go fast, be it worked. After wreaking that one, upgraded to a '92 Toyota with the six, and that was a big improvement on the towing. Still not a V-8, but it got me where I wanted to go. Just purchased a '00 Toyota with the six, the slightly larger engine shows more power than the '92 (sold it with 206,000 on it), so it should tow everything I want to tow easily. Then again, there have be several days where I use 4WD just driving to work. If I didn't have the tent trailer, the same truck with a 4 cylinder would be ideal, but stay away from the automatic tranny. Should pull a drifter just fine, and be a lot more gas friendly than a 318.

[Dr Strangelove]

I'm on my second V-6 4Runner; not towing my sled, I can get around 19mpg on the highway. The 4wd system is excellent and this truck is second in reliability to none.

[STRIKE ZONE]

If you own and use a drift boat then it's a must to have some type of 4X4 rig.I've learned the hard way.Go buy your self a little cheap 50 mpg rig to get back and fourth to work and around town.Good luck,
STRIKE ZONE

[UmpquaSpecial]

I'm adding my two cents a little late here but after seeing all the advocates of 4x4's, I had to give some input. I tow my drifter with a 2-wheel Toyota Xcab and fish primarily the Sandy, Clack, and Wilson, along with a handful of other rivers. In the 5 years I've had the boat, I haven't needed 4-wheel drive once. There were several instances where I may have felt a little more at ease with a 4x4, but it always turned out fine. Besides, there's always someone around with a 4x4 waiting for an excuse to use it (i.e. tow). The Dabney ramp occassionally gets choked with soft sand, as you've probably experienced. I just call the parks dept. and they've respond asap. Nothing against 4x4's as I'll probably some day have one (a 4 door Tundra please). In the meantime, my two-wheel does just dandy.
Chris

[kayakfisher]

Hey Amp...

I'll tow your boat anytime, and pay for the gas too... for some lessons in rowing the thing properly.

A 4x4 is hard on gas, but still has some advantages...I actually have a high gas mileage vehile for daily use, and a 4x4 for the times it is needed.

Have fun...

M.

[STRIKE ZONE]

Why limit your self to improved launches,I'd feel stupid if I pulled out on a gravel bar and got stuck and had to ask for a tow,not only that but why screw up some one elses morning or after noon.Just my thought's on it.If ya ain't launching or retreiving on gravel bars to often then your missin out on some fine water and fishin.Good luck,
STRIKE ZONE