Boats, boat ramps, 4WD, open differentials

[Probity]

A question for you boat owners/boat ramp users out there……

I’m thinking of buying a new ’23 XLT regular cab long bed OGT (Old Guy Truck). It has a weirdly-optioned powertrain (3.3L 4WD with 3.73 open rear differential) but price is good all things considered. I don’t really want or need 4WD (don’t off-road, don’t live in snow country, don’t have a boat) – but – with a view towards future resale desirability, a very high percentage of truck owners where I live (south LA) do have boats and their trucks are either (a) 4WD or (b) 2WD with E-locker rear differential.

And I’ve completely struck out finding within a 1000 miles any new ’23 XLT regular cabs with 2WD and an E-locker.

For those of you who regularly launch/recover boats from boat ramps – would you/did you ever consider a 4WD F-150 with an open rear differential? Or was the open diff a deal-killer?

My current ride is an ’18 2WD with an E-locker and quite a few folks here with boats have told me they feel fine with this setup on boat ramps (assuming tires are appropriate and ramp isn’t super-steep or super-slimely).

What say you?

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[FirstFord]

A question for you boat owners/boat ramp users out there……

I’m thinking of buying a new ’23 XLT regular cab long bed OGT (Old Guy Truck). It has a weirdly-optioned powertrain (3.3L 4WD with 3.73 open rear differential) but price is good all things considered. I don’t really want or need 4WD (don’t off-road, don’t live in snow country, don’t have a boat) – but – with a view towards future resale desirability, a very high percentage of truck owners where I live (south LA) do have boats and their trucks are either (a) 4WD or (b) 2WD with E-locker rear differential.

And I’ve completely struck out finding within a 1000 miles any new ’23 XLT regular cabs with 2WD and an E-locker.

For those of you who regularly launch/recover boats from boat ramps – would you/did you ever consider a 4WD F-150 with an open rear differential? Or was the open diff a deal-killer?

My current ride is an ’18 2WD with an E-locker and quite a few folks here with boats have told me they feel fine with this setup on boat ramps (assuming tires are appropriate and ramp isn’t super-steep or super-slimely).

What say you?

I have needed - and used 4WD when recovering a boat.

Not every boat ramp is identical. Some are steeper than others. Some are more popular than others, so the actual ramp gets pretty soaked. Some boats are heavier than others. I have spun my tires more than once pulling a boat out, and used 4WD to address it.

 

[Sneezy]

A question for you boat owners/boat ramp users out there……

I’m thinking of buying a new ’23 XLT regular cab long bed OGT (Old Guy Truck). It has a weirdly-optioned powertrain (3.3L 4WD with 3.73 open rear differential) but price is good all things considered. I don’t really want or need 4WD (don’t off-road, don’t live in snow country, don’t have a boat) – but – with a view towards future resale desirability, a very high percentage of truck owners where I live (south LA) do have boats and their trucks are either (a) 4WD or (b) 2WD with E-locker rear differential.

And I’ve completely struck out finding within a 1000 miles any new ’23 XLT regular cabs with 2WD and an E-locker.

For those of you who regularly launch/recover boats from boat ramps – would you/did you ever consider a 4WD F-150 with an open rear differential? Or was the open diff a deal-killer?

My current ride is an ’18 2WD with an E-locker and quite a few folks here with boats have told me they feel fine with this setup on boat ramps (assuming tires are appropriate and ramp isn’t super-steep or super-slimely).

What say you?

I have the exact same spec (3.3 V6, 4WD w/3.73 open diff) and I’ve never had a problem at the boat launch. Although my boat is too big to tow (40ft) so I only launch/retrieve my jet ski’s at the boat launch. It probably depends on how heavy the boat is. I do regularly haul 5k-7k on my equipment trailer and my truck does just fine. If you had a V8 truck 20 years ago it will be the similar in performance, you won’t be smoking anyone at the stoplight, but it will still get work done ??

 

[JExpedition07]

I have the locker and have never used it at the launch, I just put it in 4H. I’ve only used the locker to start going in light snow when I don’t want to use 4WD

 

[ks54703]

Look at the sticker for the small difference in Fuel mileage.
You height requirements for getting in and out. Power boards are available for the 4x4.

In 2004 Dad bought a 2004 F150 Heritage RCLB 4x4 V6. which was the 1997-2004 design.

He drove it and when we went visiting the kids drove Dad in Dad's truck.
We are talking from the Upper Peninsula down to Florida and from the east coast to SW Missouri and everything in-between. All of the kids had equal or better vehicles but we drove Dad in Dad's truck.

Dad didn't need a 4x4 but it did come in handy more than one would think.

 

[air2mag]

I always use 4x4 on the boat ramp. If you start to spin things can go sideways really fast. I’d rather not get in that position.

 

[scott011422]

I have always used 4HI once I'm aligned with the ramp and descending into the water. Also when pulling out of the water. I've seen way too many videos of people getting stuck and or sliding into the water due to wet rear tires. I also had an electric line lock kit on my last truck so once I'm in the water and launching or recovering my boat, Im not relying on the wet rear tires keeping me from sliding into the water. Lots and Lots of videos of trucks being winched out of the water with locked rear tires. (Truck slid while in park) This truck is hard to easily line lock though with everything being built into one unit. There isn't a Master line line on my '05.

I definitely wouldn't buy a non 4x4 truck. Open diff though? Thats an odd combo to find in this day and age. we get alot of snow and ice here in Chicago land. That wouldn't necessary be a deal breaker, But it would have to be a good deal!

 

[cheesedogf150]

4A tow haul mode on my PB to pull ~7500 lbs out of the water no prob on any of the launches I have tried.

I have not needed to lock the rear. Never tried 2H either. I just have a habit of enabling 4A anytime I’m pulling the boat.

 

[powerboatr]

well
we lived in FLORIDA almost all my boating time
we had 4x4 trucks. the 4h and 4L got used almost every time we put her in or took her out
seaweed, sand, fish guts etc made it slippery
wife would back trailer down, i drove up on and hooked her up, she idled out in 4l , got to top and shift to 4h, or 2h.. easy peasy no stress no spinning of tires..

 

[Chili]

Just an FYI, the 2024 XL regular cabs I have a lot more options than the 2023 and mostly at a better price. It might be worth buying new and getting the 2.7 l as it's now standard

 

[RobertD]

I would rather have 4WD with open diffs than a 2WD with a E-locker for pulling boats out of the water. The front wheels will have more traction on a boat ramp. Depending on your boat and the ramp having the e-locking rear on the 4WD would probably never be needed.

 

[Michael1955]

Locker or not…a slimey ramp will play havoc with both… the line lock that’s available on the front wheels will save you if you get out of your truck to self launch…I do feel more confident with 4wd engaged but if you’re on a short ramp or a ramp with a drop off due to prop wash…you’re going to need a buddy with a tow strap

 

[Vin]

....with a view towards future resale desirability, a very high percentage of truck owners where I live (south LA) do have boats and their trucks are either (a) 4WD or (b) 2WD with E-locker rear differential.

What say you?

Not trying to be curt, but most used truck buyers won't have the slightest idea what you are talking about if you start extolling the virtues of your truck's open/E-locker rear differential. They (or the trading dealer) will care whether or not is 4WD or 2WD. I ordered mine with a locking diff because I need it, but owner number 2 doesn't care (statistically speaking).

 

[Brian_XLT]

Picture is worth 1000 words. Just one of the lakes I fish. All the ramps suck. If you dont have 4wd you better stay home and watch Bill Dance or Roland Martin.

 

[powerboatr]

Locker or not…a slimey ramp will play havoc with both… the line lock that’s available on the front wheels will save you if you get out of your truck to self launch…I do feel more confident with 4wd engaged but if you’re on a short ramp or a ramp with a drop off due to prop wash…you’re going to need a buddy with a tow strap

i had a set of chocks for driver side front wheel, on a cord so as we drove fwd it dragged to a spot right under the drivers door, for those times we both had to get out of truck.

nothing says pucker like rear wheels locked and truck sliding towards the water,
another reason to leave it in 4l if you get out


i am lucky
my wife almost always backed the boat down the ramp, i sat there like a passenger , then backed boat off,
made getting in an out f the water a breeze

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