[TooTall]

I have a 2WD Armada and was wondering if I will be encountering any issues if I attempt to launch and recover a boat, speaking in terms of wheel traction. Since its only RWD, I'm visualizing the wheels slipping trying to get traction under water. Can anyone testify to this?

 

[ggeorgie]

I have a 2WD Armada and was wondering if I will be encountering any issues if I attempt to launch and recover a boat, speaking in terms of wheel traction. Since its only RWD, I'm visualizing the wheels slipping trying to get traction under water. Can anyone testify to this?

tootall, their is a thread about this by tripleblack, check it out it might answer your question?

 

[armoody]

tootall, their is a thread about this by tripleblack, check it out it might answer your question?

Deja Vu.
Pulling a boat out with 2 wheel drive isn't that big of a deal on most ramps. You might get a little wheel spin, but with VDC (traction control) I would think that would even be less of an issue. The biggest drawback is launching on dirt ramps and right from beaches, like on reservoirs when the water level is low, then 4x is definitely nice.

Under water is not really any different than wet pavement. It's not the water, its the moss and other crap that might make it more slippery.

When you take a boat for a test drive tell the dealer ( if its a new boat) that you want to use the Mada to pull it and launch it and then you'll get a better idea. Do that before you go to the boat show and buy a boat without putting it in the water.

 

[Copernic]

I have seen it done

I have seen it done in the Florida Keys with a 2 wd Mada. The wheels were in the water and I did not notice any problems. Think about it, if there were big issues why would nissan build a tow package for a 2wd truck? I saw a show on tv named trucks where they discussed that issue. In fact I remember they explained that 4wd was not neccesary to lower a boat on a ramp. They had different trucks of all kinds which they were testing.

The most challenging scenario was a wet ramp which they recreated with a water hose and a heavy boat. 4wd did not do very good. They only one that made with no problems was the truck with another sort of VDC which I can not recall. Not 4wd.

 

[wwjdwithca]

I have a 2WD Armada and was wondering if I will be encountering any issues if I attempt to launch and recover a boat, speaking in terms of wheel traction. Since its only RWD, I'm visualizing the wheels slipping trying to get traction under water. Can anyone testify to this?

Yes, you absolutely can run into trouble. The flatter the ramp the less problems you are likely to incurr. However, it doesn't mean your never going to run into problems. A little algae can go a long way not being able to get even a fiarly light boat out of the water.

I was once fishing (17' fibreglass outboard fishing boat) with my brother-in-law and he had a two wheel drive S-10 (no limited slip), and we coudn't get the boat off the ramp. A little Ram D-50 4WD pulled him out! About a month latter he had a 4WD.

Most of the time you'll be OK, but the one time you have problems would be worth the cost of a 4x4. Since you already have a 4x2 I would reccommend that you use landings that you've tried before, and when you try them ask someone with another vehicle (can be any type of vehicle) to come along and bring a heavy-duty rope or chain.

I went threw the same issues when I bought my Armada. I'm not going to be doing much 4 wheeling with my truck, and I live in SC, what do I need a 4x4 for? Anxiety. I never have to worry now.

 

[92TripleBlack]

I have seen it done in the Florida Keys with a 2 wd Mada. The wheels were in the water and I did not notice any problems. Think about it, if there were big issues why would nissan build a tow package for a 2wd truck? I saw a show on tv named trucks where they discussed that issue. In fact I remember they explained that 4wd was not neccesary to lower a boat on a ramp. They had different trucks of all kinds which they were testing.

The most challenging scenario was a wet ramp which they recreated with a water hose and a heavy boat. 4wd did not do very good. They only one that made with no problems was the truck with another sort of VDC which I can not recall. Not 4wd.

BS test. Boat ramps are covered with slippery slime. Boat has the water tension holding it in the water. Much harder to pull. A 5k boat acts more like a 10k boat when in the water. I've seen many people jump up and down on their bumpers to get traction in their Rams because they have 4x2. If you think you may be marginal, use shallow draft ramps and ones with traction ribs on them.

 

[Gh0sT]

Yes, you absolutely can run into trouble. The flatter the ramp the less problems you are likely to incurr. However, it doesn't mean your never going to run into problems. A little algae can go a long way not being able to get even a fiarly light boat out of the water.

I was once fishing (17' fibreglass outboard fishing boat) with my brother-in-law and he had a two wheel drive S-10 (no limited slip), and we coudn't get the boat off the ramp. A little Ram D-50 4WD pulled him out! About a month latter he had a 4WD.

Most of the time you'll be OK, but the one time you have problems would be worth the cost of a 4x4. Since you already have a 4x2 I would reccommend that you use landings that you've tried before, and when you try them ask someone with another vehicle (can be any type of vehicle) to come along and bring a heavy-duty rope or chain.

I went threw the same issues when I bought my Armada. I'm not going to be doing much 4 wheeling with my truck, and I live in SC, what do I need a 4x4 for? Anxiety. I never have to worry now.

I would have to agree. Since you are on a 4x2, I have seen lots of other cars in 4x2 did do a sucessful launch. But try to stick with prefabricated foundations. I mean by gravel landings. That is your safest bet. For now, just have a friend throw out his 4x2 then you give it a try