I was talking to a few people and they sugested if I get a bigger boat I should use 4 low to back the boat into the driveway. Seems smart because the gears will be lower but I read in the manual that I was supposed to only use 4 wd in slippery conditions like rain sand or snow. What should I do when backing it up?

https://www.f150online.com/galleries...511-141870.jpg

 

In a straight line, 4 low would be fine regardless of the surface you're on, in my opinion anyway. If it were feasible, I'd get the boat lined up to your driveway in 2 High, then 4 Low it up the driveway itself.

 

If you are not having a problem with tire spin it shouldn't make a difference. My truck doesn't turn as well when in 4WD. It's not gonna hurt the truck to put it in 4WD to back up the boat. If the engine and tranny are working hard to back the boat up into the drive, drop it into 4WDL.

Happy Trucking

 

Like the others have said, it's not going to hurt anything putting it in 4LOW on dry surfaces as long as you're not doing some serious turning.

From the pics, it doesn't look like the driveway is all that steep. I think you'd be fine in 2WD.


THW420
eTraffic Team

 

I have a steep driveway and when I have my atvs or old mustang on a car hauler I usually back up my driveway so I don't have to turn the truck and trailer once I am on the driveway. I drop mine in 4lo to reduce strain on the engine and tranny from the heavy load.

 

My friend ALWAYS use 4-low for boat ramp. he kept said " YOU NEVER KNOW YOU LL BE SCREWED! and also safe insurance" cuz he was almost going for swimming but 4 low saved his a$$ ! hehe...

He has no problem for couple of years. (his truck is 2000 F150).

Do not floor it.. just slow...go easy on pedal.

YOMAN!

 

that driveway doesnt seem all that steep, i dont see why 2wd wouldnt do the trick just fine all the way back. if the truck seems like it's struggling alot then i'd switch over to 4wd.

 

2wd is all you need to back that boat in. The driveway is not that steep. just have to modulate the gas pedal some.

 

No way you need 4lo to back up that.

Besides, to get the boat exactly where you want it you'll have to be turning the wheel back and forth to direct the boat- exactly what you don't want to do in 4WD, on a hard surface, unless an undamaged drivetrain isn't all that important to you.

I cannot imagine any reason for even considering low range for backing that thing up.

 

steep? rofl

 

That is my old boat the one I am planning is a much bigger heavier boat. Thats why I asked. I am glad nobody thinks it is steep. I was starting to think I was nuts keeping the boat like that. If I drove on the lawn would I the tires dig in the the lawn and wreck it. Maybe I can just drive on the grass.

 

That driveway isn't too bad. I think that my parents' driveway is more steep than that, and dad use to back in a fiberglass Quachita in a VW Rabbit when I was little. Even when he had the way-underpowered '85 S-10 Blazer with 4WD, he didn't use 4WD to back it up the driveway.

You should be fine.

 

Thanks for the help guys.