Hey Guys,

I just got a small 10 foot plastic boat with a small trailer, maybe 12 - feet long, total. The entire rig probably weighs about 500-600 lbs. I have an F150, 2 wheel drive to pull it. On lakes without a concrete or gravel ramp, I don't think I'm going to back the trailer into the mud since I don't have 4 wheel drive to pull it out. I think I'll just pull the boat off the trailer and launch from the ground. I'll load up the same way.  

What has been your experiences with a small boat with two wheel drive on the club lakes?

Will I be OK with a two wheel drive?

Are there lakes I shouldn't go to?

Any feedback would be great.

Thanks,

Kit

Kit, I fished my first 3-4 years in the club with a 2 wheel drive reg. Cab Chevy 1500.  I have no idea how I never got stuck lol.  That truck made it to a lot of club properties in wet conditions when I should’ve turned around.  I have 4x4 now and I don’t know how I ever fished without.  Maybe I was just more careful in the 2 wheel drive.  Just be smart about it where your launching.  Get out take a look at the ground etc.  I also always carried a 25’ tow rope just Incase.  Never had to use it.  But just be smart about the conditions.  

Kit. I have a 2X 4-Runner and I have been a member since 2010. The only place I have to watch about getting stuck is Escondido as there is a good drop off when the water is low. I also carry a tow rope and a winch that operates from the battery. 

Bill Fetech 

Danny summed it up very well. “It depends” but 4WD is a game changer. 2WD is a challenge in east and north Texas if you plan to put the trailer in the water. Austin and San Antonio tends to have more rock and hard ground making boat launching easier. When I became a member in 2002 I got stuck twice in 2 years. I bought 4WD in 2004 and have not been stuck launching a boat in 15 years. As Danny says get out and  check as the challenge with a 2 man plastic boat trailer is that the short length of the trailer; causing most folks to put the back truck tires in the water or very soft ground before the boat floats. 

Thanks Bill. Do you pull a trailer?

Thanks guys for the feedback, and thanks for taking the time to answer. There is no way I'm going to back the trailer into the mud with my two wheel drive. For now I'm gong to drag the boat off the trailer and launch by hand. I think I need a four wheel drive if I want to launch from the trailer from the bank. Have you seen the cost of four wheel drive trucks lately?

Kit. Yes I do pull a trailer. It is a McCain 12 ft trailer that I purchased at Academy. It does not have the hitch wheel so I added that which makes it much easier to unhitch the trailer to manually launch the kayak. 

Bill 

Thanks Bill. I'm curious, What lakes do you frequent? Central Texas? North Texas? East Texas? I fish primarily North and East Texas properties. Steve mentioned they could be a challenge in the wet season. I'm not going to back the trailer into the mud. I'll pull the boat off the trailer and launch. Thanks for the feedback.

Kit

Hi Kit,

The others have given you good advice regarding the launch with 2wd. You also want to consider the road into the lake. Granted I am pulling a heavy 17 ft with a 4WD Suburban and have not been stuck yet but I have had to do some 4wd tire spinning in deep rutted roads.  I have as much problem with some of the entry roads and tall wet grass as with the launch.  Some tricky lake roads that come to mind when it has rained at all or even a heavy dew: Timber Lake, Triple J, Oak Meadows, Alysha Ranch, Indian Hollow Ranch.  There may be others.  I would not even drive into these with 2WD after rain even without the boat. It just takes one little muddy hill or mud hole to ruin your trip.   My suggestion would be save up, bite the bullet, and buy yourself a 4WD fishing wagon.  The peace of mind will cover the extra cost of 4wd and you can go fish and launch pretty much anywhere even after a rain.  Good luck.   

Thanks Jim. Good advice. These ranch roads and fields can be really slick with a little rain. Even hard ground with a hole or a little mud on the top can get a 2wd stuck. A 4wd is the solution. Particularly in the spring when it is wet and that is best time to fis. Thanks.

Kit,

I pull a 13' fishing kayak (same as Bill's) with a 2WD F150 in east Texas.  Although my trailer is galvanized and has waterproof LED lights, the only place it has ever gone in the water is on a concrete ramp.  I routinely slide the kayak on and off the trailer and keep the trailer tires away from the edge.  Our 2WD trucks are at a disadvantage on wet/muddy ground vs a 4WD (I still bought one).  The advice given to get out and check the ground and to carry a tow strap is good. Look for ways to make your trailer more "dry-load" friendly.  I installed 3"PVC pipes running the length of my trailer for the kayak to slide on and it works well.  I line up the kayak from behind and start it onto the trailer and then move to the front and pull it in. I have seen guys with boats like yours install a small winch to help get the boat started onto the trailer.

John 

Thanks John. Good advice. I just bought a dolly that is made specifically for the boat. It will help me get the boat on and off the trailer. Once I get the bow up on the trailer I can crank it the rest of the way. The dolly will help with that. I wished I had a 4WD when the properties were wet even before i pulled the boat. I'll need to get a 4WD to be comfortable in all situations.

Thanks again for the feedback.

Kit

Kit. Sorry for the delayed response. I normally fish the properties around San Antonio and Austin. Sometimes I travel to Bryan to fish Blackjack and Post Oak. 

Bill