The few times I've used 4x4, I would have been up a creek without it, so....

^^ This. I've used it twice on a ramp, but would have been in big trouble if I didn't have it.

Biggest thing if you go 2WD make d**n sure it has a posi rearend.  I had a brand new 1997 F150 that I bought specifically to pull my 21ft Stratos when I was tournament fishing and didn't pay attention to what rearend was in the truck.  I loved the colors, interior, new body style, etc.  I wanted this truck bad and got it.  One day we put in at Pickwick State park ramp and when we were returning it started storming.  This ramp gets extremely slick when it gets wet and I took a good ten minutes and just a bout burned a new tire off trying to get that boat back up the ramp with the pegleg rear that was in the truck

I believe it's the extra drag more so than the extra weight

 

thats what they say, but, why extra drag?? many 4x4s have the front wheels free from the front drive shaft, either automatic or using manual locking hubs... for instance, on my jeep, i have manual hubs, therefore, when they are free and it is in 2H, i can manually rotate the front drive shaft, since it is not engaged with the transfer, and the inner shafts are not engaged with the tires... when i put it in 4H or 4L, the transfer case engages with the front drive shaft, but still the tires are free from the inner shafts... i need to manually put the hubs in LOCK to engage them to the shafts...

 

therefore, there is NO extra drag from it when the hubs are in FREE, the front drive shaft doesnt even turns when the jeep is moving...

I think I've found..... "The One" 

 

Going to look today, '06 Super Crew F150 4x4.  Less than about 9.5k miles driven per year.  Let's see how it goes.  

Years ago, I went from a 4x4 to a 4x2 telling myself I didn't need a 4x4.  That was a very costly

mistake, and I got stuck a hundred times.  It doesn't happen anymore, as I changed back to a 4x4,

and now drive a 4x4 Tundra.

I pulled a 21' Sylvan center console with a 1990 F-150 and a 6 cylinder motor, 5 speed manual, 355:1 limited slip 2wd, from the Ohio river to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and never had a problem, in, out, running County, State, and Interstate speeds, and ramps from low and shallow to deep and steep,,,,, there were a couple times I would spin the tires on sandy lake Michigan ramps, but never was in question coming or going, could not have done it any better with anything else. I also averaged 16-17mpg, and was quite happy with that. Before that I pulled a 17' Sylvan ELIMINATOR, to the same places with a S-10 V-6 automatic, 4wd. The S-10 did just as good and never failed me.  Those were my Lake Erie Smallmouth and road riggs, in 1996 I decided to start pulling my 25' Sport Fisherman (6800 lbs.) to other Lakes and used our F-350 Power Stroke Diesel (we already had to pull our over 15,000 lbs. 36' 5th wheel) , but I could have used a Full size V-8 with a small block, but I am sure it wouldn't have delivered the 14mpg I got with the big diesel.  

 

You should be fine with any truck you choose. From mid size to full size, I would prefer at least a 6 cylinder engine, and limited slip rear axle, or 4wd,,,,,your choice. That "06" F-150 is more than you need, and will be very happy with it!!

Well I hope Ill be happy. Cause its sitting in the drive.

Might have to ditch the Tonneau cover. Its the liggter weight Undercover Classic.

Eye candy

Thanks to all who had input. I miss my Subaru something awful, but a new found love is growing.

I pulled a 21' Sylvan center console with a 1990 F-150 and a 6 cylinder motor, 5 speed manual, 355:1 limited slip 2wd, from the Ohio river to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and never had a problem, in, out, running County, State, and Interstate speeds, and ramps from low and shallow to deep and steep,,,,, there were a couple times I would spin the tires on sandy lake Michigan ramps, but never was in question coming or going, could not have done it any better with anything else. I also averaged 16-17mpg, and was quite happy with that. Before that I pulled a 17' Sylvan ELIMINATOR, to the same places with a S-10 V-6 automatic, 4wd. The S-10 did just as good and never failed me.  Those were my Lake Erie Smallmouth and road riggs, in 1996 I decided to start pulling my 25' Sport Fisherman (6800 lbs.) to other Lakes and used our F-350 Power Stroke Diesel (we already had to pull our over 15,000 lbs. 36' 5th wheel) , but I could have used a Full size V-8 with a small block, but I am sure it wouldn't have delivered the 14mpg I got with the big diesel.  

 

You should be fine with any truck you choose. From mid size to full size, I would prefer at least a 6 cylinder engine, and limited slip rear axle, or 4wd,,,,,your choice. That "06" F-150 is more than you need, and will be very happy with it!!

The older Ford  inline 6 was  bulletproof