making it back up the ramp

[Gfriedman]

I have seen many posts in here about people who don't make it back up the ramp. mostly resulting in their tires spinning and them needing help from others. I am kind of new to boating and going to pick up my first boat in two weeks. i will be towing it with a 4 x 4 jeep grand Cherokee. its not a big boat, but a 17' star craft bow rider. it only weights about 1300 empty, maybe 2000 with trailer and gas. <br /><br />will i have trouble making it up the ramp? <br /><br />i know i need to put the 4 wheel drive on and pull the e-brake before taking the car out of drive to load. anything i am missing?<br /><br />thanks to all of the great posts in this forum, i am trying to be EXTRMELY cautius, to the point where all of my friends are making fun of me. i don't care though, don't want my car to lose to the ramp!

 

[496 Cubic Inches]

Re: making it back up the ramp

I don't think you'll have any problems pulling out of the water. You may not even need 4WD,I rarely have to use 4WD when launching/retrieving my boat. Typically the only time I need 4WD is when the tide goes out on a saltwater ramp and the ramp is covered in slimy green seaweed.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: making it back up the ramp

When it comes to boating, you can never be too cautious. As for pulling the boat out...Piece of cake with your tow vehicle....

 

[artburr]

Re: making it back up the ramp

I agree with previous replies!

 

[Silvertip]

Re: making it back up the ramp

Depends on the ramp and whether your Jeep has a locking rear differential. As suggested you may never need 4WD. If you ever get into a steep unimproved, sandy, muddy ramp then it may be required. You have it -- therefore use it when required.

 

[hal2814]

Re: making it back up the ramp

I've been on some pretty steep sandy ramps with a similar sized boat behind my Cherokee (NOT Grand). If it can handle that sort of thing (and itmost certainly can), the Grand should have no problems, even without locking diffs and 4X4.

 

[Gfriedman]

Re: making it back up the ramp

thanks for the help. looking forward to my first launch. will let you know how it went.