scared to death

[suzhol76]

You guys have me scared to death. I float around this site all the time looking at the stuff posted. I have an 02 Chevy Trailblazer with an inline 6 and a 87 chapparal to pull behind it. When my boyfriend and I towed it out of the water last weekend the truck just spun tires blew smoke and scared me to the point I abandoned ship. He thinks their must have been oil or gas on the ramp and once 4WD was on we made it up the ramp but all these videos and stories make me think Im gonna die when he pulls the trailer and boat out and Im on the boat!!:

 

[rheyboer]

Re: scared to death

Be afraid. Be very afraid.

 

[jasonh]

Re: scared to death

I'd put it in 4wd before backing down the ramp to pull the boat out. If you have a 4-low option, use that as well. There will be a dramatic decrease of drama.

 

[Hoss the Hermit]

Re: scared to death

Don't panic - adjust. And yes, put it in 4 Lo

 

[Windykid]

Re: scared to death

You guys have me scared to death. I float around this site all the time looking at the stuff posted. I have an 02 Chevy Trailblazer with an inline 6 and a 87 chapparal to pull behind it. When my boyfriend and I towed it out of the water last weekend the truck just spun tires blew smoke and scared me to the point I abandoned ship. He thinks their must have been oil or gas on the ramp and once 4WD was on we made it up the ramp but all these videos and stories make me think Im gonna die when he pulls the trailer and boat out and Im on the boat!!:

Welcome to Iboats

4wd no problem, also wheel chocks are a good idea!

 

[ddrieck]

Re: scared to death

I pull my 16' Starcraft with an old 1986 Ford F-250 4X4. Wife would spin the tires pulling out after we launch. I now put it 4 low before I back down the ramp. I now save a ton a money not having to replace the rear tires..

 

[PondTunes]

Re: scared to death

2wd Vehicles
If it's a manual shift transmission you might have him try setting the park brake, then as hes ready to pull out go ahead and let out on the clutch to load the engine. Just as the clutch is coming out release the park brake and he shouldn't have to jump on the gas/dump the clutch resulting in tire spin.

The same thing works in an automatic just put one foot on the park brake the other on the gas, as the vehicle starts to try to pull forward release the parking brake and pull out smooth.

4wd vehicles:
if you're spinning in 2wd use 4wd

 

[ziggy]

Re: scared to death

why be scared. it's just a hill. i don't have a 4x4. 2 wheel drive 1 ton van w/o positrac...bummer...only problem i've had recently was sliding down a ramp with full lock brakes. it was a shade wet and steep. i was becomeing concerned, but yer at the ramps mercy. slippery is slippery, whats ya gonna do. being able to stop is most important, and a 4x4 aint gonna cure that. coming out has so far always been the easy part.....

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: scared to death

You guys have me scared to death. I float around this site all the time looking at the stuff posted. I have an 02 Chevy Trailblazer with an inline 6 and a 87 chapparal to pull behind it. When my boyfriend and I towed it out of the water last weekend the truck just spun tires blew smoke and scared me to the point I abandoned ship. He thinks their must have been oil or gas on the ramp and once 4WD was on we made it up the ramp but all these videos and stories make me think Im gonna die when he pulls the trailer and boat out and Im on the boat!!:

Ahh this is to simple buy a Ford........

 

[Wellcraft222XL]

Re: scared to death

You shouldn't have too much trouble with that. I pull my Wellcraft (I figure ~6000lb) out without hardly any trouble on a very sandy ramp. I always use 4 low. It almost idles out. I think the key like others have said is the 4 low. Also, smooth throttle acceleration. Don't jump on it.

Jason

 

[kyle f]

Re: scared to death

I thought you werent suposed to use 4-lo on pavement

 

[Hoss the Hermit]

Re: scared to death

You are correct, but in that application it means "dry, firm surfaces". Also, not over 10 mph

 

[newbie4life]

Re: scared to death

I thought you werent suposed to use 4-lo on pavement

Nope. You're supposed to wait until the boat pulls you into the drink, then it's o.k. to put it in 4-low.

 

[brother chris]

Re: scared to death

When I back my boat in, or take it out, and I am using a 4X4, I always have it in 4Low or 4HIGH....it's just easier

 

[tjl76evinrude]

Re: scared to death

being 4wd your main issue seems to be being smooth on the throttle. that i-6 does try to put some good torque out and it'll spin the tires quick. like was mentioned above, load up the drive trane as your easing out of the e-brake. dont wait until the vehicle is rolling back before you go to the gas. stepping on it is only going to make the tires spin and possibly getting you a really thorough car wash.

 

[kyle f]

Re: scared to death

I just use 4 hi for pulling out. I always have my hubs locked in just in case... so its a flick of the stick away, but I haven't had the need to use it going down. Don;t know if I needed it or not coming out though, I ust feel better with it on.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: scared to death

Nope. You're supposed to wait until the boat pulls you into the drink, then it's o.k. to put it in 4-low.

Funny !!!! LOL
I still use 2WD so far and have not had the need to use 4WD, however I intend to try it to see the difference.

 

[fishdog4449]

Re: scared to death

I have a 1996 Ford F-150 XLT, inline-6, Rear Wheel Drive, Manual
Never have any problems pulling my '18 Glassmaster out of the ramp

 

[newbie4life]

Re: scared to death

I have a 1996 Ford F-150 XLT, inline-6, Rear Wheel Drive, Manual
Never have any problems pulling my '18 Glassmaster out of the ramp

We used to have a restored '71 chev pickup (2wd) to pull our boat, with a three on the tree. It worked great, but there were a few 'white knuckle experiences' with it, while trying to come outta the lake.

A fella once told me, 'It works great until it doesn't. Then, it's only gotta fail once before you form a different opinion.'

I went a different route. I bought an AWD 2003 Silverado. Now, I don't have to worry.

 

[External Combustion]

Re: scared to death

I have only used rear wheel drives while launching and retrieving boats. They have ranged from a Renault R10 to a twin screw Peterbuilt. The only sliding I have encountered was on a very heavy algea growth with hard highway tires. Since the last slide was while launching, I have since made a habit of checking the ramp condition before committing to the launch.

It may seem silly, but on a few occasions with a heavy boat on a questionable ramp I have put the tire chains on. The chains cut through the slime easily and only takes a few minutes to put on and take off. I have put up with some ribbing, but I have not had anyone take a picture of my rig getting an unintended car wash.

Slowly accelerating and de-accelerating is the key even in good conditions.

I have found out that slope of the Corp of Engineers ramps are 8 degrees. Ramps built by others seem to be close to this, but I have found a steep one that was 13 degrees and a shallow one is just under 4 degrees. That 4 degree one is being rebuilt as many cars have been damaged because the floorboards of the car are under water before the boat is off the bunkers.