Traction at the ramp

[Dennis G]

I have a 2006, 2 wd Sierra 1500. Engine is a small 280 (more or less) V8. Truck manual states about 6500 lbs trailer pulling capacity. I am wondering if it will pull my 4000 lb (w/ all the gas and outboard) 20' Bayliner Trophy walkaround up a wet / slippery ramp. I have a tandem axle aluminum trailer. Would putting on a set of real chain snow chains (at the ramp) help if I have problems spinning out? I keep 6 - 5 gallon buckets in the bed so about 240 lbs of water . I'm sure, would be a big plus. There is just no weight in my 8' truck bed.

 

[sutor623]

Re: Traction at the ramp

I have a 2006, 2 wd Sierra 1500. I am wondering if it will pull my 4000 lb (w/ all the gas and outboard) 20' Bayliner Trophy walkaround up a wet / slippery ramp. I have a tandem axle aluminum trailer. Would putting on a set of real chain snow chains (at the ramp) help if I have problems spinning out? I keep 6 - 5 gallon buckets in the bed so about 240 lbs of water . I'm sure, would be a big plus. There is just no weight in my 8' truck bed.

What is the tow rating for that truck? The 5.3 has a tow rating of 8300lbs. The tongue weight should give you enough downward force as long as you winch the boat up a bit before trying to pull out. If you start spinning, most good marinas have a tractor that does valet that can pull you up. Just make sure there is no algae on the ramp, and if you start spinning and sliding downward you can always unstrap the boat, pull the truck up and let someone else yank her up for you.

 

[ricohman]

Re: Traction at the ramp

If you want some serious traction from a 2wd I would install an ARB or an e-locker in the rear diff.

 

[Dennis G]

Re: Traction at the ramp

Hey Pete, My truck has a 4.7 litre engine. Where I go, no tractors avail. and I would rather live at the boat ramp for the rest of time before I would have someone else pull it up. I used to pull this boat with my 5.7 litre GMC, 2 wd, with a very heavy 8' steel, high utility truck body on it. I'm guessing that plenty of weight added by filling those 5 gal buckets ( 5 gal ea. x 40 lbs ea. m/l) would be sufficient. It is just that the ramp is 75 miles away so I want to be sure. Crook salesman that sold me the truck said 10,500 towing capacity. I thought I was 350 engine. Didn't know until a year later that he lied to me for the sale. Never trust a car salesman.

 

[Dennis G]

Re: Traction at the ramp

If you want some serious traction from a 2wd I would install an ARB or an e-locker in the rear diff.

Never heard of that stuff but will research it. Thanks for reply.

 

[sutor623]

Re: Traction at the ramp

Never trust a car salesman.

Never trust a SALESMAN. So what does your owners manual say for tow cap for that truck? What is the gear ratio in the diff? Rico is right about the e-locker, but I would want to see if you could pull out without any issues before going through the trouble of breaking the diff open.

 

[sutor623]

Re: Traction at the ramp

Plus, I typically hear about Fwd cars at the boat ramp having issues, due to weight being taken off the front wheels, not typically Rwd, as long as you are in your tow margin. Add green algae to a ramp and even a Cummins Diesel would just slide right down.

 

[tomdinwv]

Re: Traction at the ramp

I'd just watch backing down the ramp and stay out of the slime on the ramp. Tongue weight of the trailer should help add weight to the rear of the truck to help with traction. If your boat/trailer weighs 5000lb, then ideally, you'd have about 500lbs on the rear of the truck.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Traction at the ramp

I've always had 2wd tow vehicles. Just have decent tires and go easy on the throttle. An ARB air leaker is unneccessary for ramp duty.

 

[Jlawsen]

Re: Traction at the ramp

Just carry a couple of burlap sacks. Wet them down and throw them in front of the tires if you start slipping. Works on dirt and moss.

 

[Davem3]

Re: Traction at the ramp

also, use a truck chock block made of rubber............ yep, they work awesome ...............

 

[Thalasso]

Re: Traction at the ramp

Never trust a SALESMAN. So what does your owners manual say for tow cap for that truck? What is the gear ratio in the diff? Rico is right about the e-locker, but I would want to see if you could pull out without any issues before going through the trouble of breaking the diff open.

I would be buying a new vehicle before putting a new rear end in just for towing a boat up a ramp. I wouldn't think he should have any problem as long as he doesn't stick the rear wheels in the slime. The locker wouldn't do any better in that situation.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Traction at the ramp

Would putting on a set of real chain snow chains (at the ramp) help if I have problems spinning out?

They would help you tear up the ramp, and would give you LESS traction. A good set of tires will help far more, and by good tires, i'm not talking big knobby offroad tires. If your ramp is paved, the more rubber you put on the ground, the more traction you get.

Like others mentioned, just keep some sort of traction mats handy should you need it. Even floormats will work in a pinch.

 

[Harritwo]

Re: Traction at the ramp

Chains on dry (NO SNOW) pavement will tear up your tires if you spin. I have pulled my boats for years with nothing but a 2WD truck. Everything from a 300 CI 6 cyl with a 5 speed manual to my current 5.4L V-8 auto matic. My ford while rated for 10000 lbs towing does wonderful. If you have an automatic, simply use your left foot for the brake and your right for the gas and maintain a light pressure on the brake when you start up the ramp. All i have ever needed is just a little bit of gas above idle to get up. I have launched on all sorts of ramps and have never had to get pulled out. The last ramp i launched at is used very little since it is on a private lake and was full of moss and algae. I simply backed down a little past the water line and wheni started up i had no problems.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Traction at the ramp

Those one wheel drive Chevys (I use an S10) will always preferentially spin the driven wheel. Using your left foot on the brake is OK, but it applies all four brakes and sort-of defeats the intent.

Pull the emergency release lever while stepping lightly on the emergency brake. This equalizes load on both rear wheels while leaving the front unlocked. Apply just enough power to overcome the brakes.

My S10 pulls out a 21 foot cuddy at 3800 gross without spinning. And, the original equipment Tiger Paws will spin on the road if it looks cloudy. In an emergency, I would recruit a couple of ramp watchers to sit in the bed. I haven't needed to do so yet.

 

[Dennis G]

Re: Traction at the ramp

Thinking about it, I live in northern California so there really isn't any slime on the ramps. It is usually dry as a bone up here. I just got back from 4 months south Texas and the ramps, with all the humidity, were usually pretty slick. I will hook up the boat and just give it a go. Thanks for all the replies and tips.

 

[KDAVID1]

Re: Traction at the ramp

I pull about 3200lbs with a ford explorer v6 and have no issues--for what it is worth

 

[Dennis G]

Re: Traction at the ramp

Looking hard, I have a 4.8 liter v8-295 hp, 2 wd, reg cab, 8' long bed and either a 3.23 or a 3.73 axle ratio. Where can I find out which axle ratio it is? Manual is pure confusion with a dozen pages of possibilities. Manual shows 3.23 axle ratio equals 6200 max trailer weight and 3.73 shows max of 7200 lbs towing . There must be a axle ratio stamped on the truck somewhere but I can't find it. Help would be appreciated

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: Traction at the ramp

open up your glove box it gives all the specs for that veh in codes. If you see G80 it means it has a locking rearend.
run your vin number on any GM site. or take the vin to the nearest dealer, they should print everything for that veh.
In the manual It explains every number on you VIN? /options

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Traction at the ramp

Usually a tag on one of the diff cover bolts that has the ratio as well.