getting stuck at the ramp

Chuck3000 · 12-12-2008, 11:30 AM

Been a few months since I sold my boat and I got the bug for another, bigger one... problem is my truck is only 2WD. I was thinking of putting a winch on the front to hook to a tree/post/other truck in case I ever got stuck on a slick or steepramp. I am just wondering if this is a valid idea or retarded.

Truck is a 2007 Tacoma that never had any trouble hauling3500 lbs out of the water, looking at boats at most6000lbs.

sealark · 12-12-2008, 12:46 PM

your main problem with pulling at a ramp is traction. Have someone stand on the back of truck or put sand bags in it and any ramps around Pensacola shouldn't be a problem. If the ramp has seaweed or slime on it throw some sand in front of the weels.

parrothead · 12-12-2008, 01:11 PM

I agree with what sealark said. What i used to do is instead of sandbags, i used my ex-wife. She would sit in the back of the truck and the front wheels would come off the ground.Never had a problem.

Scott

Hydro Therapy 2 · 12-12-2008, 01:32 PM

Quote:

parrothead (12/12/2008)I agree with what sealark said. What i used to do is instead of sandbags, i used my ex-wife. She would sit in the back of the truck and the front wheels would come off the ground.Never had a problem.

Scott

That's just wrong right there....hahaha!

cuzmondo · 12-12-2008, 01:32 PM

As others have noted, traction is the biggest problem. I don't remember if the Tacoma is the big 'yota or not, but I used to tow and haul out our twin engine Grady 23 Gulfstream with an '01 Chevy Silverado 5.3 litre 2WD. I know that boat weighed at least 7,500 lbs. loaded and full of fuel. It worked it, but it handled it pretty well and even hauled it from Tampa to P'cola at 70+ mph, but hey, it is a Chevy. You gotta choose good ramps and a lot depends on the trailer and how far you have to back down. I had an extremely good Owens and Sons aluminum tandem axle trailer with that rig. With certain trucks (macho 4WD's) you can pretty much go where you want. We had a 4WD Tahoe and launched a 21.5 ft. W/A straight off the beach before, no ramp at all, but 99.9999% of the timethose vehicles are overkill for daily driving.

Telum Pisces · 12-12-2008, 01:39 PM

If you get to towing and pulling more than 5000 up a ramp, you are going to wish you had a full size truck or 4wd. I used to own a 4wd V6 Explorer that could pull an 8000 pound boat up a ramp with whale snot on it. But in 2wd it would stuggle on some wet ramps with my 3500 lb boat.

I now have a 2wd Tundra that has no problem with any ramp here in the area. But 6000+ lbs on a 2wd Tacoma is going to be pushing it up the wet ramps or ones with sand washed up on the ramp.

Katatonic · 12-12-2008, 01:53 PM

I can not pull my boat out of the water without putting my F150 in 4WD, 1st time i went to pull the new boat out i discovered that my front hubs were not engaging. We used my fishing buddy's 2WD chevy in front of my truck with a tow strap and pulled it right out.

Did that a couple more times until I got my truck fixed, as long as you are ready when it's your turn and you efficiantly get in position to hook it up you probably wont have any problems. We were usually faster than most of thepeople waiting to load up.

You can always look around for a 4WD beater to haul it to the boat ramps.

Tuna Man · 12-12-2008, 02:10 PM

I have a Dodge 2500 D, and I have had problems with a certain ramp here at Lay Lake. The ramp was wet from a previous boat removal that I had to unload the boat and use another ramp. My truck has more then enough power to pull anything I want but let the rear tires spin and its all over. So now I pick and choose the ramp, but also carry a strap/chain with me. I don't like the thought of towing 7,000+# with my K-1500 4 X 4 Yukon, as the max trailer weight is between 5.5-6.5K# depending on the axle ratio. And a transmission cooler is recommended.

ul412al · 12-12-2008, 03:38 PM

You can always power it out with the boat motor(s). With practice, its pretty easy. Heck, my boat could almost push the truck while still in park.

recess · 12-12-2008, 06:10 PM

It's not so much about pulling the boat out of the water. Alot of undersize trucks pull large boats out of the water all the time. But think about safety when stopping or trying to. It's hard to buy a truck and drive it all over town getting 10 or 12 miles to the gallon. But you can not set a price on safety. If you ever take a long trip pulling you boat will appreciate the extra size truck . Just a thought. Gene

12-12-2008, 11:30 AM	#1
Chuck3000 Member Ruby Red Lip Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Meridian, MS Posts: 42	getting stuck at the ramp Been a few months since I sold my boat and I got the bug for another, bigger one... problem is my truck is only 2WD. I was thinking of putting a winch on the front to hook to a tree/post/other truck in case I ever got stuck on a slick or steepramp. I am just wondering if this is a valid idea or retarded. Truck is a 2007 Tacoma that never had any trouble hauling3500 lbs out of the water, looking at boats at most6000lbs.

12-12-2008, 12:46 PM	#2
sealark Senior Member Sailfish Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Pensacola, Sherman Cove Marina Posts: 1,985	RE: getting stuck at the ramp your main problem with pulling at a ramp is traction. Have someone stand on the back of truck or put sand bags in it and any ramps around Pensacola shouldn't be a problem. If the ramp has seaweed or slime on it throw some sand in front of the weels.

12-12-2008, 01:11 PM	#3
parrothead Senior Member Sailfish Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Cantonment Posts: 2,061	RE: getting stuck at the ramp I agree with what sealark said. What i used to do is instead of sandbags, i used my ex-wife. She would sit in the back of the truck and the front wheels would come off the ground.Never had a problem. Scott __________________ 18' Sea Pro / 115hp Johnson 140 Heritage / Powered by me

12-12-2008, 01:32 PM	#5
cuzmondo Senior Member Snapper Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 464	RE: getting stuck at the ramp As others have noted, traction is the biggest problem. I don't remember if the Tacoma is the big 'yota or not, but I used to tow and haul out our twin engine Grady 23 Gulfstream with an '01 Chevy Silverado 5.3 litre 2WD. I know that boat weighed at least 7,500 lbs. loaded and full of fuel. It worked it, but it handled it pretty well and even hauled it from Tampa to P'cola at 70+ mph, but hey, it is a Chevy. You gotta choose good ramps and a lot depends on the trailer and how far you have to back down. I had an extremely good Owens and Sons aluminum tandem axle trailer with that rig. With certain trucks (macho 4WD's) you can pretty much go where you want. We had a 4WD Tahoe and launched a 21.5 ft. W/A straight off the beach before, no ramp at all, but 99.9999% of the timethose vehicles are overkill for daily driving.

12-12-2008, 01:39 PM	#6
Telum Pisces Senior Member Blue Marlin Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 4,608	RE: getting stuck at the ramp If you get to towing and pulling more than 5000 up a ramp, you are going to wish you had a full size truck or 4wd. I used to own a 4wd V6 Explorer that could pull an 8000 pound boat up a ramp with whale snot on it. But in 2wd it would stuggle on some wet ramps with my 3500 lb boat. I now have a 2wd Tundra that has no problem with any ramp here in the area. But 6000+ lbs on a 2wd Tacoma is going to be pushing it up the wet ramps or ones with sand washed up on the ramp.

12-12-2008, 01:53 PM	#7
Katatonic Junior Member Ruby Red Lip Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 29	RE: getting stuck at the ramp I can not pull my boat out of the water without putting my F150 in 4WD, 1st time i went to pull the new boat out i discovered that my front hubs were not engaging. We used my fishing buddy's 2WD chevy in front of my truck with a tow strap and pulled it right out. Did that a couple more times until I got my truck fixed, as long as you are ready when it's your turn and you efficiantly get in position to hook it up you probably wont have any problems. We were usually faster than most of thepeople waiting to load up. You can always look around for a 4WD beater to haul it to the boat ramps.

12-12-2008, 02:10 PM	#8
Tuna Man Senior Member Grand Slam Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Calera, AL....25 Miles S of Birmingham Posts: 6,581	RE: getting stuck at the ramp I have a Dodge 2500 D, and I have had problems with a certain ramp here at Lay Lake. The ramp was wet from a previous boat removal that I had to unload the boat and use another ramp. My truck has more then enough power to pull anything I want but let the rear tires spin and its all over. So now I pick and choose the ramp, but also carry a strap/chain with me. I don't like the thought of towing 7,000+# with my K-1500 4 X 4 Yukon, as the max trailer weight is between 5.5-6.5K# depending on the axle ratio. And a transmission cooler is recommended.

12-12-2008, 03:38 PM	#9
ul412al Senior Member Snapper Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Pensacola Posts: 512	RE: getting stuck at the ramp You can always power it out with the boat motor(s). With practice, its pretty easy. Heck, my boat could almost push the truck while still in park.

12-12-2008, 06:10 PM	#10
recess Senior Member Grouper Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Pensacola Posts: 1,153	RE: getting stuck at the ramp It's not so much about pulling the boat out of the water. Alot of undersize trucks pull large boats out of the water all the time. But think about safety when stopping or trying to. It's hard to buy a truck and drive it all over town getting 10 or 12 miles to the gallon. But you can not set a price on safety. If you ever take a long trip pulling you boat will appreciate the extra size truck . Just a thought. Gene

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