Boat Ramp Problem

[Steve G]

When I'm on a wet ramp trying to pull my boat out, I can't get any traction at all. The back tires just spin. I know I could probably put a bunch of sand bags in the back for more weight but that's a PIA to load and unload. Anyone with a dually have the same problems and what have you done to correct this. Any suggestions would be greatly welcome. I've even thought of going down to a 3/4 ton but I really love this truck.



Steve

 

[Chipstien]

Slide the front stop on the trailer forward so the boat sits farther foward. Sounds to me like there is not enough tongue weight on the trailer. I would rather have to tongue weight heavier than lighter. Your other option is to get 4 wheel drive.

I've even thought of going down to a 3/4 ton but I really love this truck.

I don't see how this would help at all since you have more rubber touching with the 3500. Good luck. Oo.

 

[cdpsrjc]

Steve,



I have a 3/4 ton and have the same problem. Keep your dually. I'm interested in hearing a solution also.



Richard

 

[BV]

Slide the axel back

I ended up sliding the axel back a little for more tongue weight and it tows better as well. Occasionally 4x4 is needed on the slimmy ramps at the coast.

 

[Ron Bissett]

In and Out

Easy way is to get a front hitch and use it for launch and keeping wheels out of the water and easy to manuver I had one on a motorhome and it worked fine ,also saves brake liners from sticking from rust on rear. Ron in Louisville kyOo.

 

[Pit Bull]

You really need 4 wheel drive

 

[gitchesum]

Ya don't need no 4X4.



I've been yanking boats out of the water for years. Not once have I used a 4X4.



The tongue weight make a big difference. But, if ya don't feel like sliding your axles back a little, you can always use the brakes while pulling up to keep your rear wheels from spinning. If you find your rear brakes lacking in holding power, try the E-brake. Just hold hte brake release lever while you push the pedal in a little.

With my 5 speed, I just put it in 1st and slowly release the clutch while holding the brake a little.



Comes right out, no tires spinning.

 

[EShaw]

Steve,

What pressure are you running in your rear tires?... ... ... should be ~40-45 psi. Use the parking brake or pedal to create drag to eliminate spin. You really need more weight in the rear..... no matter how you go about it.

More tongue weight will be the single most effective route if all else fails... ..... Use em' all.



The reason why a 3500 (dually) will spin it's tires easier than a 2500 (SRW) is... ... ... . same weight distributed over twice the surface area... ... Pounds per square inch (load) is half. (This is a simplified explanation)

Eric

 

[K_Arts]

I actually have the same issue pulling our boat out. It doesn't matter if I use the wifes truck or my own. The only solution I have found is to either put 4 60lb bags of sand over the rear axle, or just put it in 4 wheel hi.



Even in 4 hi, if I give it any gas my tires break loose. So being that my truck has the DTT mods, I just put my truck in 4 hi and let the take my foot off of the brake. My transmission actually idle's me up the hill believe it or not.



As far as the wifes truck, I just put it in 4 hi and stay very lightly on the throttle. Take in account that my boat isn't very heavy either... about 3000lbs loaded.



Good luck in finding a solution...



Kev

 

[RonaldLarson]

Check

your trailer's winch post location. If you have the room, slide the post forward as far as you can, then launch and retrieve the boat. This will put more tongue weight on the hitch, much easier than moving the axles.

Launching and retrieving with a front hitch and a heavy boat will take all the weight off the drive wheels and cause more spin, even on dry surfaces.

Four 60# sandbags will help too, and improve the ride.

Oh, and next time, buy a 4X4!

Ron

 

[docdyno]

Steve



There are actually some specs. for boat traialers. If you are "out of spec" due to improper trailer design or set up, this could exaggerate your problem. Per NMMA (National Marine Manufacturers Assn. ) guidelines: (1) The height of the trailer ball should be 18" from the ground to the top of the ball (unloaded) (2) There should be at least 75# of tongue weight on the hitch. As several have mentioned, more is probably better. There is a published way to measure the tongue weight with a bathroom scale. Somewhere I have the procedure to make the measurements. Let me know if you want them. Many boat/trailer combos are set up wrong for a number of reasons. I do a lot of boat testing and am in and out several times a day during the summer and have no problem in 2WD (3/4 ton extended cab). Boats being tested are about 24-3400 pounds. The ramp we use is well designed- which helps. Let me know if you want any additional information, I have several marine related connections.

 

[EOliver]

One of the reasons I own a 4x4... I use 4 wheel drive every time I am on the boat ramp.



My boat is about 3600 lbs, trailer is 1350 lbs, tongue weight is around 400 lbs. I have been to ramps in late summer that are completely covered in moss under the water. I have been to many lakes in the past few years that the ramps that are built too steep for most 2 wheel drives. I just would not feel comfortable attempting to get $70,000 out of the water with only 2 wheel drive.

 

[illflem]

Just start your boat and use it to push the truck up the ramp

 

[JWhitcomb]

I wonder what would happen if you throw some sand under the drive wheels. Might just make it spin faster.

 

[carson6]

awesome torque

I use 2wd until I get stuck... than I use 4wd with reverse to back out! But ain't it fun with limited slip

 

[GAmes]

What kind of tires do you have? I've never had a problem with the original Goodyears or the Michalins I have now. I used to have a Chebby that came with Tigerpaws. Got stuck on the ramp after launching the boat with an EMPTY trailer. Traded them for BF Goodrich T/A radials with less than 1000 miles on them.

 

[dseabaugh]

You just don't have enough camping gear, food, beer and soda coolers and food in the bed. Either that or you must have eaten and drank it all before you left. Skiny tires makes more lbs per square in thus more traction. Guys used to laugh at me all year long with their big wide tires but in the winter they would be going to town for narrow rims and tires when I was driving anywhere I damn well please and they were busy spinning. same principle in water.

 

[BILLYGEE]

Try this...not sure if it'll help

I am not sure how the 47 trans works but older transmissions would start out in second gear if you had the gearshift lever in 2... Harder to spin the wheels with a higher gear ratio... the transmission takes up the torque transfer... I'll let the transmission gurus answer that. This if it works and more tongue weight and/or a load-distributing or equalizer hitch also should help. My2cents

 

[Chipstien]

Re: Try this...not sure if it'll help

Originally posted by BILLYGEE

I am not sure how the 47 trans works but older transmissions would start out in second gear if you had the gearshift lever in 2... Harder to spin the wheels with a higher gear ratio... the transmission takes up the torque transfer... I'll let the transmission gurus answer that. This if it works and more tongue weight and/or a load-distributing or equalizer hitch also should help. My2cents

Doesn't work, still starts in first, just doesn't go to third.

Skiny tires makes more lbs per square in thus more traction.

I didn't know this, guess you learn something new everyday. Curious as to why top fuel dragsters use such wide tires if this is the case.

 

[Rammin On]

Trailer tongue weight should be 10 -15% of the weight of your rig ... . check it and make adjustments as everyone has said in earlier posts ... ... most not all - boat dealers never check the tongue weight ... . the just slap boats on trailers and send you off.