How not to lauch your truck with the boat?

[jayhanig]

Re: How not to lauch your truck with the boat?

My truck is a 2WD Ford Ranger with the 3 liter engine and automatic transmission. By all reports it ought to be marginal for towing my boat. I back in enough to float the boat but not enough to get a truck tire wet, set the parking brake while my right foot is still on the power brake pedal, then put the truck in Park before taking my foot off the power brake.

Later, I back my empty trailer in enough to almost cover the trailer fenders with water. Coming out with the boat, I step on the power brake, come out of Park, and then release the parking brake while maintaining pressure on the power brake pedal. Finally, I give it some gas and then ease off the power brake pedal. The boat always comes right out and I have yet to even spin a tire. This is at a state wildlife (concrete) ramp. I've never tried my luck at an unpaved ramp. I don't think I will, either.

 

[jkust]

Re: How not to lauch your truck with the boat?

I used to do the same thing. The new Ford trucks come with "hill start assist" that holds the brake until you apply throttle. Works great on boat ramps!

Also, if you have trailer brakes and the vehicle isn't in reverse to override the trailer brakes (or you aren't using the over ride pin), I suppose it would be harder to roll down hill/ramp if the car was in a forward gear. I know the boat is practically immovable by my truck if the brakes are engaged while attempting to back down.

 

[Idlespeedonly]

Re: How not to lauch your truck with the boat?

Another good idea is to make all passengers get out of the tow vehicle while launching and retrieving. I make my wife and kids get out everytime.

 

[zealer]

Re: How not to lauch your truck with the boat?

that is a great idea I haven't thought of. I'm new to boating too. I bought a 2000 z71 to tow my boat. when I first got it the parking break didn't work but my dad fixed that. I still don't have confidence in it and at 162k miles the transmission could fail on Park. I have nightmares about my truck and boat rolling in to the lake

Very similar tale here. I have a 2000 Dakota, not quite as many miles, but not new either. My parking brake doesn't work, so I keep wheel chocks in the bed of the truck 24/7. Just some shaped pieces of firewood.

My method: back down ramp, friend hops out & places chocks (front), truck in neutral I roll onto chocks, put in park. Same procedure when I pull the boat out (buddy removes them when I roll forward a few inches). Just make sure the chocks are high enough. Everyone (but you) would get a good laugh if they are too small and the truck just rolls over them!
If you're extremely nervous, keep some chocks with you.

 

[Ming15237]

Re: How not to lauch your truck with the boat?

hate to say it does....citreon bx had the hand brake on the front but that's what you get when you buy a French car.

Some French vehicles, and some of the old Saab' 900's had front parking brakes. Oh how I hated working on those pieces of rubbish!