Launching + boat ramps with 2WD Sprinter

[Thirsty Endgrain]

Almost done with the restoration I never intended on doing and about ready to get the darn thing wet. I will exercise good sense in determining if a boat launch is within the van's capabilities, try not to launch/retrieve at low tides or if the ramp is slimy etc. Thinking I'll throw a few hundred pounds of sandbags over the rear axle for some better traction, and I have good a/t tires.

All that aside, the boat and trailer probably weigh a little over 3k lbs. (the van itself weighs about 7k lbs with some stuff in it) and I don't want to end up on a YouTube video. I know successful launches are done all of the time with 2wd trucks, but I'd appreciate any advice anyone has on the matter, especially if you're launching with a Sprinter. Thanks!

 

[Bob_VT]

You might want to carry some buckets of sand to sand under the wheels if needed. Even a good 4wd is almost powerless against a slimy ramp. My best advice is to pick a battleground where the ramp is not to steep (I have been dragged down by a heavy boat a few feet) and check the surface. You might also want to time your retrieval with the tides.

AND....... carry a tow strap "just in case" you can find assistance to pull the sprinter up the ramp when loaded.

 

[ziggy]

here's something i didn't know for years of launching.

when going down the ramp launching, put truck in Neutral and control backing with the break only, just roll down ramp. do not use reverse.

fwiw, i was launching on the missouri river out of omaha, these ramps are steep and can be wet too. while launching one day i started sliding down the ramp. i was in R and had my foot on the break locking up all four wheels. i just kept sliding towards the river. amazingly i was sliding straight. someone yelled at me to put my truck in neutral. i did this and was able to stop just before the rivers edge. i was just moments from being a youtube vidieo.

since that episode, i launch in neutral and just roll into the water. i found it makes for a much more controlled launch.

my truck is a 3500 gm van, 2002, 2wd, no limited slip rear end. i do have a load of work tools making me somewhat heavy.

good luck on yer maiden voyage.

 

[Texasmark]

I agree on N once the boat has started down the slope. My experience with 2wd launches has been any slime on the ramp is a problem. Ramps here are deliberately made with horizontal "anti-skid" groves in the concrete which helps a lot. Then every move you make is "easy does it". On coming out, don't back your tires down into the water or where it gets slimy. Use your winch to winch your boat onto the trailer if necessary, if you can't float it all the way on.

I do recall years ago, I had the small Toyota P/U....1975 comes to mind. Wasn't launching a 3k# boat but I did have some bags of Sacrete in the rear to help in keeping the tires from slipping. Since I was fishing several times a week, they just became "part of the truck".

 

[KD4UPL]

I've launched boats for nearly 20 years. I've had 3 different boats and about 6 different 4wd tow vehicles. I think I've launched at maybe 10 different bodies of water in 5 different states.I can't recall ever actually putting any vehicle in 4wd to launch or retrieve a boat.

 

[Thirsty Endgrain]

I've launched boats for nearly 20 years. I've had 3 different boats and about 6 different 4wd tow vehicles. I think I've launched at maybe 10 different bodies of water in 5 different states.I can't recall ever actually putting any vehicle in 4wd to launch or retrieve a boat.

Let's see, 20years*.12(3x6)/10+Beer=a lot of launches

Those numbers don't lie.

I'll definitely employ the neutral trick. I always have a tow strap, and a comealong. And a lot of other what if kinda things. Might add sand to that

Thanks everyone, sounds like my hesitation can be put to rest. Appreciate the feedback!

 

[PITBoat]

My 2WD Suburban always pulls the boat out with ease (so far), but I launch and recover from a ramp with a mild slope. It's a heavy, powerful vehicle and I rarely get any tire spin at all. There are steeper ramps at the same lake that I'm afraid of however...

I have to put the rear tires in the water to get the trailer in what I consider deep enough. That may not be necessary at a steeper ramp.

I saw my aunt recover my uncle's pontoon many years ago with a 2WD 5-speed GMC. She did it, but it looked pretty challenging.

Yeah, I see no reason for Rev. Gravity's pulling you right down toward the lake and I always use N too.

 

[GA_Boater]

Is your Sprinter front or rear wheel drive? They come both ways and both are 2WD, just different ends.

 

[Thirsty Endgrain]

Is your Sprinter front or rear wheel drive? They come both ways and both are 2WD, just different ends.

Sprinters are all RWD. Promasters are FWD, and Transits come in both.

 

[southkogs]

I don't have a Sprinter, but I've got an E150 (2WD/RWD) and a Dodge 2500 (2WD/RWD). I've launched and retrieved a zillion times on the lakes and rivers here in TN without any real trouble. I've had a couple of times when the ramps have been slimy and the wheels wanna' spin ... I've found if I just back off and creep for a bit they everything grabs.

I don't typically have anything in the back of either van or the truck, so I'm usually loaded light. Most of the time my rears are in the water too. Our ramps aren't all that steep, so that probably helps.

 

[Texasmark]

I don't have a Sprinter, but I've got an E150 (2WD/RWD) and a Dodge 2500 (2WD/RWD). I've launched and retrieved a zillion times on the lakes and rivers here in TN without any real trouble. I've had a couple of times when the ramps have been slimy and the wheels wanna' spin ... I've found if I just back off and creep for a bit they everything grabs.

I don't typically have anything in the back of either van or the truck, so I'm usually loaded light. Most of the time my rears are in the water too. Our ramps aren't all that steep, so that probably helps.

"Our ramps aren't all that steep, so that probably helps."

Yes sir, if they were steeper you probably would have your boat floating before your rears hit the water.