What type of stickshift do you launch with?

[slyhatch]

I have noticed that not many people use a stick for launching and recovery.I use a ford f150 5 speed,makes for a challenge at times .I would like to know some of your experiances while using a stick shift,and what kind.
Sly

 

[dlngr]

Re: What type of stickshift do you launch with?

'99 Dakota Sport,ex-cab v-6, 5 spd. No problems at all,but I have a small,lightweight boat.[14' Lund aluminum] I did check to make sure the parking brake worked before I bought the truck though.
I plan to move up to a 16' to 18' asap,and don't imagine any problem launching or retrieving that either,as long as I stay with aluminum.

 

[slyhatch]

Re: What type of stickshift do you launch with?

My boat is a fiberglass 15 ft. invader outboard somewhat heavy.When I am backed in I shift to granny and apply the parking brake,very nervous about getting out though.I think I will get a chock to put under the driver side tire,that might stop it from rolling if something poped .
Sly

 

[metalwizard]

Re: What type of stickshift do you launch with?

I have JEEP Wrangler 4 door. v6 (wussie motor LOL) with a 6 speed. never had a problem.. Just dont let my wife try and put it in the water... let me say this thank god the 4wd works well and there are drain plugs in the floor. LOL

the only thing I ever worry about is the parking brake (like the other poster mentioned) something tells you when you leave it in neutral pull the brake and get out on an incline.... this just seems scary.

 

[79Glastron]

Re: What type of stickshift do you launch with?

My `06 F-350 is a 6 speed diesel. When launching I use the parking brake and keep it in 1st (granny) When pulling out from the ramp I keep the parking brake on, put into 1st, give it a little throttle, maybe around 1000ish RPM, start engaging the clutch til it brings the RPM down a bit and release the braking brake and at the same time fully engage the clutch and work the throttle. Works every time. I've often wondered if putting the transfer case in low 4 would give me any better holding power in case the parking brake failed.

 

[109jb]

Re: What type of stickshift do you launch with?

Used to launch my 16' Starcraft Supersport with a 1999 Ford Ranger Ext Cab V6 5 speed. Used the tricks mentioned here like engaging the park brake until just starting to engage the clutch, etc. One thing I always did was shut the engine off and put it in first gear before getting out when it was on the ramp. I had good brakes but never trusted the parking brake enough by itself on the incline.

 

[TruckDrivingFool]

Re: What type of stickshift do you launch with?

79' F150 4x4 w/ an inline 6 and granny gear 4 spd. E brake doesn't work so just dump it 1st and I launch the fishing boat quick enough that it only creeps back about four paces against the compression. Retrieving it will stay still for some reason, and w/ the G gear all I need to do is stand on the brake until I have the clutch eased out enough to grab then just step off the brake and drive away like I was on flat land leaving a stoplight.
The new FG boat will prob be a different story, already thinking of the best tire chock design.

 

['96 Charger]

Re: What type of stickshift do you launch with?

I learned to drive stick on a boat ramp in a '94 Chevy 1500 with the 4.3 v6. My buddy would have the 40hp Johnson wide open to help make fumbling with the clutch easier. It provided just enough pressure to give me time to hit the brakes if I messed up. I'd ease the clutch out with the e-brake on, once it started to grap I'd gas it and finish letting the clutch out. This particular clutch had bad throwout bearings that got worse every day (or every time I pulled his boat out with it)lol. He traded it in with 150k and oem clutch

 

[bob1340]

Re: What type of stickshift do you launch with?

A trick many Jeepers do is to use a hand throttle. I have a '06 Rubicon with the 6 speed and I installed a simple bicycle derailleur shifter on the Jeep shifter that is connected to the throttle body via a cable. It cost all of $10.00 and has helped greatly. Many new vehicles have electronic "fly by wire" throttles so it won't work on them. Humans were born with 2 feet and there are 3 petals!

 

[Joshua Nichols]

Re: What type of stickshift do you launch with?

My truck has a little 4.2l.. Great little moter.. Not much on muscle.. So I use the 4x4.. Yank it back in low.. Do what I gotta do.. Foot on the clutch, let out the e brake and let off the clutch a hair and away we go( it would idle up a ramp). I never use it off road anymore less hunting so might as well make sure the four wheel is still working..

 

[Brewman61]

Re: What type of stickshift do you launch with?

Had an '87 F150, straight 6 engine, granny gear tranny, 2WD.
Never had any trouble putting in or out. Loved that granny gear- great for low speed pulling and hauling.
They probably don't have many trucks like that anymore. No A/C, pretty much a base sticker price vehicle.

My Bro in law had an F350 with a manual tranny, and when he tried to sell he got pounded- everyone wanted automatics. He took it in the shorts on that sale.

 

[drrpm]

Re: What type of stickshift do you launch with?

My first truck was an F-150 5sp with the 300 cid I6 and my current truck is a Toyota Tacoma 6sp with the 4.0 v6. The boat is a 20 ft Mariah bowrider. No problems launching or retrieving. I've been driving a manual for 19 years, you just have to master feathering the gas and clutch. If its steep I'll use the E-brake to limit back sliding.

 

[EddiePetty]

Re: What type of stickshift do you launch with?

...We use our '92 Wrangler with the 4.0 and five speed around our local ponds....no real ramps, just open spaces amoung the trees. I have an eye bolt behind and under both of the rear fenders to which I attach chocks via a short chain and 'S' hooks when we reach launching depth (I just don't trust the hand brake). The chocks allow me to avoid the 'three-pedals-and two-feet' dance. And, as I pull the rig out of the pond, the chocks follow me up the hill via the short chains. The 'S' hooks detach quickly and the chocks stow under the seats.

 

[ozarkt165]

Re: What type of stickshift do you launch with?

I actually lock down the brake pedal w pole wedged against the seat.

 

[mudslinging79]

Re: What type of stickshift do you launch with?

1987 bronco 2 with the huge 2.9 motor. when launching i usually drop the transfer in low, dont have to worry bout spinning out or frying the clutch on a steep ramp, yet i have enough torque i can bout just idle it in gear up the ramps

 

[79Glastron]

Re: What type of stickshift do you launch with?

I don't know if any of you guys have ever been around forklifts, but, on some I've seen they have a valve in the steel brake line. You apply the foot brake, and shut the valve. I think drag racer's use a similar type valve, a line lock, I believe thats what they call it.

 

[mudslinging79]

Re: What type of stickshift do you launch with?

the line lock draggers use is to lock the front brakes, leaving the back unlocked for a better tire heating burnout.

 

[SigSaurP229]

Re: What type of stickshift do you launch with?

2003 Nissan Frontier 4x4. I have launched 16 foot bass boat current 15.5 trihull and current 28' toon. It has 3.3 v6 and 5sp with 4x4. With the Old bass boat (before having class 3) launched from the bumper (it was a dumb way to pull that boat with 32" tires) Just two wheel drive I always shut the engine off set the parking brake and leave the truck in 1st gear. With the trihull I usually just two wheel drive the same way as the bass boat (now have class 3 hitch) Only once on a rugged steep ramp have I ever used 4 hi with that boat. The toon usually I use 4hi to launch and 4 low to pull out. When dealing with the toon I set parking brake, chock wheel and leave truck in 1st gear. 4low always pulls it out usually just by letting off of the clutch.

 

[mudslinging79]

Re: What type of stickshift do you launch with?

gotta love the 4 low, dont even need to lock in the front hubs

 

[dlngr]

Re: What type of stickshift do you launch with?

I don't know if any of you guys have ever been around forklifts, but, on some I've seen they have a valve in the steel brake line. You apply the foot brake, and shut the valve. I think drag racer's use a similar type valve, a line lock, I believe thats what they call it.

That reminds me of the brake lock system I had on two different old tow trucks.!! One was mechanical,and one was electric-but just as you say,you'd step on the brake and flick the switch[or lever on the mechanical one] and the brakes were locked down good till you released it!
I'd bet something like that is still available at your local FLAPS !!! [FLAPS= friendly local auto parts store]