Worried about launching with my truck

[veritas honus]

Re: Worried about launching with my truck

I just got a 14ft aluminum flat bottom boat and i have a 1998 S10 thats 2wd i just dont know when im pulling the boat back out will there be any problem it have the 4.3 v6 that has plenty of power its the 2wd thing that i think bothers me, will some one tell me if i have any thing to worry about, or if there should be no problems, i can pull it i have pulled larger trailers full of weight just never up a usually wet launch ramp...???? thanks

My boat weighs 3000lbs. I've never had to put my truck into 4 wheel drive to pull it out or up any ramp. With good tread on your tires, you should me fine. There were some good suggestions thrown around just in case, though. The water bucket idea sounded great. Don't think you have anything to worry about, though. Good luck.

 

[l008com]

Re: Worried about launching with my truck

I tow my 15' 90HP boat with a 2000 S10. I've never had to use 4WD, and I also usually back into the water. But even on rainy days etc, never had a problem. My ramp is paved though, and not very steep. Its concrete under water, and asphalt above the water line. I have seen 2wd pickups have big problems pulling out of this ramp, but one in particular was a VERY big boat. They told me they had been out on the water for 3 days. So as long as its a paved ramp, you'll probably be fine. If you get stuck, just get as many good samaritans as you can, to sit/stand in the bed/bumper/trailer tounge. Then just easy it out.

 

[security6]

Re: Worried about launching with my truck

I think you'll be fine, but I'd be careful about getting your rear tires wet late in the season.

I suspect that you use ramps that are fairly shallow (most of them are shallow here in SE Wisconsin, and you aren't far). With my boat and truck (Suburban and 23' deck boat), I have to get the rear tires wet to get my boat off and on the trailer. Last year I was fine using 2wd until August when the concrete ramp started getting slimy and slippery. With the slime on the ramp, I found I couldn't get the boat out with the truck in 2wd because the rear tires just spun on the slime. With 4wd, it came out no problem. Point is, be careful about getting your tires wet especially if it is later in the season.

 

[smallboatlover]

Re: Worried about launching with my truck

my bros car towed my boat once his cars a 1998 chevy maiblu towing a 14' runabout with a 50 hp and the car was towing at 30 mph at 5k rpms lol

 

[j_martin]

Re: Worried about launching with my truck

I have a bass boat that weighs about a ton. Usually I use either a B250 van (1/2 ton) or a Caravan front wheel drive. There's 2 landings that I use the Dakota 4x4 on. One is a ditch beside a dirt road, with a bare spot that reaches the small lake, and the other is do durned shallow that I have to back into it with the whole tow vehicle to float the boat. The Dakota has enough clearance to not flood out or strangle it doing that.

The Caravan is a bit light for over the road. The B250 handles it like it's not there.

About the 4X4 owners figuring they're invincible in winter conditions in 4WD. When I help them out of the ditch they usually backed in to at speed, I explain to them that in 4WD, if one wheel breaks loose, all 4 must break loose. Think about it and you'll see what I mean.

With the S10, you might need a little load (sandbags or bystanders, doesn't make any difference) for a steep slippery ramp.

 

[Chris-R]

Re: Worried about launching with my truck

You should be fine in all except the most slippery of ramps and even then, you should be able to pull that boat out. Just in case, like others have said, bring a few sandbags with you. I have a bunch that I bought at Lowe's or Home depot..I forgot which one. They are 60 Lbs. each.

 

[jeremy_nash]

Re: Worried about launching with my truck

with good tires, and smooth throttle control, you should be fine.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Worried about launching with my truck

I pull this out of the water on wet ramps with a 98 Firebird w/V6 and posi rear. You should have no problems with the S10 as long as the posi is in good working condition.

 

[l008com]

Re: Worried about launching with my truck

S10's have a regular open differential, unless you have a ZR2 "off road" model.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Worried about launching with my truck

S10's have a regular open differential, unless you have a ZR2 "off road" model.

If he doesn't have a posi, he sure will need one. This is the Eaton Detroit Truetrac limited slip differential. Unlike other LSD's (Limited Slip Differential) that use clutches to lock the two axles together, the Eaton uses an all gear drive design to perform the same function. In addition to having no clutches to wear out, it operates totally smooth and silent. It will also last the life of the car without maintenance.

Have had this one in the Firebird (uses same carrier as the S10) for a few years now and it is without a doubt the best posi unit I have ever owned or driven. This is a heavier duty version of what GM was putting in the Camaro/Firebird cars in the 99-02 years.

 

[kilroy1984]

Re: Worried about launching with my truck

keep a push broom in the truck if there is a lot of slime on the ramp give it a scrub and it should give you more traction

 

[PBJT]

Re: Worried about launching with my truck

We went to families cottage knowing the ramp was poor but planed on some back up to pull it out just in case. It really depends on the ramp, I have been to many ramps and some I will never go back to.

Pete

 

[Bass Tracker TX17]

Re: Worried about launching with my truck

I use a Dodge Dakota 4wd to tow my Bass Tracker. I have NEVER EVER used 4wd on the ramps i have been to. some pretty steep concrete and tar. As for tires, just for your info, BFG AT KO's. Not suggesting you use those. If your using gravel type launches then i might want to plan something in case of an issue where 4wd would be a big advantage. bring a buddy with 4wd if your that worried and if you need to use him he's there. No biggie.

 

[guidosarduchi]

Re: Worried about launching with my truck

I tow a 14' aluminum jon with a 1990 chev 1500 2wd and it was only a problem once. There is one lake I go to that has, shall we call it and extremely "rustic" ramp (gravel) and once in the water it is mostly mud. I got my back tires in the mud and ALMOST got stuck, had to rock it a couple times. A little stressfull, but good launches have never been a problem. Just make sure you have decent tires.

 

[199675hpforce]

Good news you could just let the s10 go into the drink

Good news you could just let the s10 go into the drink

Then go buy something else. New colorado with powerful 4cyl would tow a alum boat only rated 2k towing but with right hitch it should be better. Hell I towed 17 fiberglass with jeep wrangler lifted with poor gearing. Stopping is problemo. I could tow 14 boat with subaru that's a nothing boat hell toss it on roof rack. Reminds me of the concrete launch at Flaming Gorge. Someone dropped 2stroke oil all over and problem is heavy 30ft boats with cummins trucks would slide around backing into drink. Comming out you needed speed and spin tires to get up. If your already in 4x4 then 4low range 1first usually walks right out even with 10k behind you. Hell my nissan frontier 4x4 crew heavy truck spun in 2wd pulling 2500 out once in 4x4 it got out nothing like jeep would but works. One time automatic tranny has the advantage. Feathering nissan 5sp clutch is crazy hard.

 

[444]

Re: Good news you could just let the s10 go into the drink

Re: Good news you could just let the s10 go into the drink

I towed my boat with an early 90's chevy silverado 1500. 350, auto and a one wheel wonder. Still shouldn't be an issue if the ramp is decent and you make sure to not spin a tire.

 

[ONERCBOATER]

Re: Worried about launching with my truck

the most unlikely tow vehicle i ever had was an 80 something (thinking 82) volkswagon rabbit diesel pick up.....for those who don't know they had 40hp or so....no torque to speak of and were front wheel drive....but got 50mpg almost at 55mph.
anyhow I used to have an old 1957 closed bow run about...all pretty wood with differnt colored wood stripes on the deck area and bow.... with a truly vintage 1957 johnson 35 seahorse. she was gorgeous and I still sting when i think about having to sell her. Anyhow that is the only time i have ever gotten stuck on a ramp.

currently i tow a 12ft fully decked jon boat on a harbor freight folding 4x8 trailer that is stretched at the tongue.....with a huge deep cycle, trolling motor, 15hp johnson...and tons of fishing equip and one very large cooler..... without issue with a 2002 nissan frontier 4x4.... i routinely used to launch without a ramp till i got a warning about that and threat of a ticket.... so now using both dirt and paved ramps...never get stuck.... one of the dirt ramps is soft mud and i have to back up 15 ft into the water when the river is down to launch....still dont need 4x4...and have relatively non aggressive tires stock height both the truck and the tires.

in short if you launch on a paved ramp you should be just fine.....the 5 gal buckets was a gr8 suggestion as they weigh nothing empty and are 40-65lbs ea when full....most "5 gallon" buckets arn't 5 gallons but are larger.

even if you do get stuck... a polite request for help will almost certainly get you out of being stuck.

Sean

 

[Steve91T]

Re: Worried about launching with my truck

My ramp is VERY slippery. Even with my Powerstroke long bed, I need 4x4 to get any traction.

It probably depends mostly on how much traction your ramp has.

Steve

 

[dazk14]

Re: Worried about launching with my truck

A 4 cylinder S10 would be another story.

1st - I don't have the patience to read all of this. Sandwiched in there are some guys that know what they are talking about.

I quoted the above fellow because he has absolutely no clue. We had a 4 cylinder Toyota Previa (not supercharged) in the yard to pull damn near everything (up to 6+k GVWR) that was on a trailer. The Toyota didn't mind dunking ridiculously deep to pull boats on a bunks(trailer has to be DEEP) - we're talking New England SLIPPERY tidal waterways. Obviously a custom welded hitch.

Since Chicago doesn't have any tidal conditions, it's more straightforward. Always remember - you have a cell for assistance. If you're really nervous about this, pick-up a simple tow strap. If you're blocking a ramp, you'll be shocked by how many people/vehicles are ready and in the waiting to give you that little extra tug that you need.

Most importantly, survey the launch site before you drop (or pick up). Many ramps are not contiguous concrete and it's very common to have a ramp that, "Falls off the shelf" - stay ahead of that. Remember, you can back down to your concern point, hit the brakes and pull up. Remember, if you can't move up the ramp, launch your boat and upon retrieval, don't back down so far - your boat is light.

For traction, you're coefficient of slip is higher when your tires are slipping (called dynamic traction) - NOT GOOD -so max traction will occur when you lightly feather the throttle to prevent your tires from breaking loose.

That said, your tires spinning can sometimes cut through the - slip layer - and hit more positive terrain - but that is unpredictable.

Really, Empirical data is best, are they constantly towing stuck vehicles from the ramp?...no - I didn't think so.. as much as it might appear.

Not to hijack this thread, but where are the ramps that get constant " Stuck Pulls". I think that would be a GREAT thread.

Please add, what is your motor brand and size. I'm sure you never expected this many replies!!

 

[F14CRAZY]

Re: Worried about launching with my truck

I wouldn't worry...a 14' aluminum flat bottom doesn't weigh much. I pull my Bayliner with my '74 LeSabre and haven't had any traction issues at a ramp