Boat ramps and V6's - will I slide?

Pop Addict · Criminal Joined: 25 Jun 2010 Posts: 79

I have a 2006 4Runner (V6, 2wd). Towing capacity is rated at 5000 LB. Currently I pull a 21' inboard. Boat weighs about 2850LB so with trailer it prolly totals around 3600LB.

Never had a problem towing this boat with my 4runner (I do have a transmission cooler). Sometimes, backing down boat ramps (especially when they're wet) I slide a little bit when I set the emergency brake, put it in park, and take my foot off the brake. I guess this is since the emergency brake only locks the rear tires whereas with my foot on the brake I can lock all four.

Now to the crux: I'm planning on buying an A20 and hope I can still pull it. I think the A20 will weigh about 3200 LB (without the trailer) so that will bump my total towing weight up by around 300-400LB.

Should I be concerned about sliding down into the lake with this add'l weight? Any tips like lowering rear tie pressure a bit?

Suprahunter · Soul Rider Joined: 28 Apr 2008 Posts: 486 City: Lowell

Your problem is you have a light weight truck . Can you tow it probably unless you have an emergency or steep ramp. You may find the boat dragging or steering the truck.

3MileBayWaker · Posted: Sep 03, 2011 8:11 pm Post subject:

I've been able to pull my boat (3200lbs) in 2 wd drive out of any launch ramp here in NY from steep to small grade with a 4.2L V6 Trailblazer w/o a rear locker. Majority of the time the rear wheels are in the water too. My buddy has a Toyota Tacoma X-runner 2wd V6 6 speed manual and pull his boat in and out of the same ramps with no problems same grades.

I've needed to put it in 4wd drive once on a ramp which was covered in algae and lake weeds.

You can get away with it, but there may be that one time where you might get stuck and loose traction so your taking a gamble. Having 4wd is the best bet.

Pop Addict · Criminal Joined: 25 Jun 2010 Posts: 79

3Mile, Is that 3200 for just the boat or boat + trailer?

I'm more concerned about losing traction and the boat pulling my truck and sliding down into the lake! Less concerned about not being able to pull the boat UP the ramp since worst case I can get a tow.

jmlloyd · Criminal Joined: 20 May 2010 Posts: 61

I pulled my 20' SeaRay with a 2wd Pathfinder for a couple years and it was fine. Slipped a little from time to time, but go slow and be smart and you'll be ok.

3MileBayWaker · Posted: Sep 04, 2011 6:59 am Post subject:

kartman · Posted: Sep 04, 2011 8:55 am Post subject:

sounds like a good reason to talk the wife into a bigger truck!

Wheeler · Criminal Joined: 04 Sep 2010 Posts: 74 City: Decatur, AL

You never really want the tail wagging the dog, and in your case I think you would be fine, if the trailers has brakes.

The good thing about towing boats is that the axle(s) are farther back than a cargo trailer. This really cuts down on the dreaded side to side waging problem.

slidin_out · Soul Rider Joined: 05 Mar 2010 Posts: 353 City: Pearl

pull an 03 SANTE with a V6 and V8 explorer, the V6 never slides on the ramp but it is AWD all the time, the V8 slides about a foot each time we launch the boat, go figure, the V6 has the towing package with stiffer rear suspension, the V8 does not, i never worry about it though as i take my time backing the boat into the water, if i went to fast the V8 would probably slide more, just take your time and it should be fine

NKCrider · Posted: Sep 05, 2011 6:42 pm Post subject:

my 5cyl Chevy Colorado pulls my '82 SN out of our boat ramp just fine. its a loose gravel ramp with about a 40* grade. i dont havejust problems or wheel spin, just be easy on throttle and consistent

Gibster786 · Newbie Joined: 03 Aug 2011 Posts: 30 City: Virginia Beach

My 05 Ram 1500 2wd w/ a Hemi has problems towing my A22. Next year I am going to be a 09-10 ram 2500 diesel 4wd. Yes this a bit over kill just for towing a boat, but at least I wont have anymore problems.

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

fish6942 · Addict Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Posts: 603

Hollywood · Posted: Sep 07, 2011 11:59 am Post subject:

Most of these posts are irrelevant. He is talking about sliding BACKWARDS into the lake while putting the boat IN. Rolling Eyes

Ah nevermind, this is wakeboarder.com...

I drag a little one this one ramp that gets a lot of sand washed up on it. I hug the side where it's drier, but still a problem. My boat and trailer probably weigh 3-3,500#, no trailer brakes.

Make sure you have good tires! I've actually put it in Drive to make sure I wouldn't slide a few times, not to stop a slide though. I've never tried feathering the parking brake, not sure if mine even works, but that sounds like the best idea though.

Gibster786 · Newbie Joined: 03 Aug 2011 Posts: 30 City: Virginia Beach

chavez, Ya it is a steep ramp. The tide changes are dramatic. I am looking for a good excuse to get a new tow ride though.

texaswakerep · Outlaw Joined: 19 Jun 2008 Posts: 138 City: Hattiesburg

Pop Addict - I've got a 2005 4Runner, but its V8 AWD 7,000lb towing capacity. But I think you'll still have plenty of power for the ramp with that extra weight, the key is traction.

I've never had any problems with ramp slippage. Part of that is obviously because of the AWD...but. My buddy has a 2WD Dodge Diesel and he slips terribly (smokes his tires) every time he pulls up the ramp. Another huge difference here is his tires are terrible, and I run Michelins with deep treads. I think the best thing you could do with your current vehicle is make sure you have really good tires with lots of tread. And also, might not be a bad idea to keep a driver in the truck with their foot on the brake pad just to be safe. You might try it once before you spring for another truck.

But if you do end up wanting a 4wd V8 version of your truck, mine will be for sale this winter. Very Happy

Black w/grey leather, Blacked out Limited fully loaded with every option, AWD/4Lo, 7000lb towing capacity V8, Magnoflow dual side exhaust, black wheels, customized stereo with 5.1/sub/dvd/nav. Happy to send photos if you PM me.

boardordie · Posted: Sep 08, 2011 4:38 am Post subject:

In 25 years of being on the water I've never seen a single vehicle go backwards into the water while launching the boat.

I have seen...
Boat leaves trailer... driver mashes gas, breaks traction, tow rig slides into water
Boat loaded back onto trailer... driver mashes gas, breaks traction, slides into water
Boat is unhooked before trailer gets to water... boat slides/rolls off trailer onto ramp... nothing slides into the water after that!

I've even seen an old man and woman get into it about how to load the boat correctly and the woman driving the bass boat ends up landing the boat on top of the cadillac blowing out the windows and crushing the roof. That was sad and funny as hell all at the same time. Crying or Very sad

To answer the original question... you'll be fine as long as you anticipate your stopping distances while towing and slowly back in and slowly pull out of the ramp. In every scenario I've seen the tow rig go into the water the driver panics and smashes the gas.

For all you rookies out there... If your tow rig starts to slip backwards in the slightest... SHUT IT DOWN! Get the boat back on the trailer and use the boat to push the tow rig back up out of the water. (I/O and outboard owners trim that lower unit up as you come out of the water!!) Even if you leave the boat running all the way out of the water for a few seconds it's a lot less damaging then sending your tow rig to the bottom of the lake!

normrd · Newbie Joined: 12 Jul 2005 Posts: 16 City: Austin

To stop the slipping while backing in first go very slowly down...I had a very steep and long ramp with algae on it and this was only way to make it down. So very slow and should be ok. If you are on the brakes and then starts sliding if i use the parking break that would usually stop the slide. At that point again start backing in again but keep it slow and should be fine.

Wheeler · Criminal Joined: 04 Sep 2010 Posts: 74 City: Decatur, AL

When backing down the ramp I always have the truck in neutral, let gravity do the work. Don't need to push the boat into the water.

Also, any tow vehicle purchase should include a limited slip rear axle.

ridininmd · Wakeboarder.Commie Joined: 16 Feb 2006 Posts: 1231

boardordie, I'll add one to your list.
Boat loaded back onto trailer, pushes truck forward causing it to pop out of gear and start rolling backwards into the water. I know about that one because it was me when I was loading my center console. Luckily I hadn't shut the boat off yet and was able to jam it into gear and use the boat to hold the truck out of the water until my buddy could jump in and get on the brakes.

Gibster786 · Newbie Joined: 03 Aug 2011 Posts: 30 City: Virginia Beach

My belief is that if you have a awd or 4wd selection you will be fine even with a v6. I have seen small nissan awd suv's tow boats up a ramp faster than i could imagine with my 2wd ram. If worst comes to works let some air from your rear tires and spot the first gas station on your way home to air back up.