Ramp Help

The lake I go to only has one ramp to launch. The problem is that it is so slick that I cannot pull my boat off the ramp with my two wheel drive tahoe. I have resorted to using my parents four wheel drive tahoe when I go to the lake, but this is a major inconvenience. Any ideas?? I really don't want to have to buy a four wheel drive just to launch my new boat.

Is your Tahoe an open or limited-slip rear diff. If it's an open (very odd for a dealer to order) then look at having a Detroit Tru-Trac Diff installed.

http://www.eaton.com/EatonCom/ProductsServices/PerformanceProducts/Products/Differentials/DetroitTruetrac/index.htm

get a gas powered pressure washer and go clean off the ramp.

or complain to "the authorities" about the unsafe ramp condition...you can't be the only one having trouble. tell them if someone slips and falls there could be liability for whoever controls the ramp.

Try airing down the tires. You might think about going to a bigger tire too.

Also Make sure there is the right amount of
air in the trailer tires to little it will be harder to pull out

Use your boat to help push to get things rolling. You might need to use the trailer brake lockout.

winch on the front end of your car?

also if u do have limited slip acelerate very slowly dont go to fast

Reagan Jackson (cstboarding) I really don't want to have to buy a four wheel drive just to launch my new boat.

I have a 4wd Avalanche because of things like this. I'd be willing to bet a lot of guys have 4wd trucks for reasons like this.

yep...4X4 Yukon here. love it for tow duty

4x4 f150. I bet the millage in a similar truck with 2wd is fairly close. And I get to play in mud, get up ramps, get home tonight in snow etc...

Have you tried the brake & gas trick?

If you brake while accelerating, the differential will put power to both wheels instead of one. If you are going slow, its not much of an issue to drive with the brake on for a short distance.

Note, this is also good for getting a two wheel drive car out of the snow.

sac the truck down

dupe

(Message edited by salty87 on December 01, 2008)

All of the above....

I think I'm going to add a locking diff this spring. Kinda spensive tho., but cheaper than a new vehicle.

I go to all sorts of diff ramps all over and i have a 2wd dodge ram. I found that new tires help a little, the rubber has not gotten hard yet, and if all of the above and newer tires dont help, you can always use the ghetto bounce method in extreme cases. Get your buds in the back or on the bumper, have them jump up and down and give it a little gas on the "down strokes", use the boat to help push too. Works. Also very entertaining for the on lookers as well.

Another option is to air down the rear tires (to 15 psi) so they get more traction. The draw back is you have to be able to air them up after you're on the parking lot.

If you don't want new tires or air down, try this trick - use your lowest gear, rock the truck and boat (on the trailer) back and forth by giving it just a bit of gas and let go (rocking back and forth motion), give it a little more gas each time you rock forward so you can build up some momentum. You do not want to give it too much gas to spin the rear tires or you will lose all the built-up momentum that way.

I'd be wary of complaining since they may well close down the ramp if it's too costly to maintain or deemed "unsafe" by some people!!!

(Message edited by kvoman on December 01, 2008)

A wider snow tire may help. They have more snipes and voids to help get traction.

Nick Bigger (nbigger): A wider snow tire may help. They have more snipes and voids to help get traction.

Or maybe just have your existing tires siped?

What tires do you have? I have the Nitto Terra Graplers and I can't get them to spin at the launch ramp.

Like has been said use your boat to push the truck to get started. You have an extra 300hp there which has good traction so use it.