I'm a newby . This was my first post and judging from the number of great responses I'm really glad to be aboard . I'm close to being convinced to go 4X4 because when you need it you NEED IT. Don't really want to be on
one of GyRO's candid camera shots at the weekend boat ramp fiasco!

 

As for the front hitch idea, not a good idea for a boat launch. First of all you have to unhook, turn around and rehook. So now evreybody is staring at you, then you have to unload the boat and back the truck and trailer into a parking space looking even more retarded. I have a front hitch on my 95 and I use it every now and then in my yard, but that's it. When it comes to a public ramp...practice.
I will say this though... I have an 18' box trailer, a 21' boat, an 18' boat, a 16' car trailer and a jetski. I can back everything up great, but that **** little trailer under the jetski. I feel the need to put a 10 ft tongue on that sucker.

 

Checkmate,

Take your tailgate off so you can hopefully see the tongue of your jet ski trailer. then you'll have no problem.

 

Biology man

Once you have a 4 wheel drive, you will NEVER GO BACK! just like a diesel.... you may only use it once a year like i do lmao!! But its there when u need it.. in my case, muddy horsepens, a heavy diesel engine, a muddy ecology site and ranch running... hmm can i do without a 4x4? i wouldnt wanna find out...

TxDiesel007

 

Checkmate - I used to have a jet-ski, and towed it with a 2500 Suburban 4X4 Scottsdale (loved that thing). I used to back it down the boat ramp and completely loose sight of it as it started over the crest of the ramp. As it was, all I could see was the handle bars through the rear double door windows. So, as I backed it down the ramp, I just made sure I couldn't see it out of either mirror. If it started to appear out of one window, I knew it was getting off center. Funny, but when I couldn't see it (out the mirrors) I knew it was lined up with the Suburban.

I worked at RPS, where I backed 33' trailers (and a 53' a time or two during the day) for 5 hours at a time. I could back the trailers up with my foot to the floor on the governer, leaving about 2 feet on each side to the other trailers. Let's just same I became 'proficient.'

The key to backing anything in, which the boat towers 99% don't know, is what I like to call, 'the turnback.' For example: If you're approaching the boat ramp, and its on your right, so you've got to turn left to get the boat between your truck and the water, here's what you do, especially if you don't have much room. Turn left as sharp as you can ... when the boat (or trailer) is approximately lined up with the ramp, cut as sharp as you can back to the right ... coming to a stop when the angle to the boat is appropriate for how the trailer will need to be steered when the backing-up will start. Hard to explain maybe, but that one move will make backing any trailer in much much easier. And the turn back is even more helpful when there is very little room for the first turn.

But if everyone knew this, the boat ramps would be a much more uninteresting place.


- JyRO

 

I have a 3500 DRW 4x4 that I haul my 10' camper and ~3K boat with. I used to have a F250 SRW that I hauled the same combo with.

Loaded with the camper and an auto you shouldn't have any problems. I have a LSD in the rear and have no problems on the ramps in 2wd. 4x4 is nice on the ramps during low tide due to the slime, it's also nice on really steep ramps due to the lower gearing in low range 4x4. Empty my DRW tends to spin a bit on the steep slimy ramps, a bit worse than my F250 SRW.

 

I think I understand what you're talking about (longer trailers are easier, IMO), but it still wouldn't solve the "whats the bilge plug doing in my pocket" antics.

A 4x4 may not be the only way to go launching a boat, but to me and for my boat, its the best way.

 

I have seen the bilge plug in the pocket stunt several times.

Once by a dealer who was demonstarting a 19' Bowrider I/O to us.

 

Biologyman, get a 4x4 if you can swing the extra funds. As posted you will get it back in resale value, and won't have nearly as many boat ramp stories.

I've had jetskis since 91. I raced them for 5 years as well when I lived in FL. I basically rode just about every weekend, and almost everyone I know has launched at one time or another without the bilge plug in. Finally they started making the bilge plugs non removeable - like gas caps - they just hang there when unthreaded. I must admit a few times I've realized the ski felt heavy and done a big OH SH** and reached down under and screwed the plug in Happens to the best of us. Also part of the reason I have an additional, extra electric bilge pump. No need to run back for the trailer, just flip the switch. Comes in really handy when riding big surf that comes up over the front of the ski and fills the hull. As far as backing jetski trailers - that's what I learned on, so backing longer/larger trailers has always been really easy. I find that most people's problem with backing jetski trailers is they overcompensate on their steering corrections. The trailer starts going one way so they crank the wheel too hard the other way and start having the back and forth thing going. It is really funny to watch people try to back down the ramp sometimes

Where I ride in Sarasota, there are both cement ramps and an area in the sand where you can literally back thru the sand and your trailer into the water. It's amazing how many ppl with 2wd vehicles try that! The best of all, we once saw a guy (no joke) with a Geo Metro backing in a heavy 3 seater through the sand. Amazingly the guy was able to back thru the loose soft sand to the water, and launch, but the guy couldn't pull back out with the empty single trailer He was buried up to the doors as soon as he tried to pull out. What makes this story so funny is that we disconnected the trailer and all gave him a push to get out, and the rear bumper fell off!!

 

My truck wouldn't back up a slick boat ramp by itself....much less pulling a boat.

 

You'd be drivinh up the ramp Hoss, otherwise your truck is headed the wrong way into the surf!!!!


Reminds me of a really funny story, yes I have almost driven into a lake.

 

You laugh....but I've gotten as far as halfway across the lake before realizing I forgot to put the plug in. It didn't take on too much water as long as you were on plane and moving. Once you stopped though....

For what it's worth....I've never not been able to get up the ramp in my 2WD trucks.

 

Not if you follow the previous suggestion to put the ball on the FRONT of your truck. Actually, with my new concrete bedliner I could probably back up the ramp now. Lots more traction than before.