Slippery Boat Ramp

[Thornback]

I have a 2-wheel drive 2016 F-150 and yesterday when attempting to pull my 17.5' Bass Tracker boat/trailer out of the water on a concrete ramp my tires were spinning and I couldn't move an inch. The slightest pressure on the accelerator would spin the tires. The water and ramp were both covered with muck and slimy vegetation. Tip: I let some air out of my rear tires and then had no problem driving slowly up the ramp. The rear tires didn't look low and the info on the instrument cluster showed 37 psi in the two front tires and 27 psi in the rear tires. So I drove home and then aired up the rear tires. 

[Princeton_Man]

Yup, I know all too well about those algae covered ramps. About two years ago Rick beached on a ramp for me to climb in after parking the tow rig. I was going to grab the rail, throw a leg up, and pull myself in. When my feet hit the slime they slid directly under the boat. Took all year for my shoulder to heal. LOL

Lesson learned. I knew ramps could be slippery... Just wasn't thinking.

[Polaris425]

What kind of tires on are it? My 2013 F150 2wd never had a problem with the Michelins. Though, most of the ramps I used were just wet, not wet and covered with algae.

The good year wranglers on this tahoe I have now suck. If someone spits on the ramp they will spin. Thankfully the traction control usually kicks in and helps but... still...

[LgMouthGambler]

Sometimes it better to watch the rear tires so they dont get wet in the slime. If you have to winch the boat up the rest of the way, do it. I see too many images of the truck and trailer going for a swim because people just want to get up and go. If it takes a bit longer to make sure you are not calling in an insurance claim, just do it. People look at me at the ramp like im crazy as I keep my rear tires on dry pavement, run the boat up the trailer as far as it will go, them walk along the trailer and winch it the rest of the way. I do the same thing when I launch. Walk to the back of the truck, step on the bumper, and step to the winch along the trailer. Unhook and push the boat off a bit, then up on the deck. Takes a little bit of time, but once you get it down its easy. People may get a little annoyed that you arent Bassmaster launching, but they can be patient and wait a few minutes.

[Lee Smith]

Or, , , , , yall all could just get a Dodge!       

[Polaris425]

Or, , , , , yall all could just get a Dodge!       

I'd love to have an eco diesel but, can't afford $500/mo payment. lol

[LgMouthGambler]

Or, , , , , yall all could just get a Dodge!       

You and those Crapsler products! 

Wait, is that what you are picking me up at the airport in?... I take that back! 

[Lee Smith]

You and those Crapsler products! 

Wait, is that what you are picking me up at the airport in?... I take that back! 

No sir, that is what I WAS going to pick you up in! 

[LgMouthGambler]

No sir, that is what I WAS going to pick you up in! 

Does that mean you went out and bought a Chevy? 

[Lee Smith]

Does that mean you went out and bought a Chevy? 

No, that means you need to find a cab that makes long distance runs   

[LgMouthGambler]

No, that means you need to find a cab that makes long distance runs   

Is there Uber in Bama? 

[Lipripper]

Is there Uber in Bama? 

Long walk but you can make it.
You have to watch them ramps when they get wet or slime or a thin layer of ice on them up in this part of the country.

[Thornback]

What kind of tires on are it?

The factory mounted Michelins.

[Thornback]

Sometimes it better to watch the rear tires so they dont get wet in the slime. If you have to winch the boat up the rest of the way, do it. I see too many images of the truck and trailer going for a swim because people just want to get up and go. If it takes a bit longer to make sure you are not calling in an insurance claim, just do it. People look at me at the ramp like im crazy as I keep my rear tires on dry pavement, run the boat up the trailer as far as it will go, them walk along the trailer and winch it the rest of the way. I do the same thing when I launch. Walk to the back of the truck, step on the bumper, and step to the winch along the trailer. Unhook and push the boat off a bit, then up on the deck. Takes a little bit of time, but once you get it down its easy. People may get a little annoyed that you arent Bassmaster launching, but they can be patient and wait a few minutes.

Your technique is good and I'm happy you mastered it. On the other hand some ramps are very steep, some are gradual, and being 76 years old with two arthritic shoulders I don't want to do a balancing act on the trailer tongue or the back bumper. For me that would be a serious falling accident waiting to happen. I also don't want to get my feet wet

[rockchalk06]

Or, , , , , yall all could just get a Dodge!       

Word!

[Thornback]

Or, , , , , yall all could just get a Dodge!       

But I wanted something with an engine that would start.

[Lipripper]

But I wanted something with an engine that would start.

[LgMouthGambler]

Your technique is good and I'm happy you mastered it. On the other hand some ramps are very steep, some are gradual, and being 76 years old with two arthritic shoulders I don't want to do a balancing act on the trailer tongue or the back bumper. For me that would be a serious falling accident waiting to happen. I also don't want to get my feet wet

You sir need a 4x4 then.

[flowerjohn]

I would looooove to see you boys drivin in two feet of snow!!!! Now that is some slippery fun with a 2wd.


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[LgMouthGambler]

I would looooove to see you boys drivin in two feet of snow!!!! Now that is some slippery fun with a 2wd.


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No thanks, I prefer to keep my front bumper in the front. 

[Thornback]

You sir need a 4x4 then.

4-wheel drive not needed when I have been fishing and pulling boats up a lot of ramps more years than some members have been alive and to this day I have never been unable to pull out, even a few dirt launching sites. Once at a dirt ramp I had to put down metal racks that I brought along but the racks were cheaper than a 4x4. Therefore why spend the extra money.

[Thornback]

I would looooove to see you boys drivin in two feet of snow!!!! Now that is some slippery fun with a 2wd.

Born and raised in Florida. No plan on moving from God's Paradise where I can bass fish 365 days a year.

[Princeton_Man]

I would looooove to see you boys drivin in two feet of snow!!!! Now that is some slippery fun with a 2wd.


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I grew up driving 2 wheel drive pickups in the snow. Heck I think maybe I knew of two 4wd trucks in our area and one of those was a military surplus 1 ton. My first was a 59 Dodge, flathead six with 16.5 split rims and three on the tree. Wasn't anyplace I couldn't go. Now today, we all have to have 4wd.

[West6550]

I wantes to get a 4x4 when I bought my new truck a few weeks ago. Instead I got a locking rear differential on the new F150.

My last truck a Titan was 2wd and it slide a few times on some not so great ramps. I put a set of nitto terra grabblers tires on and never had an issue.

[Thornback]

Lots of good solutions for slippery ramps -- but air is free