Why do Trucks Get Submerged at Boat Ramps? 

#1. People whose boats weigh five times more than their towing vehicle.

I’m 2wd so I put a wheel chalk under my front driver tire with a rope attached, then as I pull out I pull the wheel chalk up through my window

No mention of holding the brakes? Even with 2WD, every vehicle has 4 wheel braking. How many boat ramp disasters could be prevented by just holding the brakes until help arrives?

A suggestion My father was a pioneer in boating.😅 As far as trailers are concerned, he underslung the trailer axel. This gave him about 3-4" less height, and the boat was that much closer to the water. The axels were balanced so that when the boat was on the trailer, the wheels were more in the center of the trailer, giving only about 200 lbs of tongue pressure. His car tires were never in the water. Yes, back then, he used a Pontiac Catalina. 😅 He also had a winch on the front of the trailer where the trailers nose wheel was. This way, he could hook up to the bows ring and haul the boat up the trailer. Once the boat was in the front chaulk, he drove off, not getting any water on his rear wheels. Huzzah😊

Grew up near boat ramps in Indiana on lake Michigan. We would sit and watch the happenings that went on there from our canoe or the docks. Often the boaters would ask us for help, or get bent at us from laughing at them. Sometimes in their frustration they'd challenge us to back down to the ramp in their vehicle with trailer and get the boat off or on. So we did it with ease mostly. We kids had a sense of how those boaters would act. Usually the more expensive the boat, the less control they had over launching it or retrieving their stuff. They never thought to practice trailering in a parking lot, but they sure did have some nice big boats. Sometimes we'd go on a cooler raid.....but that's another story.

Thank you for recording and posting this valuable educational video.

I put a stiff nylon brush in the bed and a chock.. if the ramp is slimy I brush it down first.. takes a minute. Tie the chock to the truck so it drags out when you pull out.

I bring a 4x4 piece of wood (chock) and put it on the ramp at the lowest point I'm willing to reach with the reach tires, when the tires reach it they can't go any further and they can't slide.plus I dont let the tires go in the water (it's also bad because in salt water it rusts the hell out of the bottom of the truck if you don't rinse it with fresh water later on). Also I'm mindful of the inclination of the ramp, algae or seaweed (I sweep it away) and the water level due to the tide. Been boating for 30 years, no problems.

Always chock your front wheel. It will save your truck. Have a string attached so when you drive up you just pull them. And never back in past the water line. Check ramp for algae. Some people bring a broom to scrub it.

Many years ago, I was at a harbour and went to the boat ramp as you do, to see if anyone had fish to show for their trip offshore. Once I got to the boat ramp, I noticed a boat was floating at the ramp, with the trailer FULLY submerged underneath it. Not only was the trailer fully submerged, but so was the car ! A V8 with a slippery boat ramp and a driver who forgot that when you lose traction on a boat ramp with a heavy boat you're in trouble. A very expensive car completely submerged!

I only use 4WDlso. I also put my studded wading boots on so I can keep on my feet in the algae when I go to unwinch and push my boat off the trailer. Sometimes in later summer I'll also bring a stiff bristle broom to clean off the algae from the ramp before I back in.

Thanks for the tips!

Good tips here. I also use a chock block with a rope on it that gets looped over my mirror when retrieving. When I'm in the truck and just moving up the ramp I reach out grab the rope and pull the block in.

Helpful, thank you!

Some great content rt here, Thank you !

Yeah I think one problem people have is backing up too much! I get it if its low tie but really whats that extra few minutes of just using the wrench to pull the boat to fit the trailer vs losing your vehicle!

We had two incidents at a boat launch in one day. One guy was in our fishing group with a 2wd pickup. He got in the algae but held his brakes down the second he realized he couldn't go forward. Had another guy strap to him and pull him out to regain traction. Holding the front brakes saved him along with someone to pull him out. Another guy at the same launch later that day went under water with a 2wd ranger. He barely got out before the cab pressurized. I can say don't put it in park!!! hold your brakes until someone can get to you.

Once I get lined up straight with the ramp I always switch to 4 low going in and out. Another benefit is nothing happens fast in 4 low.

Great advice!

I used to launch my 14' Princecraft with a dinky little Mazda Protegé, which was FWD so I could back up to my heart's content without worrying about slipping & sliding.

EXCELLENT VIDEO

I wear spike shoes. They're kinda like ice cleats but super aggressive. It helps me not go down. The lake is the only place I use them.

i have a paddle boat and i use the boat launch for it, not backing my trailer in but its a convienient place to put my 5x8 boat. that slimey launch is no joke ive slipped there so many times getting the boat in the water.

I almost lost my truck the other day. Dead low tide ramp was pretty steep. Decent size boat for the truck size. The loose stones on the ramp caused all tires to start skidding. Only thing i could do is bang it in drive and get on the gas. Luckily saved my truck and boat. I tried turning left tuning right no way that worked. I had to bang it into gear. I have backed in many of ramps and many of boats! It can happen to anyone. Be careful everyone.

About 9 years ago, I had an F350 that started to slowly roll backwards at a boat ramp. It was very slow but still freaky AF! I managed to stop it, and actually still launched the boat after I resoved it. BUT, the truck went to service within a couple days and it had some parking brake issues to fix. I had no idea it was having issues. Since then, I ALWAYS use a chock block no matter what. Cheap insurance.

You aren't kidding about the slipperiness of algae. A couple years ago, I was riding a bicycle trail that had received rain the previous night. One of the wooden bridges was in the shade and had algae growing on it. As soon as I hit that bridge, my tires went out from under me and I landed hard on my hip. Oil on ice is a good description. That was the most slippery surface I've ever encountered.

Different tires act differently on wet surfaces as well. Another tip is to use neutral instead of reverse, once the trailer is on the ramp. The weight of the vessel will help you backup.

I have a lexus lx450 with front and rear locking diff. Should I just go ahead and engage the diffs as I'm backing down ?

Just another reason I’ve always owned 4x4 trucks. Because you’ve always got front driving wheels on the dry part of the launch ramp. Especially helpful when lots of 2 stroke PWC or boats are present on a lake. Those ramps are very slippery!

I've been using two different all wheel drive vehicles over the last 6 years and have no problems pulling out my 15 and a half foot bass cat from the reservoirs here in Georgia.

There are ramps at places like Fayette County Lake where moss grows on the ramps at the water line. Trucks pet their back tires in that moss and slide back.

Most people don't check the "Truck Book" at the dealership when purchasing a truck to pull a trailer. You have to match the truck with the trailer.

I saw a guy put a 2x4 between the brake pedal and steering wheel while in park to apply braking to the front wheels. The parking brake won't help if the back tires are sliding.

Rear tires float, especially duallys . A lot of people on the West Coast put a hitch under their front bumper and launch that way.

Not a problem with front wheel drive, if the boat ramp is good design .

Id have to say if you pour oil on ice it freezes lol. The best time in the oil patch to have a spill is when it's cold and there's snow/ice on the ground, then you can just roll the oil up and it doesn't saturate into the ground. But I understand what you're say, it's damn slippery 😆

Love your Whaler

Not just four wheel drive engagement, but put the vehicle into positive traction, locking all axles, to prevent differential slippage if so equiped. Many Ford pickup truck owners don't even know they have this feature. I get what you're saying about putting the vehicle into low range. I would assume to help with not breaking surface tension. However, it should be known that low range is for low end torque which decreases tire rotation in the vehicles ability with achieving that. Not sure if I agree with your blanket statement on low range as there are certain dynamics that do or don't apply in some situations.

Another tip is don't have your vehicle in reverse but instead have it in neutral when going down the ramp. also do a brake test in reverse before going near the ramp.also, you should never exceed the maximum SAFE towing weight of the vehicle. When you add angles like a boat ramp, the pull on your vehicle increases keep in mind.

Very informative. My car has a front wheel drive and I guess if I try to go very slow the front wheels have the best traction. And can manage to drive it out.😎

It’s ideal to have someone that knows what’s going on in the boat, with it running, to help push the truck in if it goes bad. Don’t always have that person, so check the ramp first, only go back as far as absolutely necessary, let the boat(gravity and/or bouyancy) do the work. I hade a friend that lost his 11 year old daughter in a situation like this, just awful.

probably a dumb question, but all I want in life is a little jon boat to take me out on the restricted lakes near me. with 2wd i feel like it doesn't matter what your pulling, it's the ramp surface that will get you in the jam. will adding weight just in case in the bed eliminate this? kind of like winter driving? or is it a roll of the dice? also, maybe should I consider a trailer with an extended tongue? or just cough up the money for that good 4x4 action? thanks

Do you back up in neutral and take off in 4LO? Some say backing up in neutral is the best?

if you engage the front axle (4wd vehicles ) the park brake will keep all 4 wheels from turning. if I had a boat I would have awd, or 4 wheel drive. as long as you do not turn the front wheels and pull straight up the ramp no damage from engaging the front axle will happen

Once a two-wheel drive truck gets Wheels on the slime they can't move forward.... And every time they try they go backwards a little bit until bloop bloop bloop bloop........ And of course some people simply don't use the parking brake.... Or wheel chocks. I've never seen anybody actually use wheel chocks but me....but I chock the front wheel every time... They're only like 8 bucks at harbor freight

I drive a 2wd single cab Silverado it has almost no weight on the rear wheels and it does fine just give it a tiny bit of throttle and let the torque get you up

Good thing I have fwd…I think that helps a lot since my two front wheels that are nowhere near the water are pulling.

Also check your 4x4 function they are not all equal, I discovered too late that 2015 RAM 4x4 only locks transfer case when you rev it, even in "4x4 low" and "4x4 lock" at idle the front wheels are free.

Used to keep a 5 gallon pail of course sand in my truck throw a coffee can worth in the slime line it's cheap insurance... key is course sand...

I think most people put their parking brake on and forget to put it in park. Many times the parking brake does not work well. At the same time, only the back wheels are locked. that is what you should use 4wd if you have it.

Jus watched someone dump there truck into shawnee lake putting in a kayak, it was the greatest thing we have ever witnessed!

Algae gets so bad, I wear those metal cleats (ice creepers) on my shoes sometimes to walk around on the ramp & undo safety straps or whatever

i have 2wd never had an issue. I just dont back into really steep inclines ramps.

My favorite ramp, Blackburn in Nokomis,Fl

Not trying to be a troll here, Low gear provides the most torque and can exasperate wheel spin. OEM's Like Ford, specify using "2" (P, R, N, D, 2, 1) to help provide increased traction on a slippery slope. I agree with you on using 4 wheel drive as long as people are familiar with their vehicle. For instance, my truck can be very stubborn going back to two wheel drive. Transfer Cases can be damaged without making sure 4WD has disengaged before making the trip home. All that aside, Operator error is the culprit. Not putting the transmission in PARK and not engaging the parking Brake is usually why vehicle go for a swim at boat ramps. Lastly I had a small 2WD ford ranger years ago that had enough power to pull my boat up the ramp but not the traction. my solution was to keep multiple 5 gallon buckets in the bed. If i couldn't get enough traction I'd start filling buckets with Water over the drive wheels. Certainly not an ideal solution but it worked every time. Thank you for posting your video

Nice Whaler!

Lots of 4wd trucks have mud grips that work good in mud but not so great on slippery concrete.

I think you just saved me from this fate. Wow. Thank you.

They back up too far and drive the trailer tires off the edge of the pavement. The trailer drops off the ramp end point and is stuck until it is lifted out. I have seen it 100 times.

Park the rear tires on dry pavement , then winch to boat on instead of trying to back the trailer under the boat. Ta da!

Almost seems like having a more beefy front wheel on the trailer that can be raised or lowered wouldn't be a horrible idea. have a winch on either the truck or the trailer, conect the 2 with the winch, unhitch and gently roll the trailer back while the truck has nice traction on dry land. would need to be something tougher than the normal jocky wheel thats on most small trailers to aid with moveing the trailer by hand.

Damn youre right, I was about to buy a bass boat and trailer and haul it with my rav4 LE 2WD but after watching your video forget it😂 Ill just save up to buy a 4WD.

Vehicles become attached to their owners and may get highly jealous of their boat siblings. Vehicles have been known to join their owner and boat for a swim, deep seeded separation issues.

why don’t they put a removable steel bollard at the top for a winch or something to anchor to in a pinch?

had a 4000 lb wellcraft for 30 years always used 4x4 low never slipped once

Do you used 4wd when towing the boat on the freeway? Or do you use it getting in the water and out the water?

#1 lack of experience #2 poor tire condition or tread #3 backing too far down on the ramp into sand or slime build-up on the ramp.

If I ever get submersed im going down with the truck. Id be wayy too ashamed lol

I keep mine in a dry stack 👍🏻👍🏻🇬🇧

What would I need to do to prevent the vehicle from getting into the water if my vehicle was just 2WD?

Same as with ice and snow, once you lose traction it’s almost impossible to get it back.

Good work

put a second ball hitch on the front bumper .

Winter Tire Chains , lay them down as a Rug to grip..

Just curious, where's this boat ramp at?

Let it go. We need more dive sites.

I am sure beer is involved.

Anyone know how a front wheel drive ram pro master does pulling a boat out

I was hoping you'd demonstrate. Jeesh.

put your 4x4 in low. This prevents power distribution to go to different wheels thus causing unequal power to wheels which can cause skidding. 4 wheel low keeps equal power to all wheels and keeps them all turning equal speed too. when going down a ramp, all occupancies should be out of the vehicle until safely off the ramp before passengers go back into vehicle. Keeps windows down, especially power windows... best to escape and live another day captain

I've always had 4wd tow vehicles but I've only used it twice in close to fifty years of boating/towing. The number one reason is driver error/poor judgement.

When I'm pulling the boat out the water. Do I engage to 4h or 4L to get the boat out?

The front brakes are no good unless your foot is on the foot pedal. If the back tires are spinning and your foot off of the brick you're going in. Is cut a tubafourtwo fit the brake paddle to the stirring wheel when not in the truck. Most people are spinning the backtires and going backwards. It's called panic.

Can I use the word algae. Two wheel drive truck brakes not working too good. Keyword don't panic.

How about parking brake too. Better for transmission

You want second gear not low gear as low you have more torque.More torque=More wheel spin.You can use chocks behind the wheels too.

Why is it more likely to happen retrieving the boat?

Interesting about being in a lower gear to prevent the rear wheels from slipping. I get the logic...slower is better...but a lower gear means the rear wheels will get more torque, and in that way INCREASES the chance of slipping/spinning? That's the reason many cars have a "non-slip / winter / icy" transmission mode (called different things by different manufacturers), that forces the (automatic) transmission to start in SECOND gear...that's because second gear transmits less torque to the rear/drive wheels, thereby decreasing the chance of slipping/spinning. Of course the "manual" way to reduce slipping is to just be gentle on the throttle, which accomplishes the same-ish thing as starting in second gear. Anyway, I'm just not sure how "low" gear would be better in the boat ramp scenario, at least as compared to just being gentle on the throttle. Thanks for the video.

Because 2wd. Anytime I launch any boat 4lo and two footed driving braking and gas to stop any roll back.

Also pickups are light on the rear and heavier on the front, making the two wheel drive problem even worse. A van would make a better two vehicle in that regard.

Is there boat class? Like a written and exam like a car license 🪪?? This should be taught! We don’t have a boat 🛥 but just watched a bunch of fails of boat launch.

Wonder why people don’t throw down some sand on the ramp.

What’s the rough price to rescue a vehicle that’s went into the water

Deflating your tires a bit is an off-roading trick that might give you more traction if your wheels are slipping.

lack of trailer backing experience, your not bumping the dock, your bumping the water. buy a beater truck if your a boater.

You would think the park or city workers would monitor the ramp because it's so heavily used, and then scrub the algea away.

I usually sit on my cooler, drink beer and wait until my friends boat is tied at the dock. Otherwise if this happens, I’m the guy who gets more beer and maybe I’m good for a ride home or to the shop.

Budweiser and Bad Boat Ramps...

For everyone else’s entertainment 😜

I do remember a scary moment pulling a friend’s small sailboat out of Lake Michigan in Chicago, with my Plymouth voyager