Can I retreive it? FWD on Ramp

[lmannyr]

Re: Can I retreive it? FWD on Ramp

Asking for trouble man. You may loose your car, boat (if no plug in yet), or both!

Get yourself a vehicle to do just that, TOW. Doesn't have to be nice or new, just something to get the job done, SAFELY and in a timely manor.

Good Luck.

 

[65Mech]

Re: Can I retreive it? FWD on Ramp

i used to tow a 14' jon boat with a full deck gas and motor, that when weighed was around 1200lbs. i used a 01 volvo s60t and had no issues. i dont think 2 ski's would be a problem. try it, see what happens, whats the worst that can happen? you do have insurance, right???

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: Can I retreive it? FWD on Ramp

i used to tow a 14' jon boat with a full deck gas and motor, that when weighed was around 1200lbs. i used a 01 volvo s60t and had no issues. i dont think 2 ski's would be a problem. try it, see what happens, whats the worst that can happen? you do have insurance, right???

He needs to consider the weight of the fuel load(s)...my PWC holds 18 gallons, and he is dealing with two.

He also has to make sure that his trailered setup is not overly tongue heavy...that will lower the effectiveness of his front wheel drive.

I agree that there is no comparison to simply trying this out. Pick a weekday, when the ramp is relatively quiet...take a friend with a 'chase' vehicle, and tow strap...and see!

 

[hot_wire]

Re: Can I retreive it? FWD on Ramp

He needs to consider the weight of the fuel load(s)...my PWC holds 18 gallons, and he is dealing with two.

He also has to make sure that his trailered setup is not overly tongue heavy...that will lower the effectiveness of his front wheel drive.

I agree that there is no comparison to simply trying this out. Pick a weekday, when the ramp is relatively quiet...take a friend with a 'chase' vehicle, and tow strap...and see!

Exactly my plan. While I pull out, I'm going to try loading the skis further back to minimize tongue weight. Once I'm ready for the road, I'll pull them a few inches forward to get it into the 150lb range.

Oh and I'll have my friend's big truck nearby -- just in case!

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Can I retreive it? FWD on Ramp

i used to tow a 14' jon boat with a full deck gas and motor, that when weighed was around 1200lbs. i used a 01 volvo s60t and had no issues. i dont think 2 ski's would be a problem. try it, see what happens, whats the worst that can happen? you do have insurance, right???

I believe that some S60t Volvos have traction control and AWD - if yours has that, it could make a lot of difference at the ramp.

 

[65Mech]

Re: Can I retreive it? FWD on Ramp

it wasnt awd but it definitely made me nervous the first time. now i have a bigger boat and a truck. if you can afford it, try craigslist and pick up a cheap suv or truck.

 

[QC]

Re: Can I retreive it? FWD on Ramp

OK, I am ready to get seriously flamed here, but I don't really care . . Because, personally, I think this is a non-issue:

1) Front drive will have the wheels drier annnnd I think better traction if you use a light left foot annnnd power brake with the right (auto right? I am too lazy to read all of these posts). This assumes the ramp is not known to be especially slippery.

2) Swedish vehicles have always had higher tow ratings. Volvos are rated high as well; I had friends with an 850 (front drive) and they used to launch and retrieve their 18 ft. squirt boat with it all the time, it was waaaay heavier than a pair of skis.

I think you're fine. If you are that worried have a friend go with you the first time and have them higher with a tow strap already attached. Another plan is have somebody on each ski when you retrieve. Have them push you along until they are dry.

P.S. Saab (Scania) and Volvo's original parent companies in Gothenburg are truck manufacturers. They know vehicles.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Can I retreive it? FWD on Ramp

Naw, no flaming. Everyone has had their own set of experiences and they offer value to the discussion.

I have owned front wheel drive vehicles, but have never towed a boat with one. I've also owned 4WD vehicles, and have generally found that the front wheels tend to contribute more "pull" when the 4WD is engaged, in a lot of situations. That being the case, I always assumed that FWD would actually be better than RWD for boat ramps.

Additionally, I have a sister who had a rear engine, RWD Volkwagon Squareback. She lived in New Hampshire at the time, and had to deal with lots of snow in the winter. I drove the car there a few times in snow, and was amazed at the traction that it had - it was almost like a little jeep.

I think the trick to it all, is maintaining sufficient weight on the drive wheels to provide traction. I also think that's the source of the problem with FWD vehicles that don't do so well with boat ramps. Apparently, if the tongue weight of the trailer lifts the front end a bit, that particularcar/combination doesn't do well. If it doesn't, the car might be fine.

 

[cribber]

Re: Can I retreive it? FWD on Ramp

QC, I'm with ya here... I trailer my boat with a Chrysler Pacifica FWD and have never spun the wheels on a wet ramp since they're high and dry. The key to towing, retrieving is... don't attempt to pull more weight than your vehicle is rated for, period. If your vehicle's rated towing capacity is 3500 lbs... don't pull more than that and keep in mind of all the gear, fuel, and passengers add to the equation. And you should have surge breaks on the trailer... hydraulic, mechanical, or electric can only add to the safety factor. Enjoy!!!

 

[rcmickey]

Re: Can I retreive it? FWD on Ramp

Ok wait a minute. Let me get this....you dont think you can pull your skis out of the water with a Saab 9.3? Before I used my $300, 1997 Caravan as a pull vehicle. I towed my Sport-Craft with my 94 Mazda Protoge....."wait for effect". Yes a 94 Mazda Protoge it did not have the ponys that Saab has and it did have 187000 miles on it and front wheel drive but it never gave me a bit of trouble. The only reason I sold it, is because I paid $500 for it and sold it for $700 after driving it for nearly 4 years. Go ahead enjoy your ski's and drive the sh_t out of your ultra cool Saab 9.3
.

 

[hot_wire]

Re: Can I retreive it? FWD on Ramp

Ok wait a minute. Let me get this....you dont think you can pull your skis out of the water with a Saab 9.3? Before I used my $300, 1997 Caravan as a pull vehicle. I towed my Sport-Craft with my 94 Mazda Protoge....."wait for effect". Yes a 94 Mazda Protoge it did not have the ponys that Saab has and it did have 187000 miles on it and front wheel drive but it never gave me a bit of trouble. The only reason I sold it, is because I paid $500 for it and sold it for $700 after driving it for nearly 4 years. Go ahead enjoy your ski's and drive the sh_t out of your ultra cool Saab 9.3
.

Wow! Sounds like I may have underestimated my car's abilities. Sure hope so! I'll let you guys know how things work out. First weekend above 50 (here in Ohio) I'm hitting the lake.

Still can't believe you tugged a sportcraft with a protege!

 

[rcmickey]

Re: Can I retreive it? FWD on Ramp

Yes, I did its the one in my Avatar, good luck have fun!!!!

 

[H8tank]

Re: Can I retreive it? FWD on Ramp

Super light load, FWD, torquey motor, no problems.

I don't see this as a big deal Now if your ski's had OMC drives, the whole place would come down on you.

Now if you wanted to launch a moomba or something, no.

 

[hubbard53]

Re: Can I retreive it? FWD on Ramp

Wow! Sounds like I may have underestimated my car's abilities. Sure hope so! I'll let you guys know how things work out. First weekend above 50 (here in Ohio) I'm hitting the lake.

Still can't believe you tugged a sportcraft with a protege!

i may have missed it... where in ohio?

 

[IES99]

Re: Can I retreive it? FWD on Ramp

I don't think you will have any problem. I retrieved a heavier rig (2100#) with a FWD 110 HP Plymouth Reliant. Good tires for wet and you should be fine.

 

[sickwilly]

Re: Can I retreive it? FWD on Ramp

I tow twice the weight out with a front wheel drive honda minivan -- tow from the back of the vehicle, relax, and enjoy the water!

 

[Dovekie]

Re: Can I retreive it? FWD on Ramp

Actually, I've used just the technique mentioned (manual winch on tongue to tow vehicle, a fwd Corolla or awd Forester) when retrieving my rig (~ 1200 lb loaded) fr. difficult spots, eg. quite steep, wet kelp &/or ice covered banks or ramps). It is slow & ungainly esp. cross-handed (alone) but practical even then with wheel chocks; is not well suited for spots where others are waiting or onshore wind/current encourage fast load, but saves the running gear fr sw immersion. I often launch, retrieve boat without unhooking and judicious use of throttle/clutch & attention to traction perils (size up beforehand) reduce your chance of becoming an entry in SHT ;- ) I fully expect to be there at least once in life

Geometry of tow vehicle & trailer/boat are factors for pulling & winching.

So, I think that you can do it, but suggestions previous re. back-up vehicle etc. make sense. I would not bother with electrical winch & all costs/complications involved.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Can I retreive it? FWD on Ramp

While I usually am a "keep it simple" guy when it comes to boats, there is a "4 wheeler's" trick that might be of help at times - that of lowering air pressure in the tires. You might find that bleeding your front tires down to about 20 psi just before retrieval, will help with the traction issue. Obviously you will have to carry a small air pump, so that you can "air the tires back up" in the tiedown area, but the effort shouldn't be too great.

I don't think I would want to do this as a matter of routine, but it might be useful for some ramps that are a bit steep, sandy, etc.

 

[hot_wire]

Re: Can I retreive it? FWD on Ramp

While I usually am a "keep it simple" guy when it comes to boats, there is a "4 wheeler's" trick that might be of help at times - that of lowering air pressure in the tires. You might find that bleeding your front tires down to about 20 psi just before retrieval, will help with the traction issue. Obviously you will have to carry a small air pump, so that you can "air the tires back up" in the tiedown area, but the effort shouldn't be too great.

I don't think I would want to do this as a matter of routine, but it might be useful for some ramps that are a bit steep, sandy, etc.

Cool idea. I'll keep it in the back of my mind, and try it out if I have a problem!

 

[hot_wire]

Re: Can I retreive it? FWD on Ramp

Sounds like a few of you have experience towing with FWD vehicles. This thread has been really encouraging to me.

Dovekie, I'm glad to know that I wasn't the only one with that idea, and that it can actually work!