lauching boat with rear wheel drive van.

[300grain]

Just pruchased our first boat, a
vip Deckliner 16. Our main tow vehicle is a 1995 Ford E-150 Van. Since it has only rear wheel drive, what should I watch for when launching the boat?

 

[oldjeep]

Re: lauching boat with rear wheel drive van.

Nothing much - tiny boat behind a 1/2 ton van.

 

[colbyt]

Re: lauching boat with rear wheel drive van.

I should think the paved or not ramp. The steepness of the ramp and whether or not you van has an auto transmission or manual. I am a bit timid with a 2wd Nissan pickup with a 5 speed manual. I may be overly cautious but the truck won't float and I can not replace it for what the insurance company will pay.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: lauching boat with rear wheel drive van.

don't back the van tires onto mossy concrete and ur GTG

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: lauching boat with rear wheel drive van.

Keep the tires out of the water if at all possible-- tough with a van. When retrieving,,, keep light brake pressure until moving without wheels slipping.

 

[jayhanig]

Re: lauching boat with rear wheel drive van.

Keep the tires out of the water if at all possible-- tough with a van. When retrieving,,, keep light brake pressure until moving without wheels slipping.

What he said. And I wouldn't even go anywhere there wasn't a concrete ramp.

 

[coolbri70]

Re: lauching boat with rear wheel drive van.

my dad allways used his conversion van to launch/retreave his 21' cuddy, i dont ever remember it being a problem

 

[southkogs]

Re: lauching boat with rear wheel drive van.

I tow, launch and retrieve my 18' I/O with my 2007 Ford E150. I've got steeper ramps here in TN and don't run into problems. Every once and a while we get a build up of algae that makes the ramp a bit slick, but that's never stopped me from getting out.

 

[300grain]

Re: lauching boat with rear wheel drive van.

Looks like we will try with setup as is. Thought about rigging a trailer hitch on fromt bumper of van, but we mitht try without it. We can abort the launch if the boat doesn't float before the rear tires get wet.

 

[Mel Taylor]

Re: lauching boat with rear wheel drive van.

I was about to suggest a hitch on the front. I launched with such a set up on a 3/4 ton Dodge van for several years. Loved it because of being able to see the boat while I was launching.

 

[Quit It]

Re: lauching boat with rear wheel drive van.

I'd get a truck tow rope just in case you can't make it up and there's a truck that can help.

 

[cobra1476]

Re: lauching boat with rear wheel drive van.

been towing my heavy 21' deck doat with a 2wd F150 with zero problems. just what they said...dont get the rear wheels on the green stuff.

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: lauching boat with rear wheel drive van.

A front hitch will put almost no weight on the drive wheels. On steep ramps the amount of traction will fall off dramatically.

 

[Lurch77]

Re: lauching boat with rear wheel drive van.

A front hitch will put almost no weight on the drive wheels. On steep ramps the amount of traction will fall off dramatically.

I agree there. Having the drive wheels on the uphill side, and with less weight on them to begin with, can cause more issues. The incline will have shifted even more weight away from your drive wheels toward the non-driven front wheels, along with the trailer tongue weight. Visibility of the trailer is excellent, but traction can be significantly reduced. In the real world you may or may not have any issues. But physics don't lie. There have been times where I have had to back a front wheel drive car up a hill during the winter.

 

[airshot]

Re: lauching boat with rear wheel drive van.

It will all depend on the ramp you use, good rough concrete that is not exceptionally steep you will not have any problem. Worn tires, steel grating on ramp, excess incline, smooth ramps covered in algea, these will all create problems. As mentioned before, carry a long chain or heavy rope for help just in case.

Airshot

 

[glenn property of pam]

Re: lauching boat with rear wheel drive van.

1995 shouldnt have traction control so you should be ok on most ramps. last launch i got stuck on was made out of shell and the traction control kept kicking in so even with the peddal floored it wouldnt go over 1500 rpm and it would just slip one wheel a tiny amount then lock it and slip the other so i got no where. So plan B was a mobile phone and a rope and 10 mins later a friend came and pulled my sorry truck out with his little 2 wheel drive car.

 

[Mason78]

Re: lauching boat with rear wheel drive van.

I think everyone else has covered the important stuff. I have a 4wd but have never needed it when pulling my boat out. Just be mindful of the condition/steepness of the ramp.

I will highlight what JayHanig said. I would not try it on a none concrete ramp.

 

[300grain]

Re: lauching boat with rear wheel drive van.

Thanks Everyone! I'll get to try it next weekend.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: lauching boat with rear wheel drive van.

A bag of sand takes care of the green stuff.

 

[bigdee]

Re: lauching boat with rear wheel drive van.

Don't know about the boat but I had a Ford work van and pulled work trailers wit it. Traction wise on muddy work sites, it beat the pickup and that is why I used it as the tow vehicle