launching questions

[v8power]

Re: launching questions

I tow a 1980 19 ft Cobalt w/5.7l v8 with a 2001 ford crown vic. When you pull the boat out of the water "2 foot" it. Push the brake pedal first, put it in drive, then give it a little throttle and let off the brake, this will prevent "flashing" the torque convertor when you move your foot from the brake to the throttle. It should not take much throttle to retrieve your boat.

I always love the launch and retrieve portion of my days at the lake, between the rookies (no offense) jack knifing there trailers trying to get them in the water, and the guys with giant pick ups pulling aluminum 14ft fishing boats blowing the tires off there trucks, pulling out of the water, its just a good and entertaining day all around.

Many times I have backed other peoples trailers in for them just to get the ramps moving, Ive been driving a Tow Truck for about ten years, and backing things up is about 90% of my day, so I dont mind lending a hand.

Anyways, just my 2 cents worth.

Good luck and happy boating.

 

[KeyWestSkipper]

Re: launching questions

If you were to have difficulty on the ramp pulling your rig out of the water ... calmly proceed to back your boat back into the water and tie it up at the dock. Pull your empty trailer to the staging area where other boaters are coming and going. Approach the boater with the baddest tow vehicle in the lot and ask him to hook up to your trailer and pull your boat out for you. He'll be flattered that you asked, and proud to show what his rig can do. Besides that, he's a good guy and wants to help. I've been there done that for others that had a problem. No worries.

Great advice, thought it was worth bumping up. Especially since the ramps can be a high-pressure hurry up scene, not real friendly to a noob, who's first inclination would otherwise probably be to gun it and try and spin his way up the ramp.

 

[indy440]

Re: launching questions

Not true. No auto manufacturer makes an automatic transmission that will allow the driver to select what gear it STARTS in. You can only select which gear it will STAY in. Newer vehicles even have a idiot proof transmission that will shift beyond the selected gear if the RPM's are getting too high. Your CRV had a faulty trans. The only transmission that was ever close to that was in the late 70's some Honda Accords came with the 2 speed "honda-matic" much like the Powerglide tranny from Chevy except you had to manually select the gear. That hasn't been around for almost 30 years

You Sir, are terribly ill-informed.

This is from the 2002 Honda CRV manual:

THINK, then type...

 

[indy440]

Re: launching questions

CRV hooked to the boat:

 

[dan t.]

Re: launching questions

Question,is your Pathfinder a 4x4 or all wheel drive, does it have low range? If it has these things use them, thats what they are for. do not use manual second, I cant think of a faster way to cook a clutch or overheat an automatic,I launch a 24 footer with a 3/4 ton 4x4 and I still use low range 4x4 , it just makes it so much easer on the truck

 

[captharv]

Re: launching questions

Being a newbie, and welcome to the zoo, heres some towing/launching tips.
This is a biggie: DO NOT tow in O/D. It puts stress on everything, especially the transmission.
When you couple up, double check everything: safety chains, coupler closed and locked with a lock, lights connected and operating, tires inflated, lug nuts tight, etc
To practice parking and ramp backing: take some old milk jugs to a vacant corner of a shopping plaza and arrange them like it was a ramp. Practice backing thru them. If you kill one, its cheaper than damaging the trailer
On the road. drive just below the speed limit. On superhighways, do 55. Let the speeders go around you.
My rig gets 9 MPG at 55, 7 at 65...(8000 tow weight)
Test the brakes when setting out from the house.
At the ramp. If your vehicle is a 2WD, buy or make some wheel chocks and put them under the front wheels to prevent backsliding. When the boat is near the trailers rear, it's weight is trying to lift the vehicles rear wheels. The parking brake and the "park" thingie in the tranny have noting to grab to. I tied about 3' of rope on the chocks and the other end went into a hold in the frame, so when you drive out it drags them with you.
Experiment with how far to back into the water. Your find a spot where its easier.
Above all: maintain the trailer, wiring, and brakes.