Loosing Traction Towing out of Ramp

[HS91_Mike]

I am towing a 91 Hydra Sports which is known to be a heavy boat for its class with an Ford F-150 Triton V8, 2WD. Having a hard time getting out of the ramp at low tide. Spinning tires a little.

A local guy recommend that I move the winch post back 6" - 12" on the hitch toward the truck to move more weight towards the hitch. My concern is two-part. 1) Would this be beneficial for the problem at hand - help keep the tires gripping and 2) Would this create other problems when trailering down the highway such as sway?

 

[JB]

Re: Loosing Traction Towing out of Ramp

Don't move the winch post. It is positioned to put 7-10% of the load on the hitch. Upset that balance and you have a world of hurt.

Traction is often a problem with 2WD pickups. Here are some solutions that have worked for others:

Put a few hundred pounds of sand in the bed.
Switch to a limited slip rear end.
Put a hitch receiver in the front to keep the drive wheels on dry pavement.

Check on the tow rating of your F150 and the weight of the trailer ready to launch. You might be surprised.

Of course, you could always go to 4X4.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Loosing Traction Towing out of Ramp

when i had that problem, i got a couple of guys around the ramp to jump in the bed of the truck.

 

[Utahboatnut]

Re: Loosing Traction Towing out of Ramp

I also tow with a two wheel drive truck and occasionally run into the same problem a couple things that have helped me are. The weight in the back as suggested people/sand/rocks/etc. Also try using low(1st) with an auto or compound with a stick. and let it crawl out with lower gearing. I have an auto and always pull it into first seems to help until I get onto dry ramp. As mentioned above a locker of some sort in the rear end will do wonders.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Loosing Traction Towing out of Ramp

At a dead stop, an automatic transmission is already in low, even when it is in D or OD. That's first gear. You would have better luck putting the selector in 2 as this (on most transmissions) causes the tranny to start out in second gear rather than first. Power is not the issue. Lack of traction is the issue. Most street tires are more like slicks when it comes to traction so having tires with a tread pattern that can get a grip helps a bunch. In my view, no rear wheel drive only (2-wheeler) should be sold without a locking or limited slip differential. Even four wheel drive vehicles have only two wheel drive if one front and one rear wheel spin. A locker in the rear at least gives you three wheel drive.

 

[jaxnjil]

Re: Loosing Traction Towing out of Ramp

realy i'd run it over a scale and check your tongue weight against your trailer+ boat weight.
you very well might need to move your post if you have no idea how it's set now.
i say this because when i got the boat i have now, my tongue weight was 450 pounds with a 7000 lb trailer+boat

i have mine set now to 650 lb and can tell you it made a big difference in towing and all around handleing

 

[Shizzy]

Re: Loosing Traction Towing out of Ramp

At a dead stop, an automatic transmission is already in low, even when it is in D or OD. That's first gear. You would have better luck putting the selector in 2 as this (on most transmissions) causes the tranny to start out in second gear rather than first. Power is not the issue. Lack of traction is the issue. Most street tires are more like slicks when it comes to traction so having tires with a tread pattern that can get a grip helps a bunch. In my view, no rear wheel drive only (2-wheeler) should be sold without a locking or limited slip differential. Even four wheel drive vehicles have only two wheel drive if one front and one rear wheel spin. A locker in the rear at least gives you three wheel drive.

the only downside to that is snow and ice. the general population doesnt understand how easy it is for both rear tires to lose grip while driving down the interstate when its icy. I have a LS in my Ranger and even with weight in the bed it can get scary when its slippery out. I think Ideally one of those air lockers would be sweet. hit the button when you need it.

 

[87rocket455]

Re: Loosing Traction Towing out of Ramp

At a dead stop, an automatic transmission is already in low, even when it is in D or OD. That's first gear. You would have better luck putting the selector in 2 as this (on most transmissions) causes the tranny to start out in second gear rather than first. Power is not the issue. Lack of traction is the issue. Most street tires are more like slicks when it comes to traction so having tires with a tread pattern that can get a grip helps a bunch. In my view, no rear wheel drive only (2-wheeler) should be sold without a locking or limited slip differential. Even four wheel drive vehicles have only two wheel drive if one front and one rear wheel spin. A locker in the rear at least gives you three wheel drive.

Please do not put your automatic tranmission in 2nd gear and try to pull a boat up the ramp. You risk burning your clutches up in the tranny. I would suggest trying a Powertrax No-Slip Traction Systems. They are about $500 from Summit Racing and a person with avg mechanical knowledge can install one. You do not have to remove the ring or pinion. They are a locking differentail, but when you go around corners they slip.
Hope this helps

 

[jaxnjil]

Re: Loosing Traction Towing out of Ramp

the torque converter would stall and the most you would do is get the transmision fluid hot. and that would take a while and thats only if the tires some how got traction and didnt turn and you stayed up against the converter stalling.
the clutches would be locked in and i'm pretty sure the tires would spin before the clutches gave up and sliped.

 

[danfrompgh]

Re: Loosing Traction Towing out of Ramp

Since you own a Ford you already know the obvious results of pulling out in 2nd gear with an auto trans. You do not get any better traction,your tranny slips instead of the tires causing excess heat to build up real quick. More weight in the bed,better tires in the rear,changing to a limited slip rear or getting a 4wd truck are the only options.But pulling out in 2nd is a no-no!

 

[Jeepster04]

Re: Loosing Traction Towing out of Ramp

putting the tranny in 2nd does not mean it starts out in second gear. That just means its limited to 2nd gear and cannot go any higher. Gave me a good laugh. I usually hold my tranny in 2nd when driving around in town at low speeds. No use in it going into 3rd or 4th when Ill be stopping in 100 feet at the next red light.

I had a powertrax no-slip in my Jeep and while its good offroad, I couldnt stand the street manners given my Jeep is a DD. It adds a lot of slack to the drive train so when you let off the gas it jerks, then jerks when you get back on the gas. Upside is you can install it in your drive way if you have any knowledge of how to hold a wrench and its cheap. It also leaves one wheel with 100% of the torque when turning or pulling out while turning. Sometimes one wheel would start spinning then it would LOCK; thats not good at all.

ARB air lockers start close to 1k then youve got install(gotta remove the carrier) and youve got the air compressor. They are sweet though.

 

[danfrompgh]

Re: Loosing Traction Towing out of Ramp

I'm glad you got a laugh Jeepster04. But since you apparently drive a Jeep you may not be aware that while GM's and Chrysler and Jeep do perform as you stated Fords do not. If you put the selector into 2nd gear in a Ford I can assure you it does not automaticly shift into the lowest gear when pulling out from a dead start. I'm not an expert on this phenom but Ford owners will tell you,they have reduced power to the rear wheels when the selector is in anything but 1st or drive. Reduced power from something other than tire slip is heat producing. So...again I think the only choices are tires,weight,axle change or vehicle change.

 

[captharv]

Re: Loosing Traction Towing out of Ramp

Danfrompgh is correct. Fords do indeed not only start in 2nd gear, but lock that gear until you shift into drive. Also same with 1st gear.

Try this: partially apply the parking brake. It will help the wheels not to spin. Then feater the gas pedal.

Does that F150 have a FACTORY tow package? If so, it already had limited slip.

 

[HS91_Mike]

Re: Loosing Traction Towing out of Ramp

Thanks a lot. We did put a large redncek on the hitch and she drove out. The Ford has enough power to pull it, and she does have a factory tow package and I been towing the boat out in 1st, and she stays there. There is a go/no go point where you know you are going to make it or hold your breath pray.

Between the beer cooler, a couple of buddies and some local sand bags in the bed, I think we can do it and not risk the winch-post moving idea.

 

[Jeepster04]

Re: Loosing Traction Towing out of Ramp

I'm glad you got a laugh Jeepster04. But since you apparently drive a Jeep you may not be aware that while GM's and Chrysler and Jeep do perform as you stated Fords do not. If you put the selector into 2nd gear in a Ford I can assure you it does not automaticly shift into the lowest gear when pulling out from a dead start. I'm not an expert on this phenom but Ford owners will tell you,they have reduced power to the rear wheels when the selector is in anything but 1st or drive. Reduced power from something other than tire slip is heat producing. So...again I think the only choices are tires,weight,axle change or vehicle change.

Then I stand corrected.. Amazes me that ford would do that.

Pop's had a ford while back. Wish he still had it so I could get him to try that out. Seems odd they made it like that..

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Loosing Traction Towing out of Ramp

I am towing a 91 Hydra Sports which is known to be a heavy boat for its class with an Ford F-150 Triton V8, 2WD. Having a hard time getting out of the ramp at low tide. Spinning tires a little.

A local guy recommend that I move the winch post back 6" - 12" on the hitch toward the truck to move more weight towards the hitch. My concern is two-part. 1) Would this be beneficial for the problem at hand - help keep the tires gripping and 2) Would this create other problems when trailering down the highway such as sway?

If your spinning both tires equally, no limited or locker in the rear-end is going to help you. It will still spin. You either need more weight over the rear axle or better traction. If you are going to accomplish more weight over the axle via sand bags or other weight (besides the temporary bubbas) then you might as well move the winch post to put the weight on the hitch. At least then you not having to haual bags of sand around.
If you don't want to ad weight (no matter how) and your spinning both tires equally (indicating a differential upgrade wont help either) then your options are down to getting different tires or a different truck with 4-wheel drive.
Is it a hard surface ramp? If yes maybe your tires are too wide and not aggressive enough. Wide tires are going to spread the weight you have out over a bigger surface putting less psi on the ground. Float too much and your spinning.
And there is no way that a front receiver hitch for launching is gonna help here. Unless your willing to load way more weight over the axle thaen what you would have to ad in order to pull out the normal way.

 

[luv2b0at]

Re: Loosing Traction Towing out of Ramp

I just went out and drove my 2001 F250. It does in fact stay in 2nd gear from take off. Never knew that. Why would they do that?

I pull my 5000lb boat, weighted correctly and I have problems slipping when pulling out sometimes.



Unless you want to add to your trucks drive train, the only thing I have found to help is added weight in the bed. I used a bladder (military surplus) STRAPPED DOWN in the bed and fill it with water. I can dump the water after pull out so I'm not carrying around the extra weight on the way home. Make sure you don't use a type of container that will allow the water to slosh around or you will have weight shifting problems.

 

[alumi numb]

Re: Loosing Traction Towing out of Ramp

well i just feel a chastising coming but here goes.
wrong truck, i drive a dodge cummins and it will pull the world.
two wheel drive on top of that thus 23 mpg.
put it in low one foot on the clutch the other on the brake and never touch the go pedal.
as the clutch begins to grab the brake get released and just idle up the ramp at a walking pace, that's it.
never touch the go pedal at all.
zero tire spin.
never found anything that works on ice unless the tires are studded or chains.
been in snow country my entire life.

 

[danfrompgh]

Re: Loosing Traction Towing out of Ramp

luv2bOat...thank you for your service.

 

[zach103]

Re: Loosing Traction Towing out of Ramp

not trying to jack the thread.. i have a ford f-150 4.2l 2wd. added some spacers to lift it up a little.. im gunna get some nice a/t tires soon and get the water bag thing that luv2boat has but will the lift affect my towing on the ramp? truck is rated for 5k but boat is only around 1500 or so.