Backing Down the Boat Ramp - Chevy 2017 1500 Z71

[Chasejohnson42]

Hi all,

I know my truck (Chevy 2017 1500 Z71) can tow a Moomba Max no problem. My concern is backing it down the boat ramp with the dry tow load of 5700 lbs. Does anyone have some input on this? I am hoping my truck will handle it fine but wanted to get some other people's thoughts.

Thanks!

[BigOrange]

How steep, how wet a ramp? If not too steep just put it in 4wd and you’ll be fine. Go slow.

[Chasejohnson42]

I'm not sure how steep the ramp. I attached a picture to give you a visual. I think the truck will be fine but we usually put the boat in with a Dodge 3500. 28837

[sandm]

our z3 was similar in weight. our chevy('16 model same as yours) had wheel slip on the ramp from the factory tires(they are crap). switched to auto 4x4 while heading down the ramp and never had an issue.

[larry_arizona]

If you have 4WD, you should always engage as you put the boat in water and remove it.

If you have a slick ramp, if your rear tires on on the wet/slick ramp and you put it in park to get out......there is nothing preventing the whole rig from sliding into lake.

I keep it 2Wd until I am aligned and as I back straight in, 4WD.


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[Chasejohnson42]

I have 4WD and will definitely be using it. I'm assuming 4WD low would be best?

Also, just to clarify you are saying to leave the truck in drive until the boat is off the trailer to prevent a slip?

Thanks!

[haknslash]

You guys and your nice fancy 4WD’s. First world problems :cool:. I back my Max down with 2WD lol. I’ve only had wheel slip on one of the lakes I visit or should I say used to visit. The ramp was grated with horizontal grooves but it was not properly maintained to be pressure washed so it will remove slime and sludge over time. Made for a butt clinching pullout. Needless to say I no longer visit that lake or ramp in my truck lol. I’ve been down some fairly steep ramps in my 2WD F150 with the Max but as long as it’s a ramp that is properly maintained I haven’t had any issues with slippage. I imagine you 4WD guys have a much better advantage than me. My next truck with certainly have 4WD just for those exact situations.

[larry_arizona]

I have 4WD and will definitely be using it. I'm assuming 4WD low would be best?

Also, just to clarify you are saying to leave the truck in drive until the boat is off the trailer to prevent a slip?

Thanks!

Low range is not required. Put truck in park, the transmission will be locked as well as the front axle on dry pavement


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[Chasejohnson42]

I just found out the ramp we use is 26% grade.

[Chasejohnson42]

LOL. So your 2WD F150 has no issues with backing down a Max? That's good to know. Do you know how steep your ramp is you use? The ramp we use is 26% grade.

[sandm]

last launch we used in depere wi we didn't have to use 4x4 at all as the ramp was super steep(had '00 ford f150 triton). dropped boat in and rear tires never even saw water. ramps here at mead are not steep at all. rear bumper is in the water before boat a$$ end is floating. rear tires are in the water up to the axle and fronts are usually wet. 4x4 is almost mandatory.

[haknslash]

LOL. So your 2WD F150 has no issues with backing down a Max? That's good to know. Do you know how steep your ramp is you use? The ramp we use is 26% grade.

No idea on the angle of grade at the ramps I’ve used my truck on but would love to know. It’s not just the angle though. Sometimes a steeper angle means you don’t have to back down as deep and risk getting in the slick concrete near the water level. As I mentioned above I quit going to one of the steeper ramps even though I enjoy its lake and it is closer to my house than other lakes simply because the ramp scares the hell out of me because it isn’t cleaner or maintained much during peak season. I literally had to do a rolling baby burnout about halfway up it once I was in the slick crap that had accumulated on the grooved surface. If I would had let out of it and killed momentum I would have been so screwed.

The ramp I use now on Lake Martin has a laughable almost non-existent angle to it which makes me have to load much, much deeper than I would prefer (bumper is in the water and tail pipe almost burbling) but since the angle isn’t steep I don’t have much wheel slip. All I know is my next truck will for sure be 4WD just so I can feel a bit easier I have two extra tires to keep me out of trouble. For me it’s not the backing down so much as it is the pulling out.

[TXSurf4]

Ya the only real reason I have a 4x4 is for boat launches. It is nice to have with the weight of these big boats and it is almost mandatory for some of the sketchy “launches” (if that is what they want to call them)we launch our fishing boat at here on the gulf coast. With the tides there is no telling the condition of the part of the launch you will have to use.


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[TexTgrTed1]

My 2012 GMC Sierra 1500 Z71 handles my 2017 Craz with no problem & without 4WD. The 3.42 rear axle ratio probably helps.

[z28ke]

2010 Silverado 1500 Z71 here and I’ve never once come close to needing 4wd on the ramp.

[TexTgrTed1]

Yeah, my buddy was driving it up the ramp & without asking he threw mine in 4WD HI & I almost never got the transfer case shifted back to 2WD.

[SONIC]

That's all well and good until you need it and you didn't take the 1 second to push the button and shift into 4wd.

I always use 4wd on the ramp, not "necessary" but I've seen too many videos of people losing their trucks at the ramp because it misted rain, or someone drained and oily bilge on the ramp.