Boat Ramp Question

After seeing several pictures of trucks underwater at the boat ramp I’ve come up with a question. If you leave your truck in 2wd when backing down a ramp do only the back wheels lock? I’ve never had a problem with this, but I’m now curious. I have been to several ramps that you could barely stand up on due to algae or ice, but never had a truck slip. Should I be putting it in 4wd when launching and retrieving a boat? I’ve been launching boats forever and never had an issue, but it only takes 1 time. Also does the emergency brake only lock the back wheels? Thanks

Yes to every question.

If you’re going to put the rear wheels on algae or ice, lock it into 4×4.

Putting it into park with 4×4 engaged holds the front tires too. Setting the parking brake is a good practice to protect your parking pawl.

If you watch videos of vehicles being towed out of the water, 95% of the time it’s on an algae ramp in 2wd and IN PARK (possibly even the parking brake set too). If the rear wheels lose traction without a foot on the (front) brake, she gone….lol

If your vehicle isn’t 4×4, it’s best to launch with two people on slick ramps so someone can always have a foot on the brake (front brakes engaged). A front wheel chock wouldn’t be a bad idea either.

Ice isn’t nearly as bad as algae (when it comes to losing a vehicle). The ice forms out of the water on the ramp. You can have a scary slide down the ramp, but when the back tires hit the water they grab and stop you since there isn’t ice under the water.

Algae is the opposite. When your back tires hit the water they can keep sliding if your front wheels are free wheeling.

Thankfully the two don’t usually go hand in hand. An ice covered ramp out of the water with algae under the water wouldn’t be a good combo lol

Good answers Bman.

I always love those videos. Hopefully I’m never in one.

Eelpoutguy wrote:

I always love those videos. Hopefully I’m never in one.

Ditto.

Another option, especially for those with a two wheel drive, is to add a brake line lock. A brake line lock allows one to keep the brakes engaged, with out the need to have your foot on the brake pedal.

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Love those boat ramp fails videos. Good entertainment while a guy is in lockdown.

One of the ramps that I frequently launch at has had all the grooves worn out of the concrete so it is very slippery. Launching is usually not a problem but with boat weight in the water there is no way I could retrieve without being in 4 wheel mode.

Huntindave wrote:

Another option, especially for those with a two wheel drive, is to add a brake line lock. A brake line lock allows one to keep the brakes engaged, with out the need to have your foot on the brake pedal.

These also allow for sweet burnouts…..that’s an added bonus.

Matt Moen wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Huntindave wrote:</div>
Another option, especially for those with a two wheel drive, is to add a brake line lock. A brake line lock allows one to keep the brakes engaged, with out the need to have your foot on the brake pedal.

These also allow for sweet burnouts…..that’s an added bonus.

Shhhhhhh,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,