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    #1

    ramp issues

    Hey guys,
    How many people have issue coming up a ramp w/ their truck losing traction? I have an '09 Silverado 1500 2wd, and have yet to make it out of a ramp w/ zero tire spin. Pulling a 2000 2100V on a tandem trailer. Besides setting people in the bed of the truck, what are some other tricks of the trade for getting up the ramp without breaking the tires free? I'm thinking about going to buy some sand and keep some 5 gallon buckets full of sand to let sit in the truck bed whenever I take the boat out. Any other suggestions? Trailering this boat has given me more headaches than the boat has given me pleasure
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    #2
    Throttle control is probably your best bet. Try to keep your tires dry if at all possible or if it's an option maybe a grippier set of rear tires.
    Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play?

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      #3
      You shouldnt have that much of an issue unless the ramp is very steep or the the traction of the ramp itself is poor.
      The main thing to do is take your time and take it easy on the gas pedal, flooring it doesnt get you anywhere fast.
      Is this an automatic or manual transmission? And do you have good tires? If you have a lot of wheel spin in the rain under normal driving they are going to do poorly on a ramp as well.
      I pull with a Ford F150 2wd and my boat and trailer are close to 5900 lbs, I launch at 3 different ramps one of which is fairly steep.

      Comment

        #4
        I have the same truck but an 08 and have that issue every once in a while. However my ramp is very steep and always busy (meaning always wet). The tires also need to be replaced as they are somewhat low profile.

        The best advice I can give is have one or tow people in the bow of the boat before you pull up. Then have the driver go slow and steady on the drive up. No letting of the gas, just a constant pull. A few weeks ago my wife was driving and the tires kept spinning, thankfully two other guys got in the back on my truck and made it up. After that I kept telling myself I want a 4x4 again.

        However, I have only noticed the tires spinning when my wife drives. My buddies never seem to spin the tires. However Im not telling her that.


        I would like to hear suggestions as well.

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          #5
          The truck is an automatic, and the tires are the ones from factory. Since its a company truck, I'm going to try to wait a little longer before I change them since they're the ones paying for it. Usually a pretty busy ramp and sandy as well. I haven't had too many problems in the rain, but the truck also has traction control on. Sure makes me nervous every time I pull the boat out

          Comment

            #6
            had the same problem with an 08 Silverado 2WD with factory tires. If the tires got wet then i could burn them up trying to get up our ramp which is very steep. Since they were so worn i replaced them with a set of new tires of my choice and since then have gotten a new boat that requires a deeper trailering on the ramp so i now have to back the truck to where the rear wheels are half way in the water. The new tires though will pull straight up with no slipping at all. I recommend these tires for anyone!!!

            Comment

              #7
              Originally posted by jmhatchett View Post
              had the same problem with an 08 Silverado 2WD with factory tires. If the tires got wet then i could burn them up trying to get up our ramp which is very steep. Since they were so worn i replaced them with a set of new tires of my choice and since then have gotten a new boat that requires a deeper trailering on the ramp so i now have to back the truck to where the rear wheels are half way in the water. The new tires though will pull straight up with no slipping at all. I recommend these tires for anyone!!!
              What size rims do you have? Mine are the factory 20inch.

              Comment

                #8
                I seem to have more problems on a cement ramp that's sandy than one that's wet. I think the sand will just make things more slippery. I'm pulling a 2000 slm comp that weighs about 3000# w/ a jeep cherokee, and my rear tires are (illegally) bald. I've only used 4WD twice this year, and that's if I get a trailer tire hung up on something. I think the trick is go slow and steady, only use as much gas pedal as it takes to get the truck moving.

                The biggest problem I have on the ramp is when launching the boat. When I apply the brakes the front tires lock up and drag. I just stand on the pedal a little more and the truck comes to a stop. That seems to get more looks from people than when I spin a tire.
                The luck is gone, the brain is shot, but the liquor we still got.

                Comment

                  #9
                  I went and got after factory rims from American Racing that are 22's and 12.5" wide. So it may be the wide profile that helps, but im sure that the tires will come in the size that was standard on the factory rims because i also HAD the upgrade with 20's and the factory tires were terrible.

                  Comment

                    #10
                    I actually just checked and the tires i got come in the 275/55-20 which is the size of wheel that SHOULD be on your truck.

                    Im not saying that the tires make ALL of the difference, but i certainly believe them to have been a factor at the ramp i use. Which it is a private ramp so it naturally would not be as wet (usually) as a public ramp, but even when i dip my tires into the water and start going they do great!!

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                      #11
                      You don't want to put sand down or your truck will really be spinning. If you have enough clearance between the prop and the trailer carrage you can do what alot of outboard guys do, use the boat to push. Just make sure and check your prop clearences first. Someone on here had the prop hit the trailer just loading the boat, so be careful. The boat can easily push the truck up the ramp with a little throttle. It really doesn't take much to help the truck up the hill.
                      Biggest lake addict on the planet

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                        #12
                        I always have had a 4x4 truck but i think i have used it once in the last 6 years of boat ownership and that was three days ago, tires play a big part of traction, straight rib tires are going to give you the least traction, but in a 20"plus wheel straight tread is the most common tire that is going to fit on a 2wd truck.

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                          #13
                          use the lowest gear and set your ebrake 3 clicks down. works great.
                          If you cant have fun doing it, dont do it!

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                            #14
                            Good point on the tire tread pattern, you are right... but i found a set of low profile all-terrain tires from a friend of mine that works at Discount Tire and he helped me set everything up. Cooper Zeon LTZ and Nitto are good ones to look at for a larger wheel to put an all-terrain, mud-terrain, or something similar onto.

                            I put the Cooper Zeon LTZ's on my truck which has 22" rims and they are easily the best tires i have had. The low profile may bring up the question of towing capacity and weight ratings, but i looked into that since i tow all the time and these tires are rated better than the factory tires in (I BELIEVE, if i remember correctly) weight, tread wear, temperature, and the speed was the same. Definitely a great tire to look into... i will get another set when these are worn.

                            Comment

                              #15
                              Those Coopers are pretty nice. What did you pay for them if you don't mind me asking? You can PM me if you like.

                              Need to replace my tires soon and I am exploring options.

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