ramp issues

[G-MONEY]

When we had our 1500 2x4 with 20" we never really had a problem maybe every once and a wile. I just put it in 1st gear and pulled out real slow. I put my left foot on the break and gave it some gas with my right foot let if off the break like a your riding a clutch.

[River Runner]

If you have a automatic trans. Try taking off with gear selector set on "manual 2". So that the vehicle takes off in 2nd gear. Its a solution that works well for all the "lead foots" out there.

[Lucky 275]

have you tried to use the e-brake on the way out?

[chadster2]

use the lowest gear and set your ebrake 3 clicks down. works great.

ebrake (just back 2) is better than all 4. All 4 adds more over all brakeing.

[tigesinaus]

we usually put out truck in 4wd otherwise we get wheel spin... but ive seen a fair few people with smaller 2wd utes and sedans using the boat to help get off the ramp..

you leave the boat running and just as the car goes to pull off the ramp give the boat a little squirt in fwd gear to help push the car... plenty of people do it and it works fine..

[rtomblin]

hmmm, I may have to keep using the boat as a boost in mind. think i'm going to go pick up about 4 or 5 buckets to keep full of sand to throw in the back of the truck to add weight. kinda curious about trying the parking brake, as well.

[jmhatchett]

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.

I believe that i payed about $190 a piece for them plus there are a few other little things like installation and such but they were a very good price and they work amazing. Cooper has a deal with Discount Tire that allows Discount to sell their tires for less so if you are going to look at them that is the first place i would start.

One thing about the price it might be slightly off due to my rims and their size difference from your tires. I went a little bigger on the wheel with a very low profile on the tires so the prices may be a little different but i presume in the same neighborhood.

[turbonine]

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.

I've got the Cooper Zeon LTZ on the Excursion. They are awesome and they roll very nicely at highway speeds. I am a little over 40,000 miles on them and it looks like they have about 10,000 left on them. Not bad for a being on a 8,000 lb vehicle.

I am considering replacing them with the Nitto Dura Grapplers in the future since I don't really need that aggressive of a tread pattern.

[Joeprunc]

Don't have time to read the whole thread...but here's a few pointers.

When I towed with my 00 Silverado I threw it into 2nd gear and used two feet, one on the brake and one on the gas. Ease out of the brake as you are giving it gas making sure you don't roll backwards.

When you start in 2nd, it should started in 2nd gear (not first), less torque to the wheels = less wheel spin. Just like driving in the snow.

Also maybe you should get a few 5 gallon buckets in the back of your truck, fill them up with water, and throw them in your bed at the boat ramp. Then dump them out when your done (so you don't have to haul them to and from the lake like sand bags).
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Also those with 4x4 I converted my transfer case to allow me to shift into 2Lo and 4Lo. I've got an under powered motor with a manual tranny. But with this mod, I throw it into 2Lo and first gear, then just crawl out, I've never had any wheel spin. Also pulling it out that slow allows for the boat to center perfectly.

[SPBFAN]

use the lowest gear and set your ebrake 3 clicks down. works great.

That engine is all about RPM in that truck. Horsepower. Which means spin the tires. You need torque. put the truck into second gear it will reduce the ability to break traction. or like said above lightly set the ebrake and pull it out with the ebrake on. It will keep the tires from spinning. Slow and steady is the best. You don't want to throw rocks up and hit the boat causing your gel-coat to get chipped.

[evil0ne]

I had the Terra Graplers and the 3/4 Burb never chirped a tire. I'l assume you also have the locking rear like 90% of GM trucks?

[rtomblin]

I believe so. I didn't get much choice in the pickup other than color, and seating arrangement haha.

[jake's02-22i]

When we had our 1500 2x4 with 20" we never really had a problem maybe every once and a wile. I just put it in 1st gear and pulled out real slow. I put my left foot on the break and gave it some gas with my right foot let if off the break like a your riding a clutch.

I do the same as G-MONEY with my two wheel drive 08 Silverado and it works great. two weekends ago we went to lake Mohave and launched at princess cove which is really steep and didn’t have a problem at all.

Things to consider with your 09 Silverado, if it’s an XFE it has tires that are supposed to have less friction. Kind of like the Prius, to give it better gas mileage. The less friction would make your tires spinn more.

[ragboy]

I have 4wd, but never need it on the ramp, and have a 2002 1500 GMC Sierra. My tires have AMAZING traction, however, don't expect 60k miles on them or anything. I run Nitto Terra Grapplers. Amazing in mud, snow, dry, rain, and wet ramps. I have them on the yukon xl also.

Here is a pic from when we took the entire garage to Merced for a contest.

[smuurph84]

im not sure how your trailer and ball is set up but if you can lower your hitch a little to give the trailer more weight on the front that might help.