How deep of water is too deep?

[jmitchell]

So unfortunately, every year in August the farmers start drawing our lake down quickly and as the water drops the ramp starts to flatten out. Many of the lake goers have tractors to launch their boats, however all I've got is my '07 Chevy Tahoe.

So this last weekend I was able to launch the boat, but the Tahoe was in pretty deep. Water line at the rear of the vehicle about 1 1/2" from the top of bumper (rear tire 1"-2" above water) and at the front the water was 1"-2" below the top of the wheel (20" wheel). I opened the drivers door which was a big mistake cause the water was 1/2" below the floor board and when I shut the door it pulled some water in.

So the question is, for those familiar with vehicle components, how deep of water is too deep to drive my vehicle in? I know most components are sealed up, but what items aren't? Is the transmission totally sealed? What items are prone to damage if exposed to water?

Thanks for all the help, I'm not that mechanically inclined.

[hoopykat]

I'd say you're safe until the tailpipe is submerged. I never go in more than that. Also depends on how steep the ramp is.

-Mike

[Wickedcummins]

your going to deep. GMs vents are only rated to 3/4 tire depth

[robert theisen]

You have a vent on your rear end,transmission and air intakes also have lower cool air inlets.Your starter can also be damaged from water.

[ccceric]

Where do you boat at?

[bigdaddy_houseboater]

If you got your boat launched, you arent too deep. Thats whats important. Screw the truck... you can have it towed!
and LOL @ Wicked knowing the water depth rating of GM's.. I call BS.

[Wickedcummins]

lol call bs all you want i dont care.. Back your $hit in as deep as you want I dont have to pay for it lmao

[Ewok]

You have a vent on your rear end,transmission and air intakes also have lower cool air inlets.Your starter can also be damaged from water.

Specifically, your transmission and rear differential have air vents, they are not completely sealed. In your situation, I'd say you probably introduced water into the rear diff fluid and maybe the transmission. You'll want to check and probably flush and fill the rear diff fluid and check the transmission. Whenever I go in deep my biggest concern is always the rear diff and I usually drain and fill it after deep dips.

[bigdaddy_houseboater]

lol call bs all you want i dont care.. Back your $hit in as deep as you want I dont have to pay for it lmao

I back my tacoma to the door jambs, and try to keep the carpet dry. Im just wondering where you found the information that GM's are "rated at 3/4 the height of the tire".

lol. You're full of info.

[bigdaddy_houseboater]

Specifically, your transmission and rear differential have air vents, they are not completely sealed. In your situation, I'd say you probably introduced water into the rear diff fluid and maybe the transmission. You'll want to check and probably flush and fill the rear diff fluid and check the transmission. Whenever I go in deep my biggest concern is always the rear diff and I usually drain and fill it after deep dips.

My rear diferential is underwater every time I launch. I change gear oil once a year in the Tacoma, and I have yet to find water in the oil. Not sure why my vent doesnt get water in it... cuz I bury my Tacoma every time I launch the boat.

[Fiveflat]

It's written right in your owner's manual. Look in the index under "fording" and it'll specify how deep is too deep.

[Fiveflat]

I back my tacoma to the door jambs, and try to keep the carpet dry. Im just wondering where you found the information that GM's are "rated at 3/4 the height of the tire".

lol. You're full of info.

I'll guarantee the owner's manual does NOT say "3/4 the height of the tire"

[Fiveflat]

I know years ago, fording was specified in the manual. I just checked pdf versions of both the Tahoe and the Expedition and they are pretty basic.

Here is the quote right from the Chevy Tahoe owner's manual:

Driving in Water
Heavy rain can mean flash flooding, and flood
waters demand extreme caution.
Find out how deep the water is before you drive
through it. If it is deep enough to cover your wheel
hubs, axles, or exhaust pipe, do not try it — you
probably will not get through. Also, water that deep
can damage your axle and other vehicle parts.
If the water is not too deep, drive slowly through it.
At faster speeds, water splashes on your ignition
system and your vehicle can stall. Stalling can also
occur if you get your tailpipe under water. And,
as long as your tailpipe is under water, you
will never be able to start your engine. When you
go through water, remember that when your
brakes get wet, it may take you longer to stop.


Driving Through Deep Standing Water
Notice: If you drive too quickly through
deep puddles or standing water, water can
come in through your engine’s air intake and
badly damage your engine. Never drive through
water that is slightly lower than the underbody
of your vehicle. If you cannot avoid deep
puddles or standing water, drive through them
very slowly.

And here is Ford Expedition:

Mud and water
If you must drive through high
water, drive slowly. Traction or
brake capability may be limited.
When driving through water,
determine the depth; avoid water
higher than the bottom of the hubs
(if possible) and proceed slowly. If the ignition system gets wet, the
vehicle may stall.
Once through water, always try the brakes. Wet brakes do not stop the
vehicle as effectively as dry brakes. Drying can be improved by moving
your vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal.
Be cautious of sudden changes in vehicle speed or direction when you
are driving in mud. Even four–wheel drive vehicles can lose traction in
slick mud. As when you are driving over sand, apply the accelerator
slowly and avoid spinning your wheels. If the vehicle does slide, steer in
the direction of the slide until you regain control of the vehicle.
If the transmission, transfer case, front axle or rear axle are submerged
in water, their fluids should be checked and changed, if necessary.
Driving through deep water may damage the transmission.
If the front or rear axle is submerged in water, the axle lubricant should
be replaced.
After driving through mud, clean off residue stuck to rotating driveshafts
and tires. Excess mud stuck on tires and rotating driveshafts causes an
imbalance that could damage drive components.
“Tread Lightly” is an educational
program designed to increase public
awareness of land-use regulations
and responsibilities in our nations
wilderness areas. Ford Motor
Company joins the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land
Management in encouraging you to help preserve our national forest and
other public and private lands by “treading lightly.”

[Timmy!]

My Chevy 2500 that is leveled with 285's on it was up to the door jambs this past weekend at Empire. The problem at Empire is that it's not steep enough on the beaches to launch in some places, you just have to find the right spot or use the ramp (which is also not very steep). While the 20" wheels on the trailer look cool, they just sit the boat up way too high for shallow incline ramps, I never had a problem at the public lakes but Empire is just too shallow for 20's.

[bigdaddy_houseboater]

The bubbling noise my exhaust makes when I launch is a very soothing sound to me. Maybe it's because every time I have heard it since 1969, it means that I am at my happy place... the lake.
It's almost Pavlovian.

Some sounds have the power to conjur peaceful thoughts, and that's one of my favorite in the whole world.