On Thu, 7 Jul 2005 11:24:04 -0400, "Chris"
wrote:

Just curious as to what everyone's experiences have been with towing... I
know that a good full size 4x4 pickup truck is ideal, however, for those of
us with toy trucks (smaller 2x4's) there could be some issues...



Forgot to mention...I have had problems with traction at ramps, but having a
couple guys jump in the bed of the truck has always worked.

I pulled a 15' Boston Whaler all over the place with a Jetta. No problems at
all!

--
John H.
On the 'PocoLoco' out of Deale, MD

Chris wrote:
We can talk about any sizes, specifically the 16' and under I'm interested
in.... My truck is 2 wheel drive standard with a light back end... my boat
launch areas include:
1. beach with grassy incline to follow
2. an older gravel boat launch that could have a tiny bit of muck just near
the water.

My biggest thoughts are around the rear wheels spinning coming out of the
water with the boat on... then getting stuck...

For those using cars, I suspect a good front wheel drive would clearly help
out as you're in the dry with lots of weight on the front... As well those
launching on concrete boat launches should have an easier time too...


"Arcadefreaque" wrote in message
oups.com...

What size of boat are we talking about? I went out over the weekend to
watch people loading/unloading boats and there were midsized cars
trailering the smaller boats. I plan on using the mini-van or my
daugters bonneville to launch our 16' boat (heck, I think a decent
lawn tractor could probably tow/launch my boat)




I have a wheeled tongue jack on my boat trailer. If the ramp looked too
slippery or soft on retrieval, I would keep the tow vehicle up where
traction is good and attach a tow rope from the hitch to the trailer. I
would very gently pull it forward until the boat cleared the bad spot.
Then I'd chock the trailer wheels, stow the tow rope and hook the rig up
for road travel.

Chris wrote:
: Just curious as to what everyone's experiences have been with towing... I
: know that a good full size 4x4 pickup truck is ideal, however, for those of
: us with toy trucks (smaller 2x4's) there could be some issues...


I've hardly ever used a 4WD vehicle for towing. I'm not hauling a real
heavy load (about 2,500 Lbs with a 17 Ft. Galaxie I/O). Tried a small
Toyota pickup at first but the back end was too lignt (scary braking it).
Then went to a '66 Dodge with a 318 CI. Towed great! Now, I'm using
a Toyota T100 w/manual transmission (automatic is better due to
torque amplification). No problelms.

b.

For what it;s worth ... I use 4WD, Low pulling my boat (about 3000 lbs inc
trailer) up all ramps including muddy bottom and gravel. Just put it in gear
and it will idle it's way up, no tire spinning if necessary ... then it's
back to 2WD. This is with a 3100 lb or so '96 Jeep Cherokee which is
probably lighter than your truck. My opinion, you'll eventually have
traction problems ... but maybe as mentioned, a wheel on the trailer tongue,
and some good rope/tow strap, and/or a come along or winch ...


"Chris" wrote in message
.. .
We can talk about any sizes, specifically the 16' and under I'm interested
in.... My truck is 2 wheel drive standard with a light back end... my boat
launch areas include:
1. beach with grassy incline to follow
2. an older gravel boat launch that could have a tiny bit of muck just
near
the water.

My biggest thoughts are around the rear wheels spinning coming out of the
water with the boat on... then getting stuck...

Two wheel drive is almost always enough.

Most don't know how to create a locker rear in a 2WD setup. Too bad,
because it's a very, very useful trick.

All thats necessary is to apply the parking brake until it provides
resistance to the drive wheels. When both drive wheels encounter resistance
the differential will provide power to both.

By applying the parking brake only enough to provide power to both drive
wheels damage to the parking brake is avoided.

Give it a try and practice a little. You may like it.

Butch
wrote in message
roups.com...
Chris wrote:
: Just curious as to what everyone's experiences have been with towing...
I
: know that a good full size 4x4 pickup truck is ideal, however, for those
of
: us with toy trucks (smaller 2x4's) there could be some issues...


I've hardly ever used a 4WD vehicle for towing. I'm not hauling a real
heavy load (about 2,500 Lbs with a 17 Ft. Galaxie I/O). Tried a small
Toyota pickup at first but the back end was too lignt (scary braking it).
Then went to a '66 Dodge with a 318 CI. Towed great! Now, I'm using
a Toyota T100 w/manual transmission (automatic is better due to
torque amplification). No problelms.

b.

Works great with an automatic, but with a standard I would think the clutch
wouldn't enjoy it much...

Fortunately I have a locker rear in mine already.. so they'll both spin...


"Butch Davis" wrote in message
link.net...
Two wheel drive is almost always enough.

Most don't know how to create a locker rear in a 2WD setup. Too bad,
because it's a very, very useful trick.

All thats necessary is to apply the parking brake until it provides
resistance to the drive wheels. When both drive wheels encounter
resistance the differential will provide power to both.

By applying the parking brake only enough to provide power to both drive
wheels damage to the parking brake is avoided.

Give it a try and practice a little. You may like it.

Butch
wrote in message
roups.com...
Chris wrote:
: Just curious as to what everyone's experiences have been with towing...
I
: know that a good full size 4x4 pickup truck is ideal, however, for
those of
: us with toy trucks (smaller 2x4's) there could be some issues...


I've hardly ever used a 4WD vehicle for towing. I'm not hauling a real
heavy load (about 2,500 Lbs with a 17 Ft. Galaxie I/O). Tried a small
Toyota pickup at first but the back end was too lignt (scary braking it).
Then went to a '66 Dodge with a 318 CI. Towed great! Now, I'm using
a Toyota T100 w/manual transmission (automatic is better due to
torque amplification). No problelms.

b.

"Chris" wrote
for those of us with toy trucks (smaller 2x4's) there could be some
issues...

Meh.
http://blizzard.zmm.com/boattruck.jpg

We use a Toyota Sienna minivan with 3.3 l, 230 hp engine, 5 speed auto
and front wheel drive to tow a Bayliner 175. The minivan is rated to
tow 3500 lb (standard, no optional equipment required), while the boat
weights approx. 2500 lb (with trailer and full tank of gas). We never
had any issues towing, launching or retriving the boat and we never
felt the need for 4 wheel drive or more power, even on steep and wet
ramps. Worst case, if the ramp was very uneven and the wheel of the
trailer got stuck against a bump or fallen into a hole, the front wheel
of the van have spun if I stepped to hard on the gas pedal, but I never
had a problem getting out of the situation just by using the gas pedal
gently and gradually increasing the traction without letting the wheel
to spin agan.

Chris,

I agree it's less easy to use with a stick. But I learned this trick in the
snow of Germany with my old VW bug in 67. Worked very well with the bug but
it probably helped that the parking brake was a handy lever between the
seats. On my Titan it's a not so handy foot actuated device under the dash.
I'm glad it's an automatic. Got to the point where it was second nature
to use it with the bug. Same with a Porsche I had in North Dakota. With
eight inch treads in the rear and a mountain of torque that hummer could be
a handful.

A locker rear is the best answer, IMO.

Butch
"Chris" wrote in message
.. .
Works great with an automatic, but with a standard I would think the
clutch wouldn't enjoy it much...

Fortunately I have a locker rear in mine already.. so they'll both spin...


"Butch Davis" wrote in message
link.net...
Two wheel drive is almost always enough.

Most don't know how to create a locker rear in a 2WD setup. Too bad,
because it's a very, very useful trick.

All thats necessary is to apply the parking brake until it provides
resistance to the drive wheels. When both drive wheels encounter
resistance the differential will provide power to both.

By applying the parking brake only enough to provide power to both drive
wheels damage to the parking brake is avoided.

Give it a try and practice a little. You may like it.

Butch
wrote in message
roups.com...
Chris wrote:
: Just curious as to what everyone's experiences have been with
towing... I
: know that a good full size 4x4 pickup truck is ideal, however, for
those of
: us with toy trucks (smaller 2x4's) there could be some issues...


I've hardly ever used a 4WD vehicle for towing. I'm not hauling a real
heavy load (about 2,500 Lbs with a 17 Ft. Galaxie I/O). Tried a small
Toyota pickup at first but the back end was too lignt (scary braking
it).
Then went to a '66 Dodge with a 318 CI. Towed great! Now, I'm using
a Toyota T100 w/manual transmission (automatic is better due to
torque amplification). No problelms.

b.

and would you ever launch this on a gravel launch?

"Joe Blizzard" wrote in message
...
"Chris" wrote
for those of us with toy trucks (smaller 2x4's) there could be some
issues...

Meh.
http://blizzard.zmm.com/boattruck.jpg