Pulling 20' bowrider out at the boat ramp?

[ColaJoe]

Anyone have any experience using a stock Gladiator Rubicon 3.6L to take a 20' Chaparrel bowrider out of the water? I wouldn't be towing it very far. Maybe 10 miles or so if that. I'm more concerned about turning my Jeep into a U-boat.

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[Jaxmax]

You are going straight on a wet or dry boat ramp , four wheel drive and low range is an option. Just go straight and don’t turn wheels until you get on top of ramp. Also put parking brake on before putting it in gear, and release it as you give it the gas.
Nice boat!…..Jack

 

[WILDHOBO]

Anyone have any experience using a stock Gladiator Rubicon 3.6L to take a 20' Chaparrel bowrider out of the water? I wouldn't be towing it very far. Maybe 10 miles or so if that. I'm more concerned about turning my Jeep into a U-boat.

Weight of boat? But I’d guess you’d be fine. Standard boat ramp rules should apply. Don’t back the Jeep tires into the water. I can’t imagine the boat weighs more than 4k. My old 26’ was 5,400 or so, without fuel. And it was a cuddy.

 

[ColaJoe]

Weight of boat? But I’d guess you’d be fine. Standard boat ramp rules should apply. Don’t back the Jeep tires into the water. I can’t imagine the boat weighs more than 4k. My old 26’ was 5,400 or so, without fuel. And it was a cuddy.

Dry weight is 3400LB. Add in the trailer I'd say maybe 4500LB total?

 

[WILDHOBO]

Dry weight is 3400LB. Add in the trailer I'd say maybe 4500LB total?

Sounds about right. Anyone can screw up at a boat ramp, but using good common sense, the gladiator will pull it out fine in my opinion.

 

[kevman65]

Your biggest concern may be a wet, slimy boat ramp.

4Lo and go easy on the fun pedal.

 

[Dave-in-RI]

You are going straight on a wet or dry boat ramp , four wheel drive and low range is an option. Just go straight and don’t turn wheels until you get on top of ramp. Also put parking brake on before putting it in gear, and release it as you give it the gas.
Nice boat!…..Jack

Parking brake only does one set of wheels; brake pedal does all four. In a manual, use what you’ve got, but you’d be better with a foot on gas and brake (but do use p-brake while outside the vehicle).

update: jeep’s apparently are a bit different:

I use and recommend a wheel chock under the front wheel, tied to a piece of paracord, fed into my window. When I drive up to pull the boat, it becomes free and I lift it into the cabin. If you’ve got a long trailer, put it under the rear wheel and tie off to the bumper or side mirror / door handle in such a way it can’t get run over. I just can’t launch my boat without rear wheel in the water so I use front wheel.
Also, put it in 4 at the top, and make some wheel revolutions to ensure you’re actually in it.

Jeep would probably pull double, it’s the braking on a highway that’s a limiting factor, and needing a national figure for varied topography. Just stay under your limits (combined vehicle etc) for insurance if you do pull on the road, or in a worst case situation the lawyers of the dead family that may even have been at fault will get you.

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

Disclaimer, I don’t use my Gladiator at the boat ramp because I have a full size.

For a 20’ boat at a typical boat ramp, that should be no problem for a Gladiator.

Is it a normal boat ramp like this?

 

[Labswine]

Shouldn't have a problem, just gauge the surface and try to put your truck where it's the least slippery.

I used to tow a 1986 21.5' Larson DC215 (350 cu.in. V-8) with my Grand Cherokees (both a '93 and a '96 Laredo 4.0L I-6, no trailer package but an added U-Haul receiver on both) and had no issues walking that boat out of the water in 2H. That boat was 5K lbs loaded, on the trailer. I once had a RAM 1500 4x4 Extra Cab with the 5.2L and it had all kinds of problems even in 4 Lo getting that same boat out of the water.

 

[GA D90]

I’ve got a 19’ , never a problem, various ramps.
Never had to use 4wd, but nice to know it’s there!

 

[ColaJoe]

Disclaimer, I don’t use my Gladiator at the boat ramp because I have a full size.

For a 20’ boat at a typical boat ramp, that should be no problem for a Gladiator.

Is it a normal boat ramp like this?

Yeah, it's your standard concrete ramp that's grooved for traction.

 

[marcel-ohio]

I have a 26' sailboat, water ballast, taking it out was no problem with a sport s max tow, I put it in 4L. Because of the water ballast the boat/trailer was around 7000 pounds until the ballast tank emptied. You want 4 wheel drive in case the rear wheels end up in the water and it can be slick. I saw a full size truck slide into the lake trying to pull a wave runner out, he did not use 4 wheel drive.

 

[DarthAWM]

You have a Rubicon, if you're worried about looking like a fool, you can always put it in 4-Lo and put in the lockers

 

[AmishMike]

4wd. As it says above, it also helps with braking. Also as stated above put it in in advance, those couple of revolutions that it could take to engage could make the difference between getting out and going under.
I have seen all sorts of things at boat launches.....people forget that the boat is IN the water and there is a vacuum? to the water so it is not just the 4,000 lbs but the resistance of the water letting go.
Had a buddy who used to tow his 20' fiberglass bass boat with a fwd Kia. (Yep, boat was worth way more than the car.) Never had an issue at ramps.

 

[mrhemi]

I pull a '89 Ski Nautique (about 4000# including trailer) with my '06 liberty CRD. No problem, I do utilize all wheel drive though. I will be using my Gladiator for the task this upcoming season and do not anticipate any issues.

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