What is the biggest boat you have towed and pulled out of ramp ? with max tow ,Thx.

[Brad.Clarkston]

Last summer I was at the Boulder reservoir. The boat ramp was almost 30 degrees with soft unpacked rock good luck in 2wd on that one. Unsurprising no sane people was using it. I'm not so sure I could have walked up that bloody thing without the truck.

Granted there closing it this summer to raise the water level way up so a new boat dock will be built.
Very nice area tho, just needs less people.

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[Mr Miami]

I have a 23' Boston Whaler (heavy) center console with a 300hp single outboard, trailer and gas that come close to my 7,000 lb. towing capacity on my JTR. Have never had a problem pulling it out of the "hole" at the boat ramp with just 2x4. Of course, if there is a lot of algae or other stuff, the 4x4 would be a big plus if there was a lot of slippage.

I really don't notice much at all when I am towing. But, and a big but here, I am only towing it to my house from the marina a few times a year for cleaning and maintenance and it is less than 10 miles roundtrip on a totally flat road here in the Florida Keys.

If you are towing longer distances and/or up and down hills, all bets are off. Your mileage may vary.

 

[Gladiatorguy]

I have 23 max tow, I want a 22'- 25' walk around cabin boat. I will add airbags,not so much worried about towing,not sure about pulling it out of the ramp.Any real experience appreciated,Thx.

Reminder, air bags DO NOT increase your rear GAWR. A proper load equalizing hitch will reduce squat and not compromise your rear axle. A trailer that heavy should have brakes. Most boat trailers have surge brakes, but if they are electric, you will need to add an electronic brake controller.
FYI, I tow a 26’ sailboat, all up about 5,800 lbs. a couple times a year, and a small 3,000 lb. travel trailer all over the country several times a year. Load equalizer on both. I had a max tow JT, now a Willys with a 6,000 tow capacity. I don’t notice a whole lot of difference. If the ramp is a straight shot, 4WD can’t hurt. Just remember to shift back to 2WD before you make any turns (you’ll know!).

 

[Janster]

At my local ramp I use 2WD - but the water is only 6-8 inches below the driveway so the truck is practically on flat ground when you launch, and you have to 90* into the ramp so 4WD would have me in a hell of a bind.

But steeper ramps, or especially ones slicked up with algae - 4WD not a bad idea.

I don’t necessarily need it either….. but I’d rather be safe than F’d. Ramps aren’t steep but water levels change constantly. One weekend your back tires will be on dry concrete or dry dirt, and the next weekend your rear wheels will be up to the center caps In the water. Then, there’s grass, moss, and all sort of other crap in the water. It’s unpredictable what the water or ramp conditions will be.

Another reason …. I don’t go offroading, so….this is a perfect way for me to use the 4WD system over the summer months and keep things moving and lubricated.

 

[Labswine]

Reminder, air bags DO NOT increase your rear GAWR. A proper load equalizing hitch will reduce squat and not compromise your rear axle. A trailer that heavy should have brakes. Most boat trailers have surge brakes, but if they are electric, you will need to add an electronic brake controller.
FYI, I tow a 26’ sailboat, all up about 5,800 lbs. a couple times a year, and a small 3,000 lb. travel trailer all over the country several times a year. Load equalizer on both. I had a max tow JT, now a Willys with a 6,000 tow capacity. I don’t notice a whole lot of difference. If the ramp is a straight shot, 4WD can’t hurt. Just remember to shift back to 2WD before you make any turns (you’ll know!).

If I recall, most boat trailers are aluminum. You can't use a weight distribution hitch (WDH) on that type of trailer. It'll eff up the trailer frame as it's not strong enough to handle that kind of stress where as travel trailer frames are steel and it can handle the stress of a WDH.

 

[Gladiatorguy]

If I recall, most boat trailers are aluminum. You can't use a weight distribution hitch (WDH) on that type of trailer. It'll eff up the trailer frame as it's not strong enough to handle that kind of stress where as travel trailer frames are steel and it can handle the stress of a WDH.

Agree on the aluminum trailer. I have seen one with a broken tongue. All my trailers are steel frame.

 

[Stupidjerkface]

Pulled my buddies f150 out of the water from the bottom of the boat ramp. Does that count?

 

[Brad.Clarkston]

Pulled my buddies f150 out of the water from the bottom of the boat ramp. Does that count?

Only if you never let him forget it.

 

[Stupidjerkface]

It is brought up in conversation any time it can be hahahaha.

 

[Pat Witt]

Priceless

It is brought up in conversation any time it can be hahahaha. Sponsored

 

[TheDrifter414]

2020 JTR and I pull a 2020 Malibu Wakesetter 21VLX and the dry weigh + trailer is around 6k lbs and it pulls (and stops) w/ no problem...on alge covered slick ramps I do have to put it in 4wd sometimes.

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