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I have never had to deal with slim on a ramp but know what it is like. So in theory this should help eliminate the sliding a vehicle into the water if you have a real locking 4x4 set up not auto 4x4. Not a vehicle with a viscous slip center differential. If you place a locking 4x4 system into Hi-Fwd it will lock the front and rear axle together through the drive lines. So, two things here. E brakes only work on the rear axle but if you are in 4-wd the drive line is locking the front axle up also. This is putting a lot of stress on the E-brake but may keep a vehicle from sliding into the water. Also if you have an automatic transmission when you place the selector into park a pin is locking the transmission from rotating. When in 4-wd this is also stopping the front axle from turning. Use the two together, together they are stronger than independently.
I know most guys would never think of using 4-wd at a boat ramp. It just is not needed. 4-wd is for tough situations and in most men's minds a boat ramp does not qualify. Well think of it this way. If it was winter and the ramp was covered in snow and ice and you were putting in a fishing boat, you would have your truck in 4-wd. But in summer the slippery part is in the water and you do not see it, but it is as slippery as ice.
Now you do not want to always be using 4-wd on asphalt especially while maneuvering. But once you get the vehicle straight and ready to back up then place the vehicle in 4-wd. Continue forward until the system locks up. Then back into the water. Place the parking brake on and/or place in park. Now you will also have the front axle attempting to keep the vehicle from sliding/skidding into the water. Wheel chocks ( large industrial type made of soft rubber) are also a good idea for the rear of the vehicle. There is not much weight on the front axle when backing down a ramp so using a chock on the front axle may be less effective than one may hope.
This method may help keep ones vehicle off the bottom of the lake. As long as you do not forget and leave the vehicle in reverse when you get out of it.
I know most guys would never think of using 4-wd at a boat ramp. It just is not needed. 4-wd is for tough situations and in most men's minds a boat ramp does not qualify. Well think of it this way. If it was winter and the ramp was covered in snow and ice and you were putting in a fishing boat, you would have your truck in 4-wd. But in summer the slippery part is in the water and you do not see it, but it is as slippery as ice.
Now you do not want to always be using 4-wd on asphalt especially while maneuvering. But once you get the vehicle straight and ready to back up then place the vehicle in 4-wd. Continue forward until the system locks up. Then back into the water. Place the parking brake on and/or place in park. Now you will also have the front axle attempting to keep the vehicle from sliding/skidding into the water. Wheel chocks ( large industrial type made of soft rubber) are also a good idea for the rear of the vehicle. There is not much weight on the front axle when backing down a ramp so using a chock on the front axle may be less effective than one may hope.
This method may help keep ones vehicle off the bottom of the lake. As long as you do not forget and leave the vehicle in reverse when you get out of it.
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