Boat ramp slipping RWD / 4WD

[MTRBTR]

I think your van will be fine.

[MTRBTR]

yes you can also get the pic of the tow vehicle in the water but if there is any doubt about the ramp, take a walk down it and see if it’s slippery. I use an F150 and rarely have to use FWD. the van is going to be heavier in the rear end than a 1/2 ton pickup.

Also it has been documented that there is a Typo in the brochures for the SV 211 for some of the years. The dry weight is actually 3350 pounds not the 3850 or whatever they had in there. You can find threads about it on this site. So it actually isn’t 1100 pounds heavier.

[Neptune442]

Just to wrap this up - the van did completely fine, as most assured me it would. Used some tips that were suggested - kept the rear wheels out of the water, used the winch to crank the boat up the trailer (previous trailer didn't have a winch, so I'd either have to back the van into the water enough to completely submerge the trailer to float the boat up, or leave the rear wheels out of the water and drive the boat up the trailer) and I also had the family pile in the back seat of the van to add weight over the rear wheels. Pulled it out of the water like it wasn't even there. Thanks again everyone

[LakesideRec]

I would NEVER unhook my winch before backing down the ramp. Unhook it before it floats yes but you don’t want your boat sitting on the ramp.

Sorry to be unclear - my comments presumed a bunk trailer. Don't unhook the winch on a roller trailer until the back of the boat is in the water.

But point of the caution still applies - don't back the boat so deep in the water while the winch is still hooked up that the front of the boat starts floating. The floating boat can pull upwards on the tongue of the trailer and reduce the down-force and traction of the back wheels of a 2wd tow vehicle.

[Fast351]

Glad it works for you. We live on a lake and the ramp is not great. fortunately the boat only goes in and out once/year. My Ski Nautique, which weighs way less than your 211, still won't come out with my F150 in 2WD. Even my pontoon which weighs even less gets the 4WD treatment.

Moral of the story, it just depends on the ramp. Decent ramps, 2WD not an issue. Slimy or sandy ramps, it might be.

BTW, my new truck has a rear locker. I will be trying that next time I pull the boats. Maybe it can come out in 2WD