I have a 96 2wd ranger with with a 2.3. I am considering getting a boat that should weigh around 1300 pounds or so with everything in it. This does not include the weight of the trailer. The owners manual has this model rated at 2300lbs I believe. I know that the truck will pull it fine down the road, I'm just worried about getting back up the ramp with the boat. Do any of yall have any experience pulling boats around this weight or heavier with a 2.3? Any recommended mods to help with towing?

Thanks

 

2wd I assume? I would imagine your downfall will be the slippery ramp

 

I was gonna say somethin about the ramp if you didnt. I would say youll be fine...with me its not so much can the truck get out but getting good traction.. you know?

 

just let them eat and get the rear tires hot and sticky lol. just playin unless you have to but i am sure there will be plenty of nice people at the boat ramp that could give you assistance if need be

 

I have a buddy that has a 2wd f150 and he has a hell of a time with the slippery ramps. I laugh and offer to get my ranger but that just makes him even more upset lol

 

yea but how embarassing would that be to get a boat in but not be able to get it out...? But yea Im sure someone would be more than willing to help ya out... I would say just picka ramp with some grippy stuff on the ground... Around here there are certain ramps that have like a gritty/bubbled surface for better traction

 

your truck can tow WAY more then what its rated for. I just wouldnt suggest doing it for a long amount of time. You should have absolutly no problem towing it out.

 

I've got a fair amount of experience pulling boats out with rwd cars/trucks that were never meant to.

There really are only three things you need to do *when pulling up and out of the water*.
1) Add 250-300lbs to the rear most part of the bed. Sand bags are excellent because they don't slide around. People work as well.. but be careful.
2) Slip the clutch a little more than usual. Don't rev it over 2300-ish rpms. Just slip the clutch enough to get it moving. If the tires start to spin that's ok. Just let them eat. Just DON'T rev it very high. Once you start that upward pull by slipping the clutch KEEP it moving. Don't back off.
The point is to not shock the tires or introduce a sudden spinning of the tires.
3) Friction between tires and ramp. Lowering the tire pressure does not acomplish this. If the ramp is slimey go with 32psi. This will help the tread to quickly cut through the goo. If it's a clean but wet ramp lower the pressure to 25ish. This way in the event you start to spin the entry and exit angles form a effective wedge that increases friction. But keep in mind this only works when there is no forign material between the tire and ramp.

Rich

 

my dad has a 2wd f150 that has absolutely no problem pulling a 21' pontoon up the boat ramp. in fact we have "assisted" people up the ramp lol....just kidding. the reason for this is the stock full posi-traction=10 MPG

 

just try and find a good ramp thats clear of gravel and such and take it slow dont make any quick changes in the throttle or youll break em loose or just do the good ol one wheel peel