V6 capability pulling a boat up a ramp?

R

robtmc

Member
I know this towing thing has been beaten to death, and I have read reams of thread pages already.

My question is different. I am considering buying a boat that would be stored near the harbor. No hills to get to the ramp, actually the hard part would be maneuvering out of the storage area to the ramp, all of maybe 0.5 miles of flat ground.

The question is: how well can a 07 V6 4WD do launching and retrieving a boat and trailer that may approach 10k pounds? I know very well what the factory tow limit is, but not really towing it anywhere over about 5mph.

I am concerned if the truck can pull the boat out of the water safely. I would hope 4WD Lo and CDL would do the job, but would be nice to hear from those that have done it. Truck feels torquey enough, but never having launched a boat, no idea what is needed.
 
Register to hide this ad
I've launched boats a good bit but haven't gone over 6kish pounds. If its all flat and .5 miles I don't see why not? Is it also one of those pretty flat boat ramps? A picture of the boat ramp would really help and I really believe putting it in 4wd would snatch it out without a problem. How often would you be putting it in and out? The big concern I always have is with the boat launches that aren't used frequently the get a slime build up and then there's no chance
 
it should be fine. I've pulled hay trailers loaded that approach that weight before at the speeds you're talking about and its been capable. wouldnt go much faster, but it can do it. the only issue you really may need to worry about is traction
 
philskeeter said:
I've launched boats a good bit but haven't gone over 6kish pounds. If its all flat and .5 miles I don't see why not? Is it also one of those pretty flat boat ramps? A picture of the boat ramp would really help and I really believe putting it in 4wd would snatch it out without a problem. How often would you be putting it in and out? The big concern I always have is with the boat launches that aren't used frequently the get a slime build up and then there's no chance
Click to expand...
No pic of the ramp. Never owned a boat, so not sure how many times I can get the wife up for a launching.

This is one of three (one wide, two narrow) ramps into an ocean harbor. Very frequently used, like constantly. Part of my concern, being a freaking new guy if I do this. They do get wet a lot from the constant use. Humiliating watching some of these guys pull their boats out without help, just someone watching out. Experience, I know, but to a noob..............

All these deeply experienced Hawaiian fisherman watching me flail around making a fool of myself. Really wanted a V8, but none in 4WD to be had when it came time, and I wanted a 4th Gen.

I have watched a few boats being pulled out, and some of the pickups were not monster diesel 4wd stuff, but still, would be embarassing to pull the tow hitch off the rear crossmember because I did not spring for a frame mounted aftermarket one.
 
Last edited:
robtmc said:
No pic of the ramp. Never owned a boat, so not sure how many times I can get the wife up for a launching.

This is one of three (one wide, two narrow) ramps into an ocean harbor. Very frequently used, like constantly. Part of my concern, being a freaking new guy if I do this. They do get wet a lot from the constant use. Humiliating watching some of these guys pull their boats out without help, just someone watching out. Experience, I know, but to a noob..............

All these deeply experienced Hawaiian fisherman watching me flail around making a fool of myself. Really wanted a V8, but none in 4WD to be had when it came time, and I wanted a 4th Gen.

I have watched a few boats being pulled out, and some of the pickups were not monster diesel 4wd stuff, but still, would be embarassing to pull the tow hitch off the rear crossmember because I did not spring for a frame mounted aftermarket one.
Click to expand...

i really wouldnt stress too much about this, especially at slow speeds
 
robtmc said:
No pic of the ramp. Never owned a boat, so not sure how many times I can get the wife up for a launching.

This is one of three (one wide, two narrow) ramps into an ocean harbor. Very frequently used, like constantly. Part of my concern, being a freaking new guy if I do this. They do get wet a lot from the constant use. Humiliating watching some of these guys pull their boats out without help, just someone watching out. Experience, I know, but to a noob..............

All these deeply experienced Hawaiian fisherman watching me flail around making a fool of myself. Really wanted a V8, but none in 4WD to be had when it came time, and I wanted a 4th Gen.

I have watched a few boats being pulled out, and some of the pickups were not monster diesel 4wd stuff, but still, would be embarassing to pull the tow hitch off the rear crossmember because I did not spring for a frame mounted aftermarket one.
Click to expand...

If you have never, or not often, towed then getting in some practice, especially at backing up would be a very good idea. It's not really that hard, once you learn the basics, but it can cause a lot of frustration when it doesn't go well. As to your V6 being up to the task, it depends on several things. How good is the surface of the ramp (a slick or good traction surface), and does the ramp extend far enough into the water so that the trailer wheels will not drop off the end before the boat floats. If the trailer wheels should fall off the end of the ramp, It makes it a lot harder to pull in out. Use 4wd low, lock the center diff, and go slow.

But most of all, practice backing up (especially turning while backing) until you are comfortable doing it. I suggest finding an empty parking lot here you can practice backing into a parking space without worry of hitting someone or something else. Nothing more stressful than trying to back down a boat ramp, with 4-5 people waiting in line, and having a problem.
 
Pulling a boat out of the water isn't about power. If you've got 4wd, then you have low range, and with the truck in low range you'll have all the torque you need and then some. Don't worry about the motor.

What you should be worried about is traction. 4wd will help immensely, but not if you have crap tires. I don't know what sort of tread pattern will give you the best grip on slimy boat ramps, but if I was anticipating having to yank a 10,000lb boat up one with a $30,000 truck several times a year, I'd be for finding out. :thumb:
 
Does your 10,000 lb estimate include the trailer? If not, I'd assume the trailer would tack on another 2 to 3,000 lbs. Even with that, I think you would be okay with the distance you are talking. I would want to check the tongue weight of the trailer and make sure your hitch can handle it. (i just picture the hitch deflecting when you power load the boat and hit that bow roller on the trailer...) that's a lot of boat for a new guy!
 
robtmc said:
No pic of the ramp. Never owned a boat, so not sure how many times I can get the wife up for a launching.

This is one of three (one wide, two narrow) ramps into an ocean harbor. Very frequently used, like constantly. Part of my concern, being a freaking new guy if I do this. They do get wet a lot from the constant use. Humiliating watching some of these guys pull their boats out without help, just someone watching out. Experience, I know, but to a noob..............

All these deeply experienced Hawaiian fisherman watching me flail around making a fool of myself. Really wanted a V8, but none in 4WD to be had when it came time, and I wanted a 4th Gen.

I have watched a few boats being pulled out, and some of the pickups were not monster diesel 4wd stuff, but still, would be embarassing to pull the tow hitch off the rear crossmember because I did not spring for a frame mounted aftermarket one.
Click to expand...

wnelax04sr5 said:
i really wouldnt stress too much about this, especially at slow speeds
Click to expand...
I disagree. I would for sure get a full frame mounted receiver before ever attempting to pull more than 2x the rated amount.

we are talking 10k+ with the trailer? then uphill, that will put CONSIDERABLE pressure on the mounting points of the OEM receiver.
 
robtmc said:
Their numbers:
Dry boat.... 4,400
engines ....... 880
Gear/fuel ... 1,100
Trailer ...... 1,800

Total ........ 8,180

Everything I have read from guys that weighed their boats say they come in well over the factory numbers.
Click to expand...

thats my experience as well. i was concerned that the manufacturer weight didn't account for fuel/water which adds a lot, as you know
 
IMHO I would not tow a 10k boat with the stock v6 hitch. I just don't feel it is safe. My boat is only about 8800# and there is no way you would catch me near the ramp with my 4Runner. But that is just my 2 non-inflation adjusted cents.
 
A 10k lb boat!? holy smokes! no way I'd even consider towing that with a 4runner. Not sure I would even want to tow that on a regular basis with my 5.7 Tundra and it's rated for 10k lbs. You're in 3/4 ton territory towing something like that if you plan on doing it on a regular basis.

There's a difference between "can she do it" and "can she do it safely and on a regular basis"

4wd will help on slippery boat ramps but you probably won't need it that often. Back when I had my 07 Tacoma v6, I only had to use 4low one time on a boat ramp. It was a SUPER STEEP ramp at a lake up in the mountains, my taco was loaded with camping gear, and I was running 285's. Plus I had a 6spd manual so starting off on a steep slope with all that weight behind me would be easier in 4low that roasting the crap out of my clutch.
 
IMG_0038.jpg

I know the V6 can haul a 3rd gen for 4 hours without any issues.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_0038.jpg
    IMG_0038.jpg
    139.3 KB · Views: 1,442
  • IMG_0039_2.jpg
    IMG_0039_2.jpg
    142.5 KB · Views: 1,057
Im not sure how heavy it was but this past weekend I towed this about 45 mins up the mountain. I usually used my 3/4 ton chevy for these kind of tows but was very surprised how great my 4R handled. next time I will actually upp the weight a little.

IMG_20141109_152610170.jpg

IMG_20141109_152557613.jpg
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20141109_152610170.jpg
    IMG_20141109_152610170.jpg
    142.7 KB · Views: 1,752
  • IMG_20141109_152557613.jpg
    IMG_20141109_152557613.jpg
    143.7 KB · Views: 1,026
Been out in the garage looking at the stock hitch and contemplating how to get the thing off there if I was to get a frame mount. Just another PITA I was hoping was not necessary just to launch and retrieve the boat on a ramp.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Members online

No members online now.
Total: 402 (members: 0, guests: 402)

Forum statistics

Threads
278,310
Messages
3,554,078
Members
248,016
Latest member
Advally Service

Share this page

Trending content

Back
Top