V6 capability pulling a boat up a ramp?

[4RunnerFan]

Sorry to be the spoiler here, but this is nuts. Pulling a 9k-pound rig up a boat ramp with a T4R?

My boat and trailer weight 2,800 pounds. There have been times where I had trouble slipping on the ramp getting out (like on days when wind-driven waves washed up higher on the ramp than usual after a dry front moved through). Yes, 4WD got me out, but I wouldn't dare try that with three times the weight.

By the way, no one has mentioned the problems that can occur when backing that 9k-pound monstrosity down a slippery ramp. What will you do if the weight pulls your entire rig in farther in than you intend? With that much weight, once the rear wheels are in the water, well, you've just blocked the ramp for everyone else until you can get towed out.

And when it all fails, what are you going to tell everyone at the ramp you just blocked? "Well, gee, the guys on the Toyota 4Runner forum said it would be okay."

 

[robtmc]

Sorry to be the spoiler here, but this is nuts. Pulling a 9k-pound rig up a boat ramp with a T4R?

That is why I am researching it all. When I am ignorant about something, I know what to do about the issue.

Not having a slip for a nice boat that comes with trailer had me desperately thinking of ways to get it in and out of the water with what I have, before buying into something I could not use.

Sure do not want some mondo diesel pickup I have nowhere to park.

 

[LittleCaesar]

I have to ask how strong the current can be around the boat ramp. Swift at changing tides, quickly moving, or placid/slow moving all the time?

If I were in your shoes, either dry stack it the boat and keep the 4runner or buy a Tundra and use it to tow your boat.

 

[robtmc]

I have to ask how strong the current can be around the boat ramp. Swift at changing tides, quickly moving, or placid/slow moving all the time?

The harbor ramps are protected from surge and current. Little tide change here.

We will look into how much the storage yard charges to launch a boat and return to the yard, or if they even do that. I know they do from dry stacked storage. Just renting a boat for the day is sounding better, but we liked the idea of anchoring off a beach and spending the night.

 

[02SE]

It will be able to move it around on level ground, and up a dry ramp in 4-low, but a slippery boat ramp may be impossible, depending on how slippery it is.

I remember watching a guy trying to pull a similarly overloaded combination up a boat ramp. He just sat there spinning tires. His tow vehicle didn't have enough mass to create enough contact pressure between the tires and the ramp, to overcome the inertia of that too heavy boat and trailer.

I'd suggest finding out if there is a boat launch and retrieval service available.

 

[4RunnerFan]

We will look into how much the storage yard charges to launch a boat and return to the yard, or if they even do that.

This makes a lot of sense. And if the storage yard doesn't do it, maybe it won't be too hard to find someone with the proper vehicle than can launch/retrieve your boat for a reasonable fee (make sure they are insured!).

I lived in Hawaii (Oahu) for a couple of years and know the roads can be narrow and crowded, and how folks get frustrated when someone pulls a Stupid Human Trick (SHT) with a boat that could have easily been avoided.

Another thought. Your original post mentioned you are looking to buy the boat. I imagine you are already on top of this, but hopefully the current owner will be providing you and your wife a splash test. If so, you should be there when they hook it up, transport it, back it in, launch it, do the sea trial, retrieve it and, finally, transport it back. Seeing what vehicle they use and how they do things will most certainly be a valuable experience.

 

[m85476585]

As long as you go extremely slow (like 5mph a short distance to the storage area) it doesn't seem like a big deal to greatly exceed the towing capacity. It's not like he's talking about towing it on the highway (I hope!). A stock Tundra pulled the space shuttle in a TV stunt (How a 2012 Toyota Tundra Towed the Space Shuttle Endeavour - Truck Trend News), and it drove 2.5mph on what looks like flat ground. Presumably the trailer had really big brakes and didn't put 10% of the weight or 29,000 lbs on the hitch.

The boat ramp is more concerning, but it seems like in 4L you would have almost as much traction and torque as anything. Maybe add some weight to the truck for better traction (3 people in the back seat will help), or make sure some of the trailer weight is on the truck via the hitch. A weight distributing setup will help put more weight on the front wheels, but you're probably looking at over $500 for the hitch and other parts you need to set up the trailer for that. Just the hitch is about $200, but it's stronger than the regular V6 hitch. Trailer Hitch for 2008 Toyota 4Runner - Hidden Hitch 70779 You could always use the regular hitch until you bend it, then replace it with a stronger one if needed.

Also, driving skill helps a bit. Most people that I've seen spinning their wheels just floor the gas once it starts spinning, thinking somehow that spinning faster will get them unstuck. Spinning the tires won't get you anywhere, so you need to give it just enough power to maintain traction and not spin, and let off the gas if you start spinning, as much as needed to regain traction. Luckily the traction control will help you out, but it's not perfect. Or if the wheels start slipping you could try giving it a steady amount of gas and see if the traction control can get you going. Having your left foot on the brake is a good idea to keep from rolling back since the HAC feature won't do it. A locking rear differential would help.

Can you have a friend with a truck come with you the first time to pull you out if you get stuck?

 

[anotherrunner83]

someone made mention to this above, but in thinking about this a little more, the boat/trailer combo weighs more than 2X your vehicle. i have first hand experience in an expedition that was pulled down the ramp by a 23ft mastercraft every time i touched the brakes. luckily the truck stopped before anything got wet. if that big boat gets moving, there may be no stopping it...just food for thought.

 

[scw1991]

Think I ran across a YouTube video where some drive train damage was done to a T4R just trying to pull a big Ram 2500 truck out of the mud.

You have receiver load capacity and braking capacity to consider as well. Even if you put the T4R in 4-LO, you're applying an extreme amount of torque through the drive train components trying to pull 10K on an incline. Your vehicle is only as strong as the weakest link.

 

[black4vcobra]

I'm in agreement with other guys here who say this is not a good idea. I've been a part of attempting to pull a pretty heavy boat (4000 lbs) up a boat ramp with an underpowered vehicle (awd GMC Safari with 4.3L V6) and it wasn't fun.

The problem was that the boat launch was pretty uneven and in terrible condition and a crossmember on the trailer frame kept bottoming out on the asphalt and stopping any forward progress.

Granted that vehicle didn't have low range but one of the front tires would spin and with the tongue weight neither of the rears did, but it just didn't have enough power to yank the boat trailer up the steep dropoff and drag the frame across the pavement at the same time.

Also as others have mentioned, a 4Runner doesn't have enough mass to ensure you have adequate traction.

If you absolutely must try this, the first time you do it make sure you have at least 2 other guys there to help, a V8 powered 4wd recovery vehicle and a 30k tow strap to pull your truck out in case it can't get out on it's own.

 

[b.miller123]

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.

Someone correct me if I am wrong, but isn't every V8 four wheel drive?

 

[robtmc]

No, every 4WD V8 is full time 4WD. Most V8s in Hawaii were sold as 2WD because of gas prices. A 4WD GX470 was too rich for me.

 

[ebg18t]

The harbor ramps are protected from surge and current. Little tide change here.

We will look into how much the storage yard charges to launch a boat and return to the yard, or if they even do that. I know they do from dry stacked storage. Just renting a boat for the day is sounding better, but we liked the idea of anchoring off a beach and spending the night.

Keeping the boat at the marina is the way to go. I spend about $450/month for my slip At the marina. Makes life so much easier. If you keep it at the marina you will find yourself using it more than if you need to trailer it; it's just so convenient.

 

[b.miller123]

No, every 4WD V8 is full time 4WD. Most V8s in Hawaii were sold as 2WD because of gas prices. A 4WD GX470 was too rich for me.

Interesting. I haven't even seen any 2wd V8's for sale here, only V6's. I just assumed they didn't make them.

 

[robtmc]

Keeping the boat at the marina is the way to go. I spend about $450/month for my slip At the marina. Makes life so much easier. If you keep it at the marina you will find yourself using it more than if you need to trailer it; it's just so convenient.

We would love to have a slip, but the state runs that, and there is a waiting list. Told that the wait time is 3-4 years.

Most of the harbor is commercial slips for fishing charter businesses. Those slips can be transferred ($$$) but private slips cannot. Sucks, you can buy someone's boat that has it in a slip, but you have nowhere to put it.

Even dry storage is limited and a waiting list for a trailer/boat spot.