Towing Question

[stripah]

I have a 16 Carolina Skiff DlX center console with a 25 hp Johnson that I usually load to the gunnels with fishing equiptment. I trailer this boat 20 miles to the ramp and have been using a 1998 Ford Ranger two wheel drive for the past couple years the truck has 47,000 miles on it but I worry weather or not with the 3.0 engine and size of this truck weather or not this is a safe rig. The ramp I use is the Route 88 ramp in Wstpt MA and can be might steep I would hate to have any problems. Any suggrestions would be appreciated .

[mansfieldsign]

I tow both a 27' travel trailer and a couple of boats. Your brakes are the most important issue with the F-Ranger. I would make sure that when you
load the boat try to place the heavy gear close to or over the trailer axle.
You don't want too much weight placed on the rear of the truck. The truck and boat should be fairly level when hitched. If you find that a steep sandy ramp is giving you some issues when pulling the boat out, keep some weight in the bed of the truck, again over the axle to place the tires down firmly. This will help with the traction. Just watch your highway speed and I think you'll be fine for the miles your driving. Not long ago a Caddy
Escalade pulling a 27' Rinker - past me doing at least 85 mph. That's a safety problem.
Have a great season -- I think it's finally here !!!!

[stripah]

Thanks very much I appreciate the advice

[iluvgear]

Some extra weight in the bed will be helpful, sand bags work well. If you start to spin on a ramp, and you will, slowly apply the parking brake. This will brake the wheel that is spinning allowing the non-spinning wheel to turn also. On a slimy low tide ramp it can be helpful to throw some sand or gravel in your tire path to aid traction.

[mansfieldsign]

Another little trick just in case you don't want to lug the sand. Keep a couple of old regular size bath towels in the truck. If you need traction, wet them and place them down flat in front of each tire. That will usally get you up a slick ramp when you haul out at low tide.

[detra]

I used to pull my 17' whaler behind my 88 toyota PU with no problems. In addition to the good advice you've already gotten I would also make sure that your live well is empty (if possible). I was at the winthrop ramp one day (in the 80's) and was watching this guy trying to pull a 19' someting with an ford escort wagon. Needless to say, he was having some difficulty. He came over to ask for some help, and mentioned he'd had a good day fishing herring. Turned out he had about 60 gallons of water in a makeshift livewell. He emptied this, along with several coolers and miraculously got up the ramp.

You see all kinds at the boatramp...

[bones]

The extra weight of the coolers and live-well is something that everyone seldome considers, I'll bet. Great ideas. Don't forget the cheapest re-usable extra weight for the bed of the pick-up............the water your boat floats in! A cooler or 2 of that stuff in the back of the truck should be enough, and you can dump it soon as you pull the boat outa the water. If truck spins tires on the ramp, try pulling out in 2nd gear..............can be done with either stick or automatic transmission..........Ford's auto trans. are unique to this. Additionally, that Ford should be adequate for your needs for that size of boat. If it is an automatic transmission, however, I would certainly have the trans. serviced at the close of each fishing season, those Ford trannys are pretty lousy.............I had a Ford Ranger 4x4 with the "heavy duty" transmission and the 4th trans. was on it's way out at 140 thousand miles so I ditched it for a Toyota Tundra 4x4 and am really pleased with it.

Hoping you have a great season.

[stripah]

:) Wow thanks for the great responses I am new to the forum and glad I joined you all have been a great help.

Tight Lines

Marc

[PeteV]

hmmm... I like the towel tip!!! I'll need to remember that one. talk about a convenient way t bail you out of a problem.

[winner]

I know a good solution to your towing needs. Get a Chevy. I have an s-10 4X4 with a trailmaster 5 inch suspension lift on it. I have launched 18 foot boat with from many beaches and have yet to get stuck.
Ditch the Ford, a chevy or GMC 4X4 truck is the way to go. They last forever!

[stripah]

(#$119) Thanks but I think I will stick with the Ford, but you're suggestion was appreciated