two-wheel drive truck for launch and retrieval

[Rick Macdonald]

A sailing buddy is looking at a 1997 Chevy Silverado 3/4 ton diesel. His boat is a Tanzer 22. I launch my H23.5 with a 3.3L minivan, but it's front-wheel drive.Is there generally an issue with rear-wheel drive? The ramp could be wet and/or muddy, but the surface of the concrete has deep grooves in it....RickM...

 

[ken koons]

No problems yet

Knock on wood but no problems yet. Currently use an 02 silverado, and prior to that a Ford Ranger both 2wd. The tongue weight of the boat and trailer really helps hold the wheels to the pavement.

 

[Rick Webb]

Gran Marquis

I've used two different Mercury Gran Marqis (Crown Victoria) to launch our Hunter 23.5 with no problems.

 

[Paul H]

Two Wheel Vehicle

Ric, We retrieve our H26 with a 1988 GMC two wheel drive pick up. I have an H26 which we pull up a ramp similar to what you're dealing with. We just load about 8 bags of potting soil(50 lbs ea) over the rear axle. Even with a slimy wet ramp I can usually make it up. It helps if you pull the boat up enough to let the ballast drain. Put it back in the water,reset the boat on the trailer and drive her up the ramp.Of course if I had my druthers I would prefer a 4 wheel drive truck.Paul HS/V Linda Bell95 H26

 

[Johnny]

I have extendable

On my Hun22 it is sitting on a newer Catalina Trailer that has an 8' Extendable Mount. The idea is to keep the wheels ov Launching Vehicle out of the water.I have seen many cars here in the Junkyards that had Hithes on them, and one look at the Frame tells anyone it was a Boat Launcher.

 

[mmsailor]

llaunch retrieve

We have an h23, and depending on the ramp you cant always keep the rear wheels dry, having said that, I had an older 94 ford that I got new and had problems retrieving, was ready to buy a 4x4 and finally one year did as another person posted and I put 4 60 lb sacks of sand in the rear of truck over the axles, ,walked that thing up that wet slick slimy ramp like it was made to do just that, so , the weight makes all of the difference in the world,fair winds Mike Bacome