Hunting Washington Forum

Other Activities => Other Adventures => Topic started by: Pete112288 on November 02, 2018, 12:45:39 AM

Title: Gravel boat ramp and 2WD issues
Post by: Pete112288 on November 02, 2018, 12:45:39 AM: Was gonna throw this up to see if anyone had any genius ideas to help me out that I haddn't thought of.
I really only have 2 places to duck hunt that I like and are reliable bird producers. One of them is just over an hour drive and does not get good till water levels are higher. The other is a 10 minute drive but has a gravel ramp till the water levels are safe enough to be above the drop off at the bottom of the paved launch.
I drive a 2WD 4cyl manual Ford Ranger with radial street tires and have no other vehicles at my disposal. I have a light 14' aluminum boat.
Last year I got stuck twice on the gravel side of the ramp when pulling my boat out. I got lucky both times that there was someone there that could give me a hand. I have been looking for ideas to allow me not to worry about it so much. Essentially the issue is loss of traction and it only takes a second for the rear tires to dig in the gravel, even with a bunch of extra weight in the bed.
I was tempted to try taking my snow chains with me in case I needed them they might work to get me the few feet I need to get to more solid ground. I have also been tempted to try doing something like this with some short sticks of rebar.
Any other great ideas? I dont have anyone to hunt with on most occasions either so I have to deal with it alone.
Thank ya
Title: Re: Gravel boat ramp and 2WD issues
Post by: Blacktail Sniper on November 02, 2018, 01:18:04 AM: Maybe a come-a-long and some extra cable or heavy rope if there is something relatively close to tie off of? If the whole ramp area is gravel, had a couple old-timers used to say you could use an old car axle and pound it in the ground for a dead pull point...but not too helpful on blacktop though.

Something to lay down first that you could drive over and would give you grip when you try and pull out? Don't know how well rubber on rubber would work, but the stall mats like you find at feed stores are usually at least 1/2" thick and in 4' long sections. Some even have rolls that you can get it cut to odd lengths.
Title: Re: Gravel boat ramp and 2WD issues
Post by: Special T on November 02, 2018, 07:33:49 AM: Rubber mats are a bad idea. Just hop on Amazon. A quick look has traction mats and a reinforced strap version of that redneck traction aid.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Gravel boat ramp and 2WD issues
Post by: RockChuck on November 02, 2018, 07:55:37 AM: Quote from: Special T on November 02, 2018, 07:33:49 AM
Rubber mats are a bad idea. Just hop on Amazon. A quick look has traction mats and a reinforced strap version of that redneck traction aid.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

:yeah: some if those traction ramp things would be a good bet throw them in the back of the truck and then put them down where you need them light and appear to be a few feet long
Title: Re: Gravel boat ramp and 2WD issues
Post by: Alchase on November 02, 2018, 10:34:24 AM: Throw a couple 1x6x8 ft boards in the back of your truck and lay them out behind the tires. Could even through some non-skid tape on one side and some 1x1x6s mount s cross the boards to keep them stable.
Title: Re: Gravel boat ramp and 2WD issues
Post by: ghosthunter on November 02, 2018, 11:30:14 AM: Put some wheels on the boat.
Title: Re: Gravel boat ramp and 2WD issues
Post by: pd on November 02, 2018, 11:56:41 AM: Pete, this might surprise you, but there is an even more effective way to use that 2x4 and that strap. (Check YouTube for videos, this is somewhat common in Russia for tractors.)

Mount the 2x4 along the face of the wheel, with about 2" or 3" of the board protruding on both sides of the tire. Too long and the board would hit the wheel well, of course. Strap the board tightly to the wheel.

This works with loose gravel and mud and snow, but not with hardpack. Do it on both sides of the truck.
Title: Re: Gravel boat ramp and 2WD issues
Post by: slowhand on November 02, 2018, 12:20:51 PM: Air down the rear tires to around 8 to 10psi. You will be amazed at how much more traction you will get. pick up a cheap 12volt compressor to air the tires back up. :twocents:
Title: Re: Gravel boat ramp and 2WD issues
Post by: The scout on November 02, 2018, 03:01:51 PM: Chain up