A/T tires would definetly help, but 4x4 would be the ultimate solution.

 

True-trac would help too. Do they make them for the Frontier?

 

In the height of summer, algae makes it miserable



Try the parking brake, that helps matters. Otherwise, you have the C200, you could put in a ARB air locker....



They make em for the M226 but not the C200

 

Yea you know, 4x4 is one of the biggest things you can do. Don't let anyone tell you any different, all other 2wd trucks, including the full-size trucks have the same prob on boat ramps. I know lots of guys around here that have to drop the trucks into 4lo to get boats out of the water. Problem is the rear-end is light, tires are in the water, and once they start spinning you have lost the battle. New tires (like ATs) will help some, but again once they spin its over. The 4x4 Nismo is a boat launching/retrieving machine (and I don't say this just bc I have one haha). The fact that you can lock the rear diff, and throw the truck into 4wd, makes a HUGE difference. You can do a rear axle swap to a Nismo axle with the locking diff as Penski61 has just done, but that will require finding an axle, which doesn't seem to be easy. I used to remember lots of people talking up the first-gen Toyta Tacomas and how they could yankout bigger boats than the full-sized trucks could. Well, it didn't have anything to do with the truck but more so that you could put in 4lo to get the torque, lock the rear diff, and get the traction to pull the boat out of the water and up the ramp. Hope this helps..

 

Luckily, I've never had any problems with my 2wd Titan at the boat ramp. Before and after lift/35" tires.

 

I would try switching to A/T tires ever since I have done this I have never had a problem with traction especially since I have my M/T on. Don't worrie about getting stuck it happens to the best of use from time to time

 

I usually don't have traction problems pulling out in 2wd.....there are a few ramps that give me trouble. The one we use at Lake Mohave is particularly bad, but the hand brake helps. The only time I've ever had to throw it into low was when we strapped a 2wd suburban with like a 24 foot boat up the ramp.

 

Yea the ramp makes a huge difference also. I have been on some cement ramps with good surfaces for traction, and had no problem in 2wd. However, there are plenty of them out there that make it difficult due to the ramp angle and surface. These are the ones I was specifically refferring that cause problems for all trucks. I remember in NM having to pull lots of trucks up one of the ramps at Elephant Butte Lake, and then there was another ramp that I don't think I had ever seen anyone have any problems with.

 

Here are a few good tips for you. Keep the truck and put on AT tires. I pull a 4900lb Grady White with a 1st gen cc longbed with a lsd rear. If you can't get up the ramp put the truck in low gear,engage your parking brake halfway,put your left foot on the brake and your right foot on the gas. Release your brakes lightly while giving the truck a little gas. You will creep right up the ramp. If this does not work you have 1 more surefire option. This requires 2 people. Have someone start the boat while it is in the water and secured to the trailer. Lower the engine and crank it. Use the boat engine to power the truck up the ramp. This requires a little skill and practice. The person operating the boat needs to make sure the engine is drawing water,they must tilt the engine up as the boat goes up the ramp, and stop the engine so it not runnig without water. This never fails! But, as I stated get some AT tires. I am running my original BFG longtrails. Replacing them next week with new generation General Grabber AT/2's. Good luck. One more thing, your 2WD has more towing capacity than a 4WD. I like my 2WD cc longbed because it has the same heavy duty boxed frame and suspension as the 4WD and I can tow more weight. LSD rear is an added plus.

 

Are you serious? Take the chance of destroying a boat motor rather than ask for help!

 

B-man

Are you suggesting that I leave my parking brake 1/2 engaged when I am trying to pull my boat out?

My boat is a 17ft Carolina skiff, I don't think boat/motor/trailer weigh more than 2100 lbs

 

The problem was that the right tire was spinning and occassionally the left one would kick in. But still I couldn't make it up the steep muddy concreate ramp. I eased into the throttle to prevent spin, but it didn't matter. I have 20,000 miles on my 4X2 LE.

Well yeah, i would think you would get stuck...4x4 FTW!!!

 

I've used the ramp 50 or so times with 0 problems. But when I pulled out Sat., it was a real low tide.

 

which means you went farther down and got into the nasty slick stuff that is usually under water....

 

In my experience, conditions at particular ramps vary GREATLY and have a HUGE effect on hauling with 2 wd /RWD vehicles. I've launched /hauled many a time in the last 30 years with several 2 wd vehicles. Under most conditions, I managed fine. However, when I had to: a) put the tires in the water b) back onto slime covered surfaces (@low water/tide) c) haul up STEEP grades d) haul on sand, I had a SIGNIFICANT increased chance of getting stuck ( and did so more times than I care to remember). Eventually I learned to pick my launch sites ( and tides) more carefully. Now, one of the few reasons I "splurge" on the 4x4 option IS for boat hauling any where/any time I want. Can you get a 2 /RWD PU to haul more reliably? Yes. Can you ever get it to haul as reliably as a 4x4 of the same size? Not likely. Guess it's a question of how much risk and/or Bull$H1T your willing to tolerate on your day off.

 

Spraynbuckshot-yes,leave the parking brake engaged until you are at the top of the ramp.
NakedFish-you won't be risking any damage to your engine unless you are incompetent. Also, I would not bother asking for any help from half of the intoxicated idiots hanging around most ramps. I have seen to much damage to peoples vehicles from good samaritans trying to help. I'd rather be self sufficient. I also have a winch on the front of my truck, just in case.

Forgot something-WeeHooker- I have seen many 4x4's stuck on ramps spinning all 4 tires. It is a misconception that 4x4's are the cure all. Look at all the people that buy 4x4 SUV's for winter conditions that get stuck in snow and ice. Alot of it has to do with driving experience. I will stick with 2WD and negate the extra mx that comes with a 4x4. And, I have no problems launching or retrieving at ramps be it low or high tide.

 

I will try the parking brake method next time. thanks for the idea

I have a come-along and 20 feet of tow strap. But I was a couple of feet short with my set up. Might go buy another strap.

Back to the original post. Will traction bars help/worth the money in a situation like mine? Is the ARB air locker available for my truck yet? Any other lockers out there that will work with my rearend? Will deflating my stock tires help at all?

 

I will try the parking brake method next time. thanks for the idea

I have a come-along and 20 feet of tow strap. But I was a couple of feet short with my set up. Might go buy another strap.

Back to the original post. Will traction bars help/worth the money in a situation like mine? Is the ARB air locker available for my truck yet? Any other lockers out there that will work with my rearend? Will deflating my stock tires help at all?

No traction bars won't help when the tires are spinning in the mud/slick ramp.
No there isn't an ARB locker that has been confirmed to work with your rear diff.
As I mentioned before, you can do a rear axle swap with a Nismo axle and wire up the elctronic locker. Penski61 just did this.