VoodooRob

We have a ramp in our area that is steep and gets slick very easily. I have an Excursion 4x4 diesel also. I back down very slowly and very straight, if the ramp is really slick I use a slight amount of emergency brake as Gettinbye has suggested. I have had the front wheels break loose and using the emergency brake stopped the whole scenario. Going slow really made that emergency stop easy and controllable.

nailit

My wife does this often, despite me telling her to go slow. She lets it roll back and then applies the brake to slow down as the 5ton boat trailer begins to drag front wheels.

Go slow and ride brake down and you will not have any issues. If she would listen, controlling speed going down as not just let it go and it's fine.

Randy Nielsen

iTrader: (4)

When I had my shop, I had a customer with a 34'motor cruiser that weighed 15K without the trailer that I built. I was the only one crazy enough to launch his boat. There was gravel to the ramp then cement that was slick if wet. I figured out to back the boat & truck straight to the ramp so it would go down the middle. Once the boat started down the ramp I was committed & it became a controlled slide. After the boat hit the water it stopped every time. I even got to where I could launch the boat or retrieve it by my self. As others have said electric over hydraulic brakes help but this trailer was built out of a mobile home chassis. Never had a problem coming out either, just keep a light throttle & keep the momentum moving & it worked every time. Randy

imartin

Yep, gettinbye described it. Front wheels lock and you start to slide back. Pumping brakes might help, but praying for the fronts to catch. Thanks.

kennyo

I always set my emergency brake enough to equalize the the front brake.... I've also left it in drive to help also. If these don't work you need to do the electric trailer brake route...

CraneHillFast

U could always get a "wench" LOL on the front of ur truck and connect it to a tree or another truck. Sorry, couldn't resist.

Sydwayz

iTrader: (1)

I've been on some REALLY steep setups with anywhere from 7000-14000 lbs. behind me. Anytime the front wheels have started to slide; its never been more than 18 inches, if that. The E-brake approach for matching braking bias does work. The worst thing that could happen is a jackknife, which has happened to (with pictures) a couple large rigs (1 OSO member comes to mind); BUT they have all been 2WD. (See a pattern?)

IF the front wheels are dragging, with the most braking bias, chances are that they will enforce a "straight slide" since they are at the highest portion of the ramp; also with the most drag. If your rear wheels on the truck lock up and/or slide; that's a real bad thing.

MonkeySea2

I use a pretty steep ramp. Basically as soon as the trailer tires start down the hill, I go extremely slow and don't allow the rig to gain any speed. I'm going to try putting it in N next time. The other thing that I do every time, is use a large chock behind the tires. A little off topic but I rarely see anyone use a chock on a boat ramp. I don't want my truck to ever go for a swim!

08 fastech 292

I second the comment about EOH. If your towing a 30' boat you need them end of story. They make backing down steep ramps a piece of cake.

Dave

bats05

A few years ago we where picking up friends at the ramp, Lake Shelbyville, lake was flooded so only access to high water ramps. As we where waiting we witnessed a Chevy Astro Van launching a 26-28 ft Mariah Cuddy ( dont recall exact size), As soon as the boat crested the ramp break it was all over. Down comes truck boat and all, Jackknifed off the ramp, jumped the curb, thru the rip rap, and into the timber. First day with the new boat, just purchased it that morning, No injuries, minor damage to the boat and trailer. I was like did that just happen.