What tires should I get, for better traction at boat ramp

[Scout]

Ahh, OK, that paints a much better picture! So you're dealing with trying to drive on something that has possible slimy growth remnants and plenty of other crap I can't think of right now from being permanently submerged for long periods.

Would be interested to know what works for you in the end.

The lake ramps are not the worry, it’s the salt water ramps, at low tide are very slippery

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[Scout]

The lake ramps are not the worry, it’s the salt water ramps, at low tide are very slippery

If the truck had front hooks, I would just have recovery straps and have someone pull me out

 

[Bigred]

Tires generally are not the problem unless they’re slick.

 

[JimKivi]

Thanks. Small boat

Not sure if you ALREADY had an issue, or are worried about it. Having the motor weight over the driving wheels is a PLUS, not a detriment. A rear wheel drive diesel truck, on the other hand, is just the opposite. I am with you on the lack of tow hooks on the non 4wd package trucks. My 2.0 HAS 4x4, but no tow hooks... a real deficit IMHO. In a pinch, carry a stout rope that will allow you to pull the boat up from dry land on the front jack roller, then a block x 2 for the tires. Drag it up, block the wheels, and reconnect. Not ideal, but it will get you home.

 

[MavFord7560]

Its FWD, so its not the best on a greasy ramp. You should probably think about swapping upwards for a more expensive AWD Escape hybrid. Maybe you could try 3-peak ice tires for much better grip on hard and slippery surfaces, but be aware that they will wear like crazy in higher temperatures. Either that or clean off the slippery sludge on your ramp. You can definitely pull from the front, using soft hitches in the the tow holes under the bumper.

I have pulled an 18 ft IO boat out of the water many dozens of times with my 1.6 liter FWD Escape shod with basic tires. Depending on the slope of the ramp, I think it’s overrated that you need AWD to pull a boat of of the water. A get off my lawn statement, but “back in the day” I pulled a similar boat out of the water on a steep/slippery (albeit with a manual trans) with an ‘84 Ranger with a small 117 HP/150 torque four banger with cheap tires.

 

[Pee Dee]

Before spending money on new tires or other expensive fixes, have you tried airing down your front tires to maybe 15 psi for added traction? Keep a portable tire inflator in your truck to get you back on the road.

 

[SparkyUWH]

I feel your pain and concern with a new truck and iffy boat ramps.
I was recovering my 17-foot Boston Whaler with a newly acquired lifted GMC Sierra 1500 4x4 with 250k miles (as a standing while waiting for the Maverick) on a steeper ramp in San Francisco Bay at low tide. So the rear wheels were on the algae and the front wheels were on dry pavement. As I hooked up the boat and winched it on the trailer, the truck broke loose and slid backwards into the Bay to the point where the water level was in the back of the cab. WTF???
Unrealized to me, the front differential was shot and I only had RWD. The rear wheels just slid and the fronts just freewheeler along without 4wd. Even with off-road 36" tires, the truck couldn't get out. Had to find someone to pull me out. Glad I didn't turn off the engine as the exhaust was 2 feet below the water. If the truck had not been lifted, the lower portion of the engine would have been in the water.
Now when I know I'm going to launch at a less than ideal ramp, I carry a 30-foot tow strap, a hitch mounted winch with small 12v car battery, so that I can leave the trailer, get up the ramp and then winch it out with my Eco FX-4. I also carry beefy wheel chocks to place under the tires when I'm loading the boat into the trailer.

 

[lambandbert]

That ramp looks familiar , where is that?

Hoping to revisit this thread to learn more about your experiences across Washington State / PNW. I've got a '24 Hybrid Lariat, and will start launching my '68 Whaler (2000 lbs) this spring / summer. I'll primarily be launching on Lake Washington, so I feel comfortable with the ramps around that lake, but I would really appreciate learning more about your trailering and launching experiences at other major lakes like Cushman or Chelan, and how your Maverick's have held up trailering around the state.

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