I had an 85 chevy 2wd pulling a 20' skeeter. on wet ramps, I would almost always spin the tires (and have to get several helpers to sit on the back), but would get it out. now I have a 14 acadia (front wheel); I spin less with this vehicle due to front wheel drive. but they still slip on some wet ramps.

gearing up to get a new 4wd ford.

when I first started fishing, one of the guys would have me or whoever was fishing with him jump up and down on the tailgate if he was slipping on the ramp. So one day I told him to just put it in low gear if he started slipping. Never had to jump on his tailgate again.

I had a 2004 Screw 2wd and never had a problem getting the boat up the ramp. Jus don't back down into the mossy part.

You do know that an automatic transmission starts in 1st "low gear" every time right?

I don't think you understand what low gear is used for.

Starting from a stop, pulling hard to move stuff. It does nothing to improve your traction... and the biggest point is that your auto trans starts in "LOW" or first gear every time you stop. Dropping the shifter to "1" or low did absolutely nothing to improve traction or power, its all in your head!

You can always let some air out of the rear tires. Or ride the emergency brake while accelerating up the ramp (open differential). Or add weight to the rear of the vehicle. Those are the easy fixes that work.

1, sometimes it is even better to start in 2nd if the tranny will. My Tacoma will hold whatever gear you put it in. I am not sure all trannies will.

Better for what? Certainly not for your trans. All starting in second does is lug the hell out of your motor and more wear on your transmission. It effectively keeps people from spinning because the power to the wheels is reduced because your lugging the motor. It gives no more traction. If you are spinning starting out in first gear and not in second its because you giving it too much gas.

I have 4 WD and I don't think I have ever used it on a concrete boat ramp. My wife's 2wd Expedition handles our 22' CC just fine as well. Feather the throttle, that's the key.