If you are going to encounter moderately steep ramps then get limited slip, positrac, locker or what ever you want to call it. The electronic lockers are best but I have never has a problem with LS. A lot also depends on the weight of the boat.

Or jet ski if you drive a chevy.


(lol! Couldn't resist! :P )

This is why I drive a Jeep GC and not a pickup. 4WD and trac-loc rear end helps too.

Nope! many automatics when put into second gear start in second and stay in second

Don't know about ford or dodge but when you put a chevy in second it starts and stays in second unless they chnged them in the last few years.

If you are by yourself there is really only a few things you can do:

1st back into the water keeping your tires in the driest path possible even if it is a little rough along the edges.

2nd if there is any sand in the area you can put some into the path and it will help you get a better bite (kinda works like the folks up North having to deal with ice and snow in the winter).

Lastly keeping the parking brake engaged slightly really works well.

Amistad's Diablo East ramp used to be real bad and these things helped there tremendously. Of course when other folks are around you have other options...

The towel idea sounded good, plus you dont have the added weight of heavy bags. Has anyone tried this? Does it work? Old towels are easier to load then bags of concrete. Had trouble once before getting up a ramp, so I'm very interested in your opinions.

Easy trick is to lightly apply emergency brake (not all the way, just barely on). This will help eliminate rear wheel spin. The other thing you can do is just get a bunch of people to sit in the bed of the PU.

worked for me when i had my '99 and or use your break.

08 still does the same.. needed it last night..

edit - oopd, this was answering if the new GM's start in 2nd gear when putting tranny into 2

Try clicking off the OD or shifting down. I've never had any problems pulling out of any ramp but I do know that too much throttle will spin the tires every time. Go very lightly on the gas. Maybe also look at your hitch height, if its too high then your trailer could be lifting your rear tires enough to cause traction problems.

Sand bags are pretty easy and cheap. I've seen water bladders that you can keep in the truck and fill them up before you head out.

Not as cheap as sand, but you wouldnt have to lug the sand around all the time or load it an unload it all the time.
This thread affirms my choice to only own 4x4s. Worth every penny.