Today, as I was hauling out my boat at the ramp, I noticed a group of people having a terrible time trying to drag their boat out of the water. Vessel in question was a Tiara 29' cabin cruiser. At the moment I saw them, they were gunning both engine in drive while attempting to pull the trailer in order to help the truck. I went over to inform them that they were at great risk of either frying their raw water impellers, or killing somebody. I'd seen propellers out of water throw a blade at high speed before, and the terrible results.
I was a bit mystified, as I had just hauled out my 32' cruiser using my Ram 3500 4x4 diesel without using either the 4WD or low range gear.
Their truck was a 2013 Ram 3500 Hemi 4x4 single wheel. As I approached, I started looking for common errors or equipment deficiencies that cause a hard pull up a ramp. But what we had there was a properly functioning truck, very good tires, excellent trailer, good positioning on the trailer, and no evidence of extreme incompetence.
I gave them fair warning, which they appreciated, and went about my business, getting food, flushing my engine, and hosing down the boat. When I returned to the ramp area an hour and a half later, they were still attempting to pull the boat out.
They insisted I try to do it myself at the wheel of their truck, and I agreed after making it very clear I would assume no liability for whatever may happen. I jumped in, made sure 4WD was engaged, and transfer case set to low. I leaned into the throttle steadily, until I was nearly at WOT, and never got more than a labored creep out of her, which abruptly ended as the boat came further out of the water. Repeated attempts got the same result. After a while, it was decided to relaunch the boat, and hook the trailer to my truck for the pull.
I made my first attempt in 2WD, high range, and it was a successful attempt. Came right up the ramp with no drama. We then disconnected the trailer, hooked it back up to his truck and he was ready to go.
The owner was deeply vexed. He had just gotten the truck and trailer to be able to pull his boat, and kept giving my truck and his hard looks. He made a vow to "get rid of this _______ thing" and get himself the diesel model.
I guess I was a little vexed myself. I never even looked at the gas model, but I always figured that through engine and drive tuning, they had gotten them nearly equivalent to the diesel models, but nothing could have been further from the truth in this case.
All I know is, this experience hasn't done anything to endear me to the gas 3500.
I was a bit mystified, as I had just hauled out my 32' cruiser using my Ram 3500 4x4 diesel without using either the 4WD or low range gear.
Their truck was a 2013 Ram 3500 Hemi 4x4 single wheel. As I approached, I started looking for common errors or equipment deficiencies that cause a hard pull up a ramp. But what we had there was a properly functioning truck, very good tires, excellent trailer, good positioning on the trailer, and no evidence of extreme incompetence.
I gave them fair warning, which they appreciated, and went about my business, getting food, flushing my engine, and hosing down the boat. When I returned to the ramp area an hour and a half later, they were still attempting to pull the boat out.
They insisted I try to do it myself at the wheel of their truck, and I agreed after making it very clear I would assume no liability for whatever may happen. I jumped in, made sure 4WD was engaged, and transfer case set to low. I leaned into the throttle steadily, until I was nearly at WOT, and never got more than a labored creep out of her, which abruptly ended as the boat came further out of the water. Repeated attempts got the same result. After a while, it was decided to relaunch the boat, and hook the trailer to my truck for the pull.
I made my first attempt in 2WD, high range, and it was a successful attempt. Came right up the ramp with no drama. We then disconnected the trailer, hooked it back up to his truck and he was ready to go.
The owner was deeply vexed. He had just gotten the truck and trailer to be able to pull his boat, and kept giving my truck and his hard looks. He made a vow to "get rid of this _______ thing" and get himself the diesel model.
I guess I was a little vexed myself. I never even looked at the gas model, but I always figured that through engine and drive tuning, they had gotten them nearly equivalent to the diesel models, but nothing could have been further from the truth in this case.
All I know is, this experience hasn't done anything to endear me to the gas 3500.