Ok so here goes:

I have a 94 f150 xl 2wd, 4.9 auto. I also am in charge of making sure that a skiboat (19ft inboard boat) that I need to put in and take out of a ski lake everyday from late august until halloween next ski season.

The truck is currently being fully re painted, all new body panels, All the mechanical gremlins have been fixed, as well as a lot of prophylactic maintenance. As of now the following upgrades are in store:

BFG rugged terrain tires
limited slip differential

My question is, do you guys think that I'll be able to pull the boat up a mild incline (dirt) with a 2wd truck if I have the lsd rear end? We usually use a 4x4 but I'd rather have my truck at school than my family's 'burb. Pictures of the build to come!


this is the lake / boat (sorry no ramp shot it's the best picture I have)

 

I pulled a 3500 lb Bayliner in and out of the water with my truck for about 4 years, until I decided owning a boat was like owning a hole in the water you dump money into lol.

But yeah, I never had a problem and mine isn't even limited slip.

 

is that on a paved ramp? the thing that scares me is the dirt / gravel

 

this is a better picture of the ramp area

 

The dirt and gravel will you give you more traction as long as its not mud

 

mud is a real risk. Boat's not terribly heavy. btw, i'll keep you guys up to date with restoration pics. I stopped by the shop today (just got home from school after finals), very excited she is going to be extremely sweet.

 

I would put off at about 4 different locations (live near a big river) one of which was a concrete ramp and 3 were dirt/gravel, the one with concrete actually I would sometimes spin on when pulling the boat up, I never got stuck, but had to take it slower than the dirt/gravel ramps. Just make sure you have tires with decent tread and you'll be fine.

 

You should be fine as long as you don't get crazy with the gas! Lol

 

cool thanks - I'm super careful etc I just wanna make sure I've got the mechanical capability

 

Ha we used to launch our boat with a 3.8l minivan, front wheel drive.
Although it was concrete, the ramp was damn steep. You'll be alright.