Boat on the ramp

Had our fishing boat on a steep ramp at lake Powell. Wife pulled us out slightly and put the transmission into Park. So, on a steep slope I know it was loading the truck in reverse. When I got in the vehicle to pull out the rest of the way, went into Drive but the truck would not move, actually it felt like it wanted to go in reverse. Went back to Park, waited for the brake to engage then back to Drive, same thing. Felt like it wanted to move backward. Did the routine 2 more times, then I thought of shifting it into 4H. On the 5th attempt, we moved forward and all was well.

So, what is the best way to avoid this and even better, what is the best way to resolve it if it was to happen again. Would hate to experience that every time we go fishing.

 

Sounds like the rear tires were slipping if going into high range fixed it.

I always put the truck into 4wd when going down the boat ramp. Once the rear tires hit water and slim they're essentially useless and you're just relying on the fronts.

 

I would start with the recent trans recall, and go from there

 

Rears were not slipping, looked at them and the kids were watching, it actually wanted to torque backwards. It never engaged 4H even though I tried.

 

once you have a huge load on the drivetrain, its not really going to want to go into 4 hi.

I would go 4 hi before you even start any of this

 

I thought it engaged the parking brake automatically when you put it into Park?

 

Good advice, I shall do that regardless of conditions, it has never done that before.

 

it does or should. I just wonder if you had a huge load on the truck and it put on the parking brake in this situation and then had difficulty releasing under that load.

hard to tell without seeing what happened.

 

you can also read the manual about the hill hold assist button, I havent messed with it that much and see if that can apply

 

That is the default setting, but I think I read in the horribly written manual that when on an incline, you should press the parking break button before shifting. That might be something to try. There are enough videos of boat ramp issues where the parking paul broke because the brake wasn't set on all kinds of vehicles. So I make it a habit of setting the parking break first. That was easier on my prior vehicle since you set it with your left foot...

 

Definitely use 4 hi. I used to back the boat down @ Pleasant and other AZ lakes using a Ram 3500 dually and never needed it (that thing was a beast) but as soon as I used a Ram 2500, the wheels would slip and going up was a bit of a chore. Can't imagine using a Tundra in 2wd. But also depends on the size of your boat.

 

I don't think this feature is set by default. With your foot on the brake, pull the parking brake switch and hold for 3 seconds. This will activate that feature. If it is on, make sure you keep your foot on the brake for a few seconds after you put it in park. This gives the parking brake time to fully engage. And lastly, when you are ready to put it in drive to go back up a steep ramp, keep your left foot on the brake when putting the truck in drive. That way your right foot can be on the gas immediately in case it's needed. I also agree that putting it in 4 wheel drive before backing down is a fine idea.

 

Auto parking brake is on by default.

https://www.i-5toyota.com/how-to-use-toyota-electronic-parking-brake.htm

https://www.toyota.com/owners/warra...article/tundra-hv/2023/om0c052u/ch04se020404/

 

I hear that the truck likes to start in 3rd gear for efficiency's sake. Maybe selecting 1st gear manually would help with your ramp woes. I've never needed 4wd on our boat ramps with my older 2.5 gen, but there's a decent amount of weight over my back axle being a CM with a campershell.

 

Excellent, yes, told my wife that is what to do from now on , and not even shift into P the next day and we did not have the same issue...........I wondered if that handbrake would not disengage. In the Platinum model like ours , when you go to Park, the Brake light comes on on the dash after a few seconds, but it does have the manual option button on the dash as well.

 

I learned something today , thank you so much. Ok, I kind of like it, but in this case it is not the best option. Like others recommended, go to Neutral or apply before P. Thank you for the advice.

 

The good news is that the break will disengage automatically. In my old vehicle, I used to see the gas door pop open and I knew they were looking to get the parking break off.

I also read "neutral" and got worried. I often launch my boat alone and was thinking unattended in N at the ramp. Don't do that unless you are recoding...

 

Never had issues on the boat ramp with a 2wd pickup..

 

Oh, it would but we would need a video and some popcorn and beer to watch from our armchairs...

Dan

 

Park brakes are a lot like Owner's Manuals; there but seldom used.

 

some of the less used ones around here are slick as snot, 4wd is a must.

especially depending on the size and set-up of the boat which is the amount of suction while you try and pull it out

 

Nothing but common sense.