Boat ramp w/manual transmission?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Cleveland, OH
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I might be buying two jetskis/waverunners on a trailer. Not a lot of weight here, but getting up the boat ramp will be interesting with a manual transmission.
I did some searching, but still not clear.
In 2WD that seems like you need a perfect clutch grab/accelerate to get up the ramp. I'm not perfect.
4WD LO with a crawl up the boat ramp is another option, but not finding a lot of info.
Anyone with some experience in this area? I need some pointers. Thanks
I did some searching, but still not clear.
In 2WD that seems like you need a perfect clutch grab/accelerate to get up the ramp. I'm not perfect.
4WD LO with a crawl up the boat ramp is another option, but not finding a lot of info.
Anyone with some experience in this area? I need some pointers. Thanks
CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 7,874
Likes: 100
From: Northern Ontario, Canada
Year: 1990, 1999, 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
easier said than done, but what i would do is hold the brake and ease out the clutch until you feel it start to grab. then hold the clutch there and ease off the brake. you should be able to hold yourself there with the clutch.
don't panic and shove the clutch in or you will quickly just roll back into the water. but once you can hold yourself still with the clutch, just slowly ease the clutch out until you start to roll forward, the engine should rev up slightly on it's own as long as you don't just release the clutch totally. then you can ease on the gas pedal, but don't over rev it and fumble with the clutch.
it is an art form to be able to hear the revs of the motor and know how much clutch to use.
with that said, it is easier when it's in 4 low. at least until you master the whole clutch/gas thing.
practice on a hill with no trailer. it's really not that hard, once you get the hang of it.
good luck.
don't panic and shove the clutch in or you will quickly just roll back into the water. but once you can hold yourself still with the clutch, just slowly ease the clutch out until you start to roll forward, the engine should rev up slightly on it's own as long as you don't just release the clutch totally. then you can ease on the gas pedal, but don't over rev it and fumble with the clutch.
it is an art form to be able to hear the revs of the motor and know how much clutch to use.
with that said, it is easier when it's in 4 low. at least until you master the whole clutch/gas thing.
practice on a hill with no trailer. it's really not that hard, once you get the hang of it.
good luck.
Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 216
Likes: 0
From: Seattle, Wa
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
??? I put my 19 foot boat in the water in 2wd on steep salt water slimy rocky ramps in my 5 speed jeep with 3.07s and 33s no problem.I even pull it out with 5-6 people on it. I would not say there is any magic clutch action that needs to happen, maybe just competence with a manual transmission vehicle
Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 199
Likes: 0
From: panama city, FL
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 liter HO
??? I put my 19 foot boat in the water in 2wd on steep salt water slimy rocky ramps in my 5 speed jeep with 3.07s and 33s no problem.I even pull it out with 5-6 people on it.I would not say there is any magic clutch action that needs to happen, maybe just competence with a manual transmission vehicle
Honorary Moderator
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 8,135
Likes: 16
From: Gilbert AZ/Las Cruces NM
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 upgraded
to get used to it, you can hold your e-brake up to hold you while you transfer your foot, But 4lo would be OK if it was a real slick surface to allow for a bit of wheel slip if you needed to turn at all but the short distance up the ramp in a strait line 4lo would give you alot of power to get up the ramp. 2wd should be just fine!
i have never had a problem
i have never had a problem
if you're not that good, then you can't do it.
if you have to read how to do it, do yourself a favor and sell the jeep and get an automatic jeep.
these types of things with a 5 speed are just plain common sense. they're learned off of experience, not off of description.
but, basically, let off of the clutch at the exact rate that you push in on the gas. nice and easy on each one, don't hesitate, and don't kill it. find a happy medium.
if you cannot manage that, then revert to my initial assessment.
if you have to read how to do it, do yourself a favor and sell the jeep and get an automatic jeep.
these types of things with a 5 speed are just plain common sense. they're learned off of experience, not off of description.
but, basically, let off of the clutch at the exact rate that you push in on the gas. nice and easy on each one, don't hesitate, and don't kill it. find a happy medium.
if you cannot manage that, then revert to my initial assessment.
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Seasoned Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 448
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From: Charleston, SC
Year: 1990 - 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Practice or use 4WD-Low. I towed a 3000 lb sailboat with my 5 sp and always used 4WD-Low on the ramp (in or out). It takes most of the strain off of the engine in the clutch. It also allowed me to shut it off in gear and not relly on the parking brake to hold it in place while I launched the boat. When you get to where it levels out when pulling out, go back to 2WD.
Registered Users
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,371
Likes: 4
From: morrisonville ny
Year: 2000 @ 1994 givin away
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
AWWWWW yes all you guys putting the kid down,I remeber you guys came out of your mother's driving stick shift and never had to LEARN IT never had to be shown never stalled it never ground the gears so ******* perfect grow up u bunch of pac/kers.
Last edited by COSXJFAN; Jul 14, 2010 at 08:44 AM.
i've been driving stick since I was 7 or 8 when we got our first sandrail. known how to use a clutch since before that, because my dad restored tractors.
it's the biggest common sense thing on earth. you let go of clutch fast, it jerks and dies. let go slow, it slips and rolls backwards. let go in the middle, while increasing engine RPM (foot on gas, push slow), and it's just perfect.
if someone can't figure that out, they shouldn't drive a 5 speed. it doesn't take skill...my 80 year old grandma can still do it, and my 10 year old cousin can do it.
Registered Users
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,371
Likes: 4
From: morrisonville ny
Year: 2000 @ 1994 givin away
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
learn to spell, or don't post.
i've been driving stick since I was 7 or 8 when we got our first sandrail. known how to use a clutch since before that, because my dad restored tractors.
it's the biggest common sense thing on earth. you let go of clutch fast, it jerks and dies. let go slow, it slips and rolls backwards. let go in the middle, while increasing engine RPM (foot on gas, push slow), and it's just perf
if someone can't figure that out, they shouldn't drive a 5 speed. it doesn't take skill...my 80 year old grandma can still do it, and my 10 year old cousin can do it.
i've been driving stick since I was 7 or 8 when we got our first sandrail. known how to use a clutch since before that, because my dad restored tractors.
it's the biggest common sense thing on earth. you let go of clutch fast, it jerks and dies. let go slow, it slips and rolls backwards. let go in the middle, while increasing engine RPM (foot on gas, push slow), and it's just perf
if someone can't figure that out, they shouldn't drive a 5 speed. it doesn't take skill...my 80 year old grandma can still do it, and my 10 year old cousin can do it.
if you have to read how to do it, do yourself a favor and sell the jeep and get an automatic jeep.
these types of things with a 5 speed are just plain common sense. they're learned off of experience, not off of description.
if you cannot manage that, then revert to my initial assessment.
these types of things with a 5 speed are just plain common sense. they're learned off of experience, not off of description.
if you cannot manage that, then revert to my initial assessment.
??? I put my 19 foot boat in the water in 2wd on steep salt water slimy rocky ramps in my 5 speed jeep with 3.07s and 33s no problem.I even pull it out with 5-6 people on it. I would not say there is any magic clutch action that needs to happen, maybe just competence with a manual transmission vehicle
learn to spell, or don't post.
i've been driving stick since I was 7 or 8 when we got our first sandrail. known how to use a clutch since before that, because my dad restored tractors.
Someone with so much experience should be able to offer great advice on the topic then...???
it's the biggest common sense thing on earth. you let go of clutch fast, it jerks and dies. let go slow, it slips and rolls backwards. let go in the middle, while increasing engine RPM (foot on gas, push slow), and it's just perfect.
if someone can't figure that out, they shouldn't drive a 5 speed. it doesn't take skill...my 80 year old grandma can still do it, and my 10 year old cousin can do it.
i've been driving stick since I was 7 or 8 when we got our first sandrail. known how to use a clutch since before that, because my dad restored tractors.
Someone with so much experience should be able to offer great advice on the topic then...???
it's the biggest common sense thing on earth. you let go of clutch fast, it jerks and dies. let go slow, it slips and rolls backwards. let go in the middle, while increasing engine RPM (foot on gas, push slow), and it's just perfect.
if someone can't figure that out, they shouldn't drive a 5 speed. it doesn't take skill...my 80 year old grandma can still do it, and my 10 year old cousin can do it.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 611
Likes: 2
From: Austin, TX/ Atlanta, GA
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
okay lets all be jack ***** too. that will help someone with their problem.
seriously. just put the hand break on and gas it up and let the clutch out slowly and release the handbreak slowly too.
seriously. just put the hand break on and gas it up and let the clutch out slowly and release the handbreak slowly too.




