Towing a Boat/Dropping in Water Advice

[The Tumbler]

I’ve launched my boat several times without issue. Works great, don’t overthink it.

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[AJL710]

Just don't forget to turn off mirror auto tilt in reverse so you can see the trailer instead of the ramp floor

I launched my boat with the Cybertruck countless times and it's effortless. You may see a generic warning pop up about the brakes not being able to hold the weight if you put it in park while on the ramp but that is just triggered when parking on an angle while in trailer mode., not an actual loading issue.

 

[kpanda17]

salt water and batteries dont mix

id be careful

anyone feedback for backing a cybertruck into salt water?

 

[Fvansan]

Hello all, so I've got a friend with a boat and he asked if I could pull it out of storage and drop it in the water for him this weekend. I've got a AWD with the core wheels and all season tires. I read the owners manual and all seems like I should be fine to tow it just want to make sure I'm doing everything right as I haven't towed anything with the CT yet. I've pulled the exact boat/trailer with my previous truck (Ram 1500 2022) with no issues. Is there a certain PSI my tires need to be inflated to? Any risks if it's over 11k lbs (pretty sure with the trailer it's around 8-9k lb but thought I'd ask)? Anything I should know when backing up to the launch like how far back into the water I can go (wade mode, slippery surface switch?) I'm probably over thinking it but want to be safe and not damage my truck, any advice would be appreciated.

I suggest u raise the suspension to “High” which will tilt the stern downward into the water then back up until the boat slides off the trailer.
I use trailer setting in control to be able to use trailer brakes too. Keep the battery out of the water. U could also place it into the carwash setting to pressurized in the battery. I assume this isn’t saltwater otherwise u will need to wash the undercarriage well.

 

[flyinglow]

Not normally correct for me. I have nine trailers including four for aquatic pullers. For all four of my boat and jet ski launches it is often impossible to launch or retrieve without the rear wheel in the water up to the wheel rim. The only exceptions are when the ramp is very steep. The winch system on most trailers, including jet ski trailers, is NOT designed to pull the vessel’s weight upward onto the bunks. I find it a little easier going onto the bunks to drive the boat or ski onto the bunks to “hit” the stop - but would never pull it the rest of the way using the winch - 9,000 pounds of boat on dry skids WILL damage your winch or post.

The proper way to load a boat is to put the trailer fully into the water up to the point where a couple feet of the front bunk sticks out of the water. The proper way to launch a vessel is to put the trailer in until the boat floats off. Depending on ramp grade this often means dipping the rear tires on the tow vehicle.

Ramps on the Chesapeake Bay tend to have very shallow grades. On some dirt ramps I have to go in up to the axle to get the boat off - this includes a quick descent and hard brake application to “jerk” the boat backward off the trailer. Note also that some boat trailers put the entire boat ABOVE the trailer’s axle and wheels. You may be thinking only about v-hull boats, which do nest pretty low in the trailer, but many of us don’t have that luxury. For my trailers that haul the boat fully above the trailer wheels, it is necessary to put almost the entire trailer underwater or the boat simply will not come off, even under power.

I’m not one of those hilarious boat launch jockeys we all enjoy watching destroy equipment and endanger people - I launch and retrieve often due to having four workboats and an oyster aquaculture farm, with boats coming and going all day every day - but could almost never do it safely without putting our tow vehicles into the water. The workboats are flat-bottomed Carolina Skiffs - also ride high on the trailer, fully above the wheels.

You’d be amazed at some of the launches we must use. Our closest is a dirt ramp with a hook turn halfway in, and a pothole. Here’s an example of one of my trailers - no way to put this in without getting the CT’s wheels wet when using a shallow launch. Note the space between the trailer wheels and the boat.

Here’s another example in my stable - try getting that front jet ski off without going in up to the rear drive unit!

Most of my experience was in the 70s. The ramps were usually too steep to float or drive the boat on. We would drive or walk the boat onto the first set of rollers and winch it the rest of the way. Manual winches for the most part but some people used electric ones. There's no reason the trailer and winch can't still be designed for that although your jet ski trailer is pretty interesting.

Love your cat.

 

[AJL710]

salt water and batteries dont mix

id be careful

anyone feedback for backing a cybertruck into salt water?

The battery is sealed. It would be no different than any other car launching in salt water. I've driven mine on the beach through 2+ feet of waves with no issue. Just make sure to give it a fresh water rinse afterwards to prevent corrosion.

The battery enclosure has one way valves that let it drain from regular water intrusion. Wade mode pressurizes the enclosure to help assist keep water out and help prevent flooding the battery if the valves get stuck somehow when fully submerged but is really just an additional safety feature. Additionally you can't use wade mode in tow mode.

Backing down a ramp with water slightly at the battery line should be no cause for concern. Something else is wrong if you have to go that deep in the first place. The rear tires of the Cybertruck should barely have to touch the waterline to properly launch.

 

[The Tumbler]

Hello all, so I've got a friend with a boat and he asked if I could pull it out of storage and drop it in the water for him this weekend. I've got a AWD with the core wheels and all season tires. I read the owners manual and all seems like I should be fine to tow it just want to make sure I'm doing everything right as I haven't towed anything with the CT yet. I've pulled the exact boat/trailer with my previous truck (Ram 1500 2022) with no issues. Is there a certain PSI my tires need to be inflated to? Any risks if it's over 11k lbs (pretty sure with the trailer it's around 8-9k lb but thought I'd ask)? Anything I should know when backing up to the launch like how far back into the water I can go (wade mode, slippery surface switch?) I'm probably over thinking it but want to be safe and not damage my truck, any advice would be appreciated.

First, good for you for thinking ahead. No one wants to end up on Qualified Captain swimming above their CT…

Here’s a quick checklist, never let me down, probably 1000 launches.

1) Find a competent friend or family member to back the boat off the trailer and put them in the drivers seat at the top of the ramp

2) remove the tow straps and front clip (unless the boat is already super wet/slimy and the ramp is real steep, in which case you can unclip after it’s in the water.

3) use the side mirrors to back down slowly ONLY until the back end of the boat floats. Put in park.

4) boat driver should be able to back off the boat with the boat power.

5) once the boat is off put in drive and go park the trailer.

6) crack your first beer.

you shouldn’t even need to get out of the drivers seat to launch.

When you pull the boat out the trailer should be only deep enough for the driver to pull up on the trailer and get aligned on the runners, same depth as launch. Then they can gently power the boat the last 1/3 up to the front where you can clip/tie the nose. Many folks make the mistake of backing WAY to far in and have the whole boat floating above the trailer. That’s a recipe for multiple problems.

 

[Jerry Chadwick]

I’ve launched my boat several times without issue. Works great, don’t overthink it.

My I ask how far you had to back into the water with the truck to float your boat?

 

[HandsomeYeti]

My I ask how far you had to back into the water with the truck to float your boat?

It probably depends on the trailer, how steep the ramp is etc. For my lake, I’m usually back enough that the rear tires are in the water, maybe to the rim. Hope that answers your question.

 

[Jerry Chadwick]

It probably depends on the trailer, how steep the ramp is etc. For my lake, I’m usually back enough that the rear tires are in the water, maybe to the rim. Hope that answers your question.

 

[PungoteagueDave]

My I ask how far you had to back into the water with the truck to float your boat?

One of my boat trailers requires going deep into the water because

the boat sits above the trailer wheels. So I must put it in up to the bottom of the CT’s rear rims. The other is a four-place jet ski trailer, which all has to go far into the water to get the forward vessels off. That has a short tongue, so with a shallow ramp, I pull back to the point the water is at the back corner of the drivers door, but I can step out dry. In no case does the water affect mechanical or battery parts at the rear underbody or above. I do not elevate the suspension, but could do so if needed.

 

[eser50]

First, good for you for thinking ahead. No one wants to end up on Qualified Captain swimming above their CT…

Here’s a quick checklist, never let me down, probably 1000 launches.

1) Find a competent friend or family member to back the boat off the trailer and put them in the drivers seat at the top of the ramp

2) remove the tow straps and front clip (unless the boat is already super wet/slimy and the ramp is real steep, in which case you can unclip after it’s in the water.

3) use the side mirrors to back down slowly ONLY until the back end of the boat floats. Put in park.

4) boat driver should be able to back off the boat with the boat power.

Thank goodness for some good advice!

Also, good lord, you don't need to put the truck in Wade Mode to back a trailer into the water. You'll have everyone's eyes on you at the launch already (because Cybertruck towing) and you'll look like such a dork on top of the fact that the trailer's rear end will be significantly lower depending on how long it is.

My other suggestion to add here is to turn off "Auto-Lower When Parked" while towing so you're not raising and lowering the truck when it parks.

 

[PungoteagueDave]

Thank goodness for some good advice!

Also, good lord, you don't need to put the truck in Wade Mode to back a trailer into the water. You'll have everyone's eyes on you at the launch already (because Cybertruck towing) and you'll look like such a dork on top of the fact that the trailer's rear end will be significantly lower depending on how long it is.

My other suggestion to add here is to turn off "Auto-Lower When Parked" while towing so you're not raising and lowering the truck when it parks.

Wade mode doesn’t lower the vehicle. It can be used at any suspension setting. It pressurizes the battery so it can be submerged. Shouldn’t be necessary in any trailering scenario.

 

[mongo]

Wade mode doesn’t lower the vehicle. It can be used at any suspension setting. It pressurizes the battery so it can be submerged. Shouldn’t be necessary in any trailering scenario.

Wade mode raises the vehicle which causes the tail of the trailer to lower.

the trailer's rear end will be significantly lower depending on how long it is.

 

[Jerry Chadwick]

Can Wade mode be used while towing a trailer?

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