[Colt_Montana]

Hello,

I am hoping to get more information on launching boats with the Lightning.

I have to launch a boat in pretty shallow water requiring getting the rear bumper in the water. Should I be concerned about the battery or any other issues with the truck?

Thanks!

 

[ChasingCoral]

Hello,

I am hoping to get more information on launching boats with the Lightning.

I have to launch a boat in pretty shallow water requiring getting the rear bumper in the water. Should I be concerned about the battery or any other issues with the truck?

Thanks!

It's in the manual, page 354:

LAUNCHING OR RETRIEVING A BOAT OR PERSONAL WATERCRAFT
When backing down a ramp during boat launching or retrieval:
• Do not allow the static water level to rise above the bottom edge of the rear bumper.
• Do not allow waves to break higher than 6 in (15 cm) above the bottom edge of the rear bumper.
Exceeding 6 in (15 cm) could allow water to enter vehicle components, causing internal damage to the components and affecting driveability, emissions and reliability.
Note: Disconnect the trailer wiring connector before backing the trailer into the water.
Note: Reconnect the trailer wiring connector after removing the trailer from the water.

and 414

WATER WADING
To avoid damage to your vehicle, reduce your speed as the water depth increases.

• Always determine the depth before attempting a water crossing. Never drive through water that is higher than the bottom of the wheel hubs.
• Slowly proceed and avoid splashing water any more than is necessary.
• Be aware that obstacles and debris may be under the water’s surface.
• Keep the doors fully closed during the water crossing.
• After driving through water and as soon as it is safe to do so check the brakes, horn, lights, and steering wheel to confirm those systems are functioning properly.

 

[KElkhorn]

It's in the manual, page 354:

LAUNCHING OR RETRIEVING A BOAT OR PERSONAL WATERCRAFT
When backing down a ramp during boat launching or retrieval:
• Do not allow the static water level to rise above the bottom edge of the rear bumper.
• Do not allow waves to break higher than 6 in (15 cm) above the bottom edge of the rear bumper.
Exceeding 6 in (15 cm) could allow water to enter vehicle components, causing internal damage to the components and affecting driveability, emissions and reliability.
Note: Disconnect the trailer wiring connector before backing the trailer into the water.
Note: Reconnect the trailer wiring connector after removing the trailer from the water.

and 414

WATER WADING
To avoid damage to your vehicle, reduce your speed as the water depth increases.

• Always determine the depth before attempting a water crossing. Never drive through water that is higher than the bottom of the wheel hubs.
• Slowly proceed and avoid splashing water any more than is necessary.
• Be aware that obstacles and debris may be under the water’s surface.
• Keep the doors fully closed during the water crossing.
• After driving through water and as soon as it is safe to do so check the brakes, horn, lights, and steering wheel to confirm those systems are functioning properly.

I wonder what emissions you will be affecting?

 

[ChasingCoral]

I wonder what emissions you will be affecting?

Probably a cut and paste error from an ICE F-150 manual.

 

[KElkhorn]

Probably a cut and paste error from an ICE F-150 manual.

Or more likely the entire thing is cut and paste from F-150 manual, so who really knows? Did you see the article where the guy with the Rivian took advantage of the 43" fording height? That seems excessive. . . .

 

[ChasingCoral]

Or more likely the entire thing is cut and paste from F-150 manual, so who really knows? Did you see the article where the guy with the Rivian took advantage of the 43" fording height? That seems excessive. . . .

Definitely!

 

[RickKeen]

A couple of general boat launching reminders applicable to all trucks. Plenty of videos of trucks sliding down into the water - you want to avoid that.

• Make sure its in 4WD/AWD. Always the case with the Lightning, but you may want to also lock the rear diff. Wet boat ramps are slippery.
• For a bunk style trailer, I like to unfasten the boat from the trailer before backing it down the ramp. Bunk trailers need to be backed in deep enough that the boat floats off (and back on). At that point, if the boat is still fastened to the trailer, the buoyancy of the boat can result in negative tongue weight, reducing the traction of the truck's rear wheels.
• For roller trailers, you need to leave the front connected to the winch to avoid premature launch while still on land, but you don't need to back in as deep since the boat doesn't need to float to get off (and back on) the trailer.
• Have a recovery strap with you and know how to use it. Probably 1 out of 10 times I am at the ramp, somebody cannot get back up the ramp pulling their boat out. Or maybe you have a huge boat yourself and you will be the one needing an assist back up the ramp.
• Practice backing your boat trailer in a parking lot somewhere else before you go to the ramp with your new boat for the first time. Something about a line of a dozen people waiting to use the ramp seems to make people get frazzled about the task of backing a trailer.
• If you have the Ford Tow Tech pack and think it will magically back your trailer in, I would challenge you to make sure you know how to use that feature before you go to the ramp.
• Always double check the truck is in Park before getting out. Plenty of hilarious videos of drivers stepping out of their vehicle while its still in gear on the boat ramp.
• Check the submerged ramp and know where the edge of the concrete ends. Don't back your trailer wheels off that edge into the hole that is typically there.
• If you do back your trailer into the hole, simply pulling hard will likely not get it back up over that edge - the wheels will be hooked on the edge. Its going to take a couple of guys in the water to lift the back end of the trailer (empty) up over that edge while pulling it out.
• Please don't ever power-load your boat onto the trailer. It makes the afore-mentioned hole and also leaves a prop-eating and boat-run-aground mound out in the water.
  
  
  

 

[ChasingCoral]

A couple of general boat launching reminders applicable to all trucks. Plenty of videos of trucks sliding down into the water - you want to avoid that.

• Always double check the truck is in Park before getting out. Plenty of hilarious videos of drivers stepping out of their vehicle while its still in gear on the boat ramp.

Agreed. Good news with the Lightning: when you open the door it is supposed to put the truck into Park. This has worked every time I've tested it. Use this as your backup, though.