Does anyone else launch their ski from the back of a minivan?

streetroc

streetroc

Location
Georgia
This is how I have always done it and I find it to be much easier than messing around with a trailer. Since it's front wheel drive I can put it in park and set the brake to lock all 4 wheels so I'm not worried about it slipping down the ramp. I back it up until I hear bubbles and I know the exhaust pipe is underwater. Then I just grab my old square nose by the back of the tray and drag her out. Putting it back in is a little tougher but I put a thick rope through the nose and use two hands to haul it back up into the van. Not hard at all but I do get some weird looks from other people at the boat launch haha. Does anyone else do it this way? 20170616_185014.jpg 20170617_164952.jpg
 
streetroc

streetroc

Location
Georgia
Yeah I've seen that video too. That's a rear wheel drive van though. There's really no way to lock the front wheels. Also, I don't back it that far into the lake. The water never gets anywhere near the inside of the van. I only need to get the water line within about 6-8" of the back of the cabin and I can drag the ski the rest of the way. I just didn't know if anyone else had ever tried this with an old minivan before.
 
Midlake Crisis

Midlake Crisis

Site Supporter
Location
Bakersfield, CA
streetroc85350 said:
Yeah I've seen that video too. That's a rear wheel drive van though. There's really no way to lock the front wheels. Also, I don't back it that far into the lake. The water never gets anywhere near the inside of the van. I only need to get the water line within about 6-8" of the back of the cabin and I can drag the ski the rest of the way. I just didn't know if anyone else had ever tried this with an old minivan before.
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Yes, you are doing it a lot smarter than those guys! My buddy Chris used to launch his 550 out of the back of a little S10 Blazer, just got to know what your vehicle is capable of. BTW nice SN! Mine is similar but has been down for mods for quite a while, kind of wish I had left it alone after installing the footholds. Good fun ski!
 
X

X2Kid

Location
Canberra, Australia.
I used to transport my 'ski in the back of a minivan but never launched/retrieved out of it. Was always mindful of water getting into places it shouldn't be (the diff), and the risk of dropping the back wheels (or the whole vehicle) off of the end of the ramp, stalling the engine with the exhaust under water etc, etc. Just bought a tote that could be broken down and and got the 'ski in and out with that. This also allowed me to clear the exhaust fully after each ride by lowering the nose of the 'ski to the ground and blatting the throttle - can't do that properly from the back of a van!
 
CHRIS@EZ-SKI

CHRIS@EZ-SKI

Lions Among Sheep
Location
outterspace
Midlake Crisis said:
I worry about the supports failing and having one end drop, or the ends sticking out getting swiped In traffic, or dragging and getting damaged on uneven ground.
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just my 2 cents... I have been building these now as a side thing for almost 9 years.. I have not had a single REPORTED incident. ( no skis coming off carriers , absolutely no failed carriers, not one failed hitch receiver) Could it happen.. of course anything can .. but how many trailers have flipped due to a wheel bearing overheating and seizing or a simple flat. As far as loading them in the back of a van or truck .. well that simply will destroy your back (eventually) ...
 
High Speed Industries

High Speed Industries

Your one stop shop for quality parts @highspeedind
Location
Lake Havasu City, AZ
streetroc85350 said:
This is how I have always done it and I find it to be much easier than messing around with a trailer. Since it's front wheel drive I can put it in park and set the brake to lock all 4 wheels so I'm not worried about it slipping down the ramp. I back it up until I hear bubbles and I know the exhaust pipe is underwater. Then I just grab my old square nose by the back of the tray and drag her out. Putting it back in is a little tougher but I put a thick rope through the nose and use two hands to haul it back up into the van. Not hard at all but I do get some weird looks from other people at the boat launch haha. Does anyone else do it this way? View attachment 347104 View attachment 347105
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I pretty much do the same thing with the same van. It works great!
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c8383d9a74241c84c362a926764b001d.jpg
 
WB1994

WB1994

Location
Amherst NH
I can close the minivan and lock it away from anyone touching it including mother nature ..... and more importantly road grime like with a hitch hauler. Slightest moisture on the road and the skis a mess. Then add exhaust. No thanks. Stow n go.
 

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streetroc

streetroc

Location
Georgia
Midlake Crisis said:
Yes, you are doing it a lot smarter than those guys! My buddy Chris used to launch his 550 out of the back of a little S10 Blazer, just got to know what your vehicle is capable of. BTW nice SN! Mine is similar but has been down for mods for quite a while, kind of wish I had left it alone after installing the footholds. Good fun ski!
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Thanks man. Mine is down at the moment too. I sucked gravel into the intake at the end of the summer last year and tore up the prop. Its only about 3 more months until riding season, I really need to fix it before too long.
 
streetroc

streetroc

Location
Georgia
WB1994 said:
Stock hull length wont work with two. Maybe one.
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I don't think legnth would be as much of an issue as the width. My SN fits without any trouble and the fx1 is about 7" shorter than that. I just don't know how I could get two side by side. Maybe if I had one on a raised platform but that would make launching difficult. I like the idea of the hitch hauler though. That would allow me to carry two without a trailer
 
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