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Automotive Experts LSD or Locker?

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Created by ikw777 > 9 months ago, 28 Jan 2015
ikw777
QLD, 2995 posts
28 Jan 2015 1:32PM
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If I were to fit a limited slip differential to my Hiace would it help it get up slippery boat ramps? Or do I actually need a locker to do that?

Cal
QLD, 1003 posts
28 Jan 2015 1:40PM
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Some weight over the drive wheels would be your first, cheap option. Doesnt it already have a LSD? A difflock will make both wheels turn together increasing drive distribution and therefore grip.

Hang on, you asked for an expert, ignore all written.

Ian K
WA, 4039 posts
28 Jan 2015 12:22PM
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ikw777 said..
If I were to fit a limited slip differential to my Hiace would it help it get up slippery boat ramps? Or do I actually need a locker to do that?



Boat ramps are generally pretty symmetric, left side just as slippery as right side (or is that port and starboard?), there's usually not much twist in the ramp that would unweight one of the driven wheels. So neither of those diffs would help much at all. Put down 2 rolls of carpet long enough to be weighted by the front wheels on the dry section of the ramp.

thedrip
WA, 2350 posts
28 Jan 2015 12:40PM
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Get a compressor and let your front tyres down to 12-16psi. Then five minutes or less to reair. Diff locker won't work real well for the reason given above and if you get an automatic (read cheaper) diff locker then it will make all sorts of weird noises on road which get annoying.

ikw777
QLD, 2995 posts
28 Jan 2015 2:43PM
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thedrip said..
Get a compressor and let your front tyres down to 12-16psi. Then five minutes or less to reair. Diff locker won't work real well for the reason given above and if you get an automatic (read cheaper) diff locker then it will make all sorts of weird noises on road which get annoying.


Don't you mean rear tyres?

Cassa
WA, 1305 posts
28 Jan 2015 1:40PM
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LSD will definitely make your driving different

jkiter
QLD, 139 posts
28 Jan 2015 3:45PM
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Get some bags on sand and put them in the back over the rear wheels. Extra weight will help with traction.
Won't always be enough but Ive had slippery days were 2 guys standing on the tow hitch makes all the difference.

climber
NSW, 1125 posts
28 Jan 2015 5:17PM
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Slippery ramps are a bugger...seen more than one or two or three cars in the drink due to slippery...
My tip...get a draw bar extension and keep the back wheels away from the slime....great for beach launch too.
Why..... I witnessed first hand a new cruiser (some years back) back a 13ft tinny down a ramp...very very low tide. The guy stopped...applied the hand brake...got out and to his horror ,the angle of the ramp was too great and the whole rig just slid very slowly backwards into the water. (tried throwing / placing rocks under the wheels, but could not get them to bite enough once the rig was moving....sadly)

Craig66
NSW, 2435 posts
28 Jan 2015 5:49PM
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Many years ago my tow car was a morris minor 1500, front wheel drive, we just got the mates to sit on the front guards.
And to add to that we sometimes left a mate in the boat and he powered up the motor to help push up the ramp. Always good for a laugh

So just add weight to back of your van, or as climber said, draw bar extension, if you have a good solid jockey wheel a 5 metre length of rope (or what ever length you need to keep out of the slippery stuff) will do the trick to both launch and retrieve, as was the way it was done with the old wooden clinker ski boats when trailers didn't have winched and we floated the boat onto the submerged trailer.



A great idea is a spare wheel, hub, bearing etc on a swing away bracket that can be used at the ramp or beach











Or just go to a better boat ramp

myusernam
QLD, 6085 posts
28 Jan 2015 7:11PM
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no need for sandbags, simply move your trailer axle/s more rearward to increase your towball weight. just add a fair bit and you wont have an issue

Harrow
NSW, 4520 posts
28 Jan 2015 9:11PM
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Get some tips from these guys. They seem to have it figured out.

thedrip
WA, 2350 posts
28 Jan 2015 7:07PM
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ikw777 said...
thedrip said..
Get a compressor and let your front tyres down to 12-16psi. Then five minutes or less to reair. Diff locker won't work real well for the reason given above and if you get an automatic (read cheaper) diff locker then it will make all sorts of weird noises on road which get annoying.


Don't you mean rear tyres?



Thought the Hiace vans were front wheel drive. Otherwise, yes, rear wheels.

youngbull
QLD, 825 posts
28 Jan 2015 10:35PM
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myusernam said..
no need for sandbags, simply move your trailer axle/s more rearward to increase your towball weight. just add a fair bit and you wont have an issue



100% agree. I used to have a vl towing a 16ft f/glass boat and had the same issue.
I moved the boat way forward but it became to heavy on the highway and had limited steering ( quiet scary) so I got a weight distribution hitch. Worked very well and I'm sure you would find one second hand somewhere. Alot cheaper than air locker or lsd and can be taken with you if you sell the car.

ikw777
QLD, 2995 posts
28 Jan 2015 10:48PM
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Great ideas here guys. saving me money...

PaddlePig
WA, 421 posts
29 Jan 2015 11:16PM
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If you struggle to pull out of a slippery ramp again, try getting someone to leave the boat engine on and put it in forward. The boat will effectively help push from the back. I have a run about boat and pull with a falcon wagon and have never had trouble, but my brother had a heavy ski boat which sat somewhat high on the trailer, and the lack of bee in the water meant all the weight was on the trailer as opposed to being floated by the boat. When a slippery low tide ramp was presented, we would knock the v8 into gear and help the thing get pulled out. Don't floor it though or it may jump off the trailer, and with an outboard perhaps lift the leg somewhat so you don't drag on the ramp.

mkseven
QLD, 2309 posts
31 Jan 2015 5:34PM
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To answer original question- locker.

Dependent on type of lsd it can put power to wheel with grip, not always helpful if that wheel only just has traction.

Locker both wheels will turn at same rate.

Most important thing with ramps is make sure you arent dropping trailer off end of ramp, check condition of ramp there is always better lanes on the ramp. When driving out handbrake on feed power gradually until you feel weight take up then constant power to top. See so many people use power to get to top & wonder why they sliding backwards.

gavnwend
WA, 1364 posts
31 Jan 2015 5:53PM
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Buy some maxi tracks



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Forums > General Discussion   Shooting the breeze...


"Automotive Experts LSD or Locker?" started by ikw777