Putting a boat in, would you…

[Tdub0527]

Would you ever back up your vehicle (a brand new bronco) so far into the water that the exhaust was underwater?

I went to launch my deck boat this past weekend and the river was so high you were launching the boat in the parking lot, not an inclined ramp.

I have a Big Bend and chickened out. Some guy in a huge lifted truck offered to drop it in for me. I took him up on his offer. His exhaust was fully underwater and he had water up to the door frame in the front.

I was super appreciative but never have been confronted with that situation before.

Is it safe to back in as far to have your exhaust under water as long as isn’t shut off? Asking for next time.

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[chancewm]

Almost every time I've launched my boat(s) through the years with an Escape, an Explorer, and now the Bronco the exhaust dips into the water. Never had any issues. Seeing as how it isn't an intake, and I can't imagine a few inches of water depth create enough pressure to cause issues, I don't know why you shouldn't be able to.

 

[Firefight911]

All Broncos are rated for fording at a height greater than the exhaust outlet height. You are fine.

 

[Tdub0527]

Good point! I’ve never forced a river either. Adding that to miss Bronco experience list though.

 

[E. Davis]

As long as you are in fresh water I wouldn't worry about it. I've been launching boats in fresh and salt water for many decades. Happy to dunk half the rear wheels in a fresh water boat launch. Wouldn't think about that in the salt water. Many rivers near the coast are salty enough to do damage (Cape Fear river NC, Wando / Ashley River in Charleston, SC, Savannah River GA for example). I had a mid 90s S-10 pickup that I used to launch boats on the Wando River in Charleston and the brakes, rear axel, diff, leaf springs were all shit within a couple years, even after excessive rinsing and washing after returning.

 

[Judge Rufus]

It's not the exhaust you need to worry about...it's the intake manifold...hence the scuba on the Everglades.

 

[Tdub0527]

All great points and makes me feel better about doing it going forward. Speaking of the intake, how deep of water is the Bronco ok to go through when off-roading?

 

[ThomasK]

You should never force a river without proper consent... just saying

 

[Bloodhound]

All great points and makes me feel better about doing it going forward. Speaking of the intake, how deep of water is the Bronco ok to go through when off-roading?

I wanna say 33 inches and Everglades is 36 inches

 

[Hats4Bats]

At the off-rodeo, the instructor recommended using the top of the front bumper as a good guide for fording depth. Obviously not the easiest to translate to backing in on an angled ramp, but should at least give you a starting point.

 

[Tdub0527]

This is super helpful. I really appreciate the responses!

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