Thanks, Rik! My first name is Craig. I always did fine with the 2-wheel-drive Mazda, even on some relatively steep, slick ramps, but with its automatic tranny, never had to worry about a clutch and, as you say, trying to use the brake and gas pedals at the same time. The wheel-chock idea was suggested by one of my local friends. Do you know how it's done? Another point I should have made about this budget truck is that the emergency brake is somewhat awkward to use. Again, my #1 choice would be an automatic transmission, but the price is right on this truck, which happens to be in cherry condition, too. --Craig Honshell, chonshell@ia4u.net ----- Original Message ----- From: "Rik Sandberg" <sanderico@earthlink.net> To: "For and about Montgomery Sailboats" <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Sunday, May 02, 2004 10:48 AM Subject: trailering with a clutch Honshells, Sorry, I don't know your first name. :-) When coming up a ramp, a 4x4 with a 2 speed transfer case, using low range on the ramp, is the best deal. However, they are not as inexpensive as a 2 wheel drive pickup, nor is their gas mileage as good. One way to make things easier on the ramp is to use a wheel chock. You can tie the chock to the truck, so it follows you up the ramp after you drive off of it. This will eliminate the need to learn to run your gas and brake at the same time with one foot. Rik On Sun, May 02 2004 09:27 am, Honshells wrote: I've polled the list on this before, but if you'll permit, I'd like to do it again: Since I lost my beloved Mazda B4000 (4.0L 6-cyl., extended-cab, identical to the Ford Ranger) 4X2 automatic, I've been looking for a very inexpensive auxiliary towing vehicle. I think I may have found it, the price is right, it has a 6-cyl. engine, low miles, but here's the rub: It has a 5-speed manual transmission. I "dry sail" an M17 . . . By "dry sail", I mean that I leave her on her trailer, mast-up, near a boat-ramp most of the summer, and launch and retrieve her each time I sail. I know some listers feel pretty strongly that getting off a boat-ramp with a clutch is too difficult, and in some circumstances, nearly impossible. I was wondering if I could hear from those of you who tow, launch and retrieve their M17's with manual-transmission tow vehicles. I'm a little concerned about general trailering, too, because my experience with manual transmissions has been with rice-burner econo-sedans and a roadster, and I never really learned to down-shift. Thanks!