BC Ferries - Lowered Car - How is it getting on and off the boat?

[NickGT]

I'm sure I'll be fine, but like the title says. I'm just curious about getting on and off the ferry. Is going to be a problem? Are their ramps reasonable? I have a road trip out to Tofino planned for the end of summer and wanna be sure I can get my car out there no problem. Thanks in advance!

[CMW403]

I haven't done the ferries to the islands so I have no input regarding that portion of your trip.

However, I have made the trip across Kootenay lake on the Osprey 2000 numerous times with my lowered Prelude and I was fine on both sides on and off.

I would think the Ferries/ Loading apparatus on the coast is newer better designed.

[C_Dave45]

This shows you the ramp:

[n1zm0]

the one that goes from nanaimo to mainland, if you get ushered to the top deck you might be screwed, i remember the gradient being quite steep then a quick transition to level, i remember thinking if i had my 240 on this trip i would be quite embarrassed if i got high leveled on the ramp, or had my bumper ripped off, i think on revscene (vancouver area car forum) they have huge thread on if a lowered car can make it. also depending if the tide is out or in, the levels will fluctuate by a bit.

but the middle deck or wherever houses the semis/RVs would be definitely safe, PLUS you can reserve BC ferry tickets now so get the bottom deck if you can or else just go up on an extreme angle on the ramp

[C_Dave45]

That video IS the top deck. The deckhands will direct you what lane to go into if your vehicle has any special loading needs. You should be fine.

[Tik-Tok]

Originally posted by C_Dave45
That video IS the top deck. The deckhands will direct you what lane to go into if your vehicle has any special loading needs. You should be fine.

Except the deckhands are idiots. One was marshalling me in, and put my rim right against the yellow bar. Deckhand directed curb rash FTL.

[NickGT]

Cool, thanks for the advice guys

[revelations]

My ricer civic used to be lowered with about 6" of ground clearance.

The ferry staff made no effort to accommodate my car, but I did not ask either.

I ended up scraping some exhaust pipe on the way out of the boat, it happens.

Its impossible to tell which boats have better or worse angles because the many variances between boats, docks and as, mentioned, tides.

[alloroc]

Depends how fast you hit the ramp.

Go fast enough you should make it.

[BigShow]

Did it with my S2000 which was pretty low, no problems. Yes the ramps are reasonable, nothing to be overly concerned with.

[Freeskier]

My exes jetta was slammed and we took it across the ferry a bunch of times, never scraped. They're cool with you taking your time getting over the joins and humps in the ramps. They're all pretty good.

I'm assuming you've got rims and skinny tires on and if you're driving out to Tofino, , there are some evil holes on the highway. Spilled my coffee all over the car yesterday when me and my coworker were driving to Long beach and she went straight through one lol. Not undriveable, just gotta take care esp with lower profile rubber.

[AutodreamMarvin]

I've gone on the ferries quite often when I was living in Van, and haven't had any problems with clearance:

slammed mk3 jetta with euro vr lip - NO PROB!
slammed Del Sol with Mugen bumper - NO PROB!

If that is your 'Stang on the pic, I can't fathom it being a problem.

[eglove]

my old eg was duuuumped and my spoon lip just barely scraped doing the jdm angle over the hump. other than that, no problems.

[eblend]

My old car was 2 inches off the ground at the front lip, didn't even scratch when I went to Tofino a few years back

[rx7_turbo2]

Depends on when you load. The boat sits lower in the water when it's fulled loaded of course so the angle of the ramps change. If you mention the issue you will find they try and get you on first and off last.

[NickGT]

Originally posted by alloroc
Depends how fast you hit the ramp.

Go fast enough you should make it.

I think we'll call this plan B hahaha!

Yes the picture of the Mustang in my signature is mine. The lowest point is the side skirts behind the front tires - 4"

Sounds like I'll be just fine though. Thanks Freeskier for the heads up on the pot-holes I'll keep my eyes peeled.

[BlackRadon]

You be fine. If you have any concern, just Take a ferry at high tide. You'll be fine for sure! I used too live on the island and have a mk4 jetta wagon pretty low IMO and it was fine. Just go slow. Some deckhands are r-tards tho lol.

[bignerd]

The main ferries you will be fine. We took some of the smaller ferries (Tofino, Pender Island etc...) with a lowered civic (1 3/4") with low profile tires and we did scrape the bottom of the exhaust can but went slow and loaded at an angle.

Now we also have a Prelude with a body kit on it (not lowered though) and probably would of had issues with the front end loading onto some of the smaller ferries with this car I am sure. The front end on this car will not clear a cement parking block or some speed bumps if taken straight on.

I doubt the ferries will do much to accomodate you, they want to get cars loaded and stay on schedule and as always everything is at your risk.