Boat Launch Fail!

Not something you see every day since there are so many lakes in the area...
Evidently the driver thought he had put the van in park, but it was really in reverse.
This is my video 100% I own all rights to it.
No one can claim any right, copyright or otherwise to this video.
Things happen to people. Any comments containing foul language will need to be removed. Thanks for sharing with your friends - this was an interesting event for us!

[@InStarNation]

Hi Everyone. I'm enjoying most of your comments..please keep sharing!! Also, those comments that contain foul language will have to be removed. I just really appreciate the good clean fun of an event like this that I could share with others, especially little kids. Thank you!!!

[@wh8085]

InStarNation GEEEZ ! I hate to see that happen to anyone ! Hope they had insurance that covered it . Where did this happen at ?

[@dukeofnewyork5493]

The wipers going is GREAT. I didn't know submarines had windshield wipers.

[@clearingbaffles]

DUKE of NEW YORK no need no windshield on submarine except Seaview

[@stevenkinvig]

also a safe fact for launching and retrieving boats is to have your children/pets and passanger out of your vehicle on the dock or on boat.

[@KrazeeClark]

The windshield wipers are still going. Priceless.

[@brandonb417]

one of the most entertaining things you can do is go to a busy boat ramp on a holiday weekend.

[@KayakMuskyCentral]

my favorite part is the windshield wipers !

[@RobertPlattBell]

My brother and I did this with a 1967 Jeep Wagoneer. It isn't as hard to do as you might think. It was towed to the garage and they drained the gas tank, changed the oil, removed the spark plugs to get the water out of the cylinders, and then it started right up. We drove it another two years before selling it.

[@kclm7]

LMAO, love the water pouring out of the rust holes!

[@Jacksonjames4]

I like how the water was draining from the massive rust hole

[@ThirtyYearstoolate]

...and trailer isn't rusty?

[@stanleystalvey6185]

My 1995 Chevy Conversion Custom Van is nearly identical to this one. Glad to see the Windshield wiper still working.., hahaha..

[@stevemymind3947]

The water coming out the rust holes...OMFG priceless.

[@jegr3398]

THATS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU'RE LIVING IN A VAN DOWN BY THE RIVER

[@DumbCarGuy]

Damn that lake gets deep quick

[@idriwzrd]

At least the windshield was dry. That's a heck of a drop-off at the end of that boat ramp.

[@superbmediacontentcreator]

The wipers are a nice touch.

[@craigoroni7140]

Pretty funny clip but feel for the van owner. Wonder what happened to the van, was it salvageable?

[@bobbischeel7858]

+craig aroni Not sure. Never heard after this. If I make it back in the area - I'll see if I can find out. It is a small community, and they are probably still talking about it.

[@factsdontcareaboutyourfeel2900]

Rust holes make for good drain points!

[@GregK9]

Mine has lots!

[@kyle8683]

My favorite part is the fact that the guy manages to submerge his van and trailer but thinks to turn on the windshield wipers!! Hahahahaha

[@jonathantatler]

That van was so full of holes it was like a colander!! Hope you boat is a little more water tight.

[@spinaway]

The good news is the wipers on the van still work.

[@garrett6986]

I love the wipers running and squeaking haha

[@InStarNation]

HI Everyone - please remember to Like and Subscribe to this video!

[@maxdreher1430]

That windshield is spotless.

[@stevenking2980]

Chevrolet rules. They also make the best windshield wiper motors.

[@mattadams6996]

I like listening to the know it all orchestrating the whole operation, he says "that's the best way to go just slow and steady pressure" and then the guy just hauls ass out of the water

[@stevenking2980]

How is that water going to hurt it any worse right? HAUL ASS OUTTA THERE SON!

[@xxdizannyxx]

the windshield wipers saved the drivers life.

[@maryvredeveld]

My Daddy always told me "If we never make any mistakes how will we ever learn?" LOL

[@gethighonlife11]

This is why #1 One should not let the rear wheels of the tow vehicle enter the water & #2 the tow vehicle show be confirmed to be in "PARK' with the emergency brake ENGAGED while launching/retrieving the watercraft. Just thought I put my 2 "sense" in!

[@s.hadley8196]

Love the wipers being on

[@kennedye2112]

Props to the guy who pointed out you don't want to let that driver's side door close with the steerer inside, lest it turn from an amusing incident into a genuine tragedy.

[@n40798]

Why is it so common for a car's wipers to be on when it gets pulled out of water?

[@cleehammer1210]

Well at least the wipers were on... That probably saved it!

[@harrisonpeters5088]

Most lakes do conduct electricity due to types of dissolved salts emanating from soil and rocks as well as wildlife. Increasing the salinity increases conductivity, thus the sacrificial anodes on Inboard/outboards in salt water. Again, I recommend unreservedly that you refrain from taking a bath with a plugged in toaster, unless you're profoundly depressed about the van you wrecked launching the boat you built in your basement and want to end it all in a flash...

[@stfuliberal]

Seen that happen on steep ramps when guys lose traction. Backwards they go. 4WD are great to own for ramp launching.

[@hellridersven]

i like how the windshield wipers are goin lol

[@user-kn3cy1oz9x]

What a relief, they saved the trailer.

[@LonestarState12]

For the record, both the truck and van are Chevy, GM products. In Fact, it looks like all the vehicles in the video are GM vehicles (for those who don't know)

[@StellarBlue1]

I think a little bit of water may have gotten into the gas line somehow..

[@kiwiangeldust6912]

I would turn my wipers on too when my truck is under water at the boat ramp.

[@larrysumsion4926]

Keanu Paler

[@fhuber7507]

Wipers often start up when the controls get wet from submerging the vehicle. The water shorts the controls and the wipers (and other stuff) turn on.

[@fastst1]

wipers are so sad!! but it seems all the rust holes do serve a purpose afterall! Nobody getting hurt just makes it fun

[@davidmaiolo]

You can hear the wipers fighting to keep the van dry in their last dying, squeaky voice, "noooooooooo........noooooooooooo"

[@plumberman4u]

Im impressed ALL electrics didn't short out

[@InStarNation]

You are right about the tow line! It had been cut earlier by the bumper and was then attached with a short chain. The less weight, the better. Also, this van was completely submerged at one point, but the wipers hung in there :-)

[@plumberman4u]

+InStarNation Im impressed all electrics didn't short out.

[@InStarNation]

+Plumberman Jones And what is crazy, is that it was towed to his home and he let it drip dry a few days, changed the fluids and he had it running again. He was going to do some repair work to his tranny too. I didn't find out if he changed the shag carpeting inside....I didn't wanna know... :-)

[@plumberman4u]

Ha ha. That's amazing.

[@RestrictedAccessCIP]

+InStarNation Chevy trucks (and vans)... Like a Rock!

[@scottdiamond74]

They will.

[@DanA-ix7ms]

Leaving those wipers on after the windshield is dry is certain to cause premature wear of the wiper blades. Its not good for the windshield either.

[@GregK9]

LOL!

[@FishingPleasures]

Lmao the sad wiper sounds make this video.

[@PaBasser]

Like Bugs Bunny would say, "What a Maroon"

[@jimquantic]

Often, people just can't imagine how it could have happened, but here is a clue. On my 2000 GMC Yukon, the tiny, mickey mouse emergency brake could NOT even hold the truck if on any kind of incline. You HAD to keep your foot on the brake, and have a second person get the boat off, then apply motor pressure forward, then pop the brake and go. You could use a chok, that would work. My mechanic said he never saw anything more ridiculous on a design, rather than the normal cable that essentially acts just like your foot on the main brake. The idea of course, is to back down to the water, trying to keep the truck dry, next apply emergency brake, then and only then, the parking brake as a back up. But with the GMC--and I'm sure, many others, the parking brake was a joke, allowing only the parking gear to hold it back from sliding in. I have NO DOUBT that my GMC, with tiny parking brake and parking gears, would have never held back my boat from going in for a swim. How GMC got away with this, I have no idea. Maybe they didn't, might be a good thing to look up.

[@kilosomoto7269]

The whole damn ocean came out the rear end 😂😂😂

[@pleasantlakepirate1832]

Yeah, that steady pressure like that is best.. for burning up an auto trans..

[@galoon]

Time for the U-Boat commander to buy a new van...

[@slacadjuster237]

Love the wipers going.

[@MukYJ]

+Jay Mitchell The repetitive squeaking of the wipers is probably the funniest thing about this video. :)

[@elpanadero2540]

"somebody go get a roll of paper towels; this is going to take a while..."

[@Teefu98]

I like that the wipers are on.

[@GuitarBassCigar]

This thing will fail the Top Gear panel gap test :P

[@vulcanman64]

I hope shaggy and scooby foo are ok.

[@CodyShell]

i feel bad for the van.

[@goyeabuddy]

all of us that have owned 'trailer boats' have a story to tell! when I wasn't boating myself, I would take the kids to our local launch ramp for some Sunday entertainment! you would see 'good marriages' go bad or just like this video, the whole truck go under! we can all laugh about it later, but its pretty stressful when it happens to you!

[@jonifun92]

its the camera that does it. In real life its longer and less tall :)

[@InStarNation]

+jonifun92 It isn't the camera (it is a Canon DSLR Camera). This is a 90's conversion van that does not have the sliding door like the longer ones did. It has a 1 and 1/4 swing door in real life..

[@jonifun92]

+InStarNation I somehow posted that comment on the wrong comment :P No. In real life (or you can seee it on other pictures too) the nose is longer and the van is less tall. It has to be the camera

[@bobbischeel7858]

+jonifun92 Sorry, it's not the camera. These vans were very stub-nosed and stout. My parents had one with the 1/4 door in it. The camera was also recording real-life. This was not a make-believe or pretend situation.

[@davidhunt6463]

Those squeaky wipers would drive me up the wall. I'd definitely get the blades changed.

[@InStarNation]

They totally make the video even that much more hilarious...

[@LeonelFNicaragua]

he wanted the carpet washed, thats so funny, lol.

[@reaganluo4022]

Lol published on my birthday

[@danielphanover6936]

Good thing he had those windshield wipers on to help dry the windshield ! It's gonna take alt of paper towels to dry it out !

[@Flies2FLL]

No loss, a chevy van~

[@lsimat1]

I have done it Mitsubishi l200 with boat on in the sand waves were coming over the back mind left it running got towed out no fun every one watching nice old van too

[@jimmygreenhorne824]

That why you don't use vans to load and unload boats. Just because it has a hitching trailer attachment , it doesn't mean you can haul anything that will fit on it. FAIL.

[@stupidburp]

A RWD truck would have the same potential hazard if you back it up too far like this guy did.

[@ronnieinbama]

Been boating most all my adult life and I finally dunked my 90 Chevy truck August 2015. It took near $600.00 and three months of working by myself, but I was able to bring her back to life w/o major overhaul. I Would I try to fix another? HELL NO!!

[@scareyas]

awesome truck...the wipers still work

[@blakevenable2898]

Atleast the windshield wipers are on lol

[@jroll0410]

slow it down now.... slow it down. FASTER!!! FASTER!! slow it down FASTER

[@kevinlowe87ify]

This is why you check your parking breaks are in good order before going to the boat dock, also there is a short that's why the wipers are most likely on

[@zippyzip2623]

Correct, wipers default to ON when there is a short or the wiper switch is disconnected

[@michaelminnich7409]

You can not cure stupidity.

[@InStarNation]

Evident by your response.

[@chilar6]

experts. ...experts everywhere

[@bobbischeel7858]

Most are military, retired military and industrial engineers. Very helpful people. Had all we could do to keep them on the dock and not jump in to help. They had all just set down for a banquet and when they were told of the activity at the dock - they abandoned their suppers to come out to see and help if they could.

[@highvelocity123]

"A Man's Got to Know His Limitations"

[@ronswanson1874]

Good work Lars

[@adamhirerc78]

well....the boat is off the trailer ,mission accomplished

[@johnross7344]

good job the wipers were on

[@christopher9975]

At least he remembered to turn the windshield wipers on.

[@s.w.chandler6082]

Poor van screaming for its life.

[@Sailingbill1]

At least the wipers still work.....

[@jeffmech600]

What a bummer if you dont messup ur not human. that was a bad one

[@lp60068]

Who's the U-Boat Commander?

[@shafluky]

I think it's a good idea for interior detailing

[@PrometheusZandski]

By the looks of that van down by the river, it shouldn't have been used for launching a boat. Maybe you should have parked it in a wayside and used it for permanent camping.

[@jamesross6393]

Ok, first thing before I forget, why stop and let water run out? I know it's very heavy with water, but already having forward momentum, you don't want to lose that. Ok, 2nd, I feel really bad for the family that owns the van. I'm sure if they could afford a new van,like that chick said "at least it wasn't a new van", the people would of bought one. They just lost a vehicle to toe a boat and maybe someone's ride to work. Maybe it was their fault to lose it, but still real sad when it happens.

[@stertheder]

+James Ross When the car full of water is in the lake, it is quite buoyant, so it only has to push water out of the way. (Think of a 5 gallon bucket, it's light, you put it under water and fill it up, it's light, but as soon as you pick it up out of the pool it is quite heavy) But in this case we have a van (roughly 300 cubic feet of space) filled with water (~28lb/cubic feet) That is aproximatly 8,400 lbs + the weight of the van (4,000 lb) gives us a water filled weight of roughly 12,400lbs or just over 6 tons. No way that truck can pull 6 tons uphill like that. Simply wait for the water to drain, and you loose 4 tons of weight! So, that is why you wait for the water to drain ;)

[@jamesross6393]

I know that, but what I meant was why wait? The tow truck could handle the weight. And yes, I also understand maybe the tow truck driver doesn't want to put that kind of load on his equipment. I meant what I said for the situation that it was in. But thanks for hitting me back about it.

[@Truthseeker4449]

+James Ross I reckon the truck would've been able to haul that kind of weight just fine in low gear, however the rest of the hardware in the setup might not. The chain or tow strap could've snapped, which would've resulted in a nasty whip action just from that, or the van or even the truck could've been damaged by tearing off any of the points of connection. By taking time to drain the van, you're lessening the chance of something going horribly wrong and making the situation worse than it already was.

[@stupidburp]

That chain or strap would definitely have snapped if they tugged it too fast with too much weight.

[@jisidorfisk]

I can't stop laughin'. Been there, done that. costs about 1500.00 in 1976

[@taz6122]

jisidorfisk Could have bought another van for that!

[@bestamerica]

' this van should NOT use a R shift while backward ramp to the water... better use a N shift and slow down with a brakepad

[@NateFosterSR]

that bumper wow

[@vulcanman64]

Wow. I can't believe a Ford could pull anything and there ya go!

[@InStarNation]

This was a Chevy Van and it sunk in the lake pulling a boat and...well, there ya go!

[@Wildstar40]

Just because you can not believe it does not make it so. Fords, Chevys and Dodges are not that unalike and my reasons for sticking with anything from the big 3 is to support my American brothers and sisters by keeping our money in our country.

[@vulcanman64]

LincolnTek I prefer the ram actually. Had 3. I'll never buy a ford or Chevy again. Too many problems.

[@InStarNation]

I'm not wrong about it being a Chevy Van that sunk. And the Ford did a very nice job of pulling the sunken Chevy out of the Lake.

[@captainchaos4082]

Dummy, thats a Chev. truck...

[@gregatkinson7276]

So many fools yelling there words of wisdom. LOL!

[@gurusheat3506]

Pewwiiing

[@rumvodkaf1]

Nice van, hope you got it fixed.

[@stevenking2980]

That's what I thought. Nice van! Chevy rules.

[@dukeofnewyork5493]

What type of bait do ya use; to catch Chevy's? And, did you put it on CL as a Barn Find. LOL

[@Kingshti1]

At least the wipers were on

[@slacadjuster237]

Not sure what the thought of the wipers on would do, but hey, if it works

[@joerapo]

With the wipers being on without rain I'm assuming the driver was a female or an old man.

[@InStarNation]

+joerapo Why would you naturally assume that? To discredit your assumption, the gentleman that experienced this impromptu, complete vehicle wash was a middle aged man in what appeared to be his late 40's. He was a pretty nice fella and had a drop of bad luck that day.

[@tomhill3907]

perhaps the electrics were shorting and the wipers went on. Cars do weird things when subject to fire or water

[@bobbischeel7858]

+Tom Hill Hi Tom , it was the hasty exit from the vehicle that turned the wipers on we figured. It was hilarious when it was completely submerged - seeing the wipers running....

[@hondagoal]

+joerapo I think the driver was an old Chinese lady with thick glasses.

[@tomhill3907]

Bobbi Scheel ah ok, i saw some hapless guy flood his car and the radio went with a massive bang and it blew the climate control fuse and sent the heater on full blast. I've also seen a Range Rover on fire and the alarm, horn and headlights all had a mind of their own. But still, funny seeing them trying to work underwater :D

[@KaptenOstkrok]

Nothing to see here just launching my submarine...

[@fastst1]

Andreas Nordman the van is a secret military sub. ssssh!

[@stupidburp]

Then the DNR guy comes by to fine him for using a van as a fish trap.

[@InStarNation]

Lol!

[@petecat2403]

The wipers are the funniest

[@pauljohnson-yk5dq]

Did the weight of the boat & trailer dragged him in, or did he backed in too deep?

[@InStarNation]

+paul johnson It was actually a mishap with the transmission we found out later. He believed it was in P when it went in, however that was not that case and down it went.

[@santascoffee]

Maybe it would have been a good idea just to leave it in the water.

[@glennryan646]

This doesn't look like the first time this has happened. Notice the bilge pump below the rear window?

[@InStarNation]

That is a rust hole. The van was completely full of water. When I first got there it was completely submerged.