I've never gotten off the pad as far as I can tell. I've backed in with water half-way up my rear truck wheels to unload. I have 4WD but have never needed to use it here yet. The ramp blends in with a sandy bottom. I've seen the lake drawn down for maintenance a few years back and there are no drop offs that I know of near the ramp. The creek channel is quite a bit farther out in the lake. The sand gets washed around from year to year. Usually the middle of the ramp is the best place to unload during the winter draw down.