Chris, et al, NEVER underestimate the comedic value of parking in the shade with a cool drink and watching the antics at a launch ramp. It isn't just the backing or the burning clutches or the folks burning their tires and going backwards on a wet mossy ramp. The occasional "forgot to put the drain plug in" is fun but the get out of the car with it in drive and not setting the brakes and then the engine dies and the WHOLE thing backs into the water while the folks involved run around like keystone cops crossed with the three stooges. There are object lessons in the p[arking lot too where folks might try to back up to their trailer and either can't find the hitch or takemore tries than the runaway bride to get hitched.
If you don't have good visibility of what you are backing it helps to put a couple pieces of lath, or fiberglass wands or whatever up, on in front and one in back so you can see the angle of your tow better. I back about as good as most folks I have ever watched with a minimum of real gaffs BUT when backing my new DR
Chipper I have to be careful, go slow, pull up to straighten it out to try again etc. If I lower the tailgate of the Dakota I can see the
chipper well but if I turn much the tailgate migt hit the inverted tongue prop (in its factory provided carry position). Done it twice. If I leave the tailgate up, I can't see the
chipper well enough and it is easy to jackknife it. I need to put a couple of those bike flags on fiberglass wands on it on or near the centerline so I can see the angle it is making and if that angle is growing , maintaining, or what.
On the topic of trailers... I have a convex mirror about 6-7 inches in dia that I have a mount for that just sits on the tailgate and you can use it to see your hitch. Can use the rearview mirror or turn your head. You can see the trailer tongue before you contact and make corrections to line up perfectly if you aren't too far off to begin with. If needed, you can pull up, make one correction, and back up again acquiring your target and getting near perfect allignment everytime without getting out to look. I find that by putting a big white dot on top of the trailer hitch (trailer is black) it improves contrast and makes it way easier to see in the mirror and allows the system to work in the dark from your tail and backup lights. Couldn't keep a white dot on the ball itself, too dirty, so I just stick a piece of scrap paper on the top of the ball with available grease or spit and I can see the two dots merge while making a perfect docking manuver. A real simple and inexpensive solution to hitching trailers.
Patrick
