Trying to back a trailer is no fun

[sandman2234]

The shorter the wheelbase, the harder it is to back. Backing a 53' trailer is easy, once you get the basic's down, as long as you have plenty of ROOM!!!
David from jax

 

[Scotty370]

Weedpharma stole my thunder! Learned that in Boating class! Still revert to it if I get discombobulated. Nice addition qni51, especially useful tucking trailers in tightly for storage! ~Scotty

 

[Willl]

entertainment value of watching folks

I'm guilty of this. It's almost better than TV.
Add a six pack, a lawn chair and a few babes in swimsuits and it IS better than TV.

 

[wwalkersd]

Also fun to people watch at the boatlaunch.

I call this "The Launch Ramp Follies". Lots of fun. Easy for me to say. I started launching boats when I was 14, and I think I've made all the mistakes at least twice. Now my bro-in-law and I can usually get the boat in or out of the water in less time than it takes most folks to back down the ramp. A LOT less, in some cases.

 

[dirt ditch]

Willl, you come up with some of the neatest stuff. Is that a dedicated hitch or have you made other attachments to fit it, like a shovel or boom pole perhaps?

 

[Ridgewalker]

Add me to the list of those who can't back a trailer. I can do fine IF I can look over my right shoulder and see the trailer but if I have to use my mirrors I am toast. It's so bad my friends just tell me to get out of my truck and they do it for me.

 

[Soundguy]

The guy's at the feed coop tested me pretty heavilly last year. The stored all their rounds up on the raised concrete floor of the barn ( 4' off ground ).. their ramp for the forklift was finished.. but no concrete pad was poured at the end. thus the forklift couldn't drive downt he ramp to load your trailer at the bottom... you had to back up the ramp... now here's the deal... I don't know the exact width of the ramp.. but I've got a 16' car hauler that is 7' between the wheel wells... It took me 3 shots to get up that ramp.. and when i did, my tires overhung 2" on each side of the concrete.. IE.. the ramp was too narrow.

I see now this year they poured 2' wings on each side... about time!

soundguy

 

[Treemonkey1000]

I'm in the group that using the mirrors just Bozo's me up. If I can watch the trailer through the back I am fine. I was always fine backing my 25' Sailboat with a long trailer down the ramp up and down the launch. So I wasn't much amusement there. Trying to get my chipper and the truck with the sideboards on for chips into a tight area is a whole other story. My buddy that works tree's with me can back it right in with the mirrors.
Put me up in a tree swinging from a rope and I have coordination...Maybe it's because I am left handed and too logical???

 

[jayste]

It takes lots of practice. I second the wheelbase comment. Longer trailers are easier if you have plenty of room, they respond slower. A guy gave me some good backing advice once when I was trying to learn to back 48' and 53' trailers using only mirrors. He said to, "steer towards the trouble". What this means is while you're looking in the mirror, if the tail end of the trailer is getting out of line, steer towards that direction. If the trailer is starting to veer left (in the mirror), steer left. It's worked for me for years.

 

[Scotty370]

Gee Willl, just where have I seen that JD Quik Tach bracket before? Let me think.........Let me think......... Scotty

TV? TV? Since I stumbled on TBN, What is this, of what you speak? ~S