B-man-thanks for the drawing, according to that I have been doing it the hard way,
think if I go around the block I can do it the easier way, not yet sure why it is easier-gonna try the chalk, landmark idea and a block wood for stopping-also am considering the valet. Anything to make this easier-usually kinda tired when I have to put the boat away-envy you guys with the big pass-threw garages.
It’s easier because you have a better view of your turn.
You’re body is physically on that side of the truck, the driver mirror is closer to your face, and the driver mirror isn’t a “fish eye”-objects are than they appear mirror.
You can also take a peek over your left shoulder and see what’s happening with your own eyes if you need/want.
If you’re having troubles backing in on the passenger side, I promise this will only help.
For what it’s worth, I’ve had a CDL for the last 19 years 
Any tricks for knowing when you have backed up far enough?
With your window down, if you hear a crunch you’ve gone far enough.
Sorry could not resist.
Hello Tim,
I have a neighbor for a small fee he takes my pontoon out in the spring and puts it away in the fall. He owns the scissors trailer and I store my boat on blocks.
He has a front hitch on his truck. He can thread my pontoon in and out of a single garage door. I have seen him go up a sloped drive and around a corner and into a garage.
Once he has the boat out of the building, he disconnects and pulls it to and from the access.
Or do what chevy did…
Install a cheap/portable (battery powered) back-up camera on the trailer or boat (motor).
Front hitch I think will be plan B or c until someone can tell me I can go down the freeway with it on front 
Think I’ll try coming in from the other side and the chalk line
Biggest thing is practice and coming up with a routine or some sort of markers.
Biggest thing is practice and coming up with a routine or some sort of markers.
Great advice. It just takes time with that specific trailer.
These days I rarely back up other trailers besides my boat, but when I do, I quickly realize… that ain’t my boat trailer 
I can look like a noob when I hook up to my 5×8 pdog/travel trailer as that’s only a few times each year. 
20200522_205456.jpg
^^^^^That’s cuz you’re hooked up to it backwards 
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>tim hurley wrote:</div>
Any tricks for knowing when you have backed up far enough?
With your window down, if you hear a crunch you’ve gone far enough.
Sorry could not resist.
[/quote You could use a 4×4 for the wheels to hit or for under $10 you could get a set of wheel chocks at Menards.
If my aim were good enough to place on a narrow wheel chock I probably would not have posted the question in the first place, think I’ll use a 2×4 or a long sand bag.
Maybe you can get this guy to give lessons.
I can see a front hitch being nice for small trailers and people that aren’t good at backing.
But moving a big hulled boat, camper or an enclosed trailer would a bad idea, it would block a lot of your visibility.
Once the trailer starts entering the garage the visibility is pretty much lost either way and a spotter is best. If you haven’t used a front hitch, you don’t know how much better maneuverability is.
Any tricks for knowing when you have backed up far enough?
Tim you can always place tape on the floor. It’s easy to remove and adjust. Tilt your mirror down to see your trailer wheels. Can run it for guiding and one for stopping.
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Dusty Gesinger wrote:</div>
Biggest thing is practice and coming up with a routine or some sort of markers.Great advice. It just takes time with that specific trailer.
These days I rarely back up other trailers besides my boat, but when I do, I quickly realize… that ain’t my boat trailer
I can look like a noob when I hook up to my 5×8 pdog/travel trailer as that’s only a few times each year.
What is in that trailer? Some sort of enclosure for a TV or something? Hard to tell, but I’m curious what you built there.
My dad made a dolly for his Skeeter with two tires, a ball and powered by a 9 volt battery. He just drives it it.
If you still have that SUV u had when we went ice fishing, i open my back hatch for a better view.
My driveway is a steep incline too, its almost better to back in a “(“ path, one tire at a time, curve it in there in an arc
For the first time I did open the hatch, funny you should mention it, works great at the launch too, just feel like I’m cheating.
If you get comfortable with your mirrors, you would not even consider opening up the hatch. If open, watch the top of your garage door.
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>FishBlood&RiverMud wrote:</div>
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Dusty Gesinger wrote:</div>
Biggest thing is practice and coming up with a routine or some sort of markers.Great advice. It just takes time with that specific trailer.
These days I rarely back up other trailers besides my boat, but when I do, I quickly realize… that ain’t my boat trailer
I can look like a noob when I hook up to my 5×8 pdog/travel trailer as that’s only a few times each year.
What is in that trailer? Some sort of enclosure for a TV or something? Hard to tell, but I’m curious what you built there.
TV no!
It’s a skyline trade show booth/shipping container. I have two. Got a good deal on them from work, otherwise they are pretty spendy. They’re equivalent to the storage of my truck box in size. Basically my dry storage. This was my test run using one. I’ll add the other to the trailer this summer I think.
IMG_0391.jpeg
The steering adjustment on the front is faster….you are closer to the steering so the rate at which you change directions is faster.
There’s some geometry term for this but I can’t remember high school.
In college Statics & Dynamics I believe it’s called ‘moment’. The distance from one point to another point where force is applied.
Buy a remote camera and put it on back of the trailer. Done deal.
Thanks netguy-who sells a good one? (dang, nice walter btw)
Thanks Paul!
You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
