NOW Backing up a boat trailer.
 

On 6/1/2013 1:13 PM, JustWaitAFrekinMinute wrote:
On 6/1/2013 11:22 AM, Hank© wrote:
On 6/1/2013 11:18 AM, Hank© wrote:
On 6/1/2013 10:46 AM, F.O.A.D. wrote:
On 6/1/13 8:33 AM, iBoaterer wrote:

There isn't a whole lot of things to know about backing a trailer
up! I
never could understand the troubles people have, but then again I grew
up on a farm.


I disagree. It takes practice, trial and error, and more practice to
back up a decent-sized trailer with accuracy. Best place to practice is
an empty parking lot and bring along some traffic cones or a
substitute.

I was fortunate to start towing boats around my dad's boat yard at a
pretty young age. He made me start with a jeep and an empty trailer,
and
some empty outboard motor boxes as markers. But it was easier then
because boats were smaller and you could see what was behind them as
you
backed up. Trailers for 14' to 18' or so boats, no sweat. Tandem or
larger boat trailers are more difficult.

When we got our 25' Parker, which was about 32' long, overall, with the
bow pulpit and motor bracket, it took me a couple of times, despite my
decades of experience to get the hang of it. You couldn't see much on
either side of the boat when it was on the trailer and of course, you
couldn't see anything to the rear of the boat. The bow towered over the
tow vehicle.

Interestingly, my wife figured out backing up with a boat trailer
almost
instantly when we got our first outboard boat in Florida, and she was
far better and more efficient at it than I ever was, no matter the size
of the boat.

She probably has an analytical mind and a good memory which you probably
lack.. Pivot point and overhang swing radius of the trailer are critical
things to be aware of. Trailer pivot point to tow vehicle connection
point distance is another factor that affects tendency to jackknife
especially with a receiver hitch on a long overhang to vehicle. 5th
wheels are probably the easiest to maneuver, owing to the fact that the
tow vehicle pivot point is at the axle and not some distance behind it.

Oh, as if backing a trailer wasn't hard enough, multiple trailer axles
present another problem. Care to guess what it is?

Never thought about it.. is there only one pivot point between the two
trailers?
One trailer, multiple axles.

NOW Backing up a boat trailer.
 

On 6/1/2013 12:50 PM, Wayne B wrote:
On Sat, 01 Jun 2013 11:22:44 -0400, Hank©
wrote:

Oh, as if backing a trailer wasn't hard enough, multiple trailer axles
present another problem. Care to guess what it is?

===

Tire scrubbing?

At least with a triple axle, some of the tires just about have to be
moving sideways.

Ever see one get peeled off the rim?

NOW Backing up a boat trailer.
 

On 6/1/2013 7:46 AM, F.O.A.D. wrote:
On 6/1/13 8:33 AM, iBoaterer wrote:

There isn't a whole lot of things to know about backing a trailer up! I
never could understand the troubles people have, but then again I grew
up on a farm.


I disagree. It takes practice, trial and error, and more practice to
back up a decent-sized trailer with accuracy. Best place to practice is
an empty parking lot and bring along some traffic cones or a substitute.

I was fortunate to start towing boats around my dad's boat yard at a
pretty young age. He made me start with a jeep and an empty trailer, and
some empty outboard motor boxes as markers. But it was easier then
because boats were smaller and you could see what was behind them as you
backed up. Trailers for 14' to 18' or so boats, no sweat. Tandem or
larger boat trailers are more difficult.

When we got our 25' Parker, which was about 32' long, overall, with the
bow pulpit and motor bracket, it took me a couple of times, despite my
decades of experience to get the hang of it. You couldn't see much on
either side of the boat when it was on the trailer and of course, you
couldn't see anything to the rear of the boat. The bow towered over the
tow vehicle.

Interestingly, my wife figured out backing up with a boat trailer almost
instantly when we got our first outboard boat in Florida, and she was
far better and more efficient at it than I ever was, no matter the size
of the boat.


I used to have a hard time with a short utility trailer but the longer
boat trailers have been quite easy. The extra distance from the hitch
to the trailer wheels helps.

NOW Backing up a boat trailer.
 

On Jun 1, 12:57*pm, Hank© wrote:
On 6/1/2013 12:50 PM, Wayne B wrote: On Sat, 01 Jun 2013 11:22:44 -0400, Hank©
wrote:

Oh, as if backing a trailer wasn't hard enough, multiple trailer axles
present another problem. Care to guess what it is?

===

Tire scrubbing?

At least with a triple axle, some of the tires just about have to be
moving sideways.

Ever see one get peeled off the rim?

Woah! I haven't but have a mental picture of it happening.

..a real Canadian hockey fan..
 

On Thu, 30 May 2013 05:31:53 -0700 (PDT), True North wrote:

I suppose the same procedure could be used to move the rig up a slight incline..3 to 5 degrees but I wouldn't want to travel too far.

Works both ways. Each swing of the tongue should get you a couple feet, and it's not a whole lot of
effort.

John H.
--

Hope you're having a great day!

NOW Backing up a boat trailer.
 

On Sat, 01 Jun 2013 11:18:54 -0400, Hank© wrote:

On 6/1/2013 10:46 AM, F.O.A.D. wrote:
On 6/1/13 8:33 AM, iBoaterer wrote:

There isn't a whole lot of things to know about backing a trailer up! I
never could understand the troubles people have, but then again I grew
up on a farm.


I disagree. It takes practice, trial and error, and more practice to
back up a decent-sized trailer with accuracy. Best place to practice is
an empty parking lot and bring along some traffic cones or a substitute.

I was fortunate to start towing boats around my dad's boat yard at a
pretty young age. He made me start with a jeep and an empty trailer, and
some empty outboard motor boxes as markers. But it was easier then
because boats were smaller and you could see what was behind them as you
backed up. Trailers for 14' to 18' or so boats, no sweat. Tandem or
larger boat trailers are more difficult.

When we got our 25' Parker, which was about 32' long, overall, with the
bow pulpit and motor bracket, it took me a couple of times, despite my
decades of experience to get the hang of it. You couldn't see much on
either side of the boat when it was on the trailer and of course, you
couldn't see anything to the rear of the boat. The bow towered over the
tow vehicle.

Interestingly, my wife figured out backing up with a boat trailer almost
instantly when we got our first outboard boat in Florida, and she was
far better and more efficient at it than I ever was, no matter the size
of the boat.

She probably has an analytical mind and a good memory which you probably
lack.. Pivot point and overhang swing radius of the trailer are critical
things to be aware of. Trailer pivot point to tow vehicle connection
point distance is another factor that affects tendency to jackknife
especially with a receiver hitch on a long overhang to vehicle. 5th
wheels are probably the easiest to maneuver, owing to the fact that the
tow vehicle pivot point is at the axle and not some distance behind it.

I wish someone would tell my 5er that!!

John H.
--

Hope you're having a great day!

..a real Canadian hockey fan..
 

In article om, hank57
@socialworker.net says...

On 5/29/2013 6:12 PM, True North wrote:
That model looks exactly like the one else I have now.
Bought it at Princess Auto a few years ago.

I think you are saying that you have a dolly already. So why do you want
a powered one?

Can't read well?

..a real Canadian hockey fan..
 

In article ,
says...

"Wayne B" wrote in message
...

On Wed, 29 May 2013 08:22:55 -0700 (PDT), True North
wrote:

Trouble with posting pictures is..the usual low lifes will want to
use them to harass, belittle and intimidate every chance they get.

====

You shouldn't let that bother you. Most of them are just envious
that you have a boat and they don't, and in addition to that, low
lifes feel compelled to demonstrate their lack of altitude once in a
while. To them it's a way of showing off their lack of accomplishment
and/or lack of social skills. Like the old saying: "Living well is
the best revenge."

-----------------------------------------

First time I've heard that expression .... but I like it. Seems like
some people resent the abilities or achievements of others.

Indeed!

..a real Canadian hockey fan..
 

In article ,
says...

On 5/30/2013 12:10 AM, Eisboch wrote:


"Wayne B" wrote in message
...

On Wed, 29 May 2013 08:22:55 -0700 (PDT), True North
wrote:

Trouble with posting pictures is..the usual low lifes will want to use
them to harass, belittle and intimidate every chance they get.

====

You shouldn't let that bother you. Most of them are just envious
that you have a boat and they don't, and in addition to that, low
lifes feel compelled to demonstrate their lack of altitude once in a
while. To them it's a way of showing off their lack of accomplishment
and/or lack of social skills. Like the old saying: "Living well is
the best revenge."

-----------------------------------------

First time I've heard that expression .... but I like it. Seems like
some people resent the abilities or achievements of others.

Some folks just resent when others *don't* judge them by it:)

And here we go!

NOW Backing up a boat trailer.
 

On Saturday, June 1, 2013 12:58:44 PM UTC-4, Tim wrote:


I'd agree. With my 1990 Merc. station wagon, I hated backing my 18 ft
Chris Craft on a single axle EZ-load trailer. couldn't steer straight
back for spit.


However same tow vehicle I didn't have a problem with the 23' Marquis
on a dual axle Shoreline. I did prefer to have plenty of room to
turn and back because of the trailer flexing and tire skidding,
though.

I used to have a 26' class A motorhome. Had a car tow dolly (the kind you drive the front tires up on a pivot plate and strap them down), and was on a trip with the car in tow. Made an accidental turn down a two lane, and soon found myself needing to turn around with no place to do a circle.

I tried to back it a few feet to do a multi-point turn, but there was no way. You could back it straight for a couple of feet, but any deviation at all made it start to jack knife because of the double pivot points. Had to pull the car off the dolly, make my turn, and put it back on. Lesson learned.