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.