Trailer Back-Up Aid
 

I have a trailer that cannot be seen while backing it up to retreive my boat
becasue the tailgate of my truck to to high. The trailer is to narrow to be
seen in the mirrors.

I saw a boat trailer that had a pop up flag on a spring loaded arm which
popped up when the boat was offloaded and which when the boat hull ran over
it on trailering. Since it pops up when the boat is off the trailer, it can
be easily seen when backing up.


Does anybody know where I can find such a thing or what it is called?

Thanks
AK

"AK" wrote in message
...
I have a trailer that cannot be seen while backing it up to retreive
my boat
becasue the tailgate of my truck to to high. The trailer is to narrow
to be
seen in the mirrors.

I saw a boat trailer that had a pop up flag on a spring loaded arm
which
popped up when the boat was offloaded and which when the boat hull ran
over
it on trailering. Since it pops up when the boat is off the trailer,
it can
be easily seen when backing up.


Does anybody know where I can find such a thing or what it is called?

Thanks
AK
Can't you put the tail gate down? Or make one of the flag things out
of those flags that they put on kid's bicycles, that come on a long
fiberglass stick. Just drill a hole in the trailer and stick it in. It
won't fold automatically but it will do the job.

del cecchi

"AK" wrote in message
...
I have a trailer that cannot be seen while backing it up to retreive my
boat
becasue the tailgate of my truck to to high. The trailer is to narrow to
be
seen in the mirrors.


Why not kill two birds with one stone? Install a pair of guide poles on the
trailer. They will help you guide the boat onto the trailer and provide a
taller point on the empty trailer that you might be able to see over the
tailgate.

Of course,I also second just lowering the tailgate, assuming it doesn't hit
the bow post.

Rod

I have seen ads for flags you place magnetically on the hitch and the
trailer coupler.
Bill

"del cecchi" wrote in message
...

"AK" wrote in message
...
I have a trailer that cannot be seen while backing it up to retreive
my boat
becasue the tailgate of my truck to to high. The trailer is to narrow
to be
seen in the mirrors.

I saw a boat trailer that had a pop up flag on a spring loaded arm
which
popped up when the boat was offloaded and which when the boat hull ran
over
it on trailering. Since it pops up when the boat is off the trailer,
it can
be easily seen when backing up.


Does anybody know where I can find such a thing or what it is called?

Thanks
AK
Can't you put the tail gate down? Or make one of the flag things out
of those flags that they put on kid's bicycles, that come on a long
fiberglass stick. Just drill a hole in the trailer and stick it in. It
won't fold automatically but it will do the job.

del cecchi

Also Sprach rmcinnis :

Why not kill two birds with one stone? Install a pair of guide poles on the
trailer. They will help you guide the boat onto the trailer and provide a
taller point on the empty trailer that you might be able to see over the
tailgate.

Also, you can mount the taillight on top so they are more visible to other
drivers, and do not get submerged when you launch.

Unfortunately, they do not fit my particular trailer configuration. To
help back down my unloaded trailer, I bought a 3M Vangard fresnel lens,
which sticks by static cling to the back window of my Suburban. You can
buy them in places that sell RV equipment. I don't think they will help in
this person's application, because sticking one on the back window of a
pickup wouldn't really improve the field of view.

Dan


--
I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by.

-- Douglas Adams

I'll be installing two plastic posts on my trailer. This way it'll be
easier to back up and I'll be able to line up the boat to the underwater
trailer much easier.

AK wrote:
I have a trailer that cannot be seen while backing it up to retreive my boat
becasue the tailgate of my truck to to high. The trailer is to narrow to be
seen in the mirrors.

I saw a boat trailer that had a pop up flag on a spring loaded arm which
popped up when the boat was offloaded and which when the boat hull ran over
it on trailering. Since it pops up when the boat is off the trailer, it can
be easily seen when backing up.


Does anybody know where I can find such a thing or what it is called?

Thanks
AK

On Tue, 21 Sep 2004 02:27:16 GMT, "AK" wrote:

I have a trailer that cannot be seen while backing it up to retreive my boat
becasue the tailgate of my truck to to high. The trailer is to narrow to be
seen in the mirrors.

I saw a boat trailer that had a pop up flag on a spring loaded arm which
popped up when the boat was offloaded and which when the boat hull ran over
it on trailering. Since it pops up when the boat is off the trailer, it can
be easily seen when backing up.


Does anybody know where I can find such a thing or what it is called?

No, but I'm curious.

I have a 25 foot trailer that I can't see when I down the ramp to
recover my Ranger. I put the tailgate down.

Is there a reason you can't do that?

Later,

Tom
-----------
"Angling may be said to be so
like the mathematics that it
can never be fully learnt..."

Izaak Walton "The Compleat Angler", 1653

"Calif Bill" wrote in message link.net...
I have seen ads for flags you place magnetically on the hitch and the
trailer coupler.
Bill

Now, how would that help him back the trailer back down the ramp to
retrieve the boat? You KNOW where the coupler is, you don't know where
the rest of the trailer is.

OK, agree that lowering tailgate (assuming you have that type of rear access
on the burban) installing the white boat guides at the rear trailer corners
and raising the trailer tail lights are all good things. But, have you
considered trailering mirrors? They are very helpful to me as I can adjust
the mirrors to the point where I can see the triler tires at all times.
I've learned that dunking the tires to about the halfway mark on the fenders
is about perfect for launching or power loading.

Butch
"Short Wave Sportfishing" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 21 Sep 2004 02:27:16 GMT, "AK" wrote:

I have a trailer that cannot be seen while backing it up to retreive my
boat
becasue the tailgate of my truck to to high. The trailer is to narrow to
be
seen in the mirrors.

I saw a boat trailer that had a pop up flag on a spring loaded arm which
popped up when the boat was offloaded and which when the boat hull ran
over
it on trailering. Since it pops up when the boat is off the trailer, it
can
be easily seen when backing up.


Does anybody know where I can find such a thing or what it is called?

No, but I'm curious.

I have a 25 foot trailer that I can't see when I down the ramp to
recover my Ranger. I put the tailgate down.

Is there a reason you can't do that?

Later,

Tom
-----------
"Angling may be said to be so
like the mathematics that it
can never be fully learnt..."

Izaak Walton "The Compleat Angler", 1653

"rmcinnis" wrote in message
...

"AK" wrote in message
...
I have a trailer that cannot be seen while backing it up to retreive my
boat
becasue the tailgate of my truck to to high. The trailer is to narrow to
be
seen in the mirrors.


Why not kill two birds with one stone? Install a pair of guide poles on
the
trailer. They will help you guide the boat onto the trailer and provide a
taller point on the empty trailer that you might be able to see over the
tailgate.

Of course,I also second just lowering the tailgate, assuming it doesn't
hit
the bow post.

Rod



Maybe he's got a hard tonneau cover. That's MY problem. Before installing
the cover, putting down the tailgate solved my problem completely. But, I
need the cover or there's noplace to store all the fishing tackle while
travelling. So, I had a choice: Take too long to get the trailer into the
water straight (with tonneau cover), or have fishing tackle stolen on a
regular basis.

I ended up with a set of guide posts from Cabela's (www.cabelas.com). As you
said, they also help with getting the boat on the trailer, especially when
I'm alone and there's a stiff wind arguing with me. One issue with them (and
probably others): They attach by clamping onto the top & bottom of the
trailer's beams. My trailer's beams are U-shaped, not a complete box shape.
In other words, the open side of the U faces inward. The clamps squeeze on
the top & bottom, and in order to keep the posts from slipping out of
adjustment, I had to crank extremely tight on the bolts. The result was that
the trailer's beams began to bend. (Imagine the letter U, with the sides
beginning to squeeze toward each other). I'm heading to a machine shop later
this week to have a couple of aluminum blocks made, to fit inside the U and
give the clamps something they can squeeze on without crushing the trailer.

Other than that, the posts are great. The metal part goes about halfway up
the side of the boat. Onto those, you stick these very rugged PVC pipes
which extend upward another few feet. VERY visible, even at a dark ramp.

On Tue, 21 Sep 2004 14:11:27 GMT, "Butch Davis"
wrote:

OK, agree that lowering tailgate (assuming you have that type of rear access
on the burban) installing the white boat guides at the rear trailer corners
and raising the trailer tail lights are all good things. But, have you
considered trailering mirrors? They are very helpful to me as I can adjust
the mirrors to the point where I can see the triler tires at all times.
I've learned that dunking the tires to about the halfway mark on the fenders
is about perfect for launching or power loading.

Yes I have.

And I haven't put them on because they are freakin' ugly. :)

Although your point is well taken.

Later,

Tom
-----------
"Angling may be said to be so
like the mathematics that it
can never be fully learnt..."

Izaak Walton "The Compleat Angler", 1653

Short Wave Sportfishing wrote in message . ..
On Tue, 21 Sep 2004 02:27:16 GMT, "AK" wrote:

I have a trailer that cannot be seen while backing it up to retreive my boat
becasue the tailgate of my truck to to high. The trailer is to narrow to be
seen in the mirrors.

I saw a boat trailer that had a pop up flag on a spring loaded arm which
popped up when the boat was offloaded and which when the boat hull ran over
it on trailering. Since it pops up when the boat is off the trailer, it can
be easily seen when backing up.


Does anybody know where I can find such a thing or what it is called?

No, but I'm curious.

I have a 25 foot trailer that I can't see when I down the ramp to
recover my Ranger. I put the tailgate down.

Is there a reason you can't do that?

Later,

I don't know about the OP, but my bed cover (tonnau?)is still in the
way even when the tailgate is down. With my soft cover I could unsnap
it and roll it up (a real bear to re-snap when cold), but if he has a
hard cover that option is gone. The guide posts is the best solution
if possible, but mounting one of those fiberglass rods with a flag on
a spring hinge and then to the back of the trailer wouldn't be too
hard. Hinges would be available at Home Depot in the gate hardware
section.

"Short Wave Sportfishing" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 21 Sep 2004 14:11:27 GMT, "Butch Davis"
wrote:

OK, agree that lowering tailgate (assuming you have that type of rear
access
on the burban) installing the white boat guides at the rear trailer
corners
and raising the trailer tail lights are all good things. But, have you
considered trailering mirrors? They are very helpful to me as I can
adjust
the mirrors to the point where I can see the triler tires at all times.
I've learned that dunking the tires to about the halfway mark on the
fenders
is about perfect for launching or power loading.

Yes I have.

And I haven't put them on because they are freakin' ugly. :)

They also make backing into the garage into an interesting experience,
especially if you only have 1/64" clearance on either side before
demolishing the pegboard holding all the shovels & rakes. :-) Fortunately,
with the side markers I have, the white PVC pipes lift right off the metal
base posts, which gains me an extra 4" on either side. Sometimes the captain
even remembers to remove the posts. :-)

On 21 Sep 2004 08:43:02 -0700, (David Hall)
wrote:

Short Wave Sportfishing wrote in message . ..
On Tue, 21 Sep 2004 02:27:16 GMT, "AK" wrote:

I have a trailer that cannot be seen while backing it up to retreive my boat
becasue the tailgate of my truck to to high. The trailer is to narrow to be
seen in the mirrors.

I saw a boat trailer that had a pop up flag on a spring loaded arm which
popped up when the boat was offloaded and which when the boat hull ran over
it on trailering. Since it pops up when the boat is off the trailer, it can
be easily seen when backing up.


Does anybody know where I can find such a thing or what it is called?

No, but I'm curious.

I have a 25 foot trailer that I can't see when I down the ramp to
recover my Ranger. I put the tailgate down.

Is there a reason you can't do that?

Later,

I don't know about the OP, but my bed cover (tonnau?)is still in the
way even when the tailgate is down. With my soft cover I could unsnap
it and roll it up (a real bear to re-snap when cold), but if he has a
hard cover that option is gone. The guide posts is the best solution
if possible, but mounting one of those fiberglass rods with a flag on
a spring hinge and then to the back of the trailer wouldn't be too
hard. Hinges would be available at Home Depot in the gate hardware
section.

Good point - didn't think of that.

Then again, why would you have a pickup truck then. I mean, like how
do you put stuff in the bed? :)

Seriously, I use my truck for just more than towing my Ranger so a bed
cover or cap isn't a good idea.

Take care.

Tom

"The beatings will stop when morale improves."
E. Teach, 1717

"Short Wave Sportfishing" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 21 Sep 2004 14:11:27 GMT, "Butch Davis"
wrote:

OK, agree that lowering tailgate (assuming you have that type of rear
access
on the burban) installing the white boat guides at the rear trailer
corners
and raising the trailer tail lights are all good things. But, have you
considered trailering mirrors? They are very helpful to me as I can
adjust
the mirrors to the point where I can see the triler tires at all times.
I've learned that dunking the tires to about the halfway mark on the
fenders
is about perfect for launching or power loading.

Yes I have.

And I haven't put them on because they are freakin' ugly. :)

Although your point is well taken.

Later,

Tom
-----------
"Angling may be said to be so
like the mathematics that it
can never be fully learnt..."

Izaak Walton "The Compleat Angler", 1653

Go down to a truck supply place and buy some electric towing mirrors. They
retrofit any truck with electric adjustable mirrors, I think. My 04
Silverado came with the optional towing mirrors and I just move the switch
and they extend out about another 10"

"basskisser" wrote in message
om...
"Calif Bill" wrote in message
link.net...
I have seen ads for flags you place magnetically on the hitch and the
trailer coupler.
Bill

Now, how would that help him back the trailer back down the ramp to
retrieve the boat? You KNOW where the coupler is, you don't know where
the rest of the trailer is.

It is right behind the coupler. I was thinking of the hooking up the
trailer. Any boat, you just keep behind the truck. If it starts to come
out to one side, just correct. The nice thing about having wide enough
mirrors to see the trailer is you can see how deep it is in the water.

On Wed, 22 Sep 2004 03:54:38 GMT, "Calif Bill"
wrote:


"Short Wave Sportfishing" wrote in message
.. .
On Tue, 21 Sep 2004 14:11:27 GMT, "Butch Davis"
wrote:

OK, agree that lowering tailgate (assuming you have that type of rear
access
on the burban) installing the white boat guides at the rear trailer
corners
and raising the trailer tail lights are all good things. But, have you
considered trailering mirrors? They are very helpful to me as I can
adjust
the mirrors to the point where I can see the triler tires at all times.
I've learned that dunking the tires to about the halfway mark on the
fenders
is about perfect for launching or power loading.

Yes I have.

And I haven't put them on because they are freakin' ugly. :)

Although your point is well taken.

Go down to a truck supply place and buy some electric towing mirrors. They
retrofit any truck with electric adjustable mirrors, I think. My 04
Silverado came with the optional towing mirrors and I just move the switch
and they extend out about another 10"

I'll do that - thanks for the tip.

Take care.

Tom

"The beatings will stop when morale improves."
E. Teach, 1717

"Short Wave Sportfishing" wrote in message
...
On 21 Sep 2004 08:43:02 -0700, (David Hall)
wrote:

Short Wave Sportfishing wrote in
message . ..
On Tue, 21 Sep 2004 02:27:16 GMT, "AK" wrote:

I have a trailer that cannot be seen while backing it up to retreive
my boat
becasue the tailgate of my truck to to high. The trailer is to narrow
to be
seen in the mirrors.

I saw a boat trailer that had a pop up flag on a spring loaded arm
which
popped up when the boat was offloaded and which when the boat hull ran
over
it on trailering. Since it pops up when the boat is off the trailer,
it can
be easily seen when backing up.


Does anybody know where I can find such a thing or what it is called?

No, but I'm curious.

I have a 25 foot trailer that I can't see when I down the ramp to
recover my Ranger. I put the tailgate down.

Is there a reason you can't do that?

Later,

I don't know about the OP, but my bed cover (tonnau?)is still in the
way even when the tailgate is down. With my soft cover I could unsnap
it and roll it up (a real bear to re-snap when cold), but if he has a
hard cover that option is gone. The guide posts is the best solution
if possible, but mounting one of those fiberglass rods with a flag on
a spring hinge and then to the back of the trailer wouldn't be too
hard. Hinges would be available at Home Depot in the gate hardware
section.

Good point - didn't think of that.

Then again, why would you have a pickup truck then. I mean, like how
do you put stuff in the bed? :)

Seriously, I use my truck for just more than towing my Ranger so a bed
cover or cap isn't a good idea.

If his is anything like mine (a Versacover), it's easy to remove when the
bed is needed for big things. The cover weighs about 40 lbs, so after
releasing the various fasteners, I can slide it off without help, although
with a helper, it's less likely to scratch the rails.

I bought the cover because my boat has absolutely zero storage lockers.
Unless you live in a fantasy world, it's obvious if you were parked at a
motel, restaurant or campsite, fishing tackle or other valuables would
eventually be stolen. And, putting them in the truck itself makes no sense,
since they're clearly visible. Finally, I often carry passengers in all 4
seating positions, so rain-sensitive luggage needed to go someplace. Without
a cover, the bed's useless in that regard.

I have a trailer that cannot be seen while backing it up to retreive my
boat becasue the tailgate of my truck to to high. The trailer is to
narrow to be seen in the mirrors.
I saw a boat trailer that had a pop up flag on a spring loaded arm which
popped up when the boat was offloaded and which when the boat hull ran
over it on trailering. Since it pops up when the boat is off the
trailer, it can be easily seen when backing up.
Does anybody know where I can find such a thing or what it is called?
Thanks
AK
=================================
I had the same problem and I couldn't lower the tail-gate because I have
a hard tonneau cover. I made up a pair of 3 ft. long pole with a red
flag on each. Then rigged a clamp to hold them on the rear of the
trailer. I leave them on when I'm pulling the trailer without the boat
on it so that other drivers can see the trailer in traffic.

====
Norm

On Wed, 22 Sep 2004 13:12:31 GMT, "Doug Kanter"
wrote:

"Short Wave Sportfishing" wrote in message
.. .
On 21 Sep 2004 08:43:02 -0700, (David Hall)
wrote:

Short Wave Sportfishing wrote in
message . ..
On Tue, 21 Sep 2004 02:27:16 GMT, "AK" wrote:

I have a trailer that cannot be seen while backing it up to retreive
my boat
becasue the tailgate of my truck to to high. The trailer is to narrow
to be
seen in the mirrors.

I saw a boat trailer that had a pop up flag on a spring loaded arm
which
popped up when the boat was offloaded and which when the boat hull ran
over
it on trailering. Since it pops up when the boat is off the trailer,
it can
be easily seen when backing up.


Does anybody know where I can find such a thing or what it is called?

No, but I'm curious.

I have a 25 foot trailer that I can't see when I down the ramp to
recover my Ranger. I put the tailgate down.

Is there a reason you can't do that?

Later,

I don't know about the OP, but my bed cover (tonnau?)is still in the
way even when the tailgate is down. With my soft cover I could unsnap
it and roll it up (a real bear to re-snap when cold), but if he has a
hard cover that option is gone. The guide posts is the best solution
if possible, but mounting one of those fiberglass rods with a flag on
a spring hinge and then to the back of the trailer wouldn't be too
hard. Hinges would be available at Home Depot in the gate hardware
section.

Good point - didn't think of that.

Then again, why would you have a pickup truck then. I mean, like how
do you put stuff in the bed? :)

Seriously, I use my truck for just more than towing my Ranger so a bed
cover or cap isn't a good idea.

If his is anything like mine (a Versacover), it's easy to remove when the
bed is needed for big things. The cover weighs about 40 lbs, so after
releasing the various fasteners, I can slide it off without help, although
with a helper, it's less likely to scratch the rails.

I bought the cover because my boat has absolutely zero storage lockers.
Unless you live in a fantasy world, it's obvious if you were parked at a
motel, restaurant or campsite, fishing tackle or other valuables would
eventually be stolen. And, putting them in the truck itself makes no sense,
since they're clearly visible. Finally, I often carry passengers in all 4
seating positions, so rain-sensitive luggage needed to go someplace. Without
a cover, the bed's useless in that regard.

Good point.

Later,

Tom
-----------
"Angling may be said to be so
like the mathematics that it
can never be fully learnt..."

Izaak Walton "The Compleat Angler", 1653