Put a ball hitch on the front bumper of your truck. When it comes time to
launch the boat. hook the trailer up to the front ball and you will find
that boat launching is easier than it's ever been.

Of course, you can only use this configuration when launching or retrieving
your boat. The hitch on the back is the one that you need to use for towing
on the highway.

--
Charley


"Lloyd Sumpter" wrote in message
news
Hi,

I want to go fishing/camping in my 1990 Nissan with a SMALL camper
(I think they're called "camperettes") on the back, towing my small boat
(12ft aluminum skiff, with some addons like a floor so I can't just heave
it on top).

The problem: even the smallest of campers are wider than the truck, and
I don't think I could see the boat at all behind me. How do you back it
down the ramp? REALLY wide mirrors (there goes the ol' fuel economy!)?
Closed-cct tv? Surely there are others that do this...

Lloyd Sumpter
"The Tin Boat" Mirrocraft 12

On Fri, 31 Dec 2004 15:42:36 +0000, Charley wrote:

Put a ball hitch on the front bumper of your truck. When it comes time to
launch the boat. hook the trailer up to the front ball and you will find
that boat launching is easier than it's ever been.

Of course, you can only use this configuration when launching or retrieving
your boat. The hitch on the back is the one that you need to use for towing
on the highway.

You have it right Charley. By the time a "short" trailer is visable in a
mirror, it's almost jack-knifed against the bumper. I used this method
years ago with a small fishing boat behind a windowless van. Installed a
small square reciever for hitch under front bumper so ball/hitch could be
removed so I didn't bang my shins every time I walked in front of the van
or cleaned the windshield.
Worked like a charm.

On Thu, 30 Dec 2004 16:44:33 -0800, Lloyd Sumpter
wrote:

Hi,

I want to go fishing/camping in my 1990 Nissan with a SMALL camper
(I think they're called "camperettes") on the back, towing my small boat
(12ft aluminum skiff, with some addons like a floor so I can't just heave
it on top).

The problem: even the smallest of campers are wider than the truck, and
I don't think I could see the boat at all behind me. How do you back it
down the ramp? REALLY wide mirrors (there goes the ol' fuel economy!)?
Closed-cct tv? Surely there are others that do this...

Lloyd Sumpter
"The Tin Boat" Mirrocraft 12

In case you don't see the other reply: Why not just open the doors of
the camper when backing the boat? Then use the rear view in the truck,
or look through the back window.

John H

On the 'PocoLoco' out of Deale, MD,
on the beautiful Chesapeake Bay!

"Divide each difficulty into as many parts as is feasible and necessary to resolve it."
Rene Descartes

Better yet, have a hitch ball installed on the front bumper, drop the
trailer near the ramp, re attach to the front, then calmly drive the boat
in. Just a thought!!
"JohnH" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 30 Dec 2004 16:44:33 -0800, Lloyd Sumpter
wrote:

Hi,

I want to go fishing/camping in my 1990 Nissan with a SMALL camper
(I think they're called "camperettes") on the back, towing my small boat
(12ft aluminum skiff, with some addons like a floor so I can't just heave
it on top).

The problem: even the smallest of campers are wider than the truck, and
I don't think I could see the boat at all behind me. How do you back it
down the ramp? REALLY wide mirrors (there goes the ol' fuel economy!)?
Closed-cct tv? Surely there are others that do this...

Lloyd Sumpter
"The Tin Boat" Mirrocraft 12

In case you don't see the other reply: Why not just open the doors of
the camper when backing the boat? Then use the rear view in the truck,
or look through the back window.

John H

On the 'PocoLoco' out of Deale, MD,
on the beautiful Chesapeake Bay!

"Divide each difficulty into as many parts as is feasible and necessary to
resolve it."
Rene Descartes

In article ,
says...
Hi,

I want to go fishing/camping in my 1990 Nissan with a SMALL camper
(I think they're called "camperettes") on the back, towing my small boat
(12ft aluminum skiff, with some addons like a floor so I can't just heave
it on top).

The problem: even the smallest of campers are wider than the truck, and
I don't think I could see the boat at all behind me. How do you back it
down the ramp? REALLY wide mirrors (there goes the ol' fuel economy!)?
Closed-cct tv? Surely there are others that do this...

Lloyd Sumpter
"The Tin Boat" Mirrocraft 12



I had this problem several years ago. Solved it with a pair of add-on
mirrors that used tubing and straps to hold them in place. Similar to:
http://www.hensleymfg.com/mckeshmirrors.html
They worked very well and I doubt if they effect the MPG measureably.

I've also seen some that slide on over the existing mirrors. Or clip on.
http://www.hitchcorner.com/truck-accessories.htm

You could also spend big bucks and replace the current mirrors with the
ones that slide out further only when needed. They've even got powered
ones!!!
--
Jud
Dallas TX USA

I pull a small center console behind a van. I find that if I put the
pole mounted steaming light in, I can maneuver the trailer by watching
the light.