https://youtu.be/g3IW0Wl4ubg
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Not to sound argumentative, but that technique will not work with every boat trailer. On my boat with the positioning of the winch stand you will mess the tailgate up quick with any minor turning. Also, I've been pulling trailers for my job and recreational purposes for more than 20 years. To get good at backing trailers you need to learn to use your side mirrors only.
But the first step is the method prescribed above. Then a person will naturally learn to use their mirrors. This video isn't for people who have been backing trailers for 20 years. It's for someone who has never back a trailer before. It is not a video meant for everyone with every boat trailer type. What you mention goes beyond the scope of the video, that's not to mention this will be a series of videos covering more and more aspects of boat trailers.
Don't be so short sighted: as if what I'm saying is the only thing that exists in the universe. A person doesn't have to learn to use their mirrors at first. By your method a person should never use training wheels at all. What good is that is they break their skull the first time out? What is important is they earn the relationship between the turn of the wheel and the way the trailer moves, gradually progressing them to more difficult methods over time.
Just like learning to fish, I learned on cane poles first. Learning to fish on bass rigs first will turn more people away from fishing than a simpler method first. Then they'll progress to more complicated and specialized methods later. But I why can't apply the same method here? Always remember that there is always a limit to any method. Any one method is only designed to address a specific problem, not be a total solution to solve all the problems of the universe.
No one starts as a ninja master. Things that are second nature to you may be incredibly difficult for someone starting out. It's obvious to a ninja master that you should turn a hip a certain way or position your foot a certain way. You don't even think about it. But you cannot assume that a beginner understands those relationships. You cannot skip steps, like backing with mirror only the first time out. Just as a child cannot learn trigonometry or physics if they can't even count. Get'em count well first, then we can go on to algebra, trig, and physics later on.
If a person gets the boat in the water safely, who cares if they used the mirror or not? If they crash the trailer trying to use the mirror first time out . . so much for that method. It isn't about how good you are, nor is it about how long you've been backing trailers. It's about brand new people terrified of backing a trailer. With your method they'll remain terrified. With my method they will at least get out of the drive way and be on a track to learning better ways to back up.
AmenQuote:
Originally Posted by Snubby
I agree you cannot skip steps, which is why you should be advocating that new boat owners unfamiliar with backing a trailer first learn how to do it in a large empty parking lot.Quote:
Originally Posted by funbun
If someone is terrified of backing a trailer at a ramp, then they are not prepared and obviously skipped the most important step of all.....which is practice away from the ramp. A boat ramp is NOT where you learn.
Also, there's more to it than just backing down a ramp, there's that whole other issue of parking with a trailer, which so many new boaters fail at and damage other vehicles and trailers in the lot, especially on busy weekends.
Which is why I'm starting in the driveway! lol How they going to get to an empty parking lot if the boat trailer is stuck on the drive way, lol! Hello, it's called thinking it through! Come on ppl! Over all else they have to get out of the drive way, lol! They can't start at the boat ramp as evidenced by starting the video in the drive way, the best place to practice! Just pull in and out of the drive way in a straight line. That's the whole point of the video. It's like you people haven't even watched the video nor have you truly paid attention to what was taught, how or why!Quote:
Originally Posted by artcarney_agr
Come on ppl, watch the video and take notes! Next time you ppl need to actually watch the video and understand the time and place I've chosen in the stinkin video. In your comment about not skipping, you skipped a major step yourself! My goodness men. I'll have to think twice about posting beginner videos here.
Since you ppl have a much better way of teaching please go make an appropriate video to show me how to do it better. nowhere in the video did I advocate practicing at the boat ramp. I demonstrated in the driveway. Thus practicing what I preach. And demonstrating, fully expecting them to do likewise. Sigh x10. That's how you learn copying exactly what you see. Once you learn a bit more, then venture out to an empty parking lot.
Again your method is teaching them to add before they can count. they have to be able to get in and out of the drive way in a straight line, or learn to make the proper correction and shown in the video.
Actually, Funbun .... most people do not have their vehicle between the boat & house, so they're not going to have to back the boat out of the driveway. But, I get your point about beginners learning to physically turn and look back at the trailer to see which way it's going when the steering wheel is turned L/R. The idea of learning to use your tips in a empty parking lot wasn't made to diss your method, but likely to give the inexperienced person a more comfortable area to make mistakes in .... just like when teaching a person to drive (and not destroy your belongings or those of the neighbors).
I think the others were simply adding their take to the next steps of learning, which this tip video didn't portray ... but which your following videos will. They just kinda jumped ahead of the process. No reason to diss them for that.
Remember .... the #1 unwritten rule of this site is to "agree to disagree, and do it with civility".
even after all of this the best thing to do is go to a large parking lot and PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE !!!
Never have used side mirrors.
The way he described it in the video is how I learned to back a trailer and I have been using that method since 1968. (Yea, I"m getting old). Once I learned how to maneuver the boat there are occasions that i have to rely on mirrors at least in part. This is true when the ramps have a curb separating multiple ramps. It's hard to see them without using the side mirrors but I still have my hand on the bottom of the wheel. Makes everything simple.
I have an SUV so I open the tailgate and it's clear sailing to the water. On some of our shallow ramps I've had to climb through the tailgate to avoid wading in 40 degree water, but at 74, that is not as easy as it once was, especially if I have to crawl to the front seat.
I try to keep rubber boots in the car in winter time for cases like that but I sometimes forget.
I recommend sending or taking people learning to back trailers, and gettting them used to using their side mirrors, to an area with a large empty parking lot. Where they can use the lined parking spaces to reference the control of the trailer while backing. This has allowed numerous individuals to become more proficient and confident in this task, unlike many we see holding up other boaters while they use “trial and error” at the ramp.
Be careful backing looking out the back window, I've seen a few tow vehicles get there front fenders dinged from turning in to things well the driver was look out the back window...
Good point. I'm always scanning all around. The same can be said for only looking at the mirrors: if you fail to look and see if other cars are coming, they'll plow into you just the same. It's all about situational awareness and avoiding tunnel vision at all costs. Tunnel vision can happen by looking only out the back window or looking only at the mirrors.Quote:
Originally Posted by Central Minn
I have no peripheral vision, so I have to scan around constantly to be sure of what is going on. Need to explain that in the next video.
That's great for those who have that option, and assumes the person is a good teacher. Nothing can ruin this more than a person who doesn't have the patience to teach a beginner.Quote:
Originally Posted by SpeckledSlab
But for those who have neither available, practicing right in your own driveway provides the same "practice" space. Note the cinder blocks and engines and clutter all around the truck. Those are my lane lines and are far more realistic than the lane lines of a big parking lot. Note the chair I nearly ran over. That is a teaching moment. Without saying so, I'm teaching people to watch out, stay alert and be careful. Lane lines don't necessarily do that.
With everything open 24 hrs per day, it's getting harder and harder to find adequately empty parking lots. Driveways are available for practice any time.
OK folks. Very interesting thread to say the least. I've been backing boat trailers now since I got my first rig in 1974. There are no short cuts to actually finding an empty parking lot and playing with it first hand - before hitting the ramp. The video was great by the way - especially for you younger folks that can twist their neck around and look at the trailer. For the past 20 years, arthritis hasn't allowed me to do that, so I use an alternate method. This is NOT unlike the video and I really appreciate FunBun for posting that video. Excellent job!
This is what I do:
Paramount - in my opinion - is to keep your hand(s) at BOTTOM of the steering wheel - just as the video says. This way, whichever direction you want the transom of your boat to move, turn the wheel in that direction and the transom of your boat will go that way. I guarantee it!
Next, make SMALL movements on the steering wheel. A little goes a long way in backing a trailer.
Finally, (and I thought this was going to be difficult, but it wasn't) use the side mirrors AND center mirror to back her down. This way I get a panoramic view of how the trailer is moving. In order to use the center mirror however, you HAVE TO keep the hatch open (SUV style) or the tail gate down (Pickups). Slow and steady with your hand at the bottom of the steering wheel and you'll be amazed at how easy it can be.
Now....is this fool proof? NADA. Nothing is. Your worst enemy is YOU however; trying to hurry up because there are 3 other rigs behind you wanting to launch! Can be stressful and yes, you can screw up a time or two. But in time, as your confidence grows, you'll do just fine.
One final point: Get yourself prepared BEFORE attempting to back your boat down the ramp. Prepping your boat ahead of the actual launch can go a long way in keeping tempers cool and making the experience enjoyable. Nothing worst than having the guy ahead of you start putting fishing equipment, nets and gear into the boat while he is ON the ramp! PLEASE don't do this!
My 2 cents. :)
I learned as soon as I was old enough to reach the pedals in the truck. My dad would pull the 22 foot offshore boat in the field across from the house and get out, he told me to back the boat in the driveway while he got his coffee, with a cap on the truck you learn very quick to rely on your mirrors. I am grateful for this now as my back and neck injuries from military service don't alow for me to turn and look out the back windowQuote:
Originally Posted by funbun
Sent from my SM-G900V using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app
Great point. Since I'm a YouTuber basically shooting documentary films of my fishing adventures, it takes me forever to set up. I'm certainly not going to set up a $1,500 camera, lenses and sound equipment at home for the wind to lift it off the boat on the way to the ramp. Always best to pull into a parking slot, set everything up, get some test shots, check exposure, get some b-roll, then launch.Quote:
Originally Posted by Crestliner08
Small adjustments are great. That's where ppl get in trouble. The make these big swinging turns. And another thing never be ashamed to start over, just pull up, get straightened out and try again. Always look before you start moving.
Also it's good, even after lots of practice in a corn field, parking lot or drive way, to pick a boat ramp that has a short and shallow entry. It's much easier. Ultimately no amount of practice get you ready for the concert. As some point you gotta get on stage and say, "Here I am!" Each launch provides another learning experience.
I use my mirrors all the time backing up to gas station pumps, checking position. Half the time I forget to lower the tailgate. That's okay. Hand at the bottom of the steering wheel, small adjustment and keep going. It's a natural progression. I'm actually doing both using mirrors, turn backward, sideways and all around. Head is really on a swivel making sure everything is kosher. It's the one thing you didn't pay attention to that gets you
On another unrelated note: Again I'm not sure why people hang on turning around in the video. That wasn't main point of the video. It's just a starting point. Ultimately you should be able to use your mirrors, turn around, turn sideway, or any direction and still back the trailer up. But people have to start somewhere. Keep your hand at the bottom of the wheel was the main point. Once the connection where the direction of the steering wheel's rotation matches the direction of travel of the trailer, you can turn the trailer no matter if you using mirror or not. For some reason ppl seem to miss that whole point. It's like missing the tree because of the leaves.
Before making any comments, I want to see what you do, when actually approaching a ramp.
I was originally taught the way the OP suggested while in the Army in the 1960's and we backed Maintenance Huts on tactical trailers behind 2½ ton trucks. I taught myself to use the side mirrors when I put a cap on the back of my 1991 pickup and couldn't see squat using the center mirror.
Now all I can say is "Thank God for Back-up Cameras".
If you're winning to buy the cameras, I'm willing to film it. You realize in order to film something like that I would have to break the main rule: Don't occupy the boat ramp more than 5 minutes. And 5 minutes is like an eternity.Quote:
Originally Posted by S10CHEVY
I don't have a camera man or a sound man.
1. I have to frame a shot.
2. Film for 10 seconds.
3. Get out of the truck, turn off the camers
4. Pick another angle. Frame the new shot. Change lenses if necessary.
5. Get another 10 seconds.
6. Get out of the truck, turn off the camera, change lenses.
7. Check audios levels.
8. Compose the next shot
9. Rinse and repeat until I get the whole thing done.
This could easily take 30 to 45 minutes to shoot something that only take less than two minutes of footage you see.
That's how movies are made, that's how the video you saw was made. I can't do that at the boat ramp without violated said rules. But I guess everyone has an opinion, I guarantee you no matter how I do someone will have a problem with it. And I'm not sure why you care about what I do at the boat ramp. Such is life, I'm going back to YouTube.
Yea, that won't happen, since am retired. Have always drove by the launch, and then as doing so, turn from it, and get the trailer lined up to, the lane, I will be using, then using mirrow's, and back down the ramp. But others, you watch them, and guess they don't know what they are doing.
Part II: https://youtu.be/kZITATxBgOo
Great videos! Thank you for posting this. Love that hat too. :)