Can't see your empty trailer when backing down the ramp? I found an easy solution!

[97SPX]

I pull my ski on a single trailer behind a 3/4 ton crew cab pickup. Needless to say, without the ski on it you can't see it at all until it's way out to one side when it's too late to correct. Sound familiar? I was going to attach a permanent set of flags to be able to see it when I remembered I bought a set of these:

Linky-link

Just pop one on the top of each fender or to a flat spot on the trailer frame and you can easily see where it is and where it's going. Just thought I'd pass it along. :cheers:

 

[scooper77515]

That is a good idea...I just drop my tailgate and I can see it, if I crane my neck and crank my back around.

I have thought about putting those PVC poles on each side that stick up about 4 feet, so I can see where the trailer is, or even mounting 2 orange flags from the Wal-mart bicycle section.

 

[97SPX]

My toolbox blocks the view before the tailgate does. It's hard enough backing a short trailer with a long truck....

 

[JPX]

That is a good idea...I just drop my tailgate and I can see it, if I crane my neck and crank my back around.

I have thought about putting those PVC poles on each side that stick up about 4 feet, so I can see where the trailer is, or even mounting 2 orange flags from the Wal-mart bicycle section.

I used to use one of these (the flag, not the bike) when I backed the empty trailer - used a wing nut on the flag base and the license plate bracket.

 

[xrider]

I pull my ski sometimes with my e250 ford van and in there you really cant see much at all. I have no problems getting the empty trailer down the ramp at all. Im a rookie when backing a trailer and got it right the first time. not sure why would you need flags, all you have to do is take time. dont try to back it in there at 25mph. go slow, watch your mirrors and when you see the trailer pull to the side correct it. sometimes I would make it go on angle a little bit, then correct till it come back to other side and keep it at that angle for a bit too till it reaches water. its not that hard at all, took me first time to figure it out. I have more trouble docking the challanger boat than backing the trailer.
I keep it in my drivers side since I can see thru that mirror the best. so I would see part of the trailer fender in my mirror and go slow. when I see im cutting the angle compared to water I move it to the other side. I never use rearviewmirror, not even with ski on it, or if I use the nissan frontier on some occasions. use your side mirrors and get used to them. Im getting ok with backing the trailer now, afterall my dad has been a truck driver for over 30 years.

 

[scary]

That sounds all good xrider but when your at a public ramp with a line, taking your time sometimes is not possible you have all kinds of krackers yelling at you to beat it. Next thing you know your throwing down with four dudes in the parking lot :boxing_smiley:

 

[slowboatn]

I just drop my tail gate. I will however look into using those ball things. How far do they stick up?

 

[Harry Tew]

i bought set of magnets that telescope out 3 feet on the end is a single Yellow stryfoam ball for 30 $ at portsmouth trailor supply .

 

[97SPX]

The add says 43". I also saw them at Academy Sports but they were $19.99

 

[iceman2002benz]

those are cool cheap way

But I got towing mirrors on my pickup plus a backup camera system

makes backing up those boat ramp a lot easier and quickier

 

[slowboatn]

I like the camera idea. That would work.

 

[bigler]

yeah it is hard to back these tiny trailers up. I let my girlfriend try to back it into the water because she claimed I was too slow at it and she is much better. Well she jackknifed it so hard that the trailer tipped sideways, one tire 4 feet in the air. Well I wanted to scream in her ear as loud as i can " I TOOOOOOOOOLD YOU SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

 

[sptfr43]

I have no trouble at all either. after looking dumb for 15 min the first time I simply outsmart the whole thing and unhook the trailer and walk it down to the water.

 

[nswillin]

Tailgate down works fine for me.

 

[xrider]

found this on overtons site, its usefull for backing up the trailer and poading the boat or ski on trailer.

 

[timmyboy76]

I have no trouble at all either. after looking dumb for 15 min the first time I simply outsmart the whole thing and unhook the trailer and walk it down to the water.

........thats funny...

 

[rocesride]

Couple peices of PVC pipe and a cap work great. Only a couple bucks also!!

found this on overtons site, its usefull for backing up the trailer and poading the boat or ski on trailer.

 

[timmyboy76]

good one, roce....:cheers:

 

[slowboatn]

I don't have metal fenders. So they won't work for me. I need to get a tail light and some of that PVC stuff.

 

[97SPX]

Sticks to metal frame rails too.