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08-18-2023, 02:11 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Palm Coast Florida
Posts: 12,995
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Ugh - Seadoo trailer back up nighmare.
Well this Seadoo trailer is going to drive me nuts. I can back a boat, travel trailer and 5th wheel with precision. I have a few problems. 1. The darn thing is hard to back up straight. It seems it is too sensitive to steering input.
2. I can not see it that well. At least when the Seadoo is not on it. It goes out of site as the trailer is going down the boat ramp and when it comes back in site it is a crooked as a dogs hide leg.
I am actually embarrassed as to how long it takes me to get this thing in the water. And even more embarrassed retrieving it when I can not see the trailer.
I guess I know all the tricks to backing but I can not execute them...ugh I might be on YouTube I am so bad.
Oh - I am using a F-250 to tow this 1,200 lb. beast.
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08-18-2023, 02:28 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2022
Location: Coarsegold CA
Posts: 896
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When we had Jet Skis, the trailer had an extendable tongue. This made the trailer 5' longer and less sensitive to backing turn input. Then I added flags to the back corners so I could see it over the tailgate.
I'm with you, the short trailers and wood splitters are the worst to back up! DR
__________________
2019 Ram 2500 6.4 Hemi
2022 Grey Wolf 29QB
Coarsegold CA.
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08-18-2023, 02:35 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 619
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Heres some info and tips I can offer.
First the shorter the trailer the harder it is to back up. Also the closer the trailer wheels are to the towing vehicle... also makes it harder so your combination is the most difficult.
Second, are you using your mirrors or looking over your shoulder out the back window? You will do better if you turn and look out the back window... not sure the exact reason but trust me its better.
Also, a few ideas that can help. Is your tailgate down when backing up? Put it down if it clears the trailer because the more you can see the better for you.
Last I have seen online that people have put flags / markers at the back of the trailer to help with orientation as you are backing up, this might also help you. Something like this link from Amazon that you can put on the jet ski or trailer so you can always see where the back of the trailer is and where its pointed.
https://www.amazon.com/Jounjip-Magne...s%2C140&sr=8-3
__________________
1998 Prevost Vogue XL 40' Riveted
500HP Detroit Diesel, side radiator, tag axle, IFS
We have RV'ed in ALL of the lower 48 and into Canada.
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08-18-2023, 02:36 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Palm Coast Florida
Posts: 12,995
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Humm - flags that high enough to see, I like that idea. The longer extension - not sure how I would do that.
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08-18-2023, 02:46 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 4,034
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back a small boat into the ocean down a very narrow ramp with barely a foot to spare on either side behind my Superduty with camper and I cannot see it at all till it peeks out into the side mirrors. The trick is to go very slow and correct as soon as it peeks into one of the mirrors. Flags are a good idea and I've though about trying some but I can back it really well as long as I go very slow.
My son's friend who claims to be an Ace driver in his Ford Raptor tried numerous times and finally got mad and gave up. He kept trying to go too fast and wouldn't listen to me. After he gave up I jumped in and crept down the ramp and backed it in first time. The hardest is backing in the empty trailers to retrieve the boats, you just can't see them. Going slow gives you time to think.
Keeping the trailer hidden behind you is kind of what I am describing, as soon as I see a hint of one of the fenders in the mirror I correct to keep it hidden.
__________________
Brian, 2011 Winnebago Via Class A on Sprinter Chassis
2000 Jeep TJ toad
Tucson, AZ
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08-18-2023, 02:54 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 237
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Short trailers are a pain to back up. You almost need to anticipate what the trailer will do next and counteract it before it starts. My only suggestion is an empty parking lot on a Sunday morning and practice. When you get to where you can back it 90 degrees into a parking space from the lane, without having to pull up and reset, a 15' wide boat ramp will be a breeze.
__________________
2007 Holiday Rambler Endeavor 40SFT
Cummins ISL 400
2009 Hummer H3T
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08-18-2023, 03:09 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2022
Posts: 825
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Lots of experience with short trailers for all the tenders I’ve gone through. I’ve found the best way to see the trailer is to install trailer side guides for the vessel to go between. These are typically the white PVC poles about 3/4’ tall that are mounted on the rear sides of the trailer. This will serve 2 purposes: 1) will help guide the vessel on the trailer and 2) will help you see the trailer While backing up.for really difficult ones to see, I typically taken a driver side backup approach and use the driver side mirror to spot the trailer wheel/fender while guiding it down the ramp.
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2022 Newmar Ventana 4369
2017 Toyota Tundra Custom Overlander (for the serious primitive off grid)
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08-18-2023, 07:52 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Outdoors RV Owners Club
Join Date: Aug 2021
Location: S.W. Washington state
Posts: 110
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I had issues backing my little 6’x10’ utility trailer so I put a front hitch on the truck…problem solved!
__________________
2024 Chevy Custom CC 2500HD 4x4, 6.6 gas, 10spd w/stuff.
2016 ORV Timber Ridge 240RKS w/lots-o-stuff!
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08-18-2023, 07:57 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2022
Location: Coarsegold CA
Posts: 896
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tuffr2
Humm - flags that high enough to see, I like that idea. The longer extension - not sure how I would do that.
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My trailer had an extension built into the tongue.
https://www.etrailer.com/Accessories...ort%20Carriers
heres an add on. DR
__________________
2019 Ram 2500 6.4 Hemi
2022 Grey Wolf 29QB
Coarsegold CA.
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08-19-2023, 07:45 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 370
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Second the front hitch suggestion. It doesn't even need to be frame mount, I used a universal bumper mount, driving below 5 mph puts very little load on it.
__________________
Evergreen Ascend 19 ERD
04 silverado 1500
hobie tandem island, electric recumbent trikes
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08-19-2023, 09:17 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2022
Location: Flat Rock, NC
Posts: 123
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Over here
I had issues backing my little 6’x10’ utility trailer so I put a front hitch on the truck…problem solved!
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Yep.
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08-19-2023, 09:17 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2022
Location: Flat Rock, NC
Posts: 123
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MCCOHENS
Second the front hitch suggestion. It doesn't even need to be frame mount, I used a universal bumper mount, driving below 5 mph puts very little load on it.
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Double yep.
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08-19-2023, 09:42 AM
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#13
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Member
Spartan Chassis
Join Date: Feb 2022
Posts: 54
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I agree with the front ball, backing slowly, and flags on the trailer. The only other way I had experience with is a trusted spotter.
__________________
Vicki and Van
2008 40' Newmar Ventana
no toad
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08-19-2023, 09:52 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 11,009
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Hook a lawn cart to you riding mower and practice
__________________
2012 Essex 4544 2011 Jeep JK, M&G Braking, 2014 MTI 27' Hog Hauler, Wireless brake control, 2006 Ultra & 1989 Springer, 2003 Harley-Davidson
FLHR Road King Anniversary
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