Stallion Motorsports1647545491 Posted May 7, 2012 Report Share Posted May 7, 2012 I have to admit, if i could have a helicopter just drop my skis in the water i would be fine with that. Last year was the first year we had any watercraft of any sort, and before that i had towed a trailer twice in my life, neither time ever involved precision backing of any type. call me a cry baby, but i hate the stress of dropping the trailer into the water, and pulling them back out. It almost makes it not even worth it. I understand that you get better with time, but its tough to practice when there is a full line of "professionals" waiting to kill you if you take longer than your allotted 63 seconds. Last year i went by myself on a wednesday afternoon just to practice putting the trailer in...call me awesome! now that the season is rolling around again i'm losing sleep just thinking about it. It's fine, call me a pussy, get it out of the way, i would rather hear it from you guys than some random on the docks, but im being serious. I'm a natural at some things, this...not so much...lol. anyone have any tips or tricks they use? Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sturg1647545502 Posted May 7, 2012 Report Share Posted May 7, 2012 call me a cry baby call me a pussy I''ve got a tip, quit being such a bitch...its a boat ramp. put your boat in the water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
351mach11647545510 Posted May 7, 2012 Report Share Posted May 7, 2012 I''ve got a tip, quit being such a bitch...its a boat ramp. put your boat in the water. +1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GRN96WS6 Posted May 7, 2012 Report Share Posted May 7, 2012 Practice in a big open lot until you have it nailed down. Jet ski trailers are harder than a boat trailer because of their length. Don't be "that guy" at the boat ramps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Spam Posted May 7, 2012 Report Share Posted May 7, 2012 First world problems... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TurboNova Posted May 7, 2012 Report Share Posted May 7, 2012 First world problems... HAHA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mseebs Posted May 7, 2012 Report Share Posted May 7, 2012 Find an open lot. Make a 'mock' ramp and practice. I'm only 23 and my job involves putting 53 foot trailers in very tight spaces. If I can do that successfully, you can do it. Just practice. When you line up. Try to give yourself the easiest back possible. Don't move your wheel a lot. Make very small adjustments. It's easier to line up with your drivers side. That way you just stick your head out the window. Also try adjusting your mirrors to your trailer more. Basically so you see the very edges on both sides. Good luck. It's easier than you think, you're just fucking yourself mentally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LJ Posted May 7, 2012 Report Share Posted May 7, 2012 I have to admit, if i could have a helicopter just drop my skis in the water i would be fine with that. Last year was the first year we had any watercraft of any sort, and before that i had towed a trailer twice in my life, neither time ever involved precision backing of any type. call me a cry baby, but i hate the stress of dropping the trailer into the water, and pulling them back out. It almost makes it not even worth it. I understand that you get better with time, but its tough to practice when there is a full line of "professionals" waiting to kill you if you take longer than your allotted 63 seconds. Last year i went by myself on a wednesday afternoon just to practice putting the trailer in...call me awesome! now that the season is rolling around again i'm losing sleep just thinking about it. It's fine, call me a pussy, get it out of the way, i would rather hear it from you guys than some random on the docks, but im being serious. I'm a natural at some things, this...not so much...lol. anyone have any tips or tricks they use? Tom Don't sweat it man. Most of those guys most likely just know which lines to take when going to the ramps they go to and at home. I'd put money on most not being any better than you are. Ex. At Senecaville Lake, the parking lot is really narrow. The same guys that bitched at people taking too long to back their trailer in, had to have people help them get out of their parking spot and took freaking forever. Narrow, short, single axle trailers are a major bitch. I'd rather back a 40 ft gooseneck into a tight space than back a jet ski trailer down a ramp. Try to line it up as best as you can before backing up so that like mseebs said, you can just make really minor adjustments. Once you are basically straight you just make small movements to get as close to the sides as you can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2pointslow Posted May 7, 2012 Report Share Posted May 7, 2012 Tell them to stfu or you're going to take even longer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PRD2BDF Posted May 7, 2012 Report Share Posted May 7, 2012 Have a deaf guy back it in for you. They can't hear people bitching lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheMustangStampede Posted May 7, 2012 Report Share Posted May 7, 2012 I'm with find mseebs a lot with some cones and just keep practicing, get the trailer in line with vehicle and make small adjustments. I use to back M198 Howitzers into c-130's there is no room for error. However, just relax and don't stress. Not sure of the old saying, but slow is smooth and smooth is fast comes to mind. It will come with practice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motozachl Posted May 7, 2012 Report Share Posted May 7, 2012 +1 mseebs just line up on one side and floor it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffro Posted May 7, 2012 Report Share Posted May 7, 2012 turn the wheel the opposite direction the boat is going. Do it slowly. Backing slowly once is better than retrying 5 times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRTurbo04 Posted May 7, 2012 Report Share Posted May 7, 2012 Well since your being sucha girl about it maybe have your wife or girlf friend back it down for you But as others have said set up cones ect in a parking lot and practice coming in from every direction to get use to it. I taught my mom this and now she's beast at it. Are u backin in a boat or ski triailer and how big? Ski trailers are the hardest especially with no ski on it as its skinny and low so its hard to see. Also just wztching people u can see what there doing wrong and what there doing correct. Also don't listen to lj he only things professionals can back stuff up and launch . Team under 1 minuite crew :bangbang: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRTurbo04 Posted May 7, 2012 Report Share Posted May 7, 2012 Well since your being sucha girl about it maybe have your wife or girlf friend back it down for you But as others have said set up cones ect in a parking lot and practice coming in from every direction to get use to it. I taught my mom this and now she's beast at it. Are u backin in a boat or ski triailer and how big? Ski trailers are the hardest especially with no ski on it as its skinny and low so its hard to see. Also just wztching people u can see what there doing wrong and what there doing correct. Also don't listen to lj he only things professionals can back stuff up and launch . Team under 1 minuite crew :bangbang: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LJ Posted May 7, 2012 Report Share Posted May 7, 2012 Also don't listen to lj he only things professionals can back stuff up and launch . : Stop being a fucking troll. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Spam Posted May 7, 2012 Report Share Posted May 7, 2012 You could drive into the water each time. That would prolly be the easiest solution. Then you dont need to learn how to back up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2pointslow Posted May 7, 2012 Report Share Posted May 7, 2012 You could drive into the water each time. That would prolly be the easiest solution. Then you dont need to learn how to back up lol que? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted May 7, 2012 Report Share Posted May 7, 2012 turn the wheel the opposite direction the boat is going. Do it slowly. Backing slowly once is better than retrying 5 times. Newbs can also put their had at the bottom of ther steering wheel and turn the wheel the direction they want the trailer to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRTurbo04 Posted May 7, 2012 Report Share Posted May 7, 2012 Stop being a fucking troll. :gabe: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AC66Bronco Posted May 7, 2012 Report Share Posted May 7, 2012 Newbs can also put their had at the bottom of ther steering wheel and turn the wheel the direction they want the trailer to go. Second best advice in here. It was a PITA learning to back up trailers on a tractor (not that pussy Hydrostatic transmission bs) at 13 with an uncle that only knows how to yell. But all else fails remember single trailer turn wheel op way you want the trailer to go. It takes time and practice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRTurbo04 Posted May 7, 2012 Report Share Posted May 7, 2012 Personally I think driving a trailer should be in the driving test. U might never use it but you'll be ready. Hell everyone should have to get there cdl ooooh yea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AC66Bronco Posted May 7, 2012 Report Share Posted May 7, 2012 Personally I think driving a trailer should be in the driving test. U might never use it but you'll be ready. Agreed. But I also think there should be an IQ test and a requiered common sense course as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LJ Posted May 7, 2012 Report Share Posted May 7, 2012 Personally I think driving a trailer should be in the driving test. U might never use it but you'll be ready. Hell everyone should have to get there cdl ooooh yea My parents made me take the horse trailer (38' gooseneck) to Marion and back before they would let me take my driving exam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macpyro2 Posted May 7, 2012 Report Share Posted May 7, 2012 You think thats bad try backing a 300,000 lbs aircraft out of a tight hanger using a two pivot tow bar. I sucked the first couple times I did it. then I told my super to put me on every tow he could for about a year. Just a shit ton of practice and now I can do it practically with my eyes closed. For sure you should set up cones in a parking lot and git it to where you can back up through a course so good that you make a straight line your bitch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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