jjay74
Seaman Apprentice
- Joined
- Jul 8, 2007
- Messages
- 46
This weekend started off Saturday morning with a successful launch followed by 4 hours on the water.
My wife, who has never pulled a trailer, decided that she wanted to help on the launch. She volunteered to pull the truck/trailer out once the boat was in the water. I thought, "what could it hurt??". I told her to pull straight up the ramp and off to the side. She handled it like a champ.
When we got back to the ramp, she wanted to go get the truck. I explained to her that although she had no problems pulling the trailer out, backing in is something that needs practice and the boat ramp isn't the place for a first-timer. I went and backed the trailer in the water. I didn't back it in far enough, so she volunteered to back it in some more. She backs in, I hook the winch cable and we're ready. I told her to pull up slowly, but what does she do? FULL THROTTLE. Yeah, I know you're thinking, he fell down on the boat..........no, the truck was in reverse. Damn near filled the bed of the truck with water before she stopped! I decided yesterday that I would no longer need any help and I should just continue my routine of doing it by myself.
Well, it's my turn today. I got everything ready to go. Stopped at the gas station to fill the boat up. Checked the gauge in the truck and I had just over 1/4 tank. No problem, boat ramp is only 2 miles down the road. Load the boat at the ramp, pull up to back in, get about 10 feet from the water and the truck dies. Never thought about the incline of the boat ramp and the gas sloshing to the back of the tank away from the pickup tube. So here I am, blocking the entire ramp with a Z71 and 24' pontoon. Thank goodness, one of our friends wanted to go on a ride today and she met us at the marina. Sent them for gas and all is well now. NOTE TO SELF---Take the extra 2 minutes and put gas in the truck when you fill the boat up!!
Sorry for the long post, but thought it would give a laugh. I guess worse could have happened.
My wife, who has never pulled a trailer, decided that she wanted to help on the launch. She volunteered to pull the truck/trailer out once the boat was in the water. I thought, "what could it hurt??". I told her to pull straight up the ramp and off to the side. She handled it like a champ.
When we got back to the ramp, she wanted to go get the truck. I explained to her that although she had no problems pulling the trailer out, backing in is something that needs practice and the boat ramp isn't the place for a first-timer. I went and backed the trailer in the water. I didn't back it in far enough, so she volunteered to back it in some more. She backs in, I hook the winch cable and we're ready. I told her to pull up slowly, but what does she do? FULL THROTTLE. Yeah, I know you're thinking, he fell down on the boat..........no, the truck was in reverse. Damn near filled the bed of the truck with water before she stopped! I decided yesterday that I would no longer need any help and I should just continue my routine of doing it by myself.
Well, it's my turn today. I got everything ready to go. Stopped at the gas station to fill the boat up. Checked the gauge in the truck and I had just over 1/4 tank. No problem, boat ramp is only 2 miles down the road. Load the boat at the ramp, pull up to back in, get about 10 feet from the water and the truck dies. Never thought about the incline of the boat ramp and the gas sloshing to the back of the tank away from the pickup tube. So here I am, blocking the entire ramp with a Z71 and 24' pontoon. Thank goodness, one of our friends wanted to go on a ride today and she met us at the marina. Sent them for gas and all is well now. NOTE TO SELF---Take the extra 2 minutes and put gas in the truck when you fill the boat up!!
Sorry for the long post, but thought it would give a laugh. I guess worse could have happened.
