Mirrors or Turning head; Backing Trailer Poll

K

kshatzer

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jun 17, 2003
Messages
30
Re: Mirrors or Turning head; Backing Trailer Poll

Mirrors only with the hand at the bottom of the steering wheel. That way, moving hand right moves trailer to the right and visa-versa.
 
B

Bighammer

Recruit
Joined
Jul 7, 2003
Messages
2
Re: Mirrors or Turning head; Backing Trailer Poll

Mirrors all the way. I drove a dump truck with a chipper for a couple seasons and got pretty good with that. (chipper was narrower than the truck, so you couldn't see it until you were turning just a bit ;) ) There was no using the back window, so mirror use was the only way. Still used to that.<br /><br />My only problem was the other night after local fireworks show. No lights at the ramp (a little difficult to find :D ) butthe truck next to me had his lights on. There was so much glare, I couldn't see to back in the ramp next to him.
 
P

Pecker

Cadet
Joined
Jul 2, 2003
Messages
24
Re: Mirrors or Turning head; Backing Trailer Poll

Mirrors, for sure.<br />It may take a little practice, but once you've done it, NO PROBLEM!!!!!!
 
C

catmania

Seaman
Joined
May 22, 2003
Messages
59
Re: Mirrors or Turning head; Backing Trailer Poll

I used to look over my right shoulder, but with new bigger boat that doesnt help much (just see the bow). So now i use the right mirror to check for pedestrians parked cars etc. :eek: then use the left mirror to back down the ramp. After a little practice its actually easier than looking over your shoulder (practice should be done in an empty parking lot with boxes not at the ramp) :D . <br /><br />The new boat trailer is wider than my truck so i can see the trailer tire and watch where it goes. If i had a small boat/trailer again i would switch back to looking over shoulder because by the time the wheel comes into view its already too late. :mad:
 
N

NathanY

Commander
Joined
Mar 16, 2002
Messages
2,408
Re: Mirrors or Turning head; Backing Trailer Poll

Mirrors! I cant see my boat or trailer without using my mirrors. I have to tweek the trailer to one side of the ramp just to see it.
 
B

Bco128

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jul 6, 2003
Messages
220
Re: Mirrors or Turning head; Backing Trailer Poll

just ran accross this topic and decided to add to it.ill do both as necisary but prefer to look over the shoulder to watch the back end from over the top.if trailer too high or whatever i turn head out the window or open the door.learned to back a trailer using a murry lawn tractor and a small bucket trailer behind it .mucking the horse stalls in my grandpa's barn.lotsa polls and several corners and tight spots.he would only let me back in.i tell ya that little thing....its easier with a longer wheel base.i always jacknifed it.
 
N

n0ukf

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jun 24, 2003
Messages
153
Re: Mirrors or Turning head; Backing Trailer Poll

Mostly mirrors. I've only loaded/unloaded a boat once or twice so far. I use mirrors for backing other trailers as well.<br /><br />JB, Dad had a front hitch on his old '70 Dodge 3/4 ton pickup for ramp use. I'll stick to the rear mounted hitch.
 
F

fishhunter911

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Sep 18, 2002
Messages
132
Re: Mirrors or Turning head; Backing Trailer Poll

Mirrors,, had to do it backing in the firetrucks into the station house, have always used them
 
N

neumanns

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Mar 1, 2003
Messages
1,926
Re: Mirrors or Turning head; Backing Trailer Poll

All you guys talking about learning to back with mirrors because of various expierences with OTR and other comercial expierence from trucks got me to thinkin maybe the reason I look back more than I should is related to the fact that I learned to back a trailer with a tractor (Farm) and they did not have mirrors.
 
bomar76

bomar76

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jun 27, 2002
Messages
1,963
Re: Mirrors or Turning head; Backing Trailer Poll

Both.<br />I tow with a Ford 4x4 Superduty Crew Cab long wheelbase and sometimes you can't see the trailer in the mirrors (and yes I have the tt mirrors) if the boat isn't on it.<br />With the boat on, no problrm mirror only. With it off, a little from column A and a little from column B.
 
G

GodsBeast

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 12, 2003
Messages
502
Re: Mirrors or Turning head; Backing Trailer Poll

JB, Cotterman, and Neumanns, yall cracked me up! My wife does not want anything to do with backing the truck down the ramp. I have convinced her she would have to learn, I mean, what if something were to happen to me? So I thought about that front hitch deal. I figure it might not work so well for my situation with all the weight on the front wheels though. But thanks for the laugh! In answering the question, I usually use mirrors, back my 32 foot 5th wheel camper w/mirrors. My wife is getting the hang of standing where I can see her in the mirror, but when she doesn't stand (where she can see me in the mirror) I will check over my shoulder. With the boat, I confess, I have to cheat right now, shame on me, I have not set up with wide mirrors yet, the ones I have don't fit this vehicle. So I have to convert or buy new one's. Looking in my center rear view, will only confirm my boat is still there, it's all you'll see. GodsBeast
 
R

roadranger

Cadet
Joined
Jul 24, 2003
Messages
17
Re: Mirrors or Turning head; Backing Trailer Poll

Well, since I tow behind my truck camper, it's GOT to be the mirrors...plus I drove 18 wheelers for 24 years! ;)
 
M

mathiasmorgan

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jul 13, 2003
Messages
45
Re: Mirrors or Turning head; Backing Trailer Poll

I use a little of both. I've been backing boat trailers up for years.. Started with a little 12' boat and have gotten bigger over the years so I eased into it. Now I'm to the point that I don't even have to think about it anymore. My father taught me the "put your hand on the bottom of the steering wheel" trick.. I don't need to do that anymore but it was a great way to learn.. if you've never tried it.. give it a shot..<br />George
 
L

Link

Rear Admiral
Joined
Apr 13, 2003
Messages
4,221
Re: Mirrors or Turning head; Backing Trailer Poll

Since this thread is never going to die anyway<br />I might as well put my opinion in here also.<br /><br />Back to the original post:<br />------------------------------------------<br />neumanns Wrote: <br /> <br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />Be Honest!!!<br />I can back with mirrors and am actually more accurate with mirrors just slower so I usally hang the head out the window.<br /><br />--------------------<br />Well to be honest neumanns:<br /><br /> My fishing pard as always used mirrors to back<br />everything up. Sometimes I think the fish are <br />going to die from old age by the time he gets the<br />boat down to the water! I have always used the <br />rubberneck over the right shoulder method.. fast <br />and easy and you can see everything. dog kids, and<br />real people etc.. (small boats and trailers) But<br />the other night I had to back a boat into a garage with<br />only 2" of clearance on each side..my rubber necking failed!<br />I could see in the mirrors the opening and both <br />sides of the trailer but when I turned around to<br />back it in the close quarters... I wound up <br />getting out of the vehicle several times to check.<br />YES this post came to my mind... errrr hand on<br />bottom of wheel.... Grrrrrr It wasn't the time<br />to learn just then :) So guess what folks.. if <br />you live in the Lakewood area.. come to the local<br />K-Mart and you will find me honing my backing<br />skills with mirrors! Anytime after 10pm next <br />week :) <br />It may be slow but sure is a accurate way to do it.<br /><br />UN-Learning 35 years of backing trailers<br /><br />Link
 
S

springcreekranchusa

Cadet
Joined
Aug 5, 2003
Messages
9
Re: Mirrors or Turning head; Backing Trailer Poll

Mirrors, mirrors, mirrors, and here is why. Looking in the left side view mirror should give you the same picture as sticking your head out the window on the left. The rear view mirror (usually in the top center of the windshield)gives you a better view than looking over your right shoulder because it sits up higher than you do and looks back down at the end of the boat. The right hand side view gives you a pespective of the right hand side of the boat that one could never get by looking over your shoulder. This is very useful for making right hand turns while backing. Using all 3 in combination with quick turns of the head or darting of the eyes, one can back left, right, or straight back with the windows closed to keep in the AC, keep out the rain, and get the trailer into those tight spots between trees, into the garage, shed, etc. Add a small fish-eye mirror to both side view mirrors and you have eliminated the blind spot near the rear bumper and you can tell when your rear wheels enter the water on a ramp. Once you learn to use mirrors, you'll wonder how you ever did it without them.
 
bubbakat

bubbakat

Captain
Joined
Oct 29, 2002
Messages
3,110
Re: Mirrors or Turning head; Backing Trailer Poll

Mirrors and also have a front hitch for steep and narrow ramps.<br />Driving truck over the road tends to teach you to use mirrors because there wasn't to many trucks with back windows.<br />unless it was a one stack mack with window in back :D :D :D
 
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