are there devices to make backing up and parking with a trailer(boat) easier/simpler?

Question

are there devices to make backing up and parking with a trailer(boat) easier/simpler?

Answer 1

This is a link to a wireless portable camera system. We use it at our marina on the forklift, when putting boats up in the racks, on the truck when backing to hook up trailers, and when trailering large boats that reduce your rear view. I've even used it in an engine compartment to see whats going on. Best $300 I've ever spent.



http://www.microfiber-products-online.com/swhiwibaupre.html

Answer 2

Yes.



An Aussie bloke has developed an arrangement using two cantilevered struts that allows you to release a catch, and then when reversing the trailer is pushed the way you want to go, just reverse into the spot as if the trailer is not there and it will track exactly where the car is going.



No I have no idea if it is commercially available, it was aimed at the retired caravanner and was going to cost thousands to fit.



It was very good though - the trailer goes exactly where the car goes.



Cheapest effective solution? Fit a tow-ball to the front of your vehicle and push the trailer into it's parking spot, simple, easy. cheap. (I like the last bit best!) Using a car? There is always a strong nudge bar available that will handle a low speed job like this, if you can't fit one then your car is probably not suited to towing much either.



I am the son of a Truckie so reversing trailers for me is so simple it irritates the heck out of people. Dad showed me how to reverse the semi when I was 11 - we used blocks on the pedals, and my feet. When commercially fishing I will have the ute flat out in reverse for a hundred metres around corners and want more speed, I hate watching some old(er) codger take five minutes to go four feet and still not straighten up while I am waiting at the ramp with a load of fish in the sun!! (I know - impatient bugger, but I do it for a living, so...)



Having said that I have a dyslexic mate who jack-knifes into every spot - nothing helps there other than him taking his time, and resetting time and again. He hates launching boats or going to the dump so we do it for him. Given space and privacy he's o.k. - but put under pressure he is stuffed every time.

Answer 3

The best I've seen is practice. That, and imagine when you're backing, that you steer from the BOTTOM of the steering wheel. Move your hands the same way you want the trailer to go.



But it IS easier if you have a longer trailer. The longer the distance between the trailer wheels and the hitch, the easier it is to back. This is because the trailer wheels have to move further sideways to get the trailer further out of position.



If that's confusing, try this: Imagine a yardstick and a 6 inch ruler side by side. You move one end of the yardstick sideways 2 inches. Now move one end of the short ruler 6 inches also. It points way further sideways than the yardstick, and so will the trailer.

Answer 4

You could put a camera on the back that linked to a screen in your car and there are sensors you could put on your trailer which are expensive but useful to tell distance to an object. Move or replace your mirrors so you can see easier, depth perception can be funky. The Best cheapest and easiest thing to do would be finding an empty parking lot and practice without and then with the boat on your trailer. Practice practice, you will eventually get used to your trailer and back up with ease

Answer 5

As you heard with the other answers practise helps the most. Going very slow also helps.



One trick that works well is to place your hand on the BOTTOM of your steering wheel. As you look back you now move your hand in the direction that you want the rear of the trailer to go. Go slow. pull forward to straighten trailer and car.

Answer 6

After all these years, sometimes I still have to stop and take an extra second to tell myself, "I want the trailer to go right, turn the wheel left."



One nuther thing to note:



Once you start a turn, the turn will continue to sharpen even if you straighten out your front wheels.



Other words, assuming vehicle & trailer are perfectly aligned, you start backing and turn the wheel left. The *** end of the boat goes right. Turn the wheel back to dead center and continue backing, not only does your outdrive continue moving to your right, the angle of the turn keeps getting tighter.



So, if you're backing straight down the ramp (hardly ever happens with me anyway) but need to be a little to your right:

1. turn the wheel left,

2. center the wheel,

3. turn the wheel right -- the same amount of deflection and duration as your previous left,

4. center the wheel.



That should help.

Answer 7

yes your brain--- turn ur steering wheel in the oposite direction u want ur boat (trailer) to go