Back it Up and Breathe
Sweat
Sweat starts to trickle down my back the minute I put the truck in reverse.
I do not like to back up a trailer.
I don’t like to feel as if every man in the marina has stopped what he’s doing to watch me bungle around the ramp.
I don’t like to make other boaters wait while I position and reposition the trailer so I don’t rip off a tail light.
I don’t like how loud I have to grunt while I turn the winch handle to hoist the boat the last few feet on to the trailer; throwing all my body weight in to getting the handle to turn.
I detest having my truck tires spin and screech as I try to coax the truck to haul the boat up a crumbly ramp at low tide.
But what I really don’t like, is the thought of not being able to use my boat when I want. Having to wait for someone to help me launch it is not an option.
“Backing up a trailer takes practice. There is absolutely no way to get good at something unless you PRACTICE. ”
The Basics
Truck to Boat
Before you do anything, make sure your truck ball matches the size of the trailer hitch. Most people have one truck and one boat trailer so this isn’t an issue, but if you have multiples of either, make sure the trailer ball and the hitch size match.
If you are a real overachiever, you could check the trailer tires, brakes, and lights before you get going.
Line it Up with this Humbling Trick
I find it maddening to try to back up my truck to meet the trailer. I am forever just inches to the left or right of getting the truck ball to meet up directly with the trailer hitch.
For some reason (that defies explanation) I can’t eyeball the center of the back of my truck to put it right under the trailer hitch. Of course, because I can’t see the hitch when I’m backing up to it, that compounds the problem.
At the expense of my ego - I put a piece of tape in the center of my truck bed and then prop a stick on the trailer hitch that is tall enough so I can see it out my back window. I back one up to the other and voila - I can hook the darn truck to the trailer in 3 minutes (okay - maybe 10).
If you have a man in your life who normally deals with the trailer, he will likely roll his eyes or mock this solution. Just ignore it and pat yourself on the back for minimizing the time it takes you to do this detestable task.
Safety First
After you get the truck ball under the hitch of the trailer, follow these steps:
Lower the trailer on to the truck ball
Kick up the supporting trailer wheel and lock it in to place
Push down the security lever to hold the hitch to the truck ball
Insert the safety pin into the proper hole.
Attach the trailer runaway chains to your truck
Plug in the trailer lights to the truck
If you are actually launching a boat - make sure the plug is in it!
Key Reversing Concept
You will eventually be able to back up a trailer instinctually (trust me on this), but before that kicks in you have to know two things to “steer” your trailer exactly where you want it when you are driving in reverse.
As you are backing up, when you turn your steering wheel to the left, your trailer will turn to the right. Practice this! There is no secret to this - it just is.
As you are backing up, when you turn your steering wheel to the right, your trailer will turn to the left. Practice this!
Practice in the Neighborhood
Don’t even think about heading to the ramp until you practice driving your boat around and backing it into driveways, backing down empty streets, and backing into the neighbor’s yard. Set up a course to run that will simulate what happens at your ramp or your marina.
Practice Some More
Once you understand this basic concept, practice some more. Go over that neighborhood route again and again. Find a new route and practice that one too.
That One Guy . . . .
There is always that one guy at the ramp, or in your driveway, or on the street who will try to help you while you are learning how to reverse a trailer. He’s the one pointing with one hand and spinning the other one to indicate which way to turn the wheel. Ignore this guy.
Breathe and Think
Set aside the next couple hours. Prepare to sweat. Get the truck. Hook it up to the boat. Drive the neighborhood. Take it easy. Breathe. Practice. You’ll be a pro in no time!