Hooking up to trailer.

Jigger · 07-28-09, 11:41 AM

Has anyone ever invented something that will let you back your truck up to your bass boat without having to get out and look a half dozen times? Seems like with all the technology and all the smart people we have around these days, someone would come up with an idea.

How do you do it? Any tips?

MississippiBoy · 07-28-09, 11:45 AM

I've seen mirrors for sale somewhere that attach to the top of the truck's tailgate. They're angled down so you can see the trailer ball/hitch in your rearview mirror. I tried to find them just now and couldn't. If I come across it, I'll post a link or something.

Edit: Something like this: http://www.campingworld.com/shopping...l-finder/32410

Abbeysdad · 07-28-09, 11:52 AM

Use the force Luke.

lol - I know what you mean, it can be a process!

nofearengineer · 07-28-09, 11:56 AM

I don't know if this is what you're looking for, and I don't know how well it works, but it looks like it would do the job once you got in close.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...010&hasJS=true

fishin spro · 07-28-09, 02:00 PM

next time u go to do it, get someone to tell you when you get it right. then look at your tailgate and see what part of the boat is even with the top of your tailgate.
on mine, the front running light on my boat has to be just even with the top of my tailgate.

jasonfish320 · 07-28-09, 04:27 PM

lowering your tailgate makes a big difference when you're launching and loading the boat, but if you want the best possible solution get yourself one of these...AWESOME! A friend of mine who fishes alone a lot has one and they are mint! http://cgi.ebay.com/Peak-Auto-Backup...d=p3286.c0.m14

Jigger · 07-29-09, 10:48 AM

thanks to all for the tips and links. i may try one of those gadgets.

Randy · 07-29-09, 12:24 PM

If you back it into the tag hard enough it will create a "V" shape guide for the trailer to fit in. Works real nice and very inexpensive.

Captmikestarrett · 07-31-09, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nofearengineer

I don't know if this is what you're looking for, and I don't know how well it works, but it looks like it would do the job once you got in close.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...010&hasJS=true

That one is great and works very well with light boats. But big heavy boats will rip the guide right off the hitch.

There was this magnetic ball thingy that worked good too.

Capt Mike

nofearengineer · 07-31-09, 10:52 AM

Honestly, I just back my truck up to within a few feet of my trailer, and just pull the trailer over to the hitch ball. I know that wouldn't work with a big rig, but a 3000 lb bass boat package isn't that hard. I kinda figured everyone did that. Am I wrong?

Nater1300 · 07-31-09, 10:56 AM

I just get close also and move the boat.

jasonfish320 · 07-31-09, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nofearengineer

Honestly, I just back my truck up to within a few feet of my trailer, and just pull the trailer over to the hitch ball. I know that wouldn't work with a big rig, but a 3000 lb bass boat package isn't that hard. I kinda figured everyone did that. Am I wrong?

This works ok with single axles, but try a tandem trailer w/a 20 footer on it...not an easy task.

bassboogieman · 07-31-09, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jasonfish320

This works ok with single axles, but try a tandem trailer w/a 20 footer on it...not an easy task.

I'll second that. I've seen these rear view cameras for as little as $99 on sale. The camera attaches to the license plate, wireless transmitter to screen on your dash. It's on my list of things I NEED!

jasonfish320 · 07-31-09, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassboogieman

I'll second that. I've seen these rear view cameras for as little as $99 on sale. The camera attaches to the license plate, wireless transmitter to screen on your dash. It's on my list of things I NEED!

something like this... http://cgi.ebay.com/Peak-Auto-Backup...d=p3286.c0.m14 They work really well, and waterproof

Big E · 07-31-09, 07:45 PM

Jasonfish, That's slick. Think I'll get one of those for the Mother-in-law ! E

bcklash · 07-31-09, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big E

Jasonfish, That's slick. Think I'll get one of those for the Mother-in-law ! E

Does your mother-in-law hook up your boat for ya? Maybe she backs into the water for ya to!!!!!!!

Big E · 07-31-09, 11:47 PM

Bcklash, No... but she keeps killin' the light post in the front of my house every time she backs up and I figured the screen might help her... maybe I'd only lose the cat if she had one or more...

Mac2 · 08-01-09, 10:23 AM

I put a piece of white reflective tape on the centerline of the tailgate and line it up with a small red piece of reflective tape on the nose of the boat......it gets me really close and then like others have suggested I wheel the hitch over the ball.

07-28-09, 11:41 AM	#1
Jigger BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 490	Hooking up to trailer. Has anyone ever invented something that will let you back your truck up to your bass boat without having to get out and look a half dozen times? Seems like with all the technology and all the smart people we have around these days, someone would come up with an idea. How do you do it? Any tips?

07-28-09, 11:45 AM	#2
MississippiBoy BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: May 2007 Location: Ridgeland MS Posts: 3,923	I've seen mirrors for sale somewhere that attach to the top of the truck's tailgate. They're angled down so you can see the trailer ball/hitch in your rearview mirror. I tried to find them just now and couldn't. If I come across it, I'll post a link or something. Edit: Something like this: http://www.campingworld.com/shopping...l-finder/32410 __________________ I smell smoke, and I hear sirens. Do you think that's a problem?

07-28-09, 11:56 AM	#4
nofearengineer BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southwest IN Posts: 5,630	I don't know if this is what you're looking for, and I don't know how well it works, but it looks like it would do the job once you got in close. http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...010&hasJS=true __________________ Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing it is not fish they are after.

07-28-09, 02:00 PM	#5
fishin spro BassFishin.Com Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: sumter county lip ripper Posts: 500	next time u go to do it, get someone to tell you when you get it right. then look at your tailgate and see what part of the boat is even with the top of your tailgate. on mine, the front running light on my boat has to be just even with the top of my tailgate. __________________ Total Bass of '10: 54 Big Bass of '09: 5.2lbs

07-28-09, 04:27 PM	#6
jasonfish320 BassFishin.Com Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: MAINEIAC Posts: 585	lowering your tailgate makes a big difference when you're launching and loading the boat, but if you want the best possible solution get yourself one of these...AWESOME! A friend of mine who fishes alone a lot has one and they are mint! http://cgi.ebay.com/Peak-Auto-Backup...d=p3286.c0.m14 __________________ "If at first you don't succeed; have another beer"

07-28-09, 11:52 AM	#3
Abbeysdad BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Central NY - Finger Lakes Posts: 1,307	Use the force Luke. lol - I know what you mean, it can be a process!

07-29-09, 10:48 AM	#7
Jigger BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 490	thanks to all for the tips and links. i may try one of those gadgets.

07-29-09, 12:24 PM	#8
Randy BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Tampa , Fl Posts: 71	If you back it into the tag hard enough it will create a "V" shape guide for the trailer to fit in. Works real nice and very inexpensive.

07-31-09, 10:52 AM	#10
nofearengineer BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southwest IN Posts: 5,630	Honestly, I just back my truck up to within a few feet of my trailer, and just pull the trailer over to the hitch ball. I know that wouldn't work with a big rig, but a 3000 lb bass boat package isn't that hard. I kinda figured everyone did that. Am I wrong? __________________ Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing it is not fish they are after.

07-31-09, 10:56 AM	#11
Nater1300 BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Fort Wayne, IN Posts: 49	I just get close also and move the boat.

07-31-09, 07:45 PM	#15
Big E BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Oregon Posts: 34	Jasonfish, That's slick. Think I'll get one of those for the Mother-in-law ! E

07-31-09, 11:47 PM	#17
Big E BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Oregon Posts: 34	Bcklash, No... but she keeps killin' the light post in the front of my house every time she backs up and I figured the screen might help her... maybe I'd only lose the cat if she had one or more...

08-01-09, 10:23 AM	#18
Mac2 BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 389	I put a piece of white reflective tape on the centerline of the tailgate and line it up with a small red piece of reflective tape on the nose of the boat......it gets me really close and then like others have suggested I wheel the hitch over the ball.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)