Thread: Tips for backing up a boat trailer

Be careful backing looking out the back window, I've seen a few tow vehicles get there front fenders dinged from turning in to things well the driver was look out the back window...

Originally Posted by Central Minn

Be careful backing looking out the back window, I've seen a few tow vehicles get there front fenders dinged from turning in to things well the driver was look out the back window...

Good point. I'm always scanning all around. The same can be said for only looking at the mirrors: if you fail to look and see if other cars are coming, they'll plow into you just the same. It's all about situational awareness and avoiding tunnel vision at all costs. Tunnel vision can happen by looking only out the back window or looking only at the mirrors.

I have no peripheral vision, so I have to scan around constantly to be sure of what is going on. Need to explain that in the next video.

Originally Posted by SpeckledSlab

I recommend sending or taking people learning to back trailers, and gettting them used to using their side mirrors, to an area with a large empty parking lot. Where they can use the lined parking spaces to reference the control of the trailer while backing. This has allowed numerous individuals to become more proficient and confident in this task, unlike many we see holding up other boaters while they use “trial and error” at the ramp.

That's great for those who have that option, and assumes the person is a good teacher. Nothing can ruin this more than a person who doesn't have the patience to teach a beginner.

But for those who have neither available, practicing right in your own driveway provides the same "practice" space. Note the cinder blocks and engines and clutter all around the truck. Those are my lane lines and are far more realistic than the lane lines of a big parking lot. Note the chair I nearly ran over. That is a teaching moment. Without saying so, I'm teaching people to watch out, stay alert and be careful. Lane lines don't necessarily do that.


With everything open 24 hrs per day, it's getting harder and harder to find adequately empty parking lots. Driveways are available for practice any time.

OK folks. Very interesting thread to say the least. I've been backing boat trailers now since I got my first rig in 1974. There are no short cuts to actually finding an empty parking lot and playing with it first hand - before hitting the ramp. The video was great by the way - especially for you younger folks that can twist their neck around and look at the trailer. For the past 20 years, arthritis hasn't allowed me to do that, so I use an alternate method. This is NOT unlike the video and I really appreciate FunBun for posting that video. Excellent job!

This is what I do:

Paramount - in my opinion - is to keep your hand(s) at BOTTOM of the steering wheel - just as the video says. This way, whichever direction you want the transom of your boat to move, turn the wheel in that direction and the transom of your boat will go that way. I guarantee it!

Next, make SMALL movements on the steering wheel. A little goes a long way in backing a trailer.

Finally, (and I thought this was going to be difficult, but it wasn't) use the side mirrors AND center mirror to back her down. This way I get a panoramic view of how the trailer is moving. In order to use the center mirror however, you HAVE TO keep the hatch open (SUV style) or the tail gate down (Pickups). Slow and steady with your hand at the bottom of the steering wheel and you'll be amazed at how easy it can be.

Now....is this fool proof? NADA. Nothing is. Your worst enemy is YOU however; trying to hurry up because there are 3 other rigs behind you wanting to launch! Can be stressful and yes, you can screw up a time or two. But in time, as your confidence grows, you'll do just fine.

One final point: Get yourself prepared BEFORE attempting to back your boat down the ramp. Prepping your boat ahead of the actual launch can go a long way in keeping tempers cool and making the experience enjoyable. Nothing worst than having the guy ahead of you start putting fishing equipment, nets and gear into the boat while he is ON the ramp! PLEASE don't do this!

My 2 cents.

Originally Posted by funbun

That's great for those who have that option, and assumes the person is a good teacher. Nothing can ruin this more than a person who doesn't have the patience to teach a beginner.

But for those who have neither available, practicing right in your own driveway provides the same "practice" space. Note the cinder blocks and engines and clutter all around the truck. Those are my lane lines and are far more realistic than the lane lines of a big parking lot. Note the chair I nearly ran over. That is a teaching moment. Without saying so, I'm teaching people to watch out, stay alert and be careful. Lane lines don't necessarily do that.


With everything open 24 hrs per day, it's getting harder and harder to find adequately empty parking lots. Driveways are available for practice any time.

I learned as soon as I was old enough to reach the pedals in the truck. My dad would pull the 22 foot offshore boat in the field across from the house and get out, he told me to back the boat in the driveway while he got his coffee, with a cap on the truck you learn very quick to rely on your mirrors. I am grateful for this now as my back and neck injuries from military service don't alow for me to turn and look out the back window

Sent from my SM-G900V using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

Originally Posted by Crestliner08

One final point: Get yourself prepared BEFORE attempting to back your boat down the ramp. Prepping your boat ahead of the actual launch can go a long way in keeping tempers cool and making the experience enjoyable. Nothing worst than having the guy ahead of you start putting fishing equipment, nets and gear into the boat while he is ON the ramp! PLEASE don't do this!

My 2 cents.

Great point. Since I'm a YouTuber basically shooting documentary films of my fishing adventures, it takes me forever to set up. I'm certainly not going to set up a $1,500 camera, lenses and sound equipment at home for the wind to lift it off the boat on the way to the ramp. Always best to pull into a parking slot, set everything up, get some test shots, check exposure, get some b-roll, then launch.

Small adjustments are great. That's where ppl get in trouble. The make these big swinging turns. And another thing never be ashamed to start over, just pull up, get straightened out and try again. Always look before you start moving.

Also it's good, even after lots of practice in a corn field, parking lot or drive way, to pick a boat ramp that has a short and shallow entry. It's much easier. Ultimately no amount of practice get you ready for the concert. As some point you gotta get on stage and say, "Here I am!" Each launch provides another learning experience.

I use my mirrors all the time backing up to gas station pumps, checking position. Half the time I forget to lower the tailgate. That's okay. Hand at the bottom of the steering wheel, small adjustment and keep going. It's a natural progression. I'm actually doing both using mirrors, turn backward, sideways and all around. Head is really on a swivel making sure everything is kosher. It's the one thing you didn't pay attention to that gets you

On another unrelated note: Again I'm not sure why people hang on turning around in the video. That wasn't main point of the video. It's just a starting point. Ultimately you should be able to use your mirrors, turn around, turn sideway, or any direction and still back the trailer up. But people have to start somewhere. Keep your hand at the bottom of the wheel was the main point. Once the connection where the direction of the steering wheel's rotation matches the direction of travel of the trailer, you can turn the trailer no matter if you using mirror or not. For some reason ppl seem to miss that whole point. It's like missing the tree because of the leaves.

Before making any comments, I want to see what you do, when actually approaching a ramp.

I was originally taught the way the OP suggested while in the Army in the 1960's and we backed Maintenance Huts on tactical trailers behind 2½ ton trucks. I taught myself to use the side mirrors when I put a cap on the back of my 1991 pickup and couldn't see squat using the center mirror.

Now all I can say is "Thank God for Back-up Cameras".