Another Common Sense Tip

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Have you ever launched or loaded at night time at a ramp that has several lanes? Have you ever tried to back your tailer down the ramp while looking directly into the headlights of the tow vehicle next to you? To me it is common sense (while at the ramp)to shut off your headlights of your tow vehicle so that you don't blind the person next to you. I know I am always self consicious not to upset anyone. But there are others that don't care about anyone else but themselves. Once I waited to put my trailer into the water while the idiot with his lights were on to get out of the way so I could see exactly where to back. Once he was out of the way, I began to back down with no problem until a pickup came flying into the space next to me and backed down with his lights on and bingo! Blinded by the light again. I asked him nicely if he could please shut off his lights. He just said F--- Off! So the Ranger that was there (that I wasn't aware of) pulled his truck down in front of his truck and blocked his lights. So I finished backing down and loaded up. Meanwhile the butt munch next to me went through a search of his boat by the ranger. He go so beligerant, the Ranger had to call for backup. His truck, trailer, and boat was confiscated. And all he had to do was shut off his lights. To me this a common courtesy thing that helps others that can be affected around you. This coming season, the Lake officials are putting up signs to request that headlights shall be shut off while you are backing down and at the ramp at night. Has anyone else experienced the same problem? This is a simple thing that should be passed onto newbies to the boating world.

 

[Pursuit2150]

Re: Another Common Sense Tip

A similar thing always always happens to me when someone seems to always target my eyes with their remote flood light or 10,000cd flashlight. It takes your eyes approx. 40 min, to get night vision,and a mili-sec to loose it.If I see it coming I try to shut one eye. sometimes it works.Why do they always shine the light in your face?

 

[12Footer]

Re: Another Common Sense Tip

To a large extent, it's all in how we were raised by our parents. I am 49years old, and can still remember getting my rear kicked for such acts of consideration. But we all know folks who raised thier children who were allowed to do whatever they wanted.They gerew up to be self-centered, inconsiderate clueless brats. They have no concept of right and wrong, or how to interact with other adult humans. Blame it on his upbringing, but we still gotta deal with them daily.<br />I don't feel sorry for them.After all, they got to go to the races, get drunk,and stay out all night long. <br />You know, it's funny. The last one of these rejects from society I met at a boat ramp ALSO ended-up takin a ride to the barry hotel. I think it is more than a coincidence.

 

[wippb]

Re: Another Common Sense Tip

I've seen lots of those types of people in my days and I agree that consideration should be given at all times on the boat ramps and all other places where you have to interact with other people. I bought a new tow vehicle last spring and the headlights on my new truck and some other newer vehicles can't be shut off. How would the Lake officials deal with this issue.

 

[Ross J]

Re: Another Common Sense Tip

Totally in agreement, the night vision so important once on the water can be blown in seconds by the inconsiderate or uneducated. To teach a newbie about this involves them using their own vehicle to tow your boat to the ramp after dark! Not something I would trust to anyone! They would then back up and experience this first hand. Bingo one idiot educated, thousands to go!!<br />Good luck<br />Ross

 

[petryshyn]

Re: Another Common Sense Tip

Yo wipper:<br /><br />My thoughts exactly! What I found is that a lot of vehicles can shut the running lights(head lights) off by engaging the emergency brake by one click. I do it all the time hunting. <br /><br />Are running lights compulsory in US ?<br /><br />

 

[DJ]

Re: Another Common Sense Tip

Running lights are not compulsory in the US. Only in Canada. GM made the decision to make it standard on all of their vehicles. The others offer it as an option to fleet buyers only.<br /><br />It is somrething that can be added if one wishes to do so.

 

[Hooty]

Re: Another Common Sense Tip

Couple of years ago, at a 7-11, I witnessed a gentleman ask two young men to lower the volume of their BOOM BOOM stereo. The youngster on the rider's side suggested the gentleman eat ****. The gentleman stepped out of his car and as the youngster started out of his car, the gentleman SLAMMED and latched the door on the youngster's hand and then proceed to beat the living **** out of the other one. Guy than got back in his car and motored away, leaving both youngsters with a new and improved attitude.<br />Gotta luv it.<br /><br />c/6<br /><br />hooty

 

[wippb]

Re: Another Common Sense Tip

Hey Schem<br />I've used the parking brake lots but never noticed if it dropped out the lights I'll check tomorrow.

 

[Ranger354]

Re: Another Common Sense Tip

On my new body style 99 chevy truck I had to purchase a switch to turn the lights off. On the 2000 models I think you can press the interior light dimmer button 2 or 3 times and this shuts off the lights til you shut off and restart your vehicle. <br /><br />My brother was a park ranger at a power plant lake here in Texas. He loved his job, but hated 40% of Joe Inconsiderate Public.

 

[DJ]

Re: Another Common Sense Tip

Are you sure you don't have to grab the radio antenna, while tuning the radio and adjust the passenger seat lumbar all simultaniously to turn them off?<br /><br />Why not just put a switch on the dash?<br /><br />Sounds like a mission for Schematic.

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Another Common Sense Tip

I have always wondered why GM has models that have the lights on. Did they do that to overwork the alternator/lights so the can sell more replacement parts? The people that have light sensitive eyes that are only allowed to drive during the day, does this affect them? if it does, it looks like it could open a can of court case havock. I know if my tow vehicle had the lights that stayed on all the time, I would place two of my buddies in front of the lights, or just through a towel or blanket over them. But that is me, I treat others the way that I like to be treated.<br />My son thought of a good idea, but with my luck, if I'd mention it on this forum, it would be another one of those ideas that end up getting discovered by someone else. But what the heck, Make up bumper stickers for your boat trailer that says "Headlights out during launching/loading please" and of course have this made in the reflective material, so when the dude next you that has left his lights on, might be able to get the hint if he is able to read. Then again, could make one in sign language! I guess if that didn't work, mount a bunch of lights on the back of your tow vehicle that come on when in reverse. This would work sorta like those sound cancelling devices, you know where one drowns out the other? I know that is what rednecks would do! Well, gotta go, wife sez remove the snow! Good Day All..

 

[wippb]

Re: Another Common Sense Tip

I thought about my reply afterwards. A simple solution, like what SS has said, would be to carry a couple of old towels and drap them over the lights.(Those would be the ones used to wipe the dew off the seats in the early morning before heading out fishing) I'm not sure if I'm ready just yet to cut into the wiring of my new truck. Warranties may be voided. Running lights on all the time were added to motorcycles here in the 70's. They were a welcome addition IMHO because as you bikers out there well know a vehicle coming toward you in the daytime is sometimes hard to see. I personally like the idea of running lights on during daylight hours but I will be sure to carry my old towels with me to the launch ramp.

 

[Chum Slick]

Re: Another Common Sense Tip

I agree that there are numerous inconsiderate boaters out there that refuse to use common sense or politeness on or around boats ramps. I also know that a lot of vehicles have daytime running lights that can not be turned off. I have those on my GMC Sierra. I launch a lot at night and occasionally have to deal with other boater's lights as they have to deal with mine. I take it with a grain of salt; they have as much right on the ramp as I or the next guy. I am not an electrician and am not going to screw around with the lighting on my vehicle. I usually launch alone and throwing towells over my lights don't seem like a sensible idea. I guess I am getting older and more forgiving than in my younger days. One of the problems at ramps and almost everywhere else is that everyone is in such a hurry to get their boat in or out of the water that almost any delay has them foaming at the gills. I boat, fish, and enjoy the waters because I love it and normally am in no big hurry to get anywhere, especially at night around ramps. I am a retired Marine that currently works for the government on a military base and the gate guards on military bases hate those daytime running lights, but there is absolutely nothing that can be done about it. They were installed for safety reasons and I believe they are going to be on most production vehicles in this country in the future and it is something that everyone is just going to have to learn to live with.<br /><br />Just my two cents........

 

[JB]

Re: Another Common Sense Tip

Unfortunately, Common Sense is not as Common as we would like.<br /><br />Red sky at night. . .<br />JB

 

[petryshyn]

Re: Another Common Sense Tip

Gents:<br />To further the discussion on driving (running) lights....On some GM vehicles, if you apply the emergency brake to the first click, then start it up, the lights remain off. On GM's with twilight sentinol, simply toggle them on and off and the lights go out. Most newer trucks do the emerg. brake method.(Toyota for sure) I believe the running light feature can be turned on or off, as a fuction of the newer 'body' computers. Your dealer can affect that for you...Of course, they won't turn the feature off in Canada, but probably will turn it on in US...<br /><br />

 

[bdowell]

Re: Another Common Sense Tip

The ones that don't know how or can't shut their lights off due to vehicle design do not bother near as much as the ones that back down the ramp, THEN unload all their gear into the boat from the truck, THEN undo all tie downs except front winch, and after another 10 minutes of MAKING SURE they got all their STUFF, launch the boat and pull away from RAMP. And then do the EXACT same thing when they return, but in reverse order. These kind of people should be drug by a 4 wheeler for several miles and dropped off at the opening of a wolfs den.<br />

 

[Alfred]

Re: Another Common Sense Tip

daytime running lights run with 40% the light output of your car's low beams so they really should not be a problem why go cut'n stuff just for a cool switch

 

[Ranger354]

Re: Another Common Sense Tip

Ok guys here is the link for the Auto headlight over ride switch. Installed it a couple of years back and it works great. NOT A PROMO! It just works.<br /> http://tommy3z71.homestead.com/hl_overide.html <br /><br />All you have to do is push a button on the dash. Most of the new GM cars allow you to turn off the head lamps by pushing the internal light dimmer switch. Check your owners manual. <br /><br />I guess I am a red neck. I have lights mounted under the bed of my tuck so I don't back up over a curb and my kids can see when they are closing gates and such. Don't want them stepping on a snake!

 

[wippb]

Re: Another Common Sense Tip

Well I've tried everything, no way no how can I shut off these lights. No option in the owners manual. Called the dealer, option not available. I've tried every posting tip here, they just won't go off. The only plus is that they are on only 40% of total brightness. Ranger, that switch arrangement looks like a good option but I want to wait awhile for my warranty options to run out. The vehicle is a 2001 Mazda B3000 Dual Sport. Nice truck, pulls my boat great. Assembled in America. What else can a guy want. Maybe a truck that has the option to shut off his DRL when a guy wants to? I guess J.B is right.