Backing into tight spaces

[randyo]

I currently store my 17foot boat with fold-away tongue on one side of my garage, as close to the wall as I can get it. With the outdrive down, I have about 3 inches to spare in back and another 3 inches in front once the garage door is closed. Id consider myself pretty good at backing it in, but need someone to tell me how close I am to the side wall. I then push the trailer in the last foot or two by hand.<br /><br />Any suggestions on how to make this a one man job? I considered laying down duct tape on the ground to be a guide for where my tires should go, but not sure I'll be able to see it too well.

 

[Bert1]

Re: Backing into tight spaces

Try painting guide lines/markers instead of duct tape. I also have installed guide-ons to the trailer, they help when retreiving the boat from water and the added bonus is that they help in aligning the trailer when backing up in the water or to store the boat/trailer in the garage.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Backing into tight spaces

Fashion a short rod that can be clamped to a fender or side of the boat. Make it so it is highly visible and removable. Should allow you to get within an inch or so of the wall. An even fancier guide could be made for the rear of the boat. Make it so a switch is triggered when the boat is the prescribed distance (inches) from the wall. That switch can turn on a battery operated light to tell you to stop. It could be permanently attached to the wall.

 

[JRJ]

Re: Backing into tight spaces

I'd use wood as a spacer so I didn't hit the sidewall and another 2x4 as a stop on the back.<br />You are lucky you have a straight shot. Mine has to go in angled. My next place will have a shop with high doors and lots of room to park stuff

 

[randyo]

Re: Backing into tight spaces

Thanks for all of the suggestions. The 2x4s seem like a great idead (at least for how far back I can go). I'll definitely keep these in mind!

 

[JB]

Re: Backing into tight spaces

I always hung a tennis ball from the ceiling so that it just barely touched an easy-to-see-from-the-tow-vehicle point on the boat when in exactly the right spot.<br /><br />I also used a front mounted hitch.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[umblecumbuz]

Re: Backing into tight spaces

I set a torch on the boat seat, pointed at the trailer guide-on that will be closest to the wall.<br /><br />As the trailer gets nearer to the wall, the shadow gets nearer to and almost meets the guide-on. I've learned to guage accurately to within an inch.<br /><br />Dam-busters stuff!

 

[jsfinn]

Re: Backing into tight spaces

Can you fasten 2x4 of something to the floor to stop the trailer when you get it back far enough?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Backing into tight spaces

I've done the 2x4 on the floor routine and when the boat is not in that space, it becomes a hazard to foot traffic. I'd suggest not doing that -- at least not securing it to the floor.

 

[JRJ]

Re: Backing into tight spaces

Originally posted by Upinsmoke:<br /> I've done the 2x4 on the floor routine and when the boat is not in that space, it becomes a hazard to foot traffic. I'd suggest not doing that -- at least not securing it to the floor.

I agree with that. Lots of good ideas for me to try also

 

[reddog349]

Re: Backing into tight spaces

Dont bolt a 2 x 4 to the floor just cut it to the exact length from your tire to the wall .Lay it down when you need to use iT !

 

[Lou C]

Re: Backing into tight spaces

The front hitch, if you can get one, can make you trailer backing so much easier that you have to try it to believe it! I have one because of my very narrow street and driveway and it makes it a snap!

 

[DaveM]

Re: Backing into tight spaces

Yup, what LouC said. I use a front mount hitch and taped the location for the starboard side trailer wheel. I now can solo part the boat exactly where I want every time.

 

[salty87]

Re: Backing into tight spaces

i've seen people use tape really well too. put a line on the ground for your driver-side trailer tire(s) to follow. space that line however many feet you need to be away from the wall for clearance.

 

[byordy]

Re: Backing into tight spaces

Several good answers here. The front hitch is the best of all of them. I use one to angle my boat around a corner and put the 8 foot 6 inch beam into a 9 foot wide fenced area on the side of the hangar.<br />Then use the 2x4 as a rear stop, you'll easily feel it when the trailer tires bump against it. Add the tape on the floor for the wheel to track on and you'll be set.<br />Bill...

 

[fondafj]

Re: Backing into tight spaces

My tape experience worked great until I backed over it with hot tires. It came right up with the tire tread. I then masked the area off and used safety yellow spray paint to make my "guide" lines. I also used the same paint on the wheel stop, in this case the 2X4, so I would stop tripping over it when I forgot to pick it up.

 

[rwidman]

Re: Backing into tight spaces

Originally posted by byordy:<br /> Several good answers here. The front hitch is the best of all of them.

It's going to be a real PITA to unhitch the boat, drive around, and rehitch the boat to the front every time you want to use the boat. Blocks of wood, tenis balls, etc. will be much more convenient.

 

[Lou C]

Re: Backing into tight spaces

It can be a pain, true but my boat stays on a mooring during the season so it is only when I have to pull it out for some reason that I need to deal with that. In addition, having the front hitch makes it really easy to move the trailer around without the boat on it to make more room in the driveway. It is one of the more useful things I have added to the Jeep over the years. For those that off road you can also add removable winch to it as well. Surf fishermen use them for front mounted rod holders/coolers too.

 

[jeff_nicholas]

Re: Backing into tight spaces

Here's another use for a front hitch:<br /><br />

<br /><br />I got mine at:<br /> http://etrailer.com/

 

[brine]

Re: Backing into tight spaces

tape or paint in the garage to guide the boat close to the wall is a great idea if you can see it well. As far as a rear mark goes, put a drop of paint on your driveway and line it up with something fixed on your vehicle. i use a scratch on my running boards (that was already there) and a thin line on my driveway. even with variations in exact seating position we are always within an inch. we also line it up the same way when hooking up!