Help with Backing Up
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Forum Discussion
My wife also had no issues backing up a boat trailer - after I got it straight so she just had to back up straight.
I can count on my hands the number of times I’ve been able to get the trailer straight in the past 7 years / nearly 300 camping locations so it could be backed up straight.
Still a few times a year when I’m at a straight enough spot - I have her back it in.
She has learned to go slow. She also knows that when I’m backing up and stop, I can’t see her.
First thing before backing up - put the windows down so I can hear.
We stop before I start backing up / both get out and look at the site. I tell her what I specifically want her to watch for obstruction wise. I tell her where I want the trailer wheels to end up. I tell her where I want her to stand.
She has learned to give me near constant hand signals. She still doesn’t want to talk to me/ yell. It’s too loud. I tell her I don’t care. I want positive feedback every foot of the backing up process.
But whenever I have any doubt -
G O A L
Get Out And Look
A couple times I’ve had someone complaining about me taking too long getting into the spot. I give them my iciest stare and ask them in my chief petty officer voice “will you pay for any damages if I hit something”
And I never complain if someone else blocks the road for longer than I like. I’ll offer help once, and if declined, just watch the show.
I can count on my hands the number of times I’ve been able to get the trailer straight in the past 7 years / nearly 300 camping locations so it could be backed up straight.
Still a few times a year when I’m at a straight enough spot - I have her back it in.
She has learned to go slow. She also knows that when I’m backing up and stop, I can’t see her.
First thing before backing up - put the windows down so I can hear.
We stop before I start backing up / both get out and look at the site. I tell her what I specifically want her to watch for obstruction wise. I tell her where I want the trailer wheels to end up. I tell her where I want her to stand.
She has learned to give me near constant hand signals. She still doesn’t want to talk to me/ yell. It’s too loud. I tell her I don’t care. I want positive feedback every foot of the backing up process.
But whenever I have any doubt -
G O A L
Get Out And Look
A couple times I’ve had someone complaining about me taking too long getting into the spot. I give them my iciest stare and ask them in my chief petty officer voice “will you pay for any damages if I hit something”
And I never complain if someone else blocks the road for longer than I like. I’ll offer help once, and if declined, just watch the show.
