I have no problem backing up a boat trailer with the best of them. But I have a truck camper on order and began to think about how that would work without my usual field of vision right over the tailgate.I initially ordered the camper without a window at the cab since my truck does not have a slide window. But now am rethinking that. Camper has a rear door window so if adding a cab window gets me lined up so I can see through to the boat that would be great. I'll talk to Pete at Capri Campers about that as I still have time to change.If I cannot see through with an added cab window, can anyone with experience backing up with only side mirrors rely their experience? Seems if I am at a small ramp and not much room for error, side mirrors only get you so far.

When I back up my boat, I pretty much exclusively use the side mirrors, and have no problem with that. But my boat is 23' and 8.5' wide. A small, narrow boat might be more of an issue. Could always install a rearview camera on the camper if you need it. But my guess is that with practice, you will be fine.

Backed up my cargo trailer for years with only the mirrors. I got quite proficient after a few %/=÷ moments, might be a little different with the pressure of a boat ramp. We have a wireless backup camera on our fiver, takes all the guess work out of reversing, should work great for boat launching.

Great suggestions on the backup camera. Did not think to consider that as a solution.

Try these below. I installed a backup camera on my 5th wheel and TC for about $70.ODGear Backup Camera and Monitor Kit For Car ,4.3'' LCD Car Rear View Monitor Night Vision Reverse Backup Camera Waterproof https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M6UIS25/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_ORreAbCXADT5QREARMASTER 12V Cigarette Lighter Power Supply Kit for Car rear view camera and Monitor with RCA connection https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N2T53ZR/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_1SreAbDSDBD4WATian Waterproof 18 LED Car Rear View Night Vision Reverse Video Backup Parking Camera Black Color https://www.amazon.com/dp/B015J0CGIY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_BTreAb7ZJD0MGRCA Plug DC 2.1 5.5 MM Power Video AV Extension Cable for CCTV Security Car Tuck Bus Trailer Reverse Parking Reverse Camera 15 Meters 50ft by HitCar https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DVZYCZA?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf

A cheap idea if the boat is too narrow is to add a couple of bicycle flags to the trailer or boat that can be seen in the mirrors. Remove them when you’re off the ramp.

Launching a boat with only side mirrors for field of view

Lwiddis
Explorer II
Feb 08, 2018
“If I cannot see through with an added cab window, can anyone with experience...”

I sure couldn’t see thru my added cab window.
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Feb 08, 2018
The flag system works for we.
breeves2245
Explorer
Feb 01, 2018
I just called Pete at Capri and get him to put in a window in the front. So as one poster mentioned above, I'll just open the back door and have a view. I don't see an issue backing the boat up with side mirrors only, but backing the trailer down without the boat would be more challenging without using a flag system. This camper may stay on my truck full time, not sure yet. But backing up my utility trailer would really be a troublesome without a full view. I'll try this approach and if I don't get the field of view I think I will get, I'll go the backup camera route. Thanks for the feedback.
wnjj
Explorer II
Feb 01, 2018
joeshmoe wrote:
When I first got the camper, I thought I might have some difficulty. But with a little practice, I used only the side mirrors and nail it everytime. It's like second nature now. No flags, bells, whistles, signal man necessary.

I can whip down a ramp, have the wife fire it up and off the trailer in probably 60 secs. Retrieving can sometimes be trickier when backing down an empty trailer. Small steering corrections keep it tracking straight.

The flags aren’t about not being able to back with the side mirrors...in fact quite the opposite. You watch the flags in the mirrors.

Ever try backing up small boat or single place PWC trailer? There is nothing to see in those side mirrors until the trailer is jackknifed.
joeshmoe
Explorer
Feb 01, 2018
When I first got the camper, I thought I might have some difficulty. But with a little practice, I used only the side mirrors and nail it everytime. It's like second nature now. No flags, bells, whistles, signal man necessary.

I can whip down a ramp, have the wife fire it up and off the trailer in probably 60 secs. Retrieving can sometimes be trickier when backing down an empty trailer. Small steering corrections keep it tracking straight.
Atchafalaya_man
Explorer
Jan 28, 2018
If you have a wide enough ramp, this approach works well for us. The goal is to keep the boat trailer visible to the driver out of his driver's window as long as possible on its way down to the water. If someone is driving the boat to the trailer at the same time as you are backing, loading can be done very quickly.

Launching is the same way. ALWAYS begin the curved launch track with the driver side of the truck on the water side so you can watch the trailer make its arc towards the ramp.

The driver ALWAYS approaches the ramp from the passenger side so his window is facing the water. He passes up the ramp and them begins an arcing path to the water.
SDcampowneroper
Explorer
Jan 27, 2018
a very simple method of aligning tow to. towed is to place a marker, like a piece of refective tape on the front of the towed that becomes visible in the mirrors of the the tow when misalignment or problem angles are an issue
towpro
Explorer
Jan 27, 2018
after backing up and hitting the jack on my Wolf Creek on the front of my 7x14 vnose, I bought one of these camera systems I really never had any problems backing anything up, but I love the camera. I powered them off tail light system so I can use them moving down the road.
I have one above door on camper, and one on back roof of my 7x14.

I love it.
burningman
Explorer II
Jan 26, 2018
Man up, learn to drive your truck and trailer, it’s got mirrors and this is what they’re for.
Cobra21
Explorer
Jan 25, 2018
The back-up camera is almost a must, they even put them in the new vehicles now. They can save you from backing over small children or anything left behind such as bikes, lawn chairs etc. I have mine hooked up so I can have it on at all times. I can't see my boat behind going down the road otherwise. It is like having a rear view mirror only better.
Brian