Towing a boat on a trailer for the first time

[fester]

Hi Everyone,

Just bought a 2001 Maxum 1800SC and got my tow bar installed on my car.

Would anyone like to share their experience on how they learned to reverse a large trailer with a boat on it.. The gate way to my house is narrow and also on a busy road. I have no choice but to reverse it in..

I've googled and watched videos to death etc.. but nothing beats advice from veterans.. Also considering getting towing lessons...

How did you all learn?

[Phillbo]

Put your hands on the bottom of the steering wheel and the direction you move them is the direction the trailer will go.

You learn by doing it.. Go slow and practice..

[dbriceno]

Try practicing in an empty parking lot. Some cones would be ideal. Just take your time.

[fester]

Thanks guys .. great advice!.

I can take it out no problem however getting it back in is difficult.. so If my practice/learning is unsuccessful.. I might not be able to get it back in at all .. LOL.. It's abit too heavy to move without the car.. I thought about turning it manually off the hitch..

[Phillbo]

Practice practice practice...Like said above, go to an empty walmart parking lot and practice backing it into the parking spots. You'll figure it out soon enough.

Do you have any friends with boats that have experience? If so, let them show you.

Go slow and don't be afraid to get out and look behind the trailer to see how far you are from clearing stuff.

[jrsick]

I have to maneuver my boat in some tight spaces on my property also. I use an inexpensive electric winch. Tie a rope/cable to the tiedown points on the rear of the trailer, attach the winch cable to this rope and steer the boat with the trailer tongue. I have a 5,000lb boat and a 2,000lb capacity winch moves it very well. You can attach the winch to most anything; tree, post, car hitchball.