View of unloaded trailer with pickups

Stinnett21

Stinnett21

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 24, 2012
Messages
630
Shopping for a new tow vehicle. For the last 15 years I've towed with a 2004 Lexus GX 470. My boat is 21 foot. When backing the trailer to retrieve the boat I can stretch up and turn and look and still see the back 1/4 of the trailer (it has no guide posts although I realize they could be added). I'm considering a pickup. For those who tow with pickups can you see enough of the trailer over a closed tailgate? Here I mean by turning and looking, not with cameras.
 
roscoe

roscoe

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Oct 30, 2002
Messages
21,842
I never could.
So open the tailgate, use the camera, or…..

Add a spring mounted bicycle flag to the rear of the trailer.
 
Scott Danforth

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
Staff member
Joined
Jul 23, 2011
Messages
51,648
todays trucks are too high to see any unladen boat trailer over a closed tailgate. you wont see anything short of an enclosed utility trailer looking over the tail gate as you are looking nearly 5 feet up in the air

use the mirrors, you should be able to back up around a block by looking in the mirrors. if you cant see the boat, extend the mirrors. you should be able to see both sides of the trailer by looking in the mirrors

the backup camera works to hook the trailer up as you have a line of sight directly on the ball. all of todays vehicles have backup cameras
 
Stinnett21

Stinnett21

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 24, 2012
Messages
630
Not a deal breaker, just wondering what to expect if I go that route. I suppose the same could be true for a modern SUV also. Views out the back are getting less and less and relying more on cameras.
 
M

Mc Tool

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Aug 7, 2024
Messages
808
I cant get my back door open if there is anything on the tow ball ..... real well planned out .....not me
 
redneck joe

redneck joe

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 18, 2009
Messages
13,510
Learn mirrors. Takes a minute but as you get older and it hurts to turn your body and neck you will remember this post and silently thank me.
 
dingbat

dingbat

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 20, 2001
Messages
16,784
Drive Tahoes and Burb’s for 20 years which forced the use side mirrors.

Then had C5-7 fused 5 years ago. Turning around isn’t an option even now that we have the F150.

They will pry hitch and backup assist from my cold dead hands….lol
 
L

lgaytan

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jul 15, 2015
Messages
168
I don't have cameras in my truck I think I would like a camera only to get it in to the ball, I always back up until "gently" hitting the ball, but got launching and parking mirrors are enough
 
tg3690

tg3690

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
May 7, 2019
Messages
1,115
I used the "turn around and look" method (no mirrors) for a long time and it worked great.....until you found your self trying to back down a ramp in your buddies Suburban to launch his boat. Learned real quick about using the side mirrors. Easier on the neck and back, too. Putting the tow vehicle in neutral while backing down the ramp also helps.....let gravity pull you down instead of the truck pushing you down the ramp.....easier on the brakes and easier to control.
 
JASinIL2006

JASinIL2006

Vice Admiral
Joined
Feb 10, 2012
Messages
5,742
I put guide poles on the rear of the trailer largely to help with backing the empty trailer. The poles help immensely.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top