Trailer Ramp Ettiquette-sick And Tired

[GloryDaze]

Thanks for the funny stories- see Crappie, you came here to vent and had to walk away with some pretty funny chuckles. I'll admit, it can be pretty darn funny watching the action at a boat ramp- but I'm not above being the side-show.

Believe me- I am far from being a professional at loading and unloading a boat, maybe that's why I was a little sensitive to start.....

[CrappieMagnet]

You can tell the sense of humor people have with the boat ramp situation...been there....seen that....but hey bsd1960...you can stick it where the sun don't shine

than go jump in your pond.....LOL and by the way...your NOT my only friend.

Nuff said.

[Buckshotdad1960]

LOL I’m just trying to keep it real!

Why single me out? LOL

And i did stick it where the sun don't shine..........in Minnesotas *ss! LOL

[FishinCricket]

Does that really happen?

Indeed, even happened to fisherman extraordinaire Babe Winkleman (on camera) once.. He had the trailer come unhooked from the truck once too.. Watching him push it bck up to the ramp with the boat was pretty funny...

Course, it's always funnier when it happens to someone else! lol

[Murdoc]

Like they have said. It's funny when it's someone else!

I was fishing a tournament and was waiting for a guy to unload his boat and he did the prep before he got to the water but it was a steep ramp! The boat slipped off the trailer about 40feet before the water and slid all the way to the water! The guy in the boat had a unforgetable look on his face! He sat there for a minute in discuss before he felt the water at his feet! No PLUG!! He yells at his buddy to get the trailer back which we all let him back down and what does he do then? He forgets in his rush to trim up the motor!!! Dragged it all the way up the ramp. The guy in the boat got out and trimed up the motor and they just drove off!!!! Ouch of a day!!!

[Gatorjet]

So you got out and offered to help them right?? Didn't know it was a law you had to be a professional at putting a boat in and and taking it back out. Part of the problem when learning how to do it properly are the impatient people who think they "own" the ramp leading to even more anxiety and continued mistakes. Come on now, you have to admit even you weren't perfect when you started, it just takes time and a little practice.

Just my observation-

I agree with helping if it is obvious that someone is having a problem. That is the proper approach. However, what if the problem is just plain STUPIDITY of inconsiderate people. Last summer I had to wait at a 2 lane ramp because a family was pullimg their boat out, stopped as soon as the trailer cleared the water enough to walk around it and started relocating all the contents of the boat to their vehivle. Walking all around both lanes of the ramp. Even keeping the family dog on a leash and walking it all over both sides of the ramp. Now the question. Do you say something about their lack of etiquette, and chance a confrontation, or just put up with it? My choice at the time was to just wait for them to get done. It only shows, YOU CAN'T FIX STUPID!!!

[FishinCricket]

I agree with helping if it is obvious that someone is having a problem. That is the proper approach. However, what if the problem is just plain STUPIDITY of inconsiderate people. Last summer I had to wait at a 2 lane ramp because a family was pullimg their boat out, stopped as soon as the trailer cleared the water enough to walk around it and started relocating all the contents of the boat to their vehivle. Walking all around both lanes of the ramp. Even keeping the family dog on a leash and walking it all over both sides of the ramp. Now the question. Do you say something about their lack of etiquette, and chance a confrontation, or just put up with it? My choice at the time was to just wait for them to get done. It only shows, YOU CAN'T FIX STUPID!!!

It's true, some people just don't realize and some others are even extremely inconsiderate. I have had your exact same scenario (as stated above, but without the dog and children instead) happen to me on several occasions with varying results. My handing of the situation is always the same:

Hop outta the tracker, smile and wave and say, politely:

"Excuse me folks, hate to bug ya... But is there any possibility you could do all that stuff up there?"

Then walk back to the tracker, reminding myself that I have the serenity toa ccept the things I cannot change, the strength of character to change the things I can, and above all I have the wisdom to know the difference.

Crickets obnoxious little philosophy session is concluded, now back to your regularly scheduled foruming.

[ozark trout fisher]

Crappie Magnet... I think you need to just settle on down a little. I believe Buckshot was just kidding you in a good hearted way. I think you may be overreacting...

Buckshot, how is your pond/crappie/Piranha/loch ness monster project going?!?

[Gavin]

Funny stories...

I cant back a trailer up to save my life..and I dont care...cuz I'm a real Claude Dallas when it comes to backing stuff up...I've never displayed a talent for it... My wife does better than I do so she is in charge of backing up our trailer.... Its in better hands that way, and I'm not afraid to admit it. Tried backing a trailer again a couple months ago...with a rented truck and a U-haul trailer...did a bit of damage to the trailer and the walls on the front of our driveway. Guess I dont have the backing up stuff gene....I'd gladly pay someone $10 or so to get my rig in the driveway, down the ramp, into a non-pull through CG spot, etc. I've failed miserably at this backing up stuff and need some help......Please be kind to the backing challenged:>) Donate $10 and I'll start a fund to get me out of your way:>)!

[eric1978]

Funny stories...

I cant back a trailer up to save my life..and I dont care...cuz I'm a real Claude Dallas when it comes to backing stuff up...I've never displayed a talent for it... My wife does better than I do so she is in charge of backing up our trailer.... Its in better hands that way, and I'm not afraid to admit it. Tried backing a trailer again a couple months ago...with a rented truck and a U-haul trailer...did a bit of damage to the trailer and the walls on the front of our driveway. Guess I dont have the backing up stuff gene....I'd gladly pay someone $10 or so to get my rig in the driveway, down the ramp, into a non-pull through CG spot, etc. I've failed miserably at this backing up stuff and need some help......Please be kind to the backing challenged:>) Donate $10 and I'll start a fund to get me out of your way:>)!

I pull a trailer every day for work and backing it eventually becomes so second nature you don't even have to think about it. A few easy tips:

1) If possible, get your vehicle and trailer lined up so you can back up straight. Try to get to where you can see your entry point equally in the driver's side and passenger side mirror. As you're backing, look in your driver's side mirror and keep the side of your truck and boat in one straight line pointing in the direction of your entry. If it's tighter quarters and you can't straighten out before backing, always try to back up turning with your driver's side toward the water instead of the passenger side facing the water.

2) This point can't be stressed enough for beginners or those who are "backing challenged:" Take a deep breath, relax and clear your mind. Don't think about the other boaters watching and waiting for you to finish. As soon as you break your concentration, you get all mixed up.

3) Look at the butt of the left side of your boat in your driver's side mirror as you back up and keep your right hand at 12:00 on the wheel.

4) Keep the instructions in your head simple. If you want your boat to go left, turn the wheel right. If you want the boat to go right, turn the wheel left. Keep saying: Right goes left, left goes right. Right goes left, left goes right.

5) If you screw up, don't start all over, just pull up a couple feet until your truck and trailer are aligned again.

6) Back slowly. No one is there but you.

The shorter the trailer, the tougher backing is. Use very small wheel movements when backing a short trailer.