Terrible at backing boat down ramp, thinking front hitch

I am terrible at backing my 17 f boat down launch ramp, so I was thinking about a front hitch scheme:
I position boat approx in line with ramp, secure with chucks, quickly unhitch and turn truck around attach trailer to front, slow down ramp with full view.

I know it is done. Anybody seen it in action?

I would sound a bit over the top, but I have a hard time with it.

Other solution: get a cheap trailer and practice

 

Practice makes perfect

 

Can’t be as bad as my girl with my boat..
Had to replace a bumper cap already..

 

It is definitely easier. Actually much easier.

On the other hand, practicing backing a trailer should be mastered. There will be times you wont have time to switch back to front.

I think of it like learning to drive a stick shift. It was difficult and frustrating, but one day it just clicked.

You can master this. Just go to an empty parking lot.

 

You’d still have to back up the ramp..

 

definetly practice makes perfect. when your at a busy ramp and alot of people are trying to get in and out of the water your not going to have time to disconnected and reconnect to the front without pissing alot of people off. just hook up go to a big empty parking lot and practice backing into spots. you will get it, it just takes time. the hardest part for me was backing up to the ramp without the boat on the trailer, cant see the trailer at all(ive only got a 12footer, so small trailer).

 

just remember go slow and like mentioned before try in an empty parking lot..maybe with a en empty trailer too...

 

This will waste so much time at the ramp, every time you drive there you'd have to unhook the trailer, turn the truck around then hook up the trailer in the front. Sounds like a huge PITA when you could just practice and master backing up

 

Put one hand at the bottom of the wheel. Move your hand the direction you want the trailer to go.

 

Honestly, the thing that taught me was using an RC truck with a trailer. It helped me get a bird's eye view of the process so my spatial skills improved. I was 14 or 15 at the time.

Eye candy:

https://youtu.be/_upu8R6iVt4

 

this ^^ works great

 

A girlie Ford pickup will back it up for you.

 

This is the easiest way to learn. I learned with an 8ft trailer which is a PITA because it Jack knifes so easy!!! But now everything else is easy.

 

Sounds crazy to be honest. Will waste a lot of time at the ramp and if you've got people waiting in line behind you they'll definitely get a chuckle out of it. Just practice. When I first moved to college I hitched up my Grand Marquis with a junky utility trailer and no clue, went to a big empty parking lot, and spent about 30 minutes trying different maneuvers. Aiming for tough parking spots, parallel parking, etc. That's pretty much all it took to master it.

 

I don't think it's crazy to have a front hitch, it's pretty useful to have. But in this case you need to practice. You'll eventually need to know how to back up if you're going to tow a trailer.

 

I am the world's worst reverse driver. I put a front hitch on my old Nissan Frontier and never regretted it. I haven't done it yet with the Tacoma but come summer, I'll probably do it.

 

Too late with this rig but the farther back your trailer axles the easier to back.
Also if you are using a ball on the bumper install a hitch, just moving the ball eight inches further back makes a noticeable difference.
A longer trailer tongue is easier. Ever notice how much more difficult it is to back a small trailer.

 

A front hitch is actually harder to deal with since the pivot point between the truck and trailer is so much closer to the steering axle that the trailer will tend to change directions MUCH faster, and you will have more of a tendency to overcontrol . Just practice in an empty lot and take your time, and you'll get it figured out.

 

just grab the bottom of the steering wheel. its how i teach guys in the tow trucks. also find a empty shopping center and go for it. the more you do it the better you'll get.

 

I can't believe no one has brought up the fact that you are going to be driving into the water face first. That is such a bad idea. What if a rogue wave comes through and floods the intake? What if you have to drive in further to get the boat floating and you flood the intake? Just practice for Christ's sake