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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    South Carolina
    Posts
    812

    Default Learn from my mistakes

    I want to share a couple things with our community so that others don't run into the same circumstances as I did this past weekend. One of them concerns a minor setback while the other (though it turned out better than what COULD have happened) was a major lapse in intelligent thinking and could have been a devastating accident.

    So first, I'll start with the major incident as it relates to my minor setback. We recently closed on a new house and have been scrambling around for the past 4 days moving stuff. So my mind was all over the place and I was rushing everything that I was doing, including going to pick up the boat at our old place to bring it over to the new home and see the moment of truth (will it fit in the garage?).

    I am usually a stickler about checking things, but again my mind was all over. Well I hooked the boat up, pulled away and had to spin it around this curb island and as I did I noticed a weird feeling in the pull of the trailer but kept going and proceeded out of the complex. I came to an intersection still in the complex to make a left and as I slowed down, THATS when I noticed what was wrong. How you may ask? Well because I saw my boat in my turn mirror keep moving forward but my truck was stopped. Guess what I did? Like a dope I didn't go through my mental checklist. I forgot the pin for the swinging tongue and the tongue jackknifed and slid underneath my rear bumper. WHOA! I am freaking out now! Jump out, put the trailer jack down (thankfully have the Fulton dual wheel) and tried to push it back so I could drop the pin in. Yeah right!! So then I hope back into my truck and try to pull forward to get it straight, and the boat comes forward again as the road slightly sloped down! What a fiasco! Now I pull forward some more and this time I am in the middle of the intersection blocking 4-5 cars who are watching this all unfold.

    I finally was able to get it straight and the pin back in. Minor damage to my bumper and pushed the trailer light mount up and under (still worked though) and took a nice gouge out of my trailer tongue. So learn from my stupidity! No matter how much of a rush you are in, slow down and think about what you need to do. Always perform that mental checklist!!

    It could have been real bad so I am glad it happened as slow speed in the complex.

    Then I get the boat home and back it up only to find that it won't fit even after measuring. Height is short, I need another 3-4 inches because of garage door and cross section. I was totally deflated after this because one of my main requirements when house hunting was to find one with a garage big enough to store the boat.

    I just ordered a MaxxTow Adjustable Height 10" drop hitch from etrailer.com to see if that would work, and it's back ordered so shipping witching 7 days! LoL! FML

    So, measure once, measure twice, and measure some more to be sure!!!!

    What a freaking weekend I had!

    But we love our new house!!!
    2008 Supra 21V-Currently For Sale

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    Vancouver, WA
    Posts
    5,456

    Default

    Well like you said - could have been much worse. Definitely won't do that again.

    Side story you should get a chuckle from: My last travel trailer. One of the last few trips of the year, headed home. Dump station was way too full so I thought "I'll just use the one at our storage facility after we get home". Got home, put everything away. Life is good.

    3 weeks later I go to the storage to get something out of the trailer. Unlock and swing the door open. My nose hairs instantly singed, eyes burned and watered. Turned around and just about hurled on the running boards of the motorhome next to me.

    Yeah, forgot to dump the 'FULL' blackwater tank.... and it got to stew in the trailer in nice hot weather for those 3 weeks. Another mistake you'll only make once in your life.
    So when is this "old enough to know better" supposed to kick in?

    2001 MobiusV - Slightly Modified...

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    South Carolina
    Posts
    812

    Default Learn from my mistakes

    Berg that definitely did make me laugh! Thank you!!


    I forgot to post pics of the clearance issue I had just for reference:
    ImageUploadedByTapatalk1381870388.941968.jpg starboard side
    ImageUploadedByTapatalk1381870443.326536.jpg port side

    I am hoping this drop hitch works..
    2008 Supra 21V-Currently For Sale

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    Vancouver, WA
    Posts
    5,456

    Default

    Plan C - Notch it!

    So when is this "old enough to know better" supposed to kick in?

    2001 MobiusV - Slightly Modified...

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Location
    On a NorCal Lake Somewhere!
    Posts
    536

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Cigars n scotch View Post
    ...I am hoping this drop hitch works..
    What is the drop hitch going to do? Haven't you already unhooked the boat and lowered the jack all the way down?

    Your story is exactly why I always double check the hitch no matter who hooked it up, and I stop at the end of my long driveway, get out and check again before hitting the main roads. I also double check everything at the launch ramp parking to make sure no one has messed with the trailer.

    Good thing the damage was minor!!
    Sent by the random thoughts from the voices in my head...

    Eric.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    South Carolina
    Posts
    812

    Default Learn from my mistakes

    Quote Originally Posted by EricU View Post
    What is the drop hitch going to do? Haven't you already unhooked the boat and lowered the jack all the way down?
    Well the drop hitch will lower the angle of the bow this hopefully also giving me a couple inches of clearance so those tower joints will fit. I have a tandem trailer and there's also a lip where the garage door seals so there is no unhooking the boat, lowering the trailer jack and pushing it in.
    2008 Supra 21V-Currently For Sale

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Location
    On a NorCal Lake Somewhere!
    Posts
    536

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Cigars n scotch View Post
    ...and there's also a lip where the garage door seals so there is no unhooking the boat, lowering the trailer jack and pushing it in.
    I know all about that garage slab lip, it should be there. Mine has that also, but that is what all those teenagers are for!

    Hope your hitch works out!
    Sent by the random thoughts from the voices in my head...

    Eric.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Henderson, NV
    Posts
    7,020

    Default

    must have 7ft doors.
    looks like you are very close. worst case if you have some ceiling height, for a few g's, they can move the header up and put in a 8ft but give you a 7.5ft opening.

    7ft doors should be outlawed

    sucks on the bumper but you gave some commuters a good show. remember that next time you see someone having issues on the road. you can say I've been there
    '06 Supra Launch 20SSV-gone but never forgotten

  9. #9
    Join Date
    May 2013
    Location
    Vancouver WA
    Posts
    5,019

    Default

    Or get a power trailer dolly.

    http://www.powercaster.com/Products.html



    Or have one built that looks like this:
    2008 Moomba Mobius XLV. Monster Cargo Bimini, WS Rev 410's, Polk Cabins, 3 Infinity Subs, PPI amps, WS420, Exile BT, upgraded ballast pumps, up to 3,500+ pounds of ballast, Blue LED's...
    1992 Supra Sunsport. **SOLD** 2k pounds ballast, Surf System, Blue LED's everywhere, decent audio system.
    Tow Rig: 2013 F150 Ecoboost FX4 (wife's rig) Other money pits include:1998 BMW M3 Cabriolet, 2009 Audic A6 Avant 3.0T, 2005 Kawasaki ZX-6R 636.
    www.TraysonsToybox.com

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jun 2013
    Location
    Oxford, MI
    Posts
    635

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Cigars n scotch View Post
    I was totally deflated after this because one of my main requirements when house hunting was to find one with a garage big enough to store the boat.

    I just ordered a MaxxTow Adjustable Height 10" drop hitch from etrailer.com to see if that would work, and it's back ordered so shipping witching 7 days! LoL! FML
    Speaking of deflated...I guess others on here deflate their tires to fit into the garage?

    As for hitch, why didn't you just go get the adjustable drop hitch from harbor freight for $25? Always in stock, and I'm not a big harbor freight guy or anything but it's a pretty dang good ball mount, I use it all the time now. 11" max drop.
    Boats previously owned - 2000 Supra Launch, 2003 Outback, 2006 Mobius LSV

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