badm0t0rfinger's 2014 Raptor build

[WAStateOverlander]

I borrowed a tiny 4’x4’ trailer from a neighbor once. It was impossible to back it up because I could not see it at all. My 3/4 ton truck rated to tow 14k and I couldn’t back up a trailer the size of a shopping cart, I’m sure I looked ridiculous.

When my son was 16 and freshly liscensed, I taught him how to back a trailer with a little pop up camper, maybe 15 feet long. 5 years later, taught my daughter with a newer, 28ft long camper. She had a much easier time (as long as she had a spotter) with not jackknifing, etc.

 

[Todd780]

Its not directly related to my build, but I took the ski out today. It was 60 degrees and the water temp in the mid 50s. It was great fun! I only got about 45 minutes out on the water. Took it out into the bay, got it up to about 50, cleaned it off and put it away. I'm gonna pop the "hood" of it and just make sure all the hoses and what not are good to go before taking it out this weekend for another longer adventure.

And I'm not gonna BS you guys.... the ski is WAY harder to back up onto the ramp than a boat.

 

[Todd780]

When my son was 16 and freshly liscensed, I taught him how to back a trailer with a little pop up camper, maybe 15 feet long. 5 years later, taught my daughter with a newer, 28ft long camper. She had a much easier time (as long as she had a spotter) with not jackknifing, etc.

Yup, I found the same thing when we changed from a pop up to a hard wall. Going from a single to a double axle helped too.

 

[badm0t0rfinger]

Short trailers are no fun.

Dude, I remember towing my moms boat (its on one of the 1st pages of this thread) and it was stupid easy backing it up.

When backing up, the shorter the trailer, the slower you must go. If you don't have them, get trailer posts and it will help you tremendously.

What model is your ski? I have two RXP's. Love them. Nothing like going 75 mph across the water.

I blacked this one out. The other one is exactly like it but still has the chrome on it.
View attachment 641822

2021 RXTX 300. I was originally looking at the GTX 300 but if you've been following the happenings with them they put on a bunch of new tech on this years model. Id rather wait until any teething problems are worked out. The RXTX was last refreshed in 2018 I believe so no worries about buying this year and in 2022 a new updating coming out.

Heres the day I bought it.

And heres a stock picture.

I borrowed a tiny 4’x4’ trailer from a neighbor once. It was impossible to back it up because I could not see it at all. My 3/4 ton truck rated to tow 14k and I couldn’t back up a trailer the size of a shopping cart, I’m sure I looked ridiculous.

Its the not seeing it that got me. Putting the ski into the water was easy enough.... but backing the bare trailer down... shoot I have no problem saying I reset that trailer 2 times before getting it down successfully.

When my son was 16 and freshly liscensed, I taught him how to back a trailer with a little pop up camper, maybe 15 feet long. 5 years later, taught my daughter with a newer, 28ft long camper. She had a much easier time (as long as she had a spotter) with not jackknifing, etc.

This is literally my experience flipped. Helped my parents put the boat in when I was like 16 or 17... 24 footer I think... super easy, just pull past the dock, turn and back in and then pull straight away if you flub the line. This trailer was so twitchy, felt like it just naturally wanted to wander compared to the bigger stuff. Funny part was my s/o who didnt know any better was making fun because "it should be easy since its so small".

 

[ITTOG]

Dude, I remember towing my moms boat (its on one of the 1st pages of this thread) and it was stupid easy backing it up.



2021 RXTX 300. I was originally looking at the GTX 300 but if you've been following the happenings with them they put on a bunch of new tech on this years model. Id rather wait until any teething problems are worked out. The RXTX was last refreshed in 2018 I believe so no worries about buying this year and in 2022 a new updating coming out.

Heres the day I bought it.

And heres a stock picture.

Its the not seeing it that got me. Putting the ski into the water was easy enough.... but backing the bare trailer down... shoot I have no problem saying I reset that trailer 2 times before getting it down successfully.



This is literally my experience flipped. Helped my parents put the boat in when I was like 16 or 17... 24 footer I think... super easy, just pull past the dock, turn and back in and then pull straight away if you flub the line. This trailer was so twitchy, felt like it just naturally wanted to wander compared to the bigger stuff. Funny part was my s/o who didnt know any better was making fun because "it should be easy since its so small".

Those are nice. I really like the bigger nose protection. Mine are '07 models and are still running great. At times I wish they would die to get some new ones but that is foolish thought.

In case it isn't clear, these are the posts I was talking about. Will solve all your problems.

 

[badm0t0rfinger]

Those are nice. I really like the bigger nose protection. Mine are '07 models and are still running great. At times I wish they would die to get some new ones but that is foolish thought.

In case it isn't clear, these are the posts I was talking about. Will solve all your problems.

Yeah its worlds apart from the 95 GTX I grew up riding. I really like the the seating position of these and they're probably the best looking of the current batch available. I liked the Yamaha, but they sit really high, and the Kawasakis aren't bad but that tech on them are... 15 years old at a minimum. The reverse mechanism and lack of neutral were big deal breakers. Even if Kawi throws huge engines in everything, they're basically big V8 muscle cars....with drum brakes.

I may end up picking those up, thanks for the suggestion.

 

[SDDiver5]

Since we're on the topic. My best buddy got a boat and a new GX (both new to them) in the same week, limo tinted the GX and we showed up to my fams river house in the dark and he had never backed up before. He's one of those "i know everything I'm always right" kind of guys and me, my wife and his wife got a great laugh from afar watching him refuse to ask for help. Goooood time.

My dad made my learn how to back up with a trailer when I was 15 and got my learners permit. I had to "pass" backing up the boat from our storage spot, throhgh Z type of turn and then back it into our side yard. He made all 5 of us learn.

OP- I don't do cold water but once we get a Santa Ana come in let's go ride the bay

 

[Deleted member 9101]

Lengthen the tongue by '... Problem solved.

 

[badm0t0rfinger]

Lengthen the tongue by '... Problem solved.

I'm looking into it. I also may just deal with it for a while until I get a longer trailer... with room for 2.

Since we're on the topic. My best buddy got a boat and a new GX (both new to them) in the same week, limo tinted the GX and we showed up to my fams river house in the dark and he had never backed up before. He's one of those "i know everything I'm always right" kind of guys and me, my wife and his wife got a great laugh from afar watching him refuse to ask for help. Goooood time.

My dad made my learn how to back up with a trailer when I was 15 and got my learners permit. I had to "pass" backing up the boat from our storage spot, throhgh Z type of turn and then back it into our side yard. He made all 5 of us learn.

OP- I don't do cold water but once we get a Santa Ana come in let's go ride the bay

I'm one of those guys, but only when it comes to doing thing I actually know what the heck I am doing. Backing up trailers is such an infrequent task up til now. I'm sure it was a hoot watching.

Like I said when I was younger I backed up my parents 20 something footer into Lake Huron and really didnt have a problem. It was also probably 1 and a half times longer than the ski trailer and despite what my s/o thinks, that makes it so much damn easier.

I am fine with cold water. Heck I might head over to Fiesta Island on Sunday.... the last bit of this rain is supposed to come through today into tomorrow and then be gone for a few weeks. 68 and sunny should be good enough to get some break in time before the real season starts! I am down for a bay ride. Id like to go out to Isla Coronado, but that would be a group ride for sure... and probably VHF radio purchase before then.

 

[badm0t0rfinger]

@ITTOG I think I have a solution using kind of what you showed me. More to come... testing the viability of it tomorrow.

@SDDiver5 The water today was actually amazing, it was the wind that got me wanting to leave the beach.

 

[McCarthy]

My last house had about a 300' driveway, but not quite enough paved to turn around with a trailer without driving on my nice lawn, so every time I put the ski in the water I had to back an empty ski trailer 300'. OMFG that was so frustrating. I can back a normal trailer up that driveway as easily as backing a truck up it, but that stupid ************** ski trailer made me want to shoot someone lol.

 

[badm0t0rfinger]

I finally got around to installing my new awning from OVS. I ended up picking up the 270 LT model back in October only for it to go MIA until mid January. It looks really sharp and was super easy to install [with a helper]. Its a bit heavier than the CVT square awning I had on it prior, but it doesnt take up any more real estate when stowed. This will definitely get some use in the near future going to the beach.

 

[SDDiver5]

Nice!

 

[Deleted member 9101]

Looks sharp!

 

[badm0t0rfinger]

Dropped the tailgaite... pulled the tailgate assist anchor right on out.