Tongue Height for quicker hook-ups

DukeHewett
DukeHewett Member Posts: 45
in Tips & Tricks
I posted this years ago, but hopefully it will be handy for some "newbies".   When getting ready to hook up the trailer to the tow vehicle, it helps to have the trailer tongue set at approximately the correct height plus a little for the tow vehicles ball to fit under it.  We used to 'kinda guess', but ended going back and forth until we got the correct height.   A tape measure would do the trick, but they aren't always handy.  BUT, your electrical connection cord is always there.   So once you get the correct height, use your electrical connection cord as a tape measure and put a piece of tape at the location on the cord of the correct height.  Walla, next time no more guessing, just jack up the tongue until it gets to the correct height using your electrical cord as a tape measure.  This method has saved us lots of time and hope it helps you as well.

Comments

  • Binghi
    Binghi Member Posts: 413
    I crank the trailer tongue up to where I think it’s about right, back my tow vehicle up close to the tongue, then eyeball it from there, making sure to give the bottom of the tongue a decent gap above the top of the hitch ball. Goes pretty quick and eliminates the possibility of an unfortunate tongue-hitch encounter.

    2021 400 BD / 2023 Ford F150 / Austin, TX

  • Dutch061
    Dutch061 Member Posts: 765
    I have a backup camera that you can zoom, makes it a 1 and done most of the time.

    Brad
    2020 400 BDL aka "Boonie"
    2022 Black Series HQ19 aka "Cricket"
    2021 F-250 Tremor with PSD aka "Big Blue"
    Concord, NC 
  • Slackers
    Slackers Member Posts: 490
    @DukeHewett I like your simple solution.  Instead of dropping the electrical connection side on the ground to do something similar with one of the chains.  Maybe a dab of paint on one of the links.
    2019 Tab 320 CSS, 2019 Ranger TV, OH
  • Denny16
    Denny16 Member Posts: 5,430
    Or tie a cable tie on the chain, grand idea.
     Cheers 
    2018 TaB400 Custom Boondock,  Jeep Gladiator truck, Northern California Coast.
  • GatorEgg
    GatorEgg Member Posts: 482
    I set the jack at the correct height to fit just above the ball.  Then I painted a horizontal stripe on the lower jack post next to trailer tongue.  It’s lasted three years.
    2022 TAB 400 Boondock, 2019 Toyota Tacoma Sport 4x4
    2018 TAB 320 Boondock (previous)
    Odessa, Fl.  

  • Slackers
    Slackers Member Posts: 490
    All good ideas!
    2019 Tab 320 CSS, 2019 Ranger TV, OH
  • tabiphile
    tabiphile Member Posts: 472
    We give the jack a few turns up and then back up to it. You should have some idea how many turns you gave it to level when you set up. Do that many or more. We then take a quick peek at it to see if we are lined up and turn the jack as much as necessary to clear the ball. Then we back under it and Bob's your uncle". 

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