Hitching up?

gophergrad

I know some of y'all fly solo, which means you hitch up solo too.  I could sure use some tips and tricks for that..... My TV has a rear view camera, but it does not have the "look down at the hitch" feature.  Thanks.

ScottG

Interesting, I can clearly see my hitch ball with the camera on my 2015 Nissan Frontier without any adjustment. It definitely makes lining up a snap, though the view angle can make judging the exact point to stop a little tricky.

I've seen low-tech rigs that are basically balls on sticks. You put one on the trailer and one on the tow vehicle, look out the back window, and back up until the balls touch. 

marknjudy

That's probably the best method - what ScottG describes. My method is more low tech. I back up towards the trailer trying to keep the tailgate centered to the trailer. When I "feel" like I'm close enough (you tend to get a spider sense for it), I get out and check. I make a mental measurement of how far away I am - usually within 18 inches. I make a mark 18 inches in front of my open truck door and back up slowly until the mark lines up with the door. Takes a small amount of practice but I can generally hit it within an inch on the first try.

Verna

I put pieces of reflective tape on my hitch so I can see it to get the ball centered under it. Otherwise, it was just a black blob that I couldn't distinguish from the shadows. I used red tape on the middle with white tape on either side of the red to make it very visible in the camera. 

Ratkity

I finally broke down and used the "V" method. Yes, it works amazingly well!

gophergrad

Thanks! 

Photomom

I used Verna's tape method and it works great along with the backup camera. Just back up slowly and make adjustments.

Homebodyatheart

@gophergradwith my back up camera I can see the top of the hitch and the ball and I can get the hitch within 1/4" of dead center or dead center after the few times I've towed. The bright tape is a good idea! Good luck!

dsatwork

Verna said:

I put pieces of reflective tape on my hitch so I can see it to get the ball centered under it. Otherwise, it was just a black blob that I couldn't distinguish from the shadows. I used red tape on the middle with white tape on either side of the red to make it very visible in the camera. 

This is why I read every single post...that's brilliant Verna

Runtarooti

Thank you @Verna! 

gophergrad

Well you're right -- I CAN see it with my rear view camera.  I'm going to get some reflective tape for sure though.

ericnliz

And the lady with the MAGIC WAND comes through again! Great idea @Verna!

pthomas745

Someone needs to invent an approach lighting system like at an airport......

Homebodyatheart

@pthomas745 in the meantime you could strap one of those LED headlamps centered over the front of the hitch for a "beacon." This would be particularly useful at dusk or night.

pthomas745

I've only "hitched up" about 15 times now, and my backup camera on my car has been a lifesaver.  On my last trip, the sun was directly behind the car, and completely messed up the camera!  I wound up using a chock on the propane box for the "azimuth" and another chock for the distance I needed to back up (like Marknjudy described above.)

dmerzbac

Since I don't have a backup camera, I just use those magnetic stick things with the yellow balls on top. One on the hitch and one on the coupler and it only takes me a few moments to line it up and get it hitched. I do have those backup sensors and use the "beeps" to tell me when the hitch ball is under the coupler.

Homebodyatheart

@dmerzbac my neighbor has an 18' rig and uses those balls and it works well for her.

Donnab

I hitched up all by myself this weekend! I do have backup camera and it's great!  I was able to line up fairly easy.
after I hooked up I woke my husband up from a nap to inspect my handy work and make sure I was good to go.
tried practicing backing up which I really suck at! I was also able to unhitching by myself after my husband parked her for me.
going to hitch up again this weekend and go to an empty lot to practice backing up! 

Michigan_Mike

I've used various means for this task over the years as it does get frustrating getting in (as a solo camper/backer-upper) and out of the tow vehicle during this process.  I would get the ball aligned as close as possible to the trailer hitch without banging into it (been there and done that!) and if it meant straightening the vehicle/trailer alignment out enough where it was a straight backing maneuver I would estimate the distance from the ball to the hitch (let's say 4 feet), I'd hang one foot out of the vehicle, have a rock or scratched-out line in the dirt, back up to the estimated point marked (with foot outside the door) and when my foot aligned with the mark on the ground I would have the hitch pretty much over the ball.  

Now all I have to do is look at the dash screen on the Silverado ad back it up under the hitch...  Piece a cake!   

mickietucs

No backup camera so it's the very old method. Luckily width-wise, my truck is about the same as the T@B so I can usually line up the handles in my side mirrors and get that part down as I slowly back up. I then have to get in/out of the truck to see where to stop but it works. I like @Michigan_Mike's rock tip - might try that the next time.

dsatwork

After just getting back from our 15 day excursion, backing up to the hitch went pretty well. @Sandiegogal doesn't even stand there waiting to see if I need help anymore. Even if I can't see the hitch ball because the sun is shading it , the green, yellow and red lines get me pretty close. Usually I can just bounce it into position if the wheel is in yellow wheel dock or roll it if not. I found some yellow reflective tape I used to make myself more visible while riding my bike and put a triangle on the hitch where the camera can see it and a round one on the ball cover. Can't wait to try it out next time we are out.

Homebodyatheart

Someone way back when on the forum had a great tip for backing at night. She put a lantern on the drivers side of the parking space where she wanted to end up and aimed for that. We used this method using 2 Luci lights, one on each side of the open doors, to guide Bug into her shed after a mod party where we got home after dark. Worked really well!

Michigan_Mike

Homebodyatheart said:

Someone way back when on the forum had a great tip for backing at night. She put a lantern on the drivers side of the parking space where she wanted to end up and aimed for that. We used this method using 2 Luci lights, one on each side of the open doors, to guide Bug into her shed after a mod party where we got home after dark. Worked really well!

Another great use for the Luci lights!   We have 4 of these lights and absolutely love them as they do charge up nicely and provide enough light to brighten up any room and you can easily read with them too.  

Jfrost6

I use my old GoPro 3 with wireless signal to my phone.  All I have to do is strap the camera to the hitch of my jeep and backup.  I usually get within 1/2" of being directly over the ball.

gophergrad

So do you folks use the jockey wheel and move the T@b for fine adjustments?  We have found that there is little to no room for error with our hitch (it's very new), and a 1/2" is enough to prevent the coupler from closiing completely..... 

I also learned that I just expect everyone to know  the army hand signals used when backing things up (I was wrong!), and immediately misinterpreted the signals I was seeing.  Oops.  I also learned that my much shorter SU needs to hold her arms up pretty high so I can see her hands.

alchemist

I use this to hitch up. Pretty cool invention. Simple and effective. https://unclenormsmarineproducts.com/collections/frontpage/products/never-miss-hitch-system

HR_Taly

My reverse camera points directly at my hitch, so I'm pretty lucky I guess! (I'm a solo traveler, too).  When I stopped to see my parents, my father had found this Magnetic Trailer Alignment Kit at Harbor Freight for less than $10 and bought them for me as a gift.  He thought they were so neat, I didn't have the heart to tell him I had a camera!  

To make him happy I said what the heck, and put them on anyway.  Wow... they work great!  I certainly could have hitched up myself using these and not the camera.  They are certainly worth a try before investing in a more expensive system.

https://www.harborfreight.com/magnetic-trailer-alignment-kit-69778.html

sephaj

A neighbor of mine that has a T@B recommended this for TV's that don't have backup cameras. It is a bit spendy, but she swears by it. The viewing screen plugs into a cigarette lighter.

Rear View Safety RVS-83112 Video Camera with 3.5-Inch LCD (Black)

SueBC

Wondering if anyone uses  RVS-83112 Wireless Hitch Camera. I don't yet have one, but am thinking on purchasing for when I am hitching up (flying solo). It is totally wireless, and attaches on stuff with a powerful magnet. For hitching up, and backing up into a campsite, could be a nice little 'assist'.

TDR920

I have no backup camera.  When I picked up my T@B, the guy at the dealership gave me absolutely no help when I backed up so car hit the trailer coupling.  I pulled ahead a foot or so, and since we were on asphalt I just pulled the trailer forward a foot.   Since then I picked up "Bump-It" rods and will try them the next time out.  

Sharon_is_SAM

Sorry your dealer experience was lacking.  If I ever solo camp as planned, I may consider this too.  Even with the backup camera.

http://www.doityourselfrv.com/trailer-hitch-alignment-products/

http://www.trailerlife.com/uncategorized/hitching-made-easy/

https://www.amazon.com/Camco-44603-Magnetic-Hitch-Alignment/dp/B007772HG4


https://www.harborfreight.com/magnetic-trailer-alignment-kit-69778.html