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Hitching up?

gophergrad
gophergrad Member Posts: 115
in Solo Travelers Hints & Tips
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.
2017 CS-S Max (Silver & Yellow), TV 2019 Ram 1500
Camping under the Big Sky
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«13

Comments

  • ScottG
    ScottG Administrator Posts: 5,655
    edited June 2017
    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. 
    2015 T@B Max S (320)
    2015 Nissan Frontier SV V6 4x4
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  • marknjudy
    marknjudy Member Posts: 378
    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.
    Mark - 2016 T@b Max S (Silver/Red), 2012 F-150
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  • Ratkity
    Ratkity Member Posts: 3,770
    I finally broke down and used the "V" method. Yes, it works amazingly well!
    2017 820R Retro Toy Hauler from 2015 Tabitha T@B from 2009 Reverse LG Teardrop (but a T@Bluver at heart)
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  • gophergrad
    gophergrad Member Posts: 115
    Thanks! 
    2017 CS-S Max (Silver & Yellow), TV 2019 Ram 1500
    Camping under the Big Sky
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  • Photomom
    Photomom Member Posts: 2,217
    I used Verna's tape method and it works great along with the backup camera. Just back up slowly and make adjustments.
    John and Henrietta, Late 2016 T@B S Max in Western New York
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  • Homebodyatheart
    Homebodyatheart Member Posts: 2,516
    @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!
    2017 T@B 320 Max S silver and cherry red, L@dybug ("Bug" aka my esc@pe pod), TV 2015 Toyota Highlander aka Big Red
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  • Runtarooti
    Runtarooti Member Posts: 76
    Thank you @Verna! 
    2015 T@B Max CS-S Silver and Black
    Goes where it's towed to by 2017 Subaru Outback
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  • gophergrad
    gophergrad Member Posts: 115
    Well you're right -- I CAN see it with my rear view camera.  I'm going to get some reflective tape for sure though.


    2017 CS-S Max (Silver & Yellow), TV 2019 Ram 1500
    Camping under the Big Sky
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  • ericnliz
    ericnliz Member Posts: 4,437
    And the lady with the MAGIC WAND comes through again! Great idea @Verna! :)
    2016 T@B MAX S-aka: WolfT@B
    TV: 2006 Chevy Avalanche LT Z71 aka: WhiteWolf, or 1972 Chevy Custom10 P/U aka: SnarlingWolf
    Spokane, Wa.
    Eric aka: Lone Wolf  


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  • pthomas745
    pthomas745 Administrator, Moderator Posts: 4,527
    Someone needs to invent an approach lighting system like at an airport......
    2017 Outback
    Towed by 2014 Touareg TDi
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  • Homebodyatheart
    Homebodyatheart Member Posts: 2,516
    @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.
    2017 T@B 320 Max S silver and cherry red, L@dybug ("Bug" aka my esc@pe pod), TV 2015 Toyota Highlander aka Big Red
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  • pthomas745
    pthomas745 Administrator, Moderator Posts: 4,527
    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.)
    2017 Outback
    Towed by 2014 Touareg TDi
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  • dmerzbac
    dmerzbac Member Posts: 289
    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.

    2017 T@b 320 - 'Smokey'  2017 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport - 'B@ndit'
    Dave - Tuscaloosa, Al






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  • Homebodyatheart
    Homebodyatheart Member Posts: 2,516
    @dmerzbac my neighbor has an 18' rig and uses those balls and it works well for her.
    2017 T@B 320 Max S silver and cherry red, L@dybug ("Bug" aka my esc@pe pod), TV 2015 Toyota Highlander aka Big Red
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  • Donnab
    Donnab Member Posts: 60
    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! 

    Donna 2017  Maryland resident Colorado land owner outback white/black Toyota Tacoma  ; )
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  • Michigan_Mike
    Michigan_Mike Member Posts: 2,858
    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!   
    Mike - Elmira, Mi / 2019 T@B 400 / 2021 Chevy Silverado LTZ
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  • mickietucs
    mickietucs Member Posts: 720
    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.
    Michele, Tucson, AZ. TV - '13 F150 & '16 T@Bitha special order.


    You never really travel alone. The world is full of friends waiting to get to know you!

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  • dsatwork
    dsatwork Member Posts: 744
    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.
    2017 Tab Basic S Silver on Silver with Sofitel Cushions....upgraded from 2013 LG 5W....Towed by a 2016 Sorento V6 AWD w/5000lb tow capacity. Dave S. married to Jen aka SanDiegoGal We pull a Tab but live in a 2014 Airstream International Signature 27 FBQ...Talk about embracing a trailer lifestyle.
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  • Homebodyatheart
    Homebodyatheart Member Posts: 2,516
    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!
    2017 T@B 320 Max S silver and cherry red, L@dybug ("Bug" aka my esc@pe pod), TV 2015 Toyota Highlander aka Big Red
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  • Michigan_Mike
    Michigan_Mike Member Posts: 2,858
    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.  


    Mike - Elmira, Mi / 2019 T@B 400 / 2021 Chevy Silverado LTZ
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  • Jfrost6
    Jfrost6 Member Posts: 11
    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.
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  • gophergrad
    gophergrad Member Posts: 115
    edited June 2017
    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.
    2017 CS-S Max (Silver & Yellow), TV 2019 Ram 1500
    Camping under the Big Sky
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  • alchemist
    alchemist Member Posts: 39
    I use this to hitch up. Pretty cool invention. Simple and effective. https://unclenormsmarineproducts.com/collections/frontpage/products/never-miss-hitch-system
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  • sephaj
    sephaj Member Posts: 17
    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)
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  • SueBC
    SueBC Member Posts: 70
    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'.
    SueBC
    British Columbia, Canada
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  • TDR920
    TDR920 Member Posts: 4
    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.  
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  • Sharon_is_SAM
    Sharon_is_SAM Member Posts: 10,061
    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

    Sharon / 2017 T@B CSS / 2015 Toyota Sienna Minivan / Westlake, Ohio
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