Maintenance & Restoration

Art Davis · 11-16-2006, 08:57 AM

Just ran across this on a single gal full timer's web site. She uses them and swears by them. Since they look so interesting, I thought I would post the link and see what you folks thought.

Here 'tis:

http://garage-toys.com/alquichitgui.html

Art

Byron Kinnaman · 11-16-2006, 09:16 AM

I've seen those but never tried them. I find that "Back-up Buddy " works pretty good for me. Back-up Buddy is available from a Fiberglassrv member. Here's the link to his posting.

Jerry Jacobs · 11-16-2006, 09:16 AM

I have used the alignment sticks for several years and when you are traveling along they are great to get the ball to the hitch.
I also use the V-shape tunneling plate to move the hitch over the top of the ball, with these two its a snap to get hitched by yourself.
The only thing you have to do is once the alignment sticks are pushed away, is to stop and assure that the hitch is ABOVE the ball so the V-plate can do its job.
My alignment sticks costed 17 dollars from Amazon site several years ago

Happy camping

Per Walthinsen · 11-16-2006, 09:57 AM

I do have the Back-up Buddy, but on my van the alignment so that I can see the hitch has not been worked out very well yet. Maybe next time. In the meantime I try to make a game of it to see how well I can align the hitch ball by jumping in and out of the van to estimate how far and where I have to go to align everything. There is also the thrill and the danger of making a mistake by backing too far and crashing into the tongue (I have evidence).

I am thinking of making a training video of me jumping in and out of the van to do this. The exitement would probably leave most people breathless (or convulsed).

After the deluge has stopped here (July) I will complete installing the back-up camera. It will probably work much to well for my liking and contribute a bit to my post-middle age spread. It is possible that I am my own worst enemy.

Anne H · 11-16-2006, 02:52 PM

Jumping in and out of the car and running to the back of my SUV to check the alignment is a major source of aerobic exercise for me - makes up for the long hours sitting still and driving.

Ron B. · 11-16-2006, 11:01 PM

I made my own by glueing a magnet to the bottom of two rods that have a flag on them. I put one on the ball one behind to coupler on the trailer. When the trailer coupling hits the one on the ball I know I'm there. Works great. Just wish I had used bigger stronger magnets.

Gerry · 11-17-2006, 02:51 AM

I do not use any alinement devices other then the center of my talegate and when I get to where I think it's close I stope.
Get out and make sure the trailer hitch is high enough and note the distance I need to go back and any slight adj. I may need to make.
Now when I am back in the drivers seat I leave door open and look at the front tire and note a spot on ground say 6 inches that I need to back up and drive my truck back till I am at that spot and ussually it works every time.
Gerry

Brian B-P · 11-17-2006, 12:32 PM

I use exactly the same method as Gerry, but since I drive a van I hook up with the tailgate open and use the latch as the "center of tailgate" mark. Since I can't judge the distance as well as Gerry, I end up getting in and out like everyone else. Since I now have one dent in my bumper (the ball is really close to the bumper and I backed up a bit too far once), I am considering my options for an alignment aid like the ones being discussed here.

I think a camera would be a great high-tech solution, but I just don't think the problem needs that much technology.

Per Walthinsen · 11-17-2006, 03:48 PM

Well, Brian, I would agree with you heartily, but there are other considerations in our case. Our van usually sits in a driveway pointed down at about a 30 degree angle (under-house garage) and when backing out it is REALLY impossible to see what's behind. (I like the idea of opening the tailgate, but by that time there is too much "Stuff" packed in the rear.)

I watched my wife from the window one morning as she was unable to see the car in the driveway opposite ours also backing out. They were headed for an intimate encounter until someone finally saw the problem. Add kids, pedestrians, etc. and rearward vision is a real concern with our van.

The first camera will be placed on the rear of the trailer because the Burro is wider than most and cars sneak up on us when we least expect it. The second will be on the van IF the first one works OK. But, the overtechnologizing (huh?) bothers me too.

Alf S. · 11-17-2006, 04:16 PM

Quote:

I do not use any alinement devices other then the center of my talegate and when I get to where I think it's close I stope.
Get out and make sure the trailer hitch is high enough and note the distance I need to go back and any slight adj. I may need to make.
Now when I am back in the drivers seat I leave door open and look at the front tire and note a spot on ground say 6 inches that I need to back up and drive my truck back till I am at that spot and ussually it works every time.
Gerry

Hi: We bought our trailer this year...I've had my alignment device for almost 35 yrs!!!

... Sometimes I even listen!!!

Alf S. North shore of Lake Erie

Brian B-P · 11-17-2006, 04:58 PM

Quote:

...The first camera will be placed on the rear of the trailer because the Burro is wider than most and cars sneak up on us when we least expect it. The second will be on the van IF the first one works OK. But, the overtechnologizing (huh?) bothers me too.

I just think that two sticks is a more appropriate level of technology than a camera for judging the ball/coupler alignment. Seeing behind or past the trailer is another matter entirely, and I'm interested in a camera for that, too...it's just way down my to-do list!

Penny Taylor · 11-17-2006, 07:12 PM

I have one of those plastic wide angle lens (about $10 at RV store) on the back window of my van, it sure does help seeing kids, dogs, cars, that are right behind you, in your blind spot.

I wouldn't be without it.

**Gina D.** · 11-17-2006, 09:24 PM

I have one of those lenses on the Element.

My first trailer was a fold up (It didn't pop, it folded!) and it sat so low that I could not see it when towing.

At 400 pounds, I couldn't feel it either. The lens didn't do much for feel, but being able to see it was still back there was comforting.

I have a mirror that actually mounts on the trailer frame, near the coupler. It is on a pole and it arches over the coupler.

It works sort of in reverse of the Back Up buddy, but it's the same cancept. Instead of watching the coupler approach the ball, I watch the ball appraoch the coupler.

I have a light that goes in the pole when at camp and the mirror is stowed.

Donna D. · 11-18-2006, 05:51 AM

Quote:

I have a mirror that actually mounts on the trailer frame, near the coupler. It is on a pole and it arches over the coupler.

Brand name Gina? I have a Backup Buddy and it works as advertised, but the stinger on my tug is looooong and it spend more time adjusting the mirror to the right angle than it takes to fuss around hooking up. Maybe what you've got would work better for me?