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05-15-2009, 09:47 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Trailer: Casita
Posts: 433
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I bought one of the Ball Alignment Kits at Harbor Freight because I've always wanted to try one and they are on sale now for $10. If you are interested, now's your chance.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/disp...temnumber=95684
I'll let you know how well it works.
Keith
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05-15-2009, 10:10 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Trailer: 1991 Scamp 16 ft
Posts: 392
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I have one and it's useful but I have a hard time placing it on the trailer end. I'd like it to be right on top of the ball receptacle but it's rounded so it doesn't stay on it well. Maybe I need to make an offset base.
__________________
"The babbling that I brook." - Pink Floyd
1991 Scamp 16'
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05-15-2009, 10:23 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Trailer: Casita
Posts: 433
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Quote:
I have one and it's useful but I have a hard time placing it on the trailer end. I'd like it to be right on top of the ball receptacle but it's rounded so it doesn't stay on it well. Maybe I need to make an offset base.
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I haven't been out to the trailer yet, to look at my situation, but I'll bet it's the same issue. The first thing that I'll do, if it is, is attach a small flat plate of steel to the top of the ball socket on the trailer, so the magnetic base will have a firm seat. Since I can't weld anymore, and I really wouldn't want to weld / heat the socket end up that much anyway, I'll just roughen both surfaces nicely and use my favorite "duct tape in a tube" (J B Weld) to stick the plate on. Since it has no structural funtion, the JB Weld should work just fine.
Thanks for the heads up.
EKW
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05-15-2009, 10:34 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Trailer: Casita
Posts: 451
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Quote:
I haven't been out to the trailer yet, to look at my situation, but I'll bet it's the same issue. The first thing that I'll do, if it is, is attach a small flat plate of steel to the top of the ball socket on the trailer, so the magnetic base will have a firm seat. [b] Since I can't weld anymore, and I really wouldn't want to weld / heat the socket end up that much anyway, I'll just roughen both surfaces nicely and use my favorite "duct tape in a tube" (J B Weld) to stick the plate on. Since it has no structural funtion, the JB Weld should work just fine.
Thanks for the heads up.
EKW
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I've been a machinist and at one time I welded good enough to get a union millwright certificate. So I know what its like to "loose it".
I just ordered one... as a loner I need help getting lined up.
Thanks
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05-15-2009, 11:11 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Trailer: 2000 16 ft Casita Spirit Deluxe
Posts: 170
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Strange...but I bought one too at a somewhat local Harbor Freight store a little south or my city yesterday, for $9.99. Along beside it was a new sway bar, Haul Master,complete with all pieces and parts for $32.00 and I got it too, to replace my older but rusty sway bar that came with my used trailer. I was getting tired of getting in and out of the vehicle to hook it up and anything that will save me an entrance/exit or two is certainly worth that! I'll try it out soon...
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05-15-2009, 12:54 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Trailer: Casita
Posts: 433
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Quote:
I've been a machinist and at one time I welded good enough to get a union millwright certificate. So I know what its like to "loose it".
I just ordered one... as a loner I need help getting lined up.
Thanks
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My problem is that I have a Defibrillator implanted and I can't be close to Magnetic Fields or it shuts the critter off. Can't even lean over a running car engine. So, I sold my Arc Welder since I couldn't use it.
Thanks,
EKW
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05-15-2009, 04:33 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Trailer: Scamp 16 ft Side Dinette
Posts: 1,185
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I bought one last year and used it several times, often by myself, at other times with my wife helping as well. That was with our Ford Ranger, I have used it a few times this year with the Ford F-150 with the same results, ei worked well. I place it on the "lip" of the trailer's hitch & behind the ball on the tow.
__________________
DesertHawk- Las Cruces, NM USA
2015 Lance 1985 ~ Casita de Campo ~23' 4"
~Previously ~ 2005 16' Scamp
2009 White Ford F-150 Reg. Cab Longbed ARE Topper
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05-15-2009, 05:23 PM
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#8
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Member
Trailer: Casita Spirit Deluxe 17 ft
Posts: 83
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I use two of these:
They're easy to stow in the glove box and useful for other jobs. Plus they're cheaper.
I bought the 6# ones which are extreme overkill. Everytime I take them out of the glove box, half the crap in there comes out stuck to them.
Pat
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05-15-2009, 10:07 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Trailer: 2007 Casita
Posts: 3,428
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Since buying a truck with a backup camera, I don't need it, or at least I shouldn't after I get use to the back up camera ( takes a little getting use to) but I may still pick one up as another target. But sure wish I had one with the old truck. Since Dh can't help so wellllllllllllll. I was forever jumping out and checking till I got it just right. Great find Keith
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05-15-2009, 10:27 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Trailer: 1974 Boler 13 ft (Neonex/Winnipeg)
Posts: 3,008
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"Okay, about three feet back and way to the left."
Get back in car, reverse, stop. "Oh, maybe a bit farther back."
Back up towards hitch.
Get out of car and walk to back.
"Okay, 2 feet back and eight inches to the left"
Get back in car, reverse, stop. Consider backing a bit more. Reverse. Stop.
Get out of car and walk to back.
"Okay 9 inches back and three to the left"
Get back in car.....
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05-16-2009, 05:29 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Trailer: 1988 16 ft Scamp Deluxe
Posts: 25,697
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I get some of my best exercise when hitching up... or trying to hitch up!. I've tried all sorts of helpful hints and tools, none have been all that great (for me). Next up to try is to build one of these: Mirror - in New Theory topic
__________________
Donna D.
Ten Forward - 2014 Escape 5.0 TA
Double Yolk - 1988 16' Scamp Deluxe
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05-17-2009, 10:30 PM
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#12
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Member
Trailer: No Trailer Yet
Posts: 42
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Ive used the Harbor Freight 'tennis balls' for some time. I put on under the latch on the trailer and the other on the hitch just behind the ball. I make sure that the trailer is raised above the ball and when the one on the truck is pushed back, stop, pull the parking break, and make only minor corrections to get it on the ball.
They work for me!
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05-18-2009, 07:43 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
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I get the Harbor Freight email specials, yesterday the weekly coupons have these for $7.99.
__________________
Former 83 Burro Owner (destroyed in fire)
Looking for a new Fiberglass Project Trailer in New England.
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05-31-2009, 12:30 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Trailer: Casita
Posts: 451
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I got mine and since it has a flat bottom it wont stay aligned on the round hitch casing.
Here is how I fixed that.
Used two nuts on each side and just squeezed them in until the tennis ball was straight up.
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05-31-2009, 03:34 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Trailer: 1973 Compact Jr
Posts: 532
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I guess you can tell I am both cheap and old-school by the fact that I use a broom. I already have the broom anyway to sweep out the trailer and whatever.
When it's time to hook up I just lean the broom against the coupler on the driver's side. I then back up using the rearview mirror (the one on the windshield) and line up the center of the high-mounted center brake light with the broom handle (well, a little to the passenger's side because the broom is on the driver's side of the hitch) then back up until the broom is nudged.
That's it!
The ball is in the right place every time.
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