Hitching Solo - Fiberglass RV
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Old 06-15-2003, 03:30 PM   #1
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Hitching Solo

Posted by Greg Grosz, Member, Santa Paula, CA

Hitching Solo
I will be taking my 17' trailer out by myself at times and need a device to help me see the trailer hitch and back of my truck to get the ball aligned properly.
My truck has a hard Snugtop that won't allow me to slip a mirror over my tailgate. What other ingenious devices are available to let me get hooked up when by myself and where do I find them?

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Greg



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Old 06-15-2003, 03:52 PM   #2
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Posted by Benita, Member, Atlanta metro

Greg,

There is a search feature on this sight that will allow you to research topics. If you enter your topic you will get a listing of previous posts on the subject.

Since hitch will come up again and again on the site, try using a second word and putting both words in quotes. That way the two words together have to be in the post. Try "hitch align" or "solo hitch" or some variant.

An old thread under "solo hitching": http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/read.php...=258&page=5

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Benita Fern-Ellen / Sister Scribe
1982 Fiber Stream - The Runabout



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Old 06-15-2003, 03:54 PM   #3
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Posted by Charlie Crouchet, Member, Austin & Marble Falls, TX

I use a pair of old magnetic mount cb antennas with little plastic flags on them. One on the ball and the other on the trailer hitch. That gets me close enough to stop,get out, look it over,decide what to do, and inch myself the last couple of inches by "feel". Not the most efficent but servicable and can move from rig to rig. The price is right, $1.00 each at Goodwill.

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Charlie C



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Old 06-15-2003, 05:10 PM   #4
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Ball and expandable rod thingie

Posted by Mark M., Member, of So. Cal.

Ball and explandable rod thingie


I bought a kit on eBay that works pretty good. It cost $12.95 + $4 shipping.


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Old 06-16-2003, 04:29 AM   #5
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Hitch

Posted by Lyndon Laney, Member, from Mid Southish Minnesota

Hitch
I use the 'BULLS EYE' FRom JC whitney

I have it mounted as permanent but it has magnetic base and can me put on for each hook up The small cable hooks on the trailer and the indicater is mounted where you can see it and as you back up a lite will come on as you get too far to one side and when you are directly over the ball both lites will come on. About 50.00

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Lyndon Laney
L-3
Scamp 5w



Last edited by: Lyndon Laney on 06-16-03 05:35:49



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Old 06-16-2003, 05:55 AM   #6
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Posted by phil moldovan, Member, from johnsonn city, tenn

I always hook up alone and just use a device called intuition. Actually I do have a mark on the carport to spot the rear truck tire when hooking up at home. Our rigs are light enough to do the fine adjusting literally "by hand".

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Phil M
2000 Casita 16' Spirit Deluxe
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Old 06-17-2003, 08:32 AM   #7
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Thanks Mark!

Posted by JR Holland, Member, from Currently MD

Thanks Mark!
I love the little e-bay item. Bought one just now. Great idea and cheap.



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JR
Freedom AND Wheeled Peace
'77 Trillium 4500/'02 Subaru Forester



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Old 06-17-2003, 12:21 PM   #8
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Me Too

Posted by Greg Grosz, Member, Santa Paula CA

Me Too

I also just bought the ebay item and will let you know how it goes.

Thanks


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Greg



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Old 06-17-2003, 03:46 PM   #9
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Align-Quik

Posted by Jim Meeks, Member, Paducah, KY

Align-Quik

Greg,
I use an Align-Quik and have had good results with it. Check the url and you will find answers to your questions.

http://www.hitchingguides.com/



-----------------------------
Jim & Peggy
Cuckoo's Nest
17' Spirit Deluxe

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Old 06-17-2003, 07:01 PM   #10
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backing

Posted by PineConeDon, Member, Oklahoma City, OK

backing
I'm with Phil M.:

Get lined up, back it close, get out, if yur a foot away get back in the car and leave the door open. Line up a spot on the ground with the door post and back til you've got a foot. Then if the trailer is sittin on it's tongue wheel, it'll usually move enuf to hook it up.

Oh, ya didn't get it lined up to begin with???.....well, there ya go! Mabe it's a 'left brain, right brain' thing. :)

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PineConeDon

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Old 06-19-2003, 09:06 PM   #11
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Posted by Mark M., Member, So. Cal.

Greg,
You should have your 'hitch finder' by now. The guy ships really fast.

What do you think?

I really like mine.

This is one of those things you wish you had invented. It probably brings in an extra $500 to $1000 per month for the guy, judging by his feedback. Nice product, fulfills need, cheap to make and a good profit margin even if you sell it cheap.

I think I need to think of a 'trailer thingie' and sell it on eBay!



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Old 06-19-2003, 09:43 PM   #12
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Amen

Posted by Greg Grosz, Member, Santa Paula, CA

Amen
I think you're right. Now to put on the thinking cap for one of those inventions....

Greg


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Greg



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Old 06-21-2003, 04:07 PM   #13
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line up

Posted by Mike T, Member, Pacific South West

line up
Greg, it can be intimidating to tow at first but as you become more comfortable things like hitching alone become easier. Time will sharpen your senses and it will get easier. Infact, easier than having an assistant, I think. I have a canopy on my PU as well and don't notice any hinderance.

This message might be too late as I notice you have bought some sort of aid, but my guess is you'll find it faster and easier without one and eventualy you'll leave it behind.

Happy trails.


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Bigfoot-made at the turn of the last century.

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