New Theory

[Glenn Baglo]

I gave up on using flag decals to line up the tow and Toad for hooking up.
I'd removed the wide-angle mirror from the back of the tow, since it only served to give an excellent view of the spare tire. Reace messaged that he had seen such a mirror mounted on the Escape rock guard, but I took it one better.

I don't want to drill any holes in my new Escape and I noticed that the handle for the hitch jack is hollow. Got a 7/8 inch dowel and a short piece of 2x4. Drilled a 7/8 hole in the 2x4 and glued in the dowel. Mounted the wide angle mirror on the 2x4 and wrapped some tape around the dowel for a snug fit in the handle of the hitch jack.

I simply line up the handle with the hitch and then using the centre wire in the rear window defogger, I back up, keeping the defogger wire and the mirror post on line, until the hitch ball and hitch appear in the mirror.

Pix attached.

This is only economical since I had the mirror anyway.

baglo

[Donna D.]

Sweet! Now this is an idea, I could get a handle on

[james kent]

[b]Sweet! Now this is an idea, I could get a handle on

Pun intended

[pjanits]

Pure genius!

[Alf S.]

Hi: Glenn... Is it avail. from K Tell for $19.95+ shiping and handling???
Alf S. North shore of Lake Erie

[Alan #1119]

I use a backup camera system and painted the hitch white to give more definition on the screen. I first had a mirror system similar to yours but found it was very difficult to see when hitching in the dark.

[james kent]

I had the parts out in the garage, in a parts bin, half an hour and am now the owner of a "Baglo Hitch Buddy".
Great idea! Many thanks
Jim

[Anne H]

What a great idea!!! I just bought a mirror system - but I think adding the contrasting color would be good (and pretty easy to apply/re-apply with a can of spray paint).

I use a backup camera system and [b]painted the hitch white to give more definition on the screen. I first had a mirror system similar to yours but found it was very difficult to see when hitching in the dark.

[Gina D.]

Been using a premade item like that for years.

Mine is older and slightly different, and I sure didn't pay that kinda money for it, but it's the exact same concept.

It never made sense to me to put the mirror on the moving tug.. put it on the stationary trailer.

[Pete Dumbleton]

What I did for a while was bungee my topper rear hatch so it became a mirror to look down at the hitch -- Too lazy to paint the coupler white so it would show up -- Went back to 'get out and look' method.

Bought a convex mirror (like water ski mirror for boat) but never got around to installing it on trailer.

[Joe Z]

Back up til you hit the license plate then pull forward about two inches.......Done!
Only Kiddin ...........

[Jen'nBarb]

hitchin' poles..... am I the only one who loves em?

[Ed Felker]

Joe Z forgot the part that said to stop before it sounded too expensive.

[james kent]

Managed to take a picture today.

1 inch aluminum tubing from an old discarded lawn chair
A piece of 1/8 x 2" aluminum bar
a $3.95 mirror from a parts box.
Cost... zip

[Glenn Baglo]

Attachment 15576

Managed to take a picture today.

1 inch aluminum tubing from an old discarded lawn chair
A piece of 1/8 x 2" aluminum bar
a $3.95 mirror from a parts box.
Cost... zip

I like that. The tube over the handle is more secure than the dowel in the handle.

baglo

[The Hobo]

Woo hoo.
Gonna make one this winter.
Thanks for the great tips.!!

[John Hussey]

Another method for hitching:

I have considered this from Harbor Freight, only $9.99 and it saves those dings in the license plate

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Disp...temnumber=95684

[Russ & Marian McLean]

Another method for hitching:

I have considered this from Harbor Freight, only $9.99 and it saves those dings in the license plate

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Disp...temnumber=95684

I got these last month. Very happy with them. I usually end up close enough on side to side. And less than 2 inches front to back. Just need a little more practice

[kconley]

I tooka old plastic mini blind adjuster rod put a red rubber tip on it & a decal in the middle of the rear window. Stick the rod in the crank handle & line up the decal with the stick, back up till it touches the window decal & I'm lined up.. Total cost $00.00 & I only have a 3' rod to carry along....

[Vi Turner]

I tooka old plastic mini blind adjuster rod put a red rubber tip on it & a decal in the middle of the rear window. Stick the rod in the crank handle & line up the decal with the stick, back up till it touches the window decal & I'm lined up.. Total cost $00.00 & I only have a 3' rod to carry along....

I got the pair of magnets with the telescoping rods and what John calls the 'Ping Pong Balls'. and the trailer and tow vehicle line up fairly easy...and yes, practice makes it easier. Good way to go, although the mirrors look really useful too!