Has anyone seen the Snap Hitch that advertises on PUT's home page?
No, but I think it is one of the coolest ideas ever.
On the other hand, my wife is TOPS in getting us lined up (Me driving, her directing). I rarely have to move forward or start over. She almost always puts the hitch ball halfway under the trailer hitch, which is where I want it.
Larry
I rec'd a demo unit to review for the magazine that I'm supposed to send back.
It ain't going back! It makes hitching and unhitching very, very easy, and it smooths out the ride when towing. It's a little pricey but worth it.
Go to popuptimes.com and click on their link on the left - please.
D.
I am guessing that there isn't a WDH version of the quick hitch? I have a Honda Minivan which requires a WDH hitch. I am currently using the Reese 350 one designed for popups. It seems though it takes a very, very long time for me to hook it up.
I would guess the same as edward - no WDH version. Otherwise, it looks very interesting.
Austin
very cool product, but out of my budget at $250! i'll keep using the DW. even though she's not quite as accurate as larry's, I guess I'll keep her!
travis
Quote from: tknickvery cool product, but out of my budget at $250! i'll keep using the DW. even though she's not quite as accurate as larry's, I guess I'll keep her!
travis
She really does it well. Fast learner. She had never been around popups or trailers or hitches at all (other than one trip with a friend). Told her the first time where I wanted it, and she put me there. She simply realizes that a trailer hitch is moved gradually, and that I can't move a foot to the right or left AFTER I have reached the trailer.
Maybe we oughta do an instructional video:
How to Hitch Up to Your Trailer
...and Keep your Marriage Intact
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:D
Larry
Wow... actually, kind of a scary device!
If you do not have it exactly lined up, then you are going to rip your trailer to the side.
If you back up a bit too much, you will push your trailer backwards.
In either case, you destroy your tongue jack. Watch the video on their website again -- their "demo" trailer has a very rusty & bent tongue jack (honestly, that does not even look safe!).
(http://www.goglen.com/post/jack.jpg)
If your trailer is not on 100% level ground, it has to be "contained" either with wheel chocks, or if a dual-axle, with screw scissor-chocks. In this case, backing into your trailer even slightly off-center may produce damaging torque on the joint.
Sorry, but if you need help, you are better off buying the $20 "Align-Quik" guides from the PUT site -- I did.
(http://hitchingguides.com/hitch5.jpg)
I'm with Glen, for $20 you get lined up straight (which the snap hitch doesn't do) works with any kind of hitch and if set right puts you right under the coupler without having to smack into the trailer to set the pin catch. I can see the Snap Hitch doing a number on the flimsy swing up side mounted tongue jacks. They break from trying to push the trailer a couple of inches...LOL
I bought similar "Align Quicks" at the local Uhaul store. They have yellow tennis-looking balls on the top and are mounted via strong magnetics. I can see these absolutely perfectly and have no problems lining up on my own. No need for someone to direct me, which is perfect if I camp alone. Don't see any advantage of Snap-hitch, especially after seeing their video. Looks like you still need some help backing up into it. But who knows, it might be worth someone trying it out and reporting back, just to see if it works....
Quote from: CampDirtBut who knows, it might be worth someone trying it out and reporting back, just to see if it works....
Dave already tried them (see his post above). He said (in part):
Quote from: PopUPTimesI rec'd a demo unit to review for the magazine that I'm supposed to send back.
It ain't going back! It makes hitching and unhitching very, very easy, and it smooths out the ride when towing. It's a little pricey but worth it.
He thinks they're worth the price.
Austin
I do like the one I have. As far Zamboni's post, I still use the Align Quik too but if you're not perfectly lined up the hitch "grabs" the trailer and moves it into place. I don't think it matters what hitch your using if you miss - something's going to get damaged. I have 2 gashes in my bumper from the truditional hitch right next to the mark on the bumper from not paying attention and totally missing the Snap Hitch on my last trip.
I agree $250 can buy a lot of other camping goodies, but in my opinion it's worth it.
Another note: the Futura camper that I have right now is the best towing trailer I've ever pulled and doesn't need sway control. I don't know how this hitch would work with a sway controller. Probably fine but I don't know.
D.
Quote from: brainpauseShe really does it well. Fast learner. She had never been around popups or trailers or hitches at all (other than one trip with a friend). Told her the first time where I wanted it, and she put me there. She simply realizes that a trailer hitch is moved gradually, and that I can't move a foot to the right or left AFTER I have reached the trailer.
Larry
Hey Larry,
Paula is pretty good too, and knows exactly where it should be. Unfortunately, she doesn't judge distances quickly. "How far do I need to come back?" "A Little more." Now, this distance can be 4 ft to 3 inches - you start to get suspicious when you pass another tree trunk still backing up...:p But truly we get hitched up very quickly, all credit to her. And she does do a great job.
We did have an interesting role reversal the other day - I gave her directions like she gives me - and she simply said "Is that what I do to you?"
Quote from: wynotHey Larry,
Paula is pretty good too, and knows exactly where it should be. Unfortunately, she doesn't judge distances quickly. "How far do I need to come back?" "A Little more." Now, this distance can be 4 ft to 3 inches - you start to get suspicious when you pass another tree trunk still backing up...:p But truly we get hitched up very quickly, all credit to her. And she does do a great job.
We did have an interesting role reversal the other day - I gave her directions like she gives me - and she simply said "Is that what I do to you?"
:D
Since my truck is a stick shift, she rarely does the backing. We are both afraid she will let off too much, or burn the clutch by letting off too little.
It gets the job done. We'll see what happens when we get a fiver or TT.
Larry
If we are both there and not busy, I guide DW back to the coupler. If we need to get something else done at the same time,I do it by myself, takes about the same time. The only problem I have spotting the ball is getting the coupler set to the right hight. The PUP is the only trailer that I run up and down after I unhook. Does anybody have a good idea how to set the jack to the same hight as when I unhooked? Years ago when I unhooked from my asphalt trailer I would lay a 2*2 alongside the left outsode tires and chock behind the truck. When I backed along the 2*2 till I hit the chock, hooked the pintle and hoses. (unless one of the jokers was around, I learned to hit the eye so I didn't have to cheat)
Quote from: ScoobyDooIf we are both there and not busy, I guide DW back to the coupler. If we need to get something else done at the same time,I do it by myself, takes about the same time. The only problem I have spotting the ball is getting the coupler set to the right hight. The PUP is the only trailer that I run up and down after I unhook. Does anybody have a good idea how to set the jack to the same hight as when I unhooked? Years ago when I unhooked from my asphalt trailer I would lay a 2*2 alongside the left outsode tires and chock behind the truck. When I backed along the 2*2 till I hit the chock, hooked the pintle and hoses. (unless one of the jokers was around, I learned to hit the eye so I didn't have to cheat)
You can rough it by noting where it comes up to on your leg (course then you would have to write it down or remember that).
Quote from: ScoobyDooThe PUP is the only trailer that I run up and down after I unhook. Does anybody have a good idea how to set the jack to the same hight as when I unhooked?
I think some of the fifth wheelers use a magnet with a chain or rope or something that they can mark or change the length to the appropriate height when they unhook. Seems like a good idea for some applications: Get a magnet with a hook on it, and a chain with small links. Put a small hook on the end of the chain, and you can "mark" how long the chain is by hooking in the appropriate link, after putting the magnet on a "standard area" on the frame/tongue.
Another idea: Just get a link with the screw on it (like this one:
http://www.homedepot.com/cmc_upload/HDUS/EN_US/asset/images/eplus/022697005304_4.jpg), and put it on the link that touches the ground when you are unhooked.
Larry
Maybe a wireless backup camera from WalMart
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=4744711 (//%22http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=4744711%22)
Quote from: ScoobyDooDoes anybody have a good idea how to set the jack to the same hight as when I unhooked?
When my hitch was at the height I wanted it, I got my hacksaw, and scored a light "deep scratch" in the tongue jack. That way, when I extend the jack enough to see the ring, it is at the right height :)
Quote from: zamboniWhen my hitch was at the height I wanted it, I got my hacksaw, and scored a light "deep scratch" in the tongue jack. That way, when I extend the jack enough to see the ring, it is at the right height :)
You must camp in some mighty flat places! Every time I hook up, the tongue jack is at a different height. This would even be true in the same campsite, because it usually doesn't take a big difference in camper location to make a difference of 2-3" in the height of the ball.
Austin
Quote from: AustinBostonEvery time I hook up, the tongue jack is at a different height.
Then you have a possessed camper :)
The top of my truck hitch ball, for example, may be 16" off the ground. Thus, when my ball is about to pass under the tongue -- it had better be 16" off the ground.
There may be a minor adjustment needed if the truck is at a weird angle, but rarely more than about an inch... which is no big deal for my wife as I put on an electric tongue jack :morning:
Quote from: zamboniThen you have a possessed camper :)
Not at all. Spooky, perhaps, but not possessed. :eyecrazy:
QuoteThe top of my truck hitch ball, for example, may be 16" off the ground. Thus, when my ball is about to pass under the tongue -- it had better be 16" off the ground.
This assumes that both camper and truck are on level ground. Our pop-up has been popped in over 50 campgrounds in 26 states, and I can assure you that is seldom the case. We've had times when we could not unhook in the position we wanted because the rear wheels of the van were in a dip that had the ball 3" off the ground, and we could not swing the jack down. We have had other situations where there was no way the jack was going to lift the coupler off the ball unless we put something uder the jack. This happens often enough that I made a "jack helper" out of three stacked pieces of 2x6 with a notch cut in the top for the jack wheel. This is not a posessed camper or tow vehicle - it is typical campground terrain.
We have camped in places where we could have counted on the height of the tow ball, but they were the exception, not the rule. The ones that come immediately to mind were campgrounds that had no trees.
QuoteThere may be a minor adjustment needed if the truck is at a weird angle, but rarely more than about an inch... which is no big deal for my wife as I put on an electric tongue jack :morning:
Must be you only camp on flat ground. Do you only use pull-through sites? They tend to be flatter.
Austin
The chain measure might work, if I can find a place on the front of the PUP to store it.(if I have to hunt for it, same problem as a tape, my memery went up in smoke in the '60s)
I did glue a magnet to one of the Hoppy levels. That worked pretty good except it didn't stay on running the fine Mo. highways.
Quote from: mike4947I'm with Glen, for $20 you get lined up straight (which the snap hitch doesn't do) works with any kind of hitch and if set right puts you right under the coupler without having to smack into the trailer to set the pin catch. I can see the Snap Hitch doing a number on the flimsy swing up side mounted tongue jacks. They break from trying to push the trailer a couple of inches...LOL
If set right the snap hitch will actually lift the trailer off the jack. As far as side to side there is plenty of forgiveness in the tires. The bigest benefit is knowing and being able to check that the ball is properly seated in the coupler and locked down.
Quote from: CampDirtI bought similar "Align Quicks" at the local Uhaul store. They have yellow tennis-looking balls on the top and are mounted via strong magnetics. I can see these absolutely perfectly and have no problems lining up on my own. No need for someone to direct me, which is perfect if I camp alone. Don't see any advantage of Snap-hitch, especially after seeing their video. Looks like you still need some help backing up into it. But who knows, it might be worth someone trying it out and reporting back, just to see if it works....
I don't need any help backing into the snap hitch. And actually I know that the ball is properly seated and secure in the coupler. This I only needed to do once. The ball stays in the coupler forever if you so desire. Lock it in and no one can take your rig. Even with the aligning balls that you use, you can't possibly posistion the ball perfectly under the coupler. You still rely on the weight of the trailer to force the conection. I have herd of many folks loosing their camper after hitting the first big bump. Thank goodness for chains.
Quote from: marc childsIf set right the snap hitch will actually lift the trailer off the jack. As far as side to side there is plenty of forgiveness in the tires. The bigest benefit is knowing and being able to check that the ball is properly seated in the coupler and locked down.
Simply cranking up the tongue jack after connecting also checks if the ball is properly connected to the coupler.