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RE: Vee Hitching aid in PUT store?

Started by garym053, Apr 08, 2003, 09:01 PM

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sandykayak

Sep 28, 2003, 07:05 PM
 As I did the usual back-and-forth trying to line up the TV and the camper, I was wishing I had that nifty metal, vee-shaped " thingy"  that the PUT store has/had?
 
 I had ordered it but had to return cos it wouldn t fit on the Jayco coupler (and then U-Haul got nasty and said they wouldn t put on the other adjustable " thingy"  I had ordered!).
 
 I was wondering if they had come up with a newer version, but I couldn t find them in the store.  Are they no longer being carried?  If so, why not?
 
 Any comments from people who ordered them?
 
 What other aids are there that are easy to install?

garym053

#1
Apr 08, 2003, 09:01 PM
 sandykayakLike they say in golf- practice, practice, practice! If you spend an hour or so backing up and looking at references, such as what parts of the trailer are where in your mirrors or rear window, and such, you should find those add ons unnecessary.
 I like to impress my wife (not easy after 25 years!) and relatives by backing up and stopping where I rarely have to push the trailer more than 1/2"  or so to get the hitch lined up as I crank it down.
 It s not magic, it s just watch reference points! Once you get it lined up, get back in the drivers seat and look through the mirrors and the rear window to memorize where you are in reference to the trailer!

AustinBoston

#2
Apr 09, 2003, 07:53 AM
 sandykayakAnother option that I have seen in use is a mirror that mounts to the rear window of a minivan and allows you to see the hitch ball.  I saw someone without asistance back up to within 1/2"  in about ten seconds.  He seemed to be in a hurry, which, for me at least, makes it harder and take longer.  But with that mirror, it didn t slow him down at all.
 
 Austin

sandykayak

#3
Apr 09, 2003, 11:39 AM
 sandykayakaustin, could you give me a better idea about the mirror?  size and location of placement.  
 
 is it one of those sticking out mirrors?  I have the wee side windows on my minivan.
 
 what about the things I mentioned.  aren t they selling them any more?  If so, why not?

Tim5055

#4
Apr 09, 2003, 11:53 AM
 sandykayakSandy,
 
 There are many of these mirrors made.  Here are but a few:
 
 [link=http://www.silktree.com/p26.html]BACK EM UP KIT[/link]
 
 [link=http://www.trailer-hitch.com/hspotter.jeo?refid=17]The Hitch  Spotter [/link]
 
 [link=http://www.ryan-engineering.com/main/industrial_services/product_design/mirror/]MARINE BACK-UP MIRROR [/link]
 
 I don t own any of them, so I can t provide personal experience on how well they work.  I don t think any of them would work for me as my veiw in that area of the center of the pick up is blocked by stuff loaded in the back.  If you have an unobstructed view with your center mirror, it may work very well for you.

MtnCamper

#5
Apr 09, 2003, 11:53 AM
 sandykayakI think the store quit selling them, because of too many problems, If I remember right, they wouldn t fit onto this or that, and were pretty much a high dollar return type thing.
 
 I think the mirror Austin refers to is this one, or one similar. Hope this helps.
 [link=http://www.rpminnovations.com/newpage32.htm]FastHitch.[/link]

AustinBoston

#6
Apr 09, 2003, 12:10 PM
 sandykayakYes!  Those are what I was thinking of.  Has anyone tried one?  I d like to know how well they work.
 
 Austin (a bumper is a terrible thing to ding)

MtnCamper

#7
Apr 09, 2003, 12:16 PM
 AustinBostonAustin, Conductor has one and swears by it. I ve looked at them, But I got an 8 inch drop on the Truck, so I just back up until it looks right. If I do bump, it s always the draw-bar, can t reach the bumper! So you just need to buy a taller truck.

sandykayak

#8
Apr 09, 2003, 05:20 PM
 sandykayakokay, fellas, yer on a roll.......i hope we can get someone who has actually used the different types to discuss the pros and cons of the different models.
 
 At first glance, it would appear that the Quick -Align Hitch Mirror (with the suction caps) would be the least complicated.

The Overmans

#9
Apr 10, 2003, 07:24 AM
 sandykayakHey, I was at an RV show in Feb.  I saw these two poles with magnetic mounts on the bottom.  They go on the ball and hitch.  You line them up and when they get knocked off, you are basically good to go.  Don t remember the maker but a good RV Accessories parts book should do it.  Good Luck[:)]

sandykayak

#10
Apr 10, 2003, 04:20 PM
 sandykayakI just ordered the Quick Align Hitch Mirror (Fast Hitch per link above).  It s $19.99 and I splurged and got the storage bag - total $24.99 + &.99 shipping.
 
 This shore beats the price of the same item at www.mooretruckaccessories.com...
 
 They have it for $57.99!!!!!!
 
 Thanks a bunch for this fab. tip.  Will be camping on the 18th and will give a report the following week.

RamblingWreck

#11
Apr 13, 2003, 05:57 PM
 sandykayakSandy,
 
 I think the item you originally asked about is called a " Couple-mate" .  Popup times home page used to have links to sponsors.  One of those links would direct you to:
 
 http://www.ausieglobe.com
 
 They carry both the couple-mate and the Power Wheel.  The Power Wheel is a rachet device to assist in manually parking your trailer.  
 
 Good luck with your mirror backing aid.
 
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