Hitching up Alone

[Jasper]

I frequently am left with the job of hitching up alone.
There are a number of products to help with this and I was wondering whats other peoples experiences with them.

The first two are simular

http://www.componentconcepts.biz/GetHitched.htm

http://www.hitchfinder.net/main.htm

This is a great idea for the use of a mirror.

http://www.rpminnovations.com/cgi-sz/webcwrap/newpage32.htm?sid=9GTK4t0-J5Mn13j-49104386637.85

Thanks

David

[Starryart]

I too, have frequently had to hitch by myself when DH is working and I need to move the PU. Sorry to say I haven't used any of the products you question. I just back and get out and look. I'm a very visual person so I get it right after about three adjustments. Not too bad I say!
 :-()

[SkipP]

You could probably make something similar to that first one for a lot less $$$. Get a couple of replacement retractable antennas from an electonic supply store (Radio Shack?), two base magnets and your there! Hmmmmm, a concept in the making!

Here's another option to research too: http://www.impulsemarine.com/index.htm?c17.htm&1

[PopupSgt]

I too am looking for a solution to hitch up the camper w/ the Avalanche.  Seems I can see nothing when hitching and was thinking of the Snakeeyes monitor system but at a tune of $500 it's very pricey.  I like the idea of mirror & the 2 ball theory, the steel plate guide is a nice idea but the price kinda floors ya.  Anyone else have ideas for hitching alone.

[JonesFamilyJayco]

I almost always am hitching alone and I found a product that have really helped.  It is called an EZ Hitch and fits directly onto your existing hitch.  I bought mine at Bass Pro Shops about two years ago for around $50.00.  It works every time by putting the trailer hitch perfectly over the ball to allow it to slide on easily. It also allows you to remove the steel plate when not in use.

http://www.ezhitch.biz/

[aw738]

My pu is small enough that when I can't see it in either of my tv mirrors I'm pretty close to being centered. I can usually move the tounge to get it onto the ball.

[wynot]

One of our members in MAPCE uses a magnetic mirror on the trailer tongue which he can see from the driver's seat which shows the hitch ball as he backs up with his Avalanche.

He uses it as a mirror inside when camping.

[Old Goat]

Jasper, Being an old goat with a neck that doesn't turn like it used to,here's what I did to solve the hitch up problem when alone...I placed a small 1/4" round dot, made of tape on my rear vision mirror,centering it at the bottom edge of the mirror. I painted a white stripe that is 1/2" wide and 2" long, on the inside of the tailgate and centered at the top....The popup has  a PUP sticker centered on the front of the top, that I use as the trailers line up mark. I simply back up and line up all three marks while looking in the rear vision mirror. No need to try and look over my shoulder. It works great for me and lines the hitch up perfectly almost every time....When close I get out and see how much more backing is needed and then make a mark on the ground on the driver side of the truck. This makes it easy to gauge the distance needed while backing up. If you try this system, Im sure you will find that it works well with a little practice,as I did......
Also, if you are towing with a van or auto the rear mark can be placed in the center of the rear window at the bottom.....Hope this helps.......

Old Goat

Camping since 1940

[campingboaters]

I am typically hitching up the camper by myself just 'cause DH never seems to be around the night before we head out camping.  I used to just eye it up by turning around and looking out the back window of the truck, then getting out and re-adjusting.  I had gotten it down to a science and was able to only have to get out a few times before lining up just right.  With a hybrid, it's VERY important to get the TV just so, since you can't move the camper tongue.

Anyway, this last trip, I tried my new Hitch Finder.  It didn't work all that well for me.  Maybe you can't teach an "old dawg" new tricks, but I ended up getting out and looking more times with the hitch-finder than without.  The concept sure seems like a good one, so I'll try it again (and again), as maybe it's just a learning curve.  If I still don't "get it" after the third or fourth trip, That little gadget will be hitting the yard sale table this summer!

[Calstate361]

Sal also usually hitches up by himself, mainly because he doesn't like the directions I try to give him and we end up fighting.  I found a devise at Camping World that is almost like the mirror one except it is round.  It's cost was only $25 and is well worth it.  Of course, it would not work on a van because the object is to place it on the tailgate, adjust/tilt the mirror so you can see your hitch.   Sal has taken it a step futher by painting a center line on the top part of the trailer hitch and putting a piece of brightly colored tape on the ball cover (paint wouldn't stick as the cover is rubber).  He just backs up aligning both lines and usually hits the mark the first time.  He also gets out of the truck to see how much further back he needs to go and once lined up, he removes the ball cover for final hook-up.   This mirror thing is a standard item at Camping World.

Joan

[cruiserpop]

Here's what works for me. open the rear hatch, and the lock bail (the bracket the gate lock attaches to) is visible. It is on the veheicle centerline, as is the hitch. backing up, I don't have to see the hitch or the ball, just put the lock bail centered on the jackstand column for the trailer. stop, get out and look to check for distance. works every time.

Sal also usually hitches up by himself, mainly because he doesn't like the directions I try to give him and we end up fighting.  I found a devise at Camping World that is almost like the mirror one except it is round.  It's cost was only $25 and is well worth it.  Of course, it would not work on a van because the object is to place it on the tailgate, adjust/tilt the mirror so you can see your hitch.   Sal has taken it a step futher by painting a center line on the top part of the trailer hitch and putting a piece of brightly colored tape on the ball cover (paint wouldn't stick as the cover is rubber).  He just backs up aligning both lines and usually hits the mark the first time.  He also gets out of the truck to see how much further back he needs to go and once lined up, he removes the ball cover for final hook-up.   This mirror thing is a standard item at Camping World.

Joan

[vjm1639]

Takes us a few times with DH doing the backing AND me telling him to move forward or move back.....and move forward..now back again.....no up a tad...oops, back just a bump..ooo..almost had it...........  LOL... He may have an easier time with one of these types of deals. Seems I had finally figured out where it needed to be positioned at the end of the season last year.  Must have forgotten this year because it's taken us several attempts each time we've gone out.  We seem to have a hard time getting it just right!  :>

[tlhdoc]

Most of the time I hitch up alone.  I get pretty close and then get out and look.  I usually look about 3 or 4 times before I am right on top of the ball.  

[Gone-Camping]

Being single I nearly always hook-up alone. For the PU I took a convex mirror and mounted it to an old floor lamp stand. I would then set the mirror on the trailer tongue, with it pointed at 45

[sandykayak]

Joan, <>

is THAT why I can't get the mirror to work on my mini van?  It worked great once...then it kept slipping, then i lost the suction cap.  I think I got a replacement but gave up on it.

The photo in the website http://www.rpminnovations.com/cgi-s...-49104386637.85    shows it just sticking to the rear view window.  It's on an SUV... it should work OK on a minivan, shouldn't it?

the blurb says if you have a pickup, put it on the tailgate.  anyone else use this?