Snap Hitch

[Popupper]

Has anyone seen the Snap Hitch that advertises on PUT's home page?

[brainpause]

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

[Used 2B PopUPTimes]

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.

[edwardr132]

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.

[AustinBoston]

I would guess the same as edward - no WDH version.  Otherwise, it looks very interesting.

Austin

[tknick]

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

[brainpause]

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

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

[/B][/COLOR]



Larry

[zamboni]

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!).



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.

[mike4947]

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

[CampDirt]

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....

[AustinBoston]

But 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):

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.

He thinks they're worth the price.

Austin

[Used 2B PopUPTimes]

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.

[wynot]

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.
 
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?"

[brainpause]

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?"

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

[ScoobyDoo]

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)