Snap Hitch

[wynot]

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)

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).

[brainpause]

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?

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

[chasd60]

Maybe a wireless backup camera from WalMart
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=4744711

[zamboni]

Does 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

[AustinBoston]

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

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

[zamboni]

Every 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:

[AustinBoston]

Then you have a possessed camper

Not at all.  Spooky, perhaps, but not possessed.  :eyecrazy:

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.

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.

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:

Must be you only camp on flat ground.  Do you only use pull-through sites?  They tend to be flatter.

Austin

[ScoobyDoo]

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.

[marc childs]

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

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.

[marc childs]

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....

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.

[mike4947]

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.

Simply cranking up the tongue jack after connecting also checks if the ball is properly connected to the coupler.