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05-18-2011, 08:28 PM
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#41
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3 Rivet Member
2006 25' Safari FB SE
Livingston
, Full time traveler
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 212
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Tennis balls on antennae, as mentioned several times, are GREAT!
As a single full-timer, they are invaluable.
__________________
Airstream of Consciousness
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05-18-2011, 09:45 PM
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#42
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4 Rivet Member
2007 25' Safari FB SE
Blaine
, Washington
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 291
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I also do it solo. Also, I spray a little silicone or wd40 on the ball and the locking lever. It seems to help the 2 to mate and lock a little easier.
John
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05-18-2011, 10:05 PM
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#43
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Rivet Master
2005 22' International CCD
Buckhorn
, Ontario
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 8,449
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Gosh I don't have time to start posting again..... I know I will become addicted for sure....
But I could not help but post here - being among the minority of female solo towers out there.....
My trick - is to shut the world out first - don't think - just let the spacial awareness come into play. Use only your side mirrors - ditch the rear view mirror. You learn to judge the side of your truck (car) lining up with the outsides of the trailer and how much of the trailer shows in comparison to the rear of the truck (if that makes sense).
I hit the mark first try in most cases - the rest of the back and forth is the dang coupler lately - I need a new one - I think the spring is worn possibly. Thus if she is not bang on she aint going on - must get that fixed.
Now of course there are days where the site is not the greatest to get lined up and that takes a few more tries. And then there are some other distractions - when the older gentlemen realize I am solo and rush over to help - thinking that I will be at it all day. I am polite and listen cause I think they are so sweet - but never works when I listen to their "little left - little right, bit more here and a bit more there - they stand right behind the truck and I am afraid I am going to squish them because then I am forced to use my rear view mirror and try and see through the junk in the back of the truck.
And lastly the times where you sleep in!!! and only have about 20 minutes to break camp - well it never fails - those days usually take the record number of hit and miss tries - and of course there is never anyone around by then - you know the 11:00am deadline - I am a late riser - always have been - that is because I am a night owl!
Practice Practice Practice however is the best policy..... And when you have not towed for a while - it takes a few times to get back in the swing of things....
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05-18-2011, 11:50 PM
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#44
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Rivet Master
1977 27' Overlander
Trotwood
, Ohio
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,153
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I have a pair of hitch guides I purchased at HARBOR FREIGHT for about 9 bucks.
ITS a GREEN foam ball on what looks like an antenna with a magnet on the bottom. ONE on the trailer tongue and the other on the hitch put the balls together and wala you are there,well really close anyway.
__________________
Roger & MaryLou
___________________
F350 CREWCAB SW LONG BED
7.3 liter Power Stroke Diesel
1977 27ft OVERLANDER
KA8LMQ
AIR # 22336 TAC- OH-7
May your roads be straight and smooth and may you always have a tailwind!
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05-21-2011, 05:57 PM
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#45
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2 Rivet Member
2011 19' Flying Cloud
Tulsa
, Oklahoma
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 38
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My little tacoma comes with a tailgate camera...
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05-21-2011, 10:58 PM
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#46
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3 Rivet Member
Detroit
, Michigan
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 163
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Practice.
Oh yea, and cover the license plate with a 1x6. Michigan wants $5 for a replacement.
__________________
86' 31' Sovereign
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05-22-2011, 06:58 AM
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#47
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Contributing Member
2018 Interstate Grand Tour Ext
Austin (Hays County)
, Texas
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,164
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I use a wireless backup camera with a magnetic mount. I stick it on my Airsafe hitch, pointing down 45 degrees at the ball. Very easy to see when the ball goes under the coupler. I only use it when very close to coupling up; it is confusing at a distance but very accurate close in. It is featured in my column in this issue of Airstream Life.
The camera is useful for other things, as well. I used it to check that my refrigerator fan was coming on and to look under the floor to trace wiring.
__________________
John W. Irwin
2018 Interstate GT, "Sabre-Dog V"
WBCCI #9632
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05-22-2011, 07:02 AM
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#48
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Contributing Member
2018 Interstate Grand Tour Ext
Austin (Hays County)
, Texas
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,164
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Another tip if you have a bed cover is to place something (I use the coupler pin) on the very center of the bed cover and place that on the center of the window when initially backing up. It makes it much easier to get parallel with the trailer.
Tape markers on the trailer front window and the TV back window can also help initially line up.
I always hitch up solo since my co-pilot is not useful to say the least.
__________________
John W. Irwin
2018 Interstate GT, "Sabre-Dog V"
WBCCI #9632
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05-22-2011, 07:30 AM
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#49
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Rivet Master
1979 31' Sovereign
Milford
, Ohio
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 565
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I have this cheesy convex mirror mounted on a wand that attaches to the tongue jack with a magnet. Came with the trailer and I suppose is about as old.
The mirror is plastic and scratched up and my rear window on my truck is tinted so to improve visibility I put a small bit of blaze orange paint on my drawbar just forward of the hitch ball. On the trailer tongue, the tip has a rolled flange and I sprayed some blaze orange in there.
Getting things lined up this way is easy enough though sometimes I have to get back in the truck and make a slight adjustment forwards or backwards. One trick I've found is that once backed into position, I'll put my truck in neutral and apply the parking brake. If the truck is put in park it always seems to roll just enough to mess up the hitch alignment.
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05-22-2011, 08:21 AM
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#50
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airperson
2006 25' Classic
Ft Worth
, Texas
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 207
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I use two pieces of close line to mark the route. I also use hitching sticks that I bought at camping world and a backup camera. How is that for over kill, it works for me.
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05-22-2011, 08:35 AM
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#51
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1 Rivet Member
2005 19' International CCD
Big Spring
, Texas
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 6
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I use a mirror on telescoping rod with magnet at bottom. This sits on the trailer's hitch and allows you to see your receiver and the hitch as you back up. I usually have to get out to verify I am alligned correctly, but sometimes I will get it in one try. Good product.
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05-23-2011, 10:55 AM
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#52
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"Cloudsplitter"
2003 25' Classic
Houstatlantavegas
, Malebolgia
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 20,000
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pahaska
I always hitch up solo since my co-pilot is not useful to say the least.
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And is not addicted to our Forum either I'll bet.!!
__________________
I’m done with ‘adulting’…Let’s go find Bigfoot.
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07-25-2011, 11:16 PM
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#53
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2 Rivet Member
1960 18' Traveler
1975 27' Overlander
La Honda
, California
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 59
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I had a couple of corner flags left over from the days of coaching my son's soccer team. They are five feet tall, with an orange flag on the top and a spike on the bottom. I plant them on either side of the AS receiver a bit in front of where I want to actually be. I can line them up on the center of the truck and when they move, I know I'm pretty close and then get out to check for right/left alignment.
If I'm on a paved surface, I fit them in the frame and place the spike in the chain that I have looped around the AS wheel.
Bob
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07-26-2011, 06:10 AM
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#54
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Rivet Master
1995 30' Excella
Bowie
, Maryland
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,345
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It's been mentioned already, but I have a set of the Reese tennis balls for doing it myself. Both times I've used them, I got it on the second try (both times, too far back rather than an alignment issue).
__________________
1995 Airstream Classic 30' Excella 1000
2014 Ram 2500 Crew Cab with Cummins 6.7L Diesel
Sold but not forgotten: 1991 Airstream B190
Sold: 2006 F-250 6.0L Powerstroke Supercab
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07-26-2011, 07:26 AM
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#55
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Rivet Master
2007 25' International CCD FB
Northridge
, California
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 516
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Swift Hitch portable Wireless Camera purchased on Amazon. Its great!
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07-26-2011, 07:55 AM
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#56
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Rivet Master
1977 27' Overlander
Trotwood
, Ohio
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,153
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I have HITCH GUIDES from Harbor Freight. They extend like the old car antenna's and have a floresent green ball on the tip. ONE on the coupler and ONE on the truck hitch PUT THE TWO BALLS together and WA LA you are there.
I think they were about 7 to 9 bucks at harbor freight.
__________________
Roger & MaryLou
___________________
F350 CREWCAB SW LONG BED
7.3 liter Power Stroke Diesel
1977 27ft OVERLANDER
KA8LMQ
AIR # 22336 TAC- OH-7
May your roads be straight and smooth and may you always have a tailwind!
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07-26-2011, 08:01 AM
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#57
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4 Rivet Member
1995 34' Excella
Corinth
, Mississippi
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 304
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I am just good.
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07-26-2011, 08:05 AM
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#58
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4 Rivet Member
1995 34' Excella
Corinth
, Mississippi
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 304
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Actually I'm just kidding about being good. I have been thinking about the balls on stems with magnetic base found at Camping World and on line also. However I usually dont have to exit more than twice to get hitched.
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07-31-2011, 08:34 PM
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#59
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jdb
2005 22' International CCD
Somewhere
, Currently moving east to west
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 30
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Practice. I guarantee within ten hookups you'll be doing it effortlessly.
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08-03-2011, 05:17 AM
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#60
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"Cloudsplitter"
2003 25' Classic
Houstatlantavegas
, Malebolgia
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 20,000
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mikethefixit
..... PUT THE TWO BALLS together and WA LA you are there.
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Thats why we got the no ball ones from CW....
DW couldn't concentrate when it was her turn to "hook-up".
__________________
I’m done with ‘adulting’…Let’s go find Bigfoot.
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