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03-31-2011, 10:49 AM
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#1
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2 Rivet Member
1988 29' Excella
Livingston
, Texas
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 59
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Hitching up solo how do you do it?
Howdy!
I posted here since you hitch up your Airstream solo all the time anyway. I have enough problems hitching the AS up with the help of my LW. What tricks do you use to help you hitch up by yourself.
"Happy Trails"
chiefneon
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03-31-2011, 11:21 AM
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#3
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Rivet Master
1978 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre
Currently Looking...
Wauwatosa
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 810
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I am saving for the camera, but for now, on the cheeper side this is what I use.
Magnetic Trailer Alignment Kit
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03-31-2011, 11:25 AM
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#4
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2 Rivet Member
2011 23' FB Flying Cloud
Missoula
, Montana
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 37
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Carefully!
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03-31-2011, 11:49 AM
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#5
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4 Rivet Member
1973 31' Excella 500
Spring Green
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 265
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I hitch up by myself a lot. Mostly I line the TV up with the trailer using the driver's side mirror. I know how much of the side I should see when it is following me down the road. When I think I'm within a foot, I hop out and check the remaining distance and allignment. If it is only a short distance, I leave the driver's door open and pick a reference point on the ground to measure the distance I have to back up. I can usually get there with only one or two visits to the back of the TV.
__________________
Lew TAC #WI-6
Nobody can help everybody, but everybody can help somebody.
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03-31-2011, 11:52 AM
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#6
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Naysayer
1968 24' Tradewind
Russellville
, earth
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,954
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Quote:
Originally Posted by driftless
I hitch up by myself a lot. Mostly I line the TV up with the trailer using the driver's side mirror. I know how much of the side I should see when it is following me down the road. When I think I'm within a foot, I hop out and check the remaining distance and allignment. If it is only a short distance, I leave the driver's door open and pick a reference point on the ground to measure the distance I have to back up. I can usually get there with only one or two visits to the back of the TV.
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That is almost exactly what I do. It is really pretty easy once you do it enough to get a baseline on what things should look like. I would add, whenever in the least bit of doubt, get out and look!
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03-31-2011, 11:57 AM
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#7
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2 Rivet Member
2004 19' International CCD
Los Angeles
, California
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 63
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x2 thats almost exactly what I do. (It also helps that Im 6' 235lbs and can manhandle the 19' a few inches easily enough to get the alignment juuust right.)
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03-31-2011, 11:59 AM
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#8
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4 Rivet Member
2007 31' Classic
Pulaski
, Tennessee
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 261
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SoCalStreamr
x2 thats almost exactly what I do. (It also helps that Im 6' 235lbs and can manhandle the 19' a few inches easily enough to get the alignment juuust right.)
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Try that with a 31 Classic
__________________
Steve & Beth
TAC AL-4
AIR 22763
07' Classic 31, 11' Dodge 3500 Cummins
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03-31-2011, 12:11 PM
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#9
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3 Rivet Member
2000 23' Safari
Vero Beach
, Florida
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 180
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I enjoyed the comment someone made about leaving the drivers door open and backing up the last few inches. Once when hitching up there was a tree stump sticking up just enough to catch the bottom of the open door and I whacked the drivers door right off! Neither my A/S or the tree stump (state property!) wasn't damaged! I suspect I will hear about that for the rest of my natural born days!
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03-31-2011, 12:15 PM
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#10
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4 Rivet Member
2004 16' International CCD
Arcata
, California
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 250
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I use a convex mirror that slips on the tailgate of my truck. The Cipa Fast Hitch Trailer Hookup Mirror. Sold by Amazon and others. Works well for me.
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03-31-2011, 12:16 PM
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#11
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Rivet Master
, Minnesota
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,721
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I bought a small wireless camera and mounted it on a flexible camera stalk with a suction cup base. I stick it to the tailgate pointed straight down at the hitch ball. When unneeded, I just hang it inside the rear window.
The cable is long enough that I can also use it as an auxilary review mirror, or to keep an eye on the grandkids in the rear seat.
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03-31-2011, 12:37 PM
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#12
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
Sioux Falls
, South Dakota
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,403
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I back to a wheel chock, same as backing a truck to a dock or a door. My goal is to achieve my goal within 6 tries. Lateral alignment requirement is +/- one inch from center.
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03-31-2011, 12:39 PM
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#13
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4 Rivet Member
1972 21' Globetrotter
nc
, North Carolina
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 253
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if you have a laptop you can buy a cheap web cam and ext cable. mount it anyway on tail gate and see where you are as you back up.
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03-31-2011, 12:43 PM
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#14
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Rivet Master
2014 25' Flying Cloud
Cuddebackville
, New York
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 4,333
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I just open the rear door, fold down the seat back and I can see the hitch and the ball.
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03-31-2011, 12:54 PM
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#15
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Wise Elder
2010 30' Classic
Vintage Kin Owner
South of the river
, Minnesota
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 4,169
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It's easier with a propride hitch because you don't have to worry about overshooting the way you do with a ball. I always hitch solo.
The magnetic ball thingies work very well and save a lot of trouble and trips out of the driver's seat.
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03-31-2011, 01:10 PM
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#16
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Rivet Master
1997 34' Limited
1970 27' Overlander
South of Atlanta
, Georgia
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,709
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My truck has a backup camera as part of the navigation system. If that wasn't part of the truck, I would have added a backup camera. It is well worth the investment if only in terms os avoided frustration and arguments.
__________________
Craig and Carol
1997 34' Excella 1000
1970 27' Overlander, International
2009 Ford F150 5.4L
ProPride hitch with 1400# bars
AIR 41028
TAC GA-8
WBCCI 10199
Past President Southeastern Camping Unit (12)
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03-31-2011, 01:25 PM
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#17
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Rivet Master
2008 22' Safari
Oracle
, Arizona
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,174
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tiger
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Yes, I use the balls too. Absolutely no problem.
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03-31-2011, 01:34 PM
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#18
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
Sioux Falls
, South Dakota
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,403
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I don't have the balls for backing.
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03-31-2011, 01:39 PM
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#19
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Rivet Master
2002 19' Bambi
Northwestern Ontario
, - on the backside of the map and just above the big green spot
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 819
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I always hook up alone - much easier to maintain domestic harmony .....
.... and I use the GOAL method (Get Out And Look). The only real secret is getting out early enough to make sure you are lined up properly from the get-go - as long as I've done this early enough it would be rare to have to get out more than 3 times. I also use a hitch-helper which does any necessary side-to-side fine tuning.
Jay
__________________
Bambi - 2002 (The Toaster)
Pathfinder - 2009 (The Buggy)
"I'm not young enough to know everything ....."
(Oscar Wilde)
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03-31-2011, 01:51 PM
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#20
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2 Rivet Member
1977 Argosy 24
Hudson
, New Hampshire
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 89
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Quote:
Originally Posted by driftless
I hitch up by myself a lot. Mostly I line the TV up with the trailer using the driver's side mirror. I know how much of the side I should see when it is following me down the road. When I think I'm within a foot, I hop out and check the remaining distance and allignment. If it is only a short distance, I leave the driver's door open and pick a reference point on the ground to measure the distance I have to back up. I can usually get there with only one or two visits to the back of the TV.
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Me too. I'm better without help!
~2Alaska
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