Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 03-31-2011, 10:49 AM   #1
2 Rivet Member
 
1988 29' Excella
Livingston , Texas
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 59
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
chiefneon is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-31-2011, 10:55 AM   #2
4 Rivet Member
 
au_ee's Avatar
 
2007 31' Classic
Pulaski , Tennessee
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 261
Images: 3
My DW tries to help but I've found the Worldwide Merchandise Company - Wireless Rear View Hitch Camera - Backup Systems - Camping World rear view hitch camera to mitigate many instances of ill feelings
__________________
Steve & Beth
TAC AL-4
AIR 22763
07' Classic 31, 11' Dodge 3500 Cummins
au_ee is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-31-2011, 11:21 AM   #3
Rivet Master
 
GeocamperAS's Avatar
 
1978 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre
Currently Looking...
Wauwatosa , Wisconsin
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 810
I am saving for the camera, but for now, on the cheeper side this is what I use.

Magnetic Trailer Alignment Kit
GeocamperAS is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-31-2011, 11:25 AM   #4
2 Rivet Member
 
cloudflyer's Avatar
 
2011 23' FB Flying Cloud
Missoula , Montana
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 37
Carefully!
cloudflyer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-31-2011, 11:49 AM   #5
4 Rivet Member
 
1973 31' Excella 500
Spring Green , Wisconsin
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 265
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.
driftless is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-31-2011, 11:52 AM   #6
Naysayer
 
Boondocker's Avatar

 
1968 24' Tradewind
Russellville , earth
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,954
Images: 7
Quote:
Originally Posted by driftless View Post
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.

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!
__________________
Rodney

Visit my photography and painting website
https://rooseveltfineart.com
Instagram is r.w.roosevelt


Boondocker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-31-2011, 11:57 AM   #7
2 Rivet Member
 
2004 19' International CCD
Los Angeles , California
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 63
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.)
SoCalStreamr is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-31-2011, 11:59 AM   #8
4 Rivet Member
 
au_ee's Avatar
 
2007 31' Classic
Pulaski , Tennessee
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 261
Images: 3
Quote:
Originally Posted by SoCalStreamr View Post
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.)
Try that with a 31 Classic
__________________
Steve & Beth
TAC AL-4
AIR 22763
07' Classic 31, 11' Dodge 3500 Cummins
au_ee is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-31-2011, 12:11 PM   #9
3 Rivet Member
 
mhilley's Avatar
 
2000 23' Safari
Vero Beach , Florida
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 180
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!
mhilley is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-31-2011, 12:15 PM   #10
4 Rivet Member
 
Turtle's Avatar
 
2004 16' International CCD
Arcata , California
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 250
Images: 5
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.
Attached Images
 
Turtle is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-31-2011, 12:16 PM   #11
Rivet Master

 
, Minnesota
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,721
Images: 59
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.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	RearCamera 007.jpg
Views:	394
Size:	50.4 KB
ID:	125816  
markdoane is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-31-2011, 12:37 PM   #12
Rivet Master
 
Splitrock's Avatar
 
Currently Looking...
Sioux Falls , South Dakota
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,403
Blog Entries: 20
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.
__________________
Click on the link to see a picture of the Sioux River falls near my home.
https://visitsiouxfalls.com/assets/i...uxfalls-og.jpg
Eastern South Dakota is very pretty with hills, rivers, and trees.
Splitrock is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-31-2011, 12:39 PM   #13
4 Rivet Member
 
1972 21' Globetrotter
nc , North Carolina
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 253
Images: 2
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.
rock60 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-31-2011, 12:43 PM   #14
Rivet Master
 
Wayne&Sam's Avatar
 
2014 25' Flying Cloud
Cuddebackville , New York
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 4,333
Images: 21
I just open the rear door, fold down the seat back and I can see the hitch and the ball.
Wayne&Sam is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-31-2011, 12:54 PM   #15
Wise Elder
 
Jammer's Avatar
 
2010 30' Classic
Vintage Kin Owner
South of the river , Minnesota
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 4,169
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.
Jammer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-31-2011, 01:10 PM   #16
Rivet Master
 
Aviator's Avatar
 
1997 34' Limited
1970 27' Overlander
South of Atlanta , Georgia
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,709
Images: 2
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)
Aviator is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-31-2011, 01:25 PM   #17
Rivet Master
 
Ahab's Avatar
 
2008 22' Safari
Oracle , Arizona
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,174
Quote:
Originally Posted by tiger View Post
I am saving for the camera, but for now, on the cheeper side this is what I use.

Magnetic Trailer Alignment Kit
Yes, I use the balls too. Absolutely no problem.
Ahab is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-31-2011, 01:34 PM   #18
Rivet Master
 
Splitrock's Avatar
 
Currently Looking...
Sioux Falls , South Dakota
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,403
Blog Entries: 20
I don't have the balls for backing.
__________________
Click on the link to see a picture of the Sioux River falls near my home.
https://visitsiouxfalls.com/assets/i...uxfalls-og.jpg
Eastern South Dakota is very pretty with hills, rivers, and trees.
Splitrock is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-31-2011, 01:39 PM   #19
Rivet Master
 
RangerJay's Avatar
 
2002 19' Bambi
Northwestern Ontario , - on the backside of the map and just above the big green spot
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 819
Images: 44
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)
RangerJay is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-31-2011, 01:51 PM   #20
2 Rivet Member
 
2Alaska's Avatar
 
1977 Argosy 24
Hudson , New Hampshire
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 89
Send a message via AIM to 2Alaska
Quote:
Originally Posted by driftless View Post
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.
Me too. I'm better without help!

~2Alaska
2Alaska is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
hitching, solo


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Solo fulltiming shinyteepee Solo Streamers 22 07-31-2011 09:37 AM


Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Airstream, Inc. or any of its affiliates. Airstream is a registered trademark of Airstream Inc. All rights reserved. Airstream trademark used under license to Social Knowledge LLC.



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 11:02 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.