Trailer Hitch Help to Lift up into Truck Mount

[jfarrar]

Age seems to weaken the back and now I need to find something to help lift and position my trailer hitch into my truck mounted hitch. Anybody else have that issue or ideas?

[azflycaster]

I built a stand for the hitch and use a floor Jack to position it into the reciever.

[ROBERT CROSS]

KISS....👍

Bob
🇺🇸

[dznf0g]

Same here

[dlkershaw]

Not as fancy as azflycaster, but does the job, cheap floor jack from PepBoys Auto store .

[Airtandem]

These are all great set-ups if one is on a solid floor; what do you do when out camping? In some places it is illegal to drive around with just hitch on vehicle.

[ROBERT CROSS]

I install my "shin-saver".....😂👍

Bob
🇺🇸

The version 2.0 has a red light at the end...

[Mollysdad]

Originally Posted by Airtandem

These are all great set-ups if one is on a solid floor; what do you do when out camping? In some places it is illegal to drive around with just hitch on vehicle.

First, I thought Harbor Freight truck crane.
Seems like overkill but it might be handy for generators etc.
Will it work with the tailgate closed?

[drbrick]

Well, Both the Boss and I are over 75 and you're correct in saying the old we get lifting 50lbs of hitch is a challenge. To make this easier I did what this chap did - made a handle which goes through on of the hole on the hitch to make it easier to grab abd direct.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyLV1v0PzOs

[azflycaster]

Where are those places? Traveling 5 months a year for 10 years and have never had an issue.

Originally Posted by Airtandem

These are all great set-ups if one is on a solid floor; what do you do when out camping? In some places it is illegal to drive around with just hitch on vehicle.

[Tom Balchak]

Can identify with you. Had cervical spine surgery last week to address injury sustained attempting to put hitch with Rock Tamers on traveling through Salmon Idaho in July. My advice. Get help to attach hitch or make/procure hitch assist. Know friend from Colorado Airstream Club who made one. I’ll try and get instructions and post.,

[uwe]

I use a 16" suspension limiting strap from the off road racer's bag of tricks. Longer ones are available, so it is theoretically possible to share the load with 2 people. In essence, it looks like a short seatbelt with 2 steel ears on it. Its easy on the hands, and won't hurt shins or knees.

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by Airtandem

....... In some places it is illegal to drive around with just hitch on vehicle.

Hi

Everyplace I've seen rules like that, there is some sort of qualifier about "except when towing a trailer". That seems to be interpreted as " you have been towing recently ".

If anybody *has* been busted for pulling out of the campground with the hitch still on, that would be worth hearing about. ( as in when and where so I never go there ....)

Bob

[Captn.Ken]

This is what I use. Hitchgrip Hg712 hitch coupling tool. On eBay and elsewhere. Nice handle to carry hitch. The weight is the same but balanced nicely.

[DonRich7878]

Originally Posted by uncle_bob

Hi

Everyplace I've seen rules like that, there is some sort of qualifier about "except when towing a trailer". That seems to be interpreted as " you have been towing recently ".

If anybody *has* been busted for pulling out of the campground with the hitch still on, that would be worth hearing about. ( as in when and where so I never go there ....)

Bob

Originally Posted by Airtandem

These are all great set-ups if one is on a solid floor; what do you do when out camping? In some places it is illegal to drive around with just hitch on vehicle.

I agree.. please let me know where it is illegal to drive hitch only, so I can avoid a ticket, as I also drive with the hitch mounted in the receiver as a matter of convenience.



I did a quick check around and found that accessories installed in the rear receiver, such as a hitch, extended cargo carriers, or other items like a bike rack are normally considered perfectly legal. So long as they do not obscure the license plate or tail lights.



If the item extends too far from the rear, for example when a plumber transports a long pipe that extends some distance past the pickup rear bumper, most locations require a warning light or in some cases a flag attached the the end to warn other drivers to stay back. In all examples, it looks like police on site have the ability to determine if your particular material transport or bumper accessories are considered a safety hazard.

So if he whacks his knee on your hitch, you might get a ticket, legal or not...

[BobnGayl]

Originally Posted by Captn.Ken

This is what I use. Hitchgrip Hg712 hitch coupling tool. On eBay and elsewhere. Nice handle to carry hitch. The weight is the same but balanced nicely.

I also use this device. Bought mine on Amazon. What makes it great is it allows you to carry the hitch and insert it with one hand. You aren’t bending over as I had to before. It’s the bending, not the weight that caused me problems. (3 herniated disks In my back)

[BoscoMN]

I use one of these mover's dolly for both at home as well as at the campsite. It does not take up much room in the truck and is lightweight. Once I take the hitch off the truck at the campsite, I roll it under the Airstream to store it out of the way and the rain. I use my 40" breaker bar to pull it around so I don't have to bend over too much.

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/to...6304_200596304

I never felt the need to chain it up to the Airstream frame but I probably will when boondocking, etc.

If you look hard, you can see it under the Airstream in this photo - pretty unobtrusive.

[JDG]

My solution.

[guskmg]

This old man installed a crane lift with a winch in his truck's right rear bed corner.
I can lift hitch heads, tires , generators. Almost anything when you add the extended crane arm or lower the truck bed with the airside system. Quite a back and wife saver.
guskmg

[majorairhead]

I just roll it over to the truck, put that hitch grip on the ball, rock it forward, and slide that stinger right on in there, eazy peazy.