Hitching up solo how do you do it?

[HCR]

Tennis balls on antennae, as mentioned several times, are GREAT!

As a single full-timer, they are invaluable.

[Relentless]

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

[05ModPod]

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....

[Mikethefixit]

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.

[Mhenry2712]

My little tacoma comes with a tailgate camera...

[the ponz]

Practice.

Oh yea, and cover the license plate with a 1x6. Michigan wants $5 for a replacement.

[Pahaska]

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.

[Pahaska]

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.

[blickcd]

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.

[Airperson]

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.

[jgsimons]

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.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by Pahaska

I always hitch up solo since my co-pilot is not useful to say the least.

And is not addicted to our Forum either I'll bet.!!

[Woodywhite]

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

[Skater]

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).

[LiLNomad]

Swift Hitch portable Wireless Camera purchased on Amazon. Its great!

[Mikethefixit]

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.

[Hodum]

I am just good.

[Hodum]

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.

[jdb]

Practice. I guarantee within ten hookups you'll be doing it effortlessly.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by Mikethefixit

..... PUT THE TWO BALLS together and WA LA you are there.

Thats why we got the no ball ones from CW....

DW couldn't concentrate when it was her turn to "hook-up".