Has anyone ever used this? It seems like a nice concept
http://www.harborfreight.com/b.....66584.html
[img width=640 height=640]http://www.harborfreight.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/image_16363.jpg[/img]
I have been towing with a 20 year old van lately......I just bounce the trailer off my bumper 😀
I used to wondered how and why so many pickups had little dings in their tailgates in the center. Until I saw someone bounce a trailer off of their tailgate :tickedoff: I can see where this would be nice to have if you have a purty tow vehicle.
Matt O 2006 Skyline Nomad 27' travel trailer. Previously owned 1986 Coleman Columbia / 1992 Coleman Senecca / 1989 Born Free Class C RV.
In that my truck's license plate is right behind the hitch ball I wonder if that would block seeing the plate ...?
I've managed to get better and better over the years, plus Sweetie does an excellent job of guiding (took lots of training!) me back!
A friend recently bought a truck with the rear camera and I was so impressed with that setup that I'm now in the process of installing an after-market one myself. With that camera you can see when the ball is right under the coupler.
Yup, better than my wife. All I do is place her in position, and tell her where I want the ball to be. She does the hand signals and tells me when to stop, and she ususally has me 3/4 under the hitch so it is ready to lower onto the ball. Now she knows where to go and it is fun to watch other people watch her do it. I have a good idea of where I need to be when I hitch up, but it makes it easier where to go and she is helping daddy.
Best Regards,
Norm
I bet a 3 year old could do it. It might not be perfect the first few times you do it but a kid could do it. It is all about clear communication. 2 teams of drivers and lookouts could be awesome. You mix them up and they have different definitions of "little left" "little right" and hand signals communicating between the lookout and driver and it will not be as awesome as with their original team.
I tried having my 7 year old nephew help me back up. I said this ball needs to be under this hitch. I told him to say stop when I am just about to hit it. He said stop....am I going to hit it....yes. When I looked, I was still a good 2 feet away from it :doh:
Matt O 2006 Skyline Nomad 27' travel trailer. Previously owned 1986 Coleman Columbia / 1992 Coleman Senecca / 1989 Born Free Class C RV.
We were up in Jim Thorpe last year and I was getting ready to hook up and a guy from next door came over and asked if I needed help backing up, and I said no thanks, she does it. He looked at her, shrugged his shoulders and said ok. I backed up to her direction perfectly and he was standing there in amazement laughing.
Best Regards,
Norm
I think for many people that this is easier to install (magnets), transferable to ANY TV or trailer (ie:boat or another truck/car)
[img width=200 height=640]http://www.etrailer.com/merchant2/graphics/00000001/pics/J/E/JE00600_1000.jpg[/img]
[img width=640 height=437]http://www.etrailer.com/merchant2/graphics/00000001/pics/J/E/JE00600_bb_1000.jpg[/img]
http://www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Accessories/Jacko-Enterprises/JE00600.html
Low cost too.... For 19.95 (and from a Canadian Company)
This item was featured on Dragon Den in Canada - related to Shark Tank in the US. (good old Kevin O'Leary - Mr Wonderful)
No bump or hitting needed. No covering up plates. Even works with equalizer hitches. As long as you can look out your back window - and line up the LIGHTED marker and watch for one to disappear (then your in line and above the hitch ball)
Video: http://www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Accessories/Jacko-Enterprises/JE00600.html
[quote author=flyfisherman link=topic=1624.msg13282#msg13282 date=1336493922]
A friend recently bought a truck with the rear camera and I was so impressed with that setup that I'm now in the process of installing an after-market one myself. With that camera you can see when the ball is right under the coupler.
I have a Masterlock backup camera and love it. It's the type that slides into the receiver and locks in place with a hitch pin when not towing, and is also magnetic, so I can stick it to the tailgate when hooking up a trailer.
When DW is with me, she handles the director duties and quickly and easily guides me into place, lowers the tongue onto the ball and (most times) locks the hitch. I don't need to get out of the truck until it's time to hook up chains, breakaway lanyard and lights. She sometimes has trouble getting the hitch to lock, especially with the heavier PUP, but that's alright by me 'cause she does the rest of it well.
On the V-shaped hitch guide: some of those are designed so the V plate slides out once you're hooked up.
John
[quote author=jfilz link=topic=1624.msg13289#msg13289 date=1336507273]
I think for many people that this is easier to install (magnets), transferable to ANY TV or trailer (ie:boat or another truck/car)
[img width=200 height=640]http://www.etrailer.com/merchant2/graphics/00000001/pics/J/E/JE00600_1000.jpg[/img]
[img width=640 height=437]http://www.etrailer.com/merchant2/graphics/00000001/pics/J/E/JE00600_bb_1000.jpg[/img]
http://www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Accessories/Jacko-Enterprises/JE00600.html
Low cost too.... For 19.95 (and from a Canadian Company)
This item was featured on Dragon Den in Canada - related to Shark Tank in the US. (good old Kevin O'Leary - Mr Wonderful)
No bump or hitting needed. No covering up plates. Even works with equalizer hitches. As long as you can look out your back window - and line up the LIGHTED marker and watch for one to disappear (then your in line and above the hitch ball)
Video: http://www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Accessories/Jacko-Enterprises/JE00600.html
I have the cheaper ones with the yellow balls. They are too short for the newer, high tail gates. They also like to fall over if they are jarred.
uh... I meant to take a picture, but it seems backing up is also the leading cause of my mother not allowing me to use her car anymore. :ranger:
Just kidding, at least, about mom not letting me use her TV. I did however find out that my reaction time is severely diminished. I somehow didn't manage to say stop until the camper was literally IN the bumper last weekend.
[size=14pt]Why oh why didn't I buy the backup hitch guide? [/size]
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