While walking the dogs through the neighborhood a saw a box trailer up in a driveway.
The owner put a tall traffic cone over the trailer tongue hand crank.
I thought it was a clever way to be able to see alignment and distance and have a traffic cone with you for any breakdown or other need for warning.
That's a good idea.
And I happen to have a cone!
Beldar approves... ;D
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I use some magnets with telescoping foam balls on the end. seems to work pretty well for me. Particularly when reconnecting to the trailer with the extension deployed.
On my Ford Edge, I can see the hitch ball on the backup camera, which helps a lot. When it's getting close, I can also zoom it in for fine tuning the dock.
Quote from: LakeShark on Mar 30, 2023, 04:33 PMI use some magnets with telescoping foam balls on the end. seems to work pretty well for me. Particularly when reconnecting to the trailer with the extension deployed.
Not sure I can envision this. Can you elaborate? Maybe a picture? Usually takes me 4-6x hopping in and out of the suv to get her lined up.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/2-Magnetic-Telescoping-Trailer-Hitch-Alignment-Kit-Balls-RV-Boat-Utility-Trailer/706674746
Here ya go, Captain Kidd
Quote from: Wayne Howard on Apr 02, 2023, 06:06 PMhttps://www.walmart.com/ip/2-Magnetic-Telescoping-Trailer-Hitch-Alignment-Kit-Balls-RV-Boat-Utility-Trailer/706674746
Here ya go, Captain Kidd
Thanks for the link! Looks very useful!
I now use a backup camera on my GPS, but for years I had a big truck mirror bolted to the trailer's mast support and aimed at the hitch ball. Mirror cost about 8 bucks IIRC.
Tapped a ¼-20 hole on trailer mast support and screwed it in.
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Pros:
Cheap.
Doesn't need batteries.
No electronics to fail.
Cons:
Hard to see at night.
Hope this helps,
Charles Brennan
Quote from: Charles Brennan on Apr 03, 2023, 09:06 PMI now use a backup camera on my GPS, but for years I had a big truck mirror bolted to the trailer's mast support and aimed at the hitch ball. Mirror cost about 8 bucks IIRC.
Tapped a ¼-20 hole on trailer mast support and screwed it in.
Hope this helps,
Charles Brennan
Obviously more than one way to skin a cat.
Thanks to those who got this forum back up and running.
I back up to the trailer using the license plate method: I can hear it crunch when the tongue is over the ball. This might seem crude but it is better than the spousal hand gesture method. :)
-Bo
I love the backup camera on our tow vehicle. We are living in the future. :o ;D
Quote from: Captain Kidd on Apr 03, 2023, 12:07 PMQuote from: Wayne Howard on Apr 02, 2023, 06:06 PMhttps://www.walmart.com/ip/2-Magnetic-Telescoping-Trailer-Hitch-Alignment-Kit-Balls-RV-Boat-Utility-Trailer/706674746
Here ya go, Captain Kidd
Thanks for the link! Looks very useful!
I use the same thing, then stick them on the fenders of my skiff trailer so I can back it down the ramp. With the boat off I can't see the trailer to correct. I have a backup camera but often the sun angle on the screen negates its usefulness.
That's one thing about the larger diameter tires nowadays....I can't SEE any of that stuff on my small trailer. And yes, the spousal method is almost useless :)
Like "ALL" the ideas and especially the orange cones also help on hwy breakdown. Hooking up I'm always on concrete and drag / roll my trailer to my truck it's fairly easy 15 ft catboat 1000 lbs (ish).
I have used the magnet & flag for years. it's still helpful for the initial approach from a distance. I can see it real-life without the mirror-image effect of the back up camera. The camera is still good for the last foot or so.
Spousal/kids hand gestures or verbal guides would make for a funny U-Tube bit. Why can't they understand the simple "hands apart and move together to show final distance" procedure? Why can't they stand where you can see them? But I love them dearly, so be it.
Jetski trailer is a real bear to back up empty. Can't see it. I mounted a spring-loaded fiberglass whip & flag to the center rear frame. I bend and tuck it under the ski rail for travel.
I love to stop by the local ramp on a Sunday evening to watch husband/wife teams retrieve the family boat after a long day in the sun, and maybe they had a bit of alcohol too. Comedy at its best. Boating entertainment comes in many forms.
The best (or worst depending on your point of view) boat ramp follies usually occurs right after the 4th of July fireworks display. We saw a wife back the trailer down the ramp correctly but her husband managed to get the boat on the trailer sideways three times and cussing her for parking the trailer wrong.
Quote from: LakeShark on Mar 30, 2023, 04:33 PMI use some magnets with telescoping foam balls on the end. seems to work pretty well for me. Particularly when reconnecting to the trailer with the extension deployed.
I used these (still have them) until the new tow vehicles came with the backup cameras where I can see both the trailer tongue and the hitch ball. Although the alarms are annoying, the backup camera makes lineup really easy.
Fred W
Stuart Mariner #4133 Sweet P
Yeopim Creek, Albemarle Sound, NC
'17 stripped, base level "work" truck. Only way I could afford a 4x4 truck with an eight foot box. I pay cash for vehicles. Maybe just me. Never made sense to finance something that depreciates so fast. With a topper on the truck and multiple heavy tinted and dusty rear facing windows I see zilch through them. At least I don't have to flip the rearview mirror to nighttime driving mode. Without the cheapo low resolution, very wide angle backup camera I would have a difficult time attaching any trailer. Even with the camera it sometimes requires muscling the last couple centimeters.
Friend with an older no backup camera truck with a topper and similar viewing issues that I have and a much larger boat(no trailer muscling) has issues. Two person operation or lots of back and forth even with his aid. A fiberglass rod attached to the trailer tongue. Another good reason for a real trailer sailboat.
Quote from: pgandw on Jun 17, 2023, 11:23 AMQuote from: LakeShark on Mar 30, 2023, 04:33 PMI use some magnets with telescoping foam balls on the end. seems to work pretty well for me. Particularly when reconnecting to the trailer with the extension deployed.
I used these (still have them) until the new tow vehicles came with the backup cameras where I can see both the trailer tongue and the hitch ball. Although the alarms are annoying, the backup camera makes lineup really easy.
Anyway to deactivate the collision warning alarms? Last service visit to the auto dealer I was watching a sales person drive into the show room a new vehicle that barely fit through the door. It stopped itself. That would be annoying.
Fred W
Stuart Mariner #4133 Sweet P
Yeopim Creek, Albemarle Sound, NC