Backing to a trailer

[Norm L.]

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.

[Doug SC]

That's a good idea.

[Riley Smith]

And I happen to have a cone!

[CapnK]

Beldar approves... 

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[LakeShark]

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. 

[Riggerdood]

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.

[Captain Kidd]

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. 

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.

[Wayne Howard]

https://www.walmart.com/ip/2-Magnetic-Telescoping-Trailer-Hitch-Alignment-Kit-Balls-RV-Boat-Utility-Trailer/706674746

Here ya go, Captain Kidd

[Captain Kidd]

https://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!

[Charles Brennan]

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

[Captain Kidd]

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.


Hope this helps,
Charles Brennan

Obviously more than one way to skin a cat.

[Bo, NIS26]

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

[Doug SC]

I love the backup camera on our tow vehicle. We are living in the future.  

[Frank B.]

https://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.

[Riley Smith]

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