Posted 2015-04-15 10:57 AM (#163166 - in reply to #163165) Subject: RE: Don't laugh but what's the easiest way to hook up a
Veteran
Posts: 133 Location: NC
you could install a camera against the cab of the truck and use it when backing up to the trailer (my friend has this), or a tennis ball on a stand and use it to guide you (my inlaws use this method), or get a friend to help you. i'm 5' and have a hard time turning around and seeing the ball from inside the truck (i have a mega cab). all i do is try to get the truck and trailer lined up the best i can and back up to where i think the ball is and get out to look then adjust accordingly. I can usually get it the second try. The more you do it the better you will be at it, you will eventually get use to it and it will become easier and easier. Good luck!
Posted 2015-04-15 6:31 PM (#163168 - in reply to #163165) Subject: RE: Don't laugh but what's the easiest way to hook up a
Veteran
Posts: 264 Location: Sumas Washington
I painted a bright color stripe down the center of the truck bed, I can see the stripe out the rear window of the truck but not the ball. I installed a convex mirror on the front of the trailer so I can see the ball. Works for me.
Posted 2015-04-15 7:33 PM (#163170 - in reply to #163165) Subject: RE: Don't laugh but what's the easiest way to hook up a
Expert
Posts: 3853 Location: Vermont
When I teach people to get the feel of hitching up...I use one of these for training...stick the camera on the gooseneck pointing straight downward and place a firring strip in the bed in a line from the rear of the folded-down tailgate to the ball hitch...people seem to pick up the techniques of hooking up their truck and trailer in a rather short period of time...:) http://www.etrailer.com/Backup-Cameras-and-Alarms/Swift-Hitch/04928...
Posted 2015-04-16 6:04 AM (#163174 - in reply to #163165) Subject: RE: Don't laugh but what's the easiest way to hook up a
New User
Posts: 2
Location: Mechanicsville, Va.
Get one of those magnetized key boxes and take apart leaving just the magnet. glue a piece of wood to the magnet with a hole drilled in it for a length of dowel. Insert dowel into piece of wood. Place the magnet on top of the ball. Back up to the trailer and when the dowel moves you are lined up. Stop and let down the trailer.
Posted 2015-04-16 7:46 AM (#163176 - in reply to #163165) Subject: RE: Don't laugh but what's the easiest way to hook up a
Regular
Posts: 78
I line up the hitch with the center of the tail gate, back straight from there until it looks like the tail gate is super close to the trailer, then get out and look. Usually I heed to go back 2-3 more inches.
Posted 2015-04-18 6:00 PM (#163191 - in reply to #163165) Subject: RE: Don't laugh but what's the easiest way to hook up a
Veteran
Posts: 201 Location: Lincoln, NE
I stretch a bungee cord across the pickup bed so it is above the ball. Then tie another bungee cord right over the ball. I back up until gooseneck hitch reaches the knotted bungee cord then get out to check. I may have read about the strategy on this web site.
I used this method after spending money on a stick with a magnetized base. It was supposed to stick to the ball and stand tall enough to be seen to facilitate getting the trailer hitched. It was a waste of money. The magnet was so flimsy the thing would fall over when I started backing up.
Posted 2015-06-19 12:36 PM (#163816 - in reply to #163165) Subject: RE: Don't laugh but what's the easiest way to hook up a
Member
Posts: 8
Location: lubbock, tx
I bought one of these at harbor freight and it works great I put in just behind the ball in the bed and raise it up so I can see it and when the ball touches the goose neck I stop and lower the truck down on the money every time http://www.homedepot.com/p/Reese-Towpower-Steel-Solo-Hitch-7012900/...
Posted 2015-06-22 4:24 PM (#163840 - in reply to #163165) Subject: RE: Don't laugh but what's the easiest way to hook up a
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 560 Location: Mena, AR
I got a plastic fish eye and put it on my rear window. (Pep Boys $10) It worked great. I could see the ball and hitch. When we put a above rail tool box in the bed it no longer worked because the tool box got in the way. I now have a truck with the bed camera mounted on the top of the cab and that works really well. But the fish eye was cheaper. :-)
Don't laugh but what's the easiest way to hook up a
