Solo hitching |
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techntrek
Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9062 |
Topic: Solo hitching Posted: 30 Dec 2015 at 1:15pm |
Hmmm, I could see taking this one step further and emulating what those hitching systems do. Put a dot on the trailer and on your back window, so from your perspective as you look through the rearview mirror they line up perfectly when the ball is under the hitch (before the hitch is lowered). There may still be issues lining up the dot on the vertical axis if the hitch is higher than normal or if the trailer and TV aren't level with each other. The horizontal axis will be more useful. And it won't help with figuring out the Z-axis (distance), but the suggestion above about taking a mental picture will get you close on the Z. Maybe if you made both of the dots appear to be the same size when everything is aligned that will help you judge the distance. I'm going to try this! |
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Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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john in idaho
Senior Member Joined: 04 Nov 2014 Location: Eagle Idaho Online Status: Offline Posts: 611 |
Posted: 30 Dec 2015 at 1:24pm |
I line up the dot with the handle of the lift window on the back of the topper on the pickup.
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ron_whitt
Senior Member Joined: 08 Sep 2011 Location: Chesterville On Online Status: Offline Posts: 261 |
Posted: 30 Dec 2015 at 1:27pm |
I like the dot on tv and tt never thought of that. Once in a while I have to hook up solo, so this sounds like something to look into.
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Ron & Shirley
2020 Tacoma 2012 177 rpod |
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techntrek
Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9062 |
Posted: 30 Dec 2015 at 1:34pm |
Dang you guys are quick on the draw. I went back to edit my post and have two replies. See what I said about the size of the dots.
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Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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john in idaho
Senior Member Joined: 04 Nov 2014 Location: Eagle Idaho Online Status: Offline Posts: 611 |
Posted: 30 Dec 2015 at 3:05pm |
How ever the dots are not perfect. About every 5 or 6 times I must make 10 trips back to look at things before I can lock the ball. The receiver that came with my '15 179 is a bit touchy. You really have to check to make sure the ball is seated on top of the ball lock.
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marwayne
Senior Member Joined: 25 Oct 2011 Location: Edmonton AB Can Online Status: Offline Posts: 1002 |
Posted: 30 Dec 2015 at 5:00pm |
I painted the tip of the hitch it is easier to see with the backup camera
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If you want something done right, do it yourself.
2011 RP172, 2016 Tundra 5.7 Litre, Ltd. |
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shroomer
Senior Member Joined: 24 Aug 2013 Location: New Haven, CT Online Status: Offline Posts: 236 |
Posted: 30 Dec 2015 at 5:57pm |
When all else fails, you look through the garage for scrap.
I used a piece of cardboard to make a tube to fit over the jack post. I put a piece of styrofoam noodle into it. Now I had something to aim at. Next I clamped a 24" bar clamp onto my tailgate (with a 2x4 spacer). When the end of the bar clamp touches the noodle, I'm in position. But mostly I just use the outside mirrors and good estimation. |
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Larry and Debbie w/Rosie the mutt. Old: '13 177, '06 Silverado V6
New: '15 Whitehawk 20MRB '14 Silverado V8 |
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