R-pod Owners Forum : Solo hitching https://www.rpod-owners.com/ This is an XML content feed of; R-pod Owners Forum : Reviews and General Information : Solo hitching Copyright (c) 2006-2009 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Fri, 28 Aug 2026 03:39:55 +0000 Wed, 30 Dec 2015 17:57:34 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 9.64 360 https://www.rpod-owners.com/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=7310 R-pod Owners Forum https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_images/web_wiz_forums.png https://www.rpod-owners.com/ Solo hitching : When all else fails, you look... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7310&PID=68653#68653 Author: shroomer
Subject: 7310
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.


]]> Wed, 30 Dec 2015 17:57:34 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7310&PID=68653#68653 Solo hitching : I painted the tip of the hitch... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7310&PID=68651#68651 Author: marwayne
Subject: 7310
Posted: 30 Dec 2015 at 5:00pm

I painted the tip of the hitch it is easier to see with the backup camera]]> Wed, 30 Dec 2015 17:00:31 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7310&PID=68651#68651 Solo hitching : How ever the dots are not perfect.... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7310&PID=68650#68650 Author: john in idaho
Subject: 7310
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.]]> Wed, 30 Dec 2015 15:05:04 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7310&PID=68650#68650 Solo hitching : Dang you guys are quick on the... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7310&PID=68645#68645 Author: techntrek
Subject: 7310
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.]]> Wed, 30 Dec 2015 13:34:12 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7310&PID=68645#68645 Solo hitching : I like the dot on tv and tt never... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7310&PID=68644#68644 Author: ron_whitt
Subject: 7310
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.
]]> Wed, 30 Dec 2015 13:27:33 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7310&PID=68644#68644 Solo hitching : I line up the dot with the handle... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7310&PID=68643#68643 Author: john in idaho
Subject: 7310
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.]]> Wed, 30 Dec 2015 13:24:02 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7310&PID=68643#68643 Solo hitching : Originally posted by john in... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7310&PID=68642#68642 Author: techntrek
Subject: 7310
Posted: 30 Dec 2015 at 1:15pm

Originally posted by john in idaho

Put a dot or piece of tape on the exact middle of the trailer front wall so you can see it with your inside mirror.


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!

]]> Wed, 30 Dec 2015 13:15:57 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7310&PID=68642#68642 Solo hitching : Put a dot or piece of tape on... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7310&PID=68640#68640 Author: john in idaho
Subject: 7310
Posted: 30 Dec 2015 at 10:32am

Put a dot or piece of tape on the exact middle of the trailer front wall so you can see it with your inside mirror.]]> Wed, 30 Dec 2015 10:32:58 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7310&PID=68640#68640 Solo hitching : Put me down for Solo Hitch. Normally... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7310&PID=68620#68620 Author: Keith-N-Dar
Subject: 7310
Posted: 29 Dec 2015 at 6:52pm

Put me down for Solo Hitch.  Normally I only have to get out once and sometimes move the tongue over a little bit.  The magnets don't fit perfectly on the trailer, but can get close enough to hitch.
]]> Tue, 29 Dec 2015 18:52:47 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7310&PID=68620#68620 Solo hitching : thank you all so much for the... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7310&PID=68614#68614 Author: dogsintow
Subject: 7310
Posted: 29 Dec 2015 at 5:12pm

thank you all so much for the ideas and recommendations. the getting-in-out gets frustrating to me. I always have my dogs with me and they ride in crates and I have to have them in the TV before I'm hitched up and they get really confused and stressed out with the repeated in/out etc. Plus in the PNW it rains a lot obviously and I've gotten quite wet just getting aligned. So I'm willing to spend a little on a good system that will help me out. It looks like there are a few good options.]]> Tue, 29 Dec 2015 17:12:27 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7310&PID=68614#68614 Solo hitching : Getting in and out works for me. TT... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7310&PID=68601#68601 Author: Tars Tarkas
Subject: 7310
Posted: 29 Dec 2015 at 1:32pm

Getting in and out works for me.

TT]]> Tue, 29 Dec 2015 13:32:19 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7310&PID=68601#68601 Solo hitching : I tried the backup camera thing.... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7310&PID=68592#68592 Author: Outbound
Subject: 7310
Posted: 29 Dec 2015 at 10:35am

I tried the backup camera thing.  Mine had the standard fisheye lens and I found it wasn't very useful.  I moved the camera to the back of the trailer instead (actually, it peeks out the rear window) and use it as a rear-view mirror.

I still prefer my EasyHitch for solo hookups.  In strong winds, just place them back a bit - not on the ball, but on the flat steel of the trailer tongue and the receiver hitch.  Or, as Techntrek and David have suggested, just get out a few times while backing up.
]]> Tue, 29 Dec 2015 10:35:45 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7310&PID=68592#68592 Solo hitching : X 2 on Techntrek's comments.... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7310&PID=68586#68586 Author: Guests
Subject: 7310
Posted: 29 Dec 2015 at 7:34am

X 2 on Techntrek's comments. I have thought about a camera but, decided it would be just one more thing to "fool" with. Being in the same situation (hitching solo) I can relate. Some days, I nail it on the first try. Most days, it takes a few tries to get it right. (I've been hitching up trailers for decades)

If a campsite is reasonably level, I often hitch up the day/evening before - while it is still daytime. If the site is not level, I'll, at least, get the truck & camper "lined up", so all I have to do is back up a few inches.

When you are hitched, make a mental note of the "picture" you see in your mirrors. When backing up to hitch, you'll want to see the same "picture", in the mirrors. This will get you in the ballpark.]]> Tue, 29 Dec 2015 07:34:04 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7310&PID=68586#68586 Solo hitching : http://www.amazon.com/Hopkin... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7310&PID=68579#68579 Author: Podster
Subject: 7310
Posted: 28 Dec 2015 at 10:41pm

http://www.amazon.com/Hopkins-50002-Smart-Camera-System/dp/B00CTLGSZO

Check out the video...looks pretty good!
]]> Mon, 28 Dec 2015 22:41:46 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7310&PID=68579#68579 Solo hitching : I just do it the hard way, getting... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7310&PID=68572#68572 Author: techntrek
Subject: 7310
Posted: 28 Dec 2015 at 9:36pm

I just do it the hard way, getting out a half-dozen times, adjusting each time.  No camera on my truck but I would like to get one eventually.]]> Mon, 28 Dec 2015 21:36:33 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7310&PID=68572#68572 Solo hitching : My Frontier has a backup camera... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7310&PID=68569#68569 Author: ronahue
Subject: 7310
Posted: 28 Dec 2015 at 3:06pm

My Frontier has a backup camera from the factory and it works great unless the hitch is in the shade and the camera in the sun. It also works great at night. ]]> Mon, 28 Dec 2015 15:06:38 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7310&PID=68569#68569 Solo hitching : I'm looking for recommendations... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7310&PID=68567#68567 Author: dogsintow
Subject: 7310
Posted: 28 Dec 2015 at 2:39pm

I'm looking for recommendations for trailer alignment gear. I am solo with my 177 and Tahoe, often having to hitch it in the dark in the PNW. I tried the magnetic rods with the ball, but once it was so windy that the rod fell over and was no help. I'm thinking of investing in a backup camera but would love to know what you all use or recommend if you've ever tried to hitch up solo. Thanks.]]> Mon, 28 Dec 2015 14:39:58 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7310&PID=68567#68567