How do you hook up your 5th by yourself?

kroghville wrote:
I just look through the rear window (extended cab) , back up to the pin, get out and adjust height, get back in and back up to latch. I do use a 2 step stool to reach over the bed to insert a padlock into the safety pin hole. ( I don't want anyone pulling any tricks on me)! B&W Companion

I always lock my hitch also!

Cover rolled up blocks some of the view, so I have to SWAG-it and usually have to pull an Austin Powers backing job to get it close. I get it close, then check the pin height compared to the hitch and lower until the hitch tilts down some, then back it all the way in; this way I feel the truck having to work a bit to get connect and know it's locked down properly.

I just look through the rear window (extended cab) , back up to the pin, get out and adjust height, get back in and back up to latch. I do use a 2 step stool to reach over the bed to insert a padlock into the safety pin hole. ( I don't want anyone pulling any tricks on me)! B&W Companion

JohnBoyToo wrote:
FYI for quick overnighters, sometimes I don't unhook if I'm just going to crash and take off in the morning ! You have to be somewhat level for your fridge, but you'd be surprised how well you can do with just a bit of movement in your parking spot !



I can't see my 5er hitch in my cc sb with cover...

I put an orange bit of tape on my trail air hitch pin that I line up with the center of my rear window etching and after some practice to see where it needs to be, have gotten pretty good at lining up first with the side mirror to get the 'rough' lineup done, and then as I get closer I use the inside rear view and my 'line up' points to do the finishing line up...

to alleviate the worry about the right height, I got two levels something like this:Hookup memory levels

they have sliding marker to save your height when you unhooked last time...

as stated - practice and find out what works for you...

I try to stay connected when possible. When I do unhook I try to hook back up the night before I leave because I get uncomfortable from bending and climbing so getting a good night's sleep allows me to just jump in and drive the next morning all rested up

ol Bombero-JC wrote:
silvercorvette - for your back problems - you might consider a "genuine" air ride seat (*not* just an air cushion or similar gizmo).

~

The seats in the Dodge are the most comfortable seats I have sat in, in a.modern vehicle but the few hours I spent behind the wheel yesterday was worst than usual. I think the cause is leaving nice warm 80 degree temps back home and driving into cold damp weather (one of the reasons I moved from NYwas that cold weather was/is painful.

Where can I find one of those seats, the ride with the camper is very comfortable but without the extra weight it can be uncomfortable?

silvercorvette - for your back problems - you might consider a "genuine" air ride seat (*not* just an air cushion or similar gizmo).

~

silvercorvette wrote:

elkabong wrote:
I think if I had to go through the rigeramole the OP mentioned I would probably start looking to trade in for a TT.
As mentioned before, my 10yr old Reese double jaw is pretty simple. I have blue tape down in the center of the hitch plate which makes it easier as I can see through the back window to line up with the pin. Once close, I get out to unlock the hitch and set the pin height. When backing under, I want the hitch plate to lift the FW about an inch. This prevents high hitching. After the jaws snap shut, I get out to make sure the jaws are closed and lock the hitch. I painted the jaws white which makes it easier to see that they are closed around the pin. Hook up the breakaway and electrical and do the pull test. None of this procedure requires that my feet leave the ground and that's one big reason why I like a Fiver.

I had a small TT 30 years ago and remember it being harder to line up the ball with out help, at least the 5th has a V in the hitch to guide you in

I used to think so to but the back up camera on my new truck makes hooking up my utility trailer dead easy.

FYI for quick overnighters, sometimes I don't unhook if I'm just going to crash and take off in the morning ! You have to be somewhat level for your fridge, but you'd be surprised how well you can do with just a bit of movement in your parking spot !



I can't see my 5er hitch in my cc sb with cover...

I put an orange bit of tape on my trail air hitch pin that I line up with the center of my rear window etching and after some practice to see where it needs to be, have gotten pretty good at lining up first with the side mirror to get the 'rough' lineup done, and then as I get closer I use the inside rear view and my 'line up' points to do the finishing line up...

to alleviate the worry about the right height, I got two levels something like this:Hookup memory levels

they have sliding marker to save your height when you unhooked last time...

as stated - practice and find out what works for you...

wkswenson wrote:
I have similar conditions - short, short arms, dually hips, tool box, can not see the hitch at all from the drivers seat...

1. Look in bed and make sure the handle is out....
2. Make sure tailgate is down
3. Press left/right buttons on level-up system - hitch returns to height
4. Get in truck - using mirrors align truck/trailer and backup until pin disappears (should be aligned with the hitch)
5. Get out and double check height and alignment
6. Backup until jaws close and handle locks.
7. Using step stool, put handle lock and pin in place
8. Connect power and emergency brake
9. Complete pull test
10. Press retract-all on level up

Thanks for all the usefull suggestions I am going to try a few.

I left Camping world in PA @ midnight made it to destination @ 6 AM zero traffic on the GWB had the road to myself. Back and knee pain real bad wanted to take a pill but that would mean I would have to stop driving and lay down and it would also mean I would be stuck in traffic traffickers I started back on my way so I just gutted it out and ignored the pain until it was safe to take a pill. All is well waiting for new set of Rotochoks to be delivered, I didn't realize the ones I used on the other RV would not fit this one

I have similar conditions - short, short arms, dually hips, tool box, can not see the hitch at all from the drivers seat...

1. Look in bed and make sure the handle is out....
2. Make sure tailgate is down
3. Press left/right buttons on level-up system - hitch returns to height
4. Get in truck - using mirrors align truck/trailer and backup until pin disappears (should be aligned with the hitch)
5. Get out and double check height and alignment
6. Backup until jaws close and handle locks.
7. Using step stool, put handle lock and pin in place
8. Connect power and emergency brake
9. Complete pull test
10. Press retract-all on level up