Tow car hookup by single person
I will be towing a vehicle and need to be able to easily (relatively) hook up the towed vehicle by myself. 1) Any recommendations for a particular tow bar brand? 2) Any hookup procedure recommenda...
Forum Discussion
I use a Demco Aluminator (extendable arms) with our Honda Odyssey. If wifey is available, I direct her to drive the Ody up to the motorhome to connect, I connect, and then she backs up slowly. I watch the arms as they extend and have her turn the front wheels as needed to get both arms to lock at just about the same point. Then I do the magical Honda shifting routine while I connect the safety cables, electrical and do other checks. Then it's off we go and I check to make sure the auxiliary braking system is functioning as we drive off.
If wifey isn't available, it's the same procedure, but I just drive up to the moho myself. You get pretty good at estimating the distance after a while. Once I connect, I look at the arms and again turn the wheels on the toad accordingly. (Turn wheels in the direction of the arms closest to locking up. This will cause the shorter arm to travel further while backing, evening things up.) Back up a bit and recheck the arms and adjust the steering wheel if needed. Then I finish backing up until I hear them lock and then continue with making the Ody ready. If one arm should lock before the other, turning the steering wheel hard in the direction of the locked arm and stepping on the gas slightly is usually enough to lock the second arm.
I've tried the "driving forward" method, but it's a much longer walk from the front of the motorhome to the hitch than from the front of the Ody to the hitch, so I find it easier and quicker to just back up the toad.
Keeping the tow bar in proper condition so the arms lock as they should is and important part of the process as well.
Different strokes for different folks. My major recommendation for anyone purchasing a towbar is to get one which is extendable. In my opinion, it's worth the few extra bucks in initial expense to alleviate potential headaches for years down the road. It just makes like much easier, ESPECIALLY in those situations where you're trying to connect on uneven ground or you can't get a straight approach to the motorhome. When I'm on vacation, I'm looking to minimize aggravation. :)
~Rick
If wifey isn't available, it's the same procedure, but I just drive up to the moho myself. You get pretty good at estimating the distance after a while. Once I connect, I look at the arms and again turn the wheels on the toad accordingly. (Turn wheels in the direction of the arms closest to locking up. This will cause the shorter arm to travel further while backing, evening things up.) Back up a bit and recheck the arms and adjust the steering wheel if needed. Then I finish backing up until I hear them lock and then continue with making the Ody ready. If one arm should lock before the other, turning the steering wheel hard in the direction of the locked arm and stepping on the gas slightly is usually enough to lock the second arm.
I've tried the "driving forward" method, but it's a much longer walk from the front of the motorhome to the hitch than from the front of the Ody to the hitch, so I find it easier and quicker to just back up the toad.
Keeping the tow bar in proper condition so the arms lock as they should is and important part of the process as well.
Different strokes for different folks. My major recommendation for anyone purchasing a towbar is to get one which is extendable. In my opinion, it's worth the few extra bucks in initial expense to alleviate potential headaches for years down the road. It just makes like much easier, ESPECIALLY in those situations where you're trying to connect on uneven ground or you can't get a straight approach to the motorhome. When I'm on vacation, I'm looking to minimize aggravation. :)
~Rick
