painting the coupler

Had the same problem. I used some white electrical tape. I vertical strip and one horizontal. Works great. Will probably have to replace it next spring, but tape is cheap. I also watch for the shadow of the coupler over the ball.

I tell people the easiest way to do it is to use both side mirrors to line the TV such that the part of the trailer visible in each side mirror looks equal.

The other easy method is the several styles of 'easy hitch' devices such as pairs of thin rods attached to magnets. You stick one to hitch and one to ball mount then just back up till the 2 rods meet.

md2lgyk wrote:
Please don't take this the wrong way, but you need to work on your backing skills. I have no rearview camera or any other "aid" for hitching up, yet even by myself it rarely takes more than a couple of minutes to line up the ball and coupler.

But, to answer your question, I'd probably use red or yellow paint.

Maybe some people are better at it than others but I too have this issue, I can line it up with a back up camera but the depth perception is not all that without good light. Maybe if I moved the license plate mount camera somewhere else I can do, maybe on the trailer instead.

greatwhitenorth69 wrote:

Couple of minutes! sounds like you need to work on your backing skills, I can do it in 5 seconds at 20 mph, and don't even have to get out to lock the coupler, hook up chains, or power cord.

:) :) :) :) :)

I don't have a back up camera but I assure you, I would use it if I had it!

Right now I do the looksee technique. Back straight up, get out and looksee, adjust as needed. It was REALLY aggravating at first but now I am pretty decent at it. Usually its about 2-3 trips out of the truck to the back to get it right. I have only hit my license plate once in 3 years. LOL

I have seriously thought about adding a monitor in my cab and installing some sort of camera to keep an eye on the hitch while pulling. Sort of a permanent back up camera system.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

Lots of good ideas. Thanks! I think the reflective tape sounds good. I'll give that a try.

md2lgyk, when you have a rearview camera, you back strait into position in one fast step. I am only looking to fix the problem where conditions prevent that good view. I can back to the hitch without the camera, but it takes several episodes of hopping out of the truck to get a visual check. Why do that, if I don't have to?

paint it white, so it's clearly visible in the dark as well

Jim,

I use fluorescent green tape....and a ground guide. Chronic low
back pain limits mobility. I also have those magnet poles for when
doing it by myself... honestly, I still get out numerous times and verify.
Once missed... and knocked the fiver back about three inches...
bad form...skid plates now sport a stylish upturn on the ends...don't be
like me.

Charles

Even easier would be neon yellow reflective tape. Should be able to pick some up real cheap at most bicycle shops. Back-up lights will help with the reflection, especially with low level light times.

Example - Amazon - Nathan-27-Inch-Reflective-Tape-Yellow

Please don't take this the wrong way, but you need to work on your backing skills. I have no rearview camera or any other "aid" for hitching up, yet even by myself it rarely takes more than a couple of minutes to line up the ball and coupler.

But, to answer your question, I'd probably use red or yellow paint.