fifth wheel hooking up guides

[dtappy3353]

Wife has a problem not being able to see the truck bed hitch when backing up to the kingpin. We carry a large container for inverter/generator which impairs the ability to actually see where things are at.

Is there some type of guide that some of you use which would be of benefit for her. Wife is a former skilled farmer with lots of pulling/backing experience. Frustration over this for her is high which makes for a temporary unhappy camper.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

dt

[KeithAS]

Trailer aids (magnetic poles), left over from the TT. One on center top of the pin box, one on center of the 5th wheel mounting bar. Head in the center of the head rest and watch the mirror. Perfect line up every time. When the pole is knocked over, get out and make the final height adjustment with the landing gear. Back in the last foot. Hitched.

[RCMAN46]

reppoc12 wrote:
Maybe when it is hooked up you can make a mark, piece of tape or something, on the front cap and another one on top of the bin or back window so that she can see both when backing up?

X2 but I add a third mark. I put a small mark with tape etc on the mirror that lines up with the one on my rear window and the one on the front cap. Then just like aiming a gun the pin is lined up with the hitch. Then when the pin passes over the tail gate I get out to confirm alignment and that the pin height is where it needs to be.

[kennethwooster]

I'm very short, and cannot see hitch and etc. Now that I have a DRW, the rear finders are the same width as the 5th wheel. As I back up I make sure both fenders are in line with outside of 5th. I get out and check and most of the time I'm perfect for the hitch,Every tow vehicle is a little different and I just have to learn what works.

[bbaker2001]

harbor freight has the ball setup, but I use one of their extension rods. they are magnetic and I set it on my hitch. not any bigger than a pencil.
when I get close, I always get out and check

[Hvyhauler]

Allworth wrote:
Get Out And Look! ????

X2

[mountainsam]

I have posted this before and some laughed at the idea, however it still works great. I bought two 2 yellow balls mounted on an extension rod similar to an antena. They have magnets on the bottom. Most rv supply stores sell them. Drop the tailgate and set one ball on the tail gate (center) and the other just inside the bed (center) get in the truck and look in the rear view mirror. Back up and keep the balls in line with the center of the trailer. Works like a charm.

[Fabguy]

Rear view mirror works for me.

[rhagfo]

jamway wrote:

Dan Henry wrote:
I can not see the trailer pin box from the drivers seat. I have a wire that that I hang on the brake cable to get the trailer pin at the correct hight. The back seat has small center head rest, I removed the custuion and there are 2 small plastic buttons that use to line up the center of the pin box by looking in the rear view mirror , works every time.

Dan

Like Dan I use the head rest buttons and the wife gets the trailer the correct height. No problems.

:h

You can't get to the correct height before backing in to it??? We are not talking fraction of inches, you can be at least two inches low, and still load.

[Tom_Diane]

As Allworth says, Get out and look!
Use your side mirrors as well as the rear veiw to line up the TV so that the pinbox will be at or darn near center, back up slow and get as close as you dare to the actual contact, then get out and look and see if it is in line, if not, simply move the TV over to adjust the hook up. It would then be a good time to hook up the cable so that you will have trailer brakes as you continue to back under the 5er or TT. The process is the same for both!

[ORbiker]

fowl8717 wrote:
I have a small tripod that will mount my iphone. I put it on the cargo box and call my wife's phone on facetime. I put her phone in the phone holder in the truck and use both as a back up camera and monitor. All you need is two phones that can link up with video.

Ford F250, Jayco 27.5RKDS (2016)

Now; that's creative. Use what you already have.

[jamway]

Dan Henry wrote:
I can not see the trailer pin box from the drivers seat. I have a wire that that I hang on the brake cable to get the trailer pin at the correct hight. The back seat has small center head rest, I removed the custuion and there are 2 small plastic buttons that use to line up the center of the pin box by looking in the rear view mirror , works every time.

Dan

Like Dan I use the head rest buttons and the wife gets the trailer the correct height. No problems.

[Allworth]

Get Out And Look! ????

[fowl8717]

I have a small tripod that will mount my iphone. I put it on the cargo box and call my wife's phone on facetime. I put her phone in the phone holder in the truck and use both as a back up camera and monitor. All you need is two phones that can link up with video.

Ford F250, Jayco 27.5RKDS (2016)

[dedmiston]

BobKrogstie wrote:

momentum rv wrote:
Maybe a wireless portable camera. Some have magnetic camera mount and not too expensive.

Maybe something like this: https://www.swifthitch.com/products/

I agree. The Swift Hitch is a marriage saver!

http://www.amazon.com/Swift-Hitch-SH01-Portable-Wireless/dp/B000ZEON90

I used it for years with our old bumper pull. I'm glad I don't need it anymore, but I sure was happy to have it when I needed it.

[rhagfo]

I would assume she also can't see in the rear view mirror. :h
so keep the pin low, as long as the pin plate hits the hitch plate, or ramp ears not going to high hitch.

Center as above some kind of mark, or center on truck bed, with outside mirrors.