any advice for a stupid person (me)lol hooking up to a trailer ball

[SuzzeeeQ2012]

We've been dealing with this for years. Every time we go to back up to the trailer ball, and I'm helping, I CAN'T DO IT. It takes 5 times back and forth for him to get on the ball.

We DO have a backup camera, but he says he can't really see in it very well (black and white and everything blurs or something).

if I'm standing at the left so he can see ME, I can't see the BALL and if he needs to go left or right. So, I end up going back and forth 50 times and he goes forward and back till he gets on.


Well, tonight, he went BACKWARDS instead of forward and the trailer ended up on the ground.

I hate doing this! I suck at it.

argh

[Sport45]

Stop him about 5 feet out and let him get out and look. Then stop him 2 feet out to do the same. After that, just stop him before he hits anything. Let him look at the situation and make his own corrections.

I found that worked the best for me when I'd have a scout were helping me line up on the troop trailer.

[kenl4707]

I have a backup Camera and hit it every time, still working and making sure I'm back enough. I miss it by an inch or so.

[F1bNorm]

If you have two folks with smart phones and facetime, use one as a remote camera? Just thinking out loud.

Norm

[down_home]

Know how to tell a trailer owner from a MH owner? The guys that tow all have bruises on their legs/knees and walk with canes from walking behind the pickup right into the ball or extension.

[SuzzeeeQ2012]

I am so glad I asked! Such GREAT SUGGESTIONS thank you all!

[SuzzeeeQ2012]

Jebby14 wrote:
have dh guide and you drive.

definitely going to try this, had crossed my mind today 🙂

[SuzzeeeQ2012]

micpib1 wrote:
Just stand nearby with a look of total disgust and cross your arms in front of you. I have seen that in RV parks several times, it must work really well. JH 🙂

LOL!

[SuzzeeeQ2012]

MitchF150 wrote:
Yeah, that's a tough deal there.. What kind of trailer are you hitching up to? Is is possible to get a wheel on the tongue jack and you can move it around a bit once it gets close?

Good luck!

Mitch

Oh!! I'm going to suggest that! That is the big problem...no give and take, it has to be right.on.the.mark.

thank you hope it works!

[wnjj]

WyoTraveler wrote:
All good advice except one. NEVER NEVER stand between a movng vehicle and another object. You can become crushed. Just takes one slip of the foot. Standing along side is just as easy. Hooking up to a trailer with a MH can be difficult.

A person I can't trust to idle backward with their foot on the brake the whole time is not someone I'd ride with either. Also if the trailer is anywhere near the right height to hitch, it will hit the bumper and get pushed back even if they back too far.

Maybe working on farms has made me more reckless? 🙂 Many implements require someone standing behind the tractor to hold something to line things up like the 3-point arms or the floppy hitch on a cultapacker.

[kyhawk]

My DW and I figured this out a long time ago. Even though I normally drive, when it comes to hitching up the toad she drives and I give the directions. Saves a lot of stress.

[wbwood]

Practice

[bdpreece]

I would suggest a couple of cheap walkie talkies but my wife gets excited and forgets to push the talk button.

[DougE]

Definitely get him an iBall. You can put the camera where it will do the most good.

[MarkTwain]

SuzzeeeQ2012 wrote:
We've been dealing with this for years. Every time we go to back up to the trailer ball, and I'm helping, I CAN'T DO IT. It takes 5 times back and forth for him to get on the ball.

We DO have a backup camera, but he says he can't really see in it very well (black and white and everything blurs or something).

if I'm standing at the left so he can see ME, I can't see the BALL and if he needs to go left or right. So, I end up going back and forth 50 times and he goes forward and back till he gets on.


Well, tonight, he went BACKWARDS instead of forward and the trailer ended up on the ground.

I hate doing this! I suck at it.

argh

Go online to "cabbalas.com" or call toll-free 1-800-237-4444. Look in their RV section and order a device called the "hitch alignment". This will allow you back up within 2 or 3 inches close of the ball and then will automatically move the ball into alignment directly over the ball:) Job done. I think it cost around $35