Soloing in a TT

[diver110]

I took a look at Northwood TT's pursunt to Bronofan's suggestion. I mostly liked what I saw, but the salesman, who seemed to be a straight shooter, said it is harder to solo in a TT than a 5th wheel. The hookup is tougher solo. Agree, disagree?

[tfodify]

wmoses wrote:
Instead of a camera an alternative would be the Hitch Helper Mirror.

I use one of those with our ProPride. Makes hooking up solo a snap.

[Lantley]

I have solo'd with both fiver and TT either is very doable.
There are obviously differences between 5'er and TT. However none of those differences really matter when it comes to going solo.

Cameras will make hooking up easier and are beneficial,but they are not necessary. With experience hooking up without cameras is not too difficult.

[Ray552]

I use two tennis balls mounted on radio antennas that have magnets on the bottom. You can buy them already made at walmart and some auto parts stores.

Many vehicles now come with back up cameras and they sell after market cameras that seem easy to install. You can install a screen with multiple cameras one to see the front of the camper and one to see behind the camper.

[rtazz17]

2112 wrote:
I have hooked up my TT's for many years without any help at all, mechanical or another person. It becomes easy after a few times. But yes the FW is easier to connect.
The only downside I found with hitching the TT was lifting and installing the hitch into the receiver. It's heavy. Once at the campsite and unhooked I took off the bars and left the hitch in place until the trip was over.

I also discovered a short TT is more difficult to back up than a longer TT and a FW is even more difficult to back up. I'm not saying any of it is hard or impossible but the 35' TT was the easiest to back into a camping spot. The FW is vary unresponsive. I have yet to get it right on the first try.

The FW is the most difficult to level if needed.

The FW is taller so tree branches are always a concern.

After reading several of your posts I foresee either a Lance or Nash being towed with your GC in your future. It seems to make sense for what you are wanting to do, offroad in comfort. Find a TT that won't tear up your Jeep, find the floor plan that works for you and go have fun.
For us the floor plan has always been the top determinant, what works best for us at this stage in our life! When you walk into yours you will know it.

Fifth wheel is unresponsive backing?Have to say that may be a personal opinion.A fw is very responsive.I can get into spots backing quicker and easier then with a tt.Can turn backing a fiver on a dime.

How is a fiver more diff to level? Youve lost me there.Same concept leveling a fiver and tt.Side to side and nose to rear.Boards under wheels and up and down with landing gear.

ITo the op.If you post this in the fifth wheel section you will get much the oposite opinions .TT owners will be bias toward TT and fW owners the same.Each have their own good qualitys.But having had a few TT and now owning a 41 ft fifth wheel,stability is the main difference.No comparison.A fiftth wheel will never give you white knuckles when semis pass.Dont feel them at all.But most are heavier and you need the right tv to tow one.Another benefit in most fivers is the basement storage.Yes you lose the bed to carry large items but make up with a larger interior with more storage.I only wish I had started with a fifth wheel.Wouldve save alot of money.

[rugerguy]

dahkota wrote:
Sometimes DH has to hook up solo so we got one of these - Swift Hitch - a portable camera.

I pull a 14ft cargo trailer solo almost every day for my work,sometimes hitching up 2 or 3 times a day.couldn't get along without my Swift Hitch.

[Seattle_Lion]

We have a 27' Kodiak. I am totally new to RV'ing and I can easily hitch solo. We have an F150 with backup camera. That helps me line up, but I do get out when I am close to eyeball the hitch. It usually takes me a couple of moves to get correctly lined up then the TT drops right on the ball and I can lock the hitch. We have WD bars. They are no big deal for me. I can get them on in a minute or two including the anti-sway.

Of all the things I have had to learn, hitching up is the easiest. I do worry about sway, but so far only a couple of adventures in mountain passes with high cross winds have made me go white knuckle. I just slow down. As of now we have 5 trips and 1500 miles. I have driven half. My wife is experienced with RV's and has been a big help. Backing into sites and my home parking place is much easier than I thought it would be. I still do a bit more forward and back than I probably need, but by and large I am comfortable with hitching up and towing alone. This surprises me since I have less than 50 hours at the wheel.

[pointbrze]

WoodGlue wrote:

BobsYourUncle wrote:
98% of my TT travels are solo.
It is no big deal to do.

Hooking up? I aim for the ball but stop short and get out and look to see where I need to correct. Most of the time I can put it within a couple inches of the right spot the first time. No big deal getting in and out a few times to back it to the right spot.

Tiring? No, not at all. Looking in the mirror and seeing the TT following puts a smile on my face!

X2 on this!

Easy as pie!

WoodGlue

X3!! And I have a 29' trailer!:)

[Proudcanuck]

I am solo everytime out - usually meeting people once there. Like others who've replied, the dang dog is NO help!

I have some telescoping markers/lights with magnetic ends - one sticks to the ball, one to the hitch. Line them up in the rear-view and you're hooked up! Got them at Princess Auto and they work very well. If someone is around, I actually prefer to use the markers than have someone with weird commands trying to help me hook-up.

[2112]

I have hooked up my TT's for many years without any help at all, mechanical or another person. It becomes easy after a few times. But yes the FW is easier to connect.
The only downside I found with hitching the TT was lifting and installing the hitch into the receiver. It's heavy. Once at the campsite and unhooked I took off the bars and left the hitch in place until the trip was over.

I also discovered a short TT is more difficult to back up than a longer TT and a FW is even more difficult to back up. I'm not saying any of it is hard or impossible but the 35' TT was the easiest to back into a camping spot. The FW is vary unresponsive. I have yet to get it right on the first try.

The FW is the most difficult to level if needed.

The FW is taller so tree branches are always a concern.

After reading several of your posts I foresee either a Lance or Nash being towed with your GC in your future. It seems to make sense for what you are wanting to do, offroad in comfort. Find a TT that won't tear up your Jeep, find the floor plan that works for you and go have fun.
For us the floor plan has always been the top determinant, what works best for us at this stage in our life! When you walk into yours you will know it.

[69_Avion]

BobsYourUncle wrote:
98% of my TT travels are solo.
It is no big deal to do.

Hooking up? I aim for the ball but stop short and get out and look to see where I need to correct. Most of the time I can put it within a couple inches of the right spot the first time. No big deal getting in and out a few times to back it to the right spot.

Tiring? No, not at all. Looking in the mirror and seeing the TT following puts a smile on my face!

That is what I do. I've been doing it on many trailer in the last 38 years and it is easy. I don't need to spend the money for a camera. It is just another thing to go wrong.

[john_bet]

I do all my hook ups solo. We had a tt with your Dodge Maxi-van, a tt with a 8' bed pick up and now a 5th. I can see the hitch in rear view mirror on the 5er and when I hitch up a bumper pull I just made a mental note of a point on trailer over the center of tail gate and it works pretty good. Of course I have years of hooking up equip.,trailers of various types, farm machinery,and very large aircraft which was always a two man job. Don't let a salesman intimidate you.

[TomG2]

"I should buy one of the backup mirrors."

They really are great. They beat even walkie talkies and cameras. "You" know what is going on without depending on electronics. The one I have slips over the tailgate or can be mounted to the rear window of an SUV.

Traveling alone is not always great, but camping is good, since I belong to some Single's RV groups. Starting tomorrow, there will be a couple of dozen singles gathering at a nearby state park, for instance. We will attend the state fair, a play, and do all the regular camping activities including potlucks.

[Doug33]

If I was ever by myself, I'm not sure I'd want to camp. I've been RV'ing for over 20 years with the family. I've been married almost 30 years so I can't imagine what I'd do by myself, period. I'm sure my wife will outlive me by quite a few years so it won't matter. 😉

Regarding the logistics, I always hook up by myself. I just back up a few feet at a time until I get the ball in place. My wife is useless trying to assist with hooking up or backing me into a site. She gets so flustered by the process that it just stresses her out. Even when she tries, I can't hear or see her well enough to be of any help. I should buy one of the backup mirrors.

[Highway_4x4]

When I travel solo I have to do all the hooking and un-hooking myself cuz that dog of mine is just worthless when it comes down to work. Can't even get him to back me in straight.