SHORT BUS Tip #4 Hooking up a trailer SOLO

[BTH284]

Ever get tired of having to back up to your trailer when no one is around to help spot for you?You back up where you think you need to be, then get out to see if you are close, then re position and start all over again until you get it right.....Then check this out.......

You will need a broomstick,closet rod etc, a measuring tape, marker I prefer the sharpie and a piece of tape

Take the measuring tape and find the center of the back of your vehicle directly in line with your hitch

Now transfer that dimension onto the spot that you will be able to see from the driver seat when you turn around to back up. (in my case the top of the tailgate works great!)

Take your piece of tape and your sharpie and make an arrow label that will stick on your tailgate measurement directly above the hitch

Now take your closet rod, broomstick etc and place just off center against the hitch on your trailer

Now when you get in your vehicle all you have to do is line up the tape arrow label that you made with the top of the broomstick, closet rod etc when you are backing up to load the trailer on your hitch. Look very closely in the picture below just above the top edge of the tailgate and you can see the top of the broomstick I use.

Here it is in a short video that brings everything together so you can see. When you back up you will see the broomstick move. This video shows it from the side.
http://s186.photobucket.com/albums/x...=100_16041.flv
Here is the end result at hitch on the boat.


I know this has saved me tons of time over the past several years hooking up my trailer by myself. Eventually you will know where your center hitch spot is when you turn around to back up and can remove the tape. I have also seen a piece of fiber glass rod with a magnet on the bottom to attach the top of the hitch instead of the broomstick or closet rod.

[Capt. Terry]

AN EXCELLENT AND WELL ENGINEERED IDEA. ANOTHER GREAT TIP. THANKS!

[Southern Crush]

Can't wait to try this one!!! Anything to make it easier - great tip.

[gottaflylee]

To add one little thing...for those of us that have a wheel on the toung post, always torn it 90 degrees to the toung. If you are one side or the other to the trailer ball, makes it easy to move and center...

[Doin'It]

China Joe's (Harbor Freight) sales something to help with hooking up alone. I think they get 15 bucks for it. Your idea is great why buy stuff if you already have what you need to gitterdun.