My wife and I took a longer trip with travel trailer and motorcycle, so I knew I would be unhitching and hitching up a lot.
I already had Firestone air bags in the rear, and had pieced together my own on-board air system with air control valves in the cab.
I also pulled one leaf out of the rear spring pack to improve ride quality when empty. The airbags can still more than compensate for the missing leaf. It also lets me drop rear of truck below stock, which makes getting the BMW (R1200RT) in and out of the bed much easier! She sits pretty high with tires and F350 blocks.

The new addition for this trip was a back up camera on the license plate frame and 5" video display ($60).

If you've ever towed, you know that hooking up a heavy trailer by yourself can require you to get in and out of cab several times to get hitch properly aligned and to crank trailer up and down and get the ball properly seated and latched. And then the WD bars. On good days, maybe 3 in and outs. Bad days, maybe 8 or more....
If the SO helps, it may be done if fewer tries, or just lead to frustration! Marital harmony can be disturbed quite quickly.... My favorite quote: "Back, back, back another inch, OK, STOP. Now 2 inches to the left....." We still laugh about that one. Anyway...

My new technique:
Get in truck, back up to trailer using camera for alignment. When close, hit air control valves to release air pressure until ball is just lower than hitch. Back the ball directly under hitch (actually pretty easy to do on the video screen). Hit switch to add air into airbags so the truck and ball rise up into hitch. Inch forward to seat ball. Add air to 100 psi to lift rear way up.
NOW I finally get out of truck for the first (and only) time! Go back, lock the hitch, attach chains and wires. With rear end of truck so high, I can usually attach the WD bars without any tools - just slip into place. Retract jack. Done! Maybe 3 minutes total?
When we get in truck to leave, I lower air pressure until truck is level (20 to 80 psi depending on load in bed).

Necessary? Nah. But sure is slick and easy. Even faster than a 5th wheel, especially on uneven ground!

When we didn't need to unhitch truck, I didn't even bother with tongue jack. Just adjusted air pressure to level the trailer.

The only negative? Unhitching is just as fast and easy. Like one whole beer faster..... So now I get to help with the interior prep work.

 

That's awesome man, love the air down/up technique.

I love the rear view camera though, has made my life so much easier (backing up into spaces, trailer hookup, checking for kids, etc)...

 

Very nicely written post; I'll bet you're a hit at the campground.
I have a camera on my newly-ordered F250 and am looking forward to using it.
I think what convinced me to get the camera option was the last hookup of my race trailer - done in the downpour of Hurricane Irene.

 

Where in the world did you find a back up camera with a 5 inch screen? I have only seen 2.5 or 3.5 inch screens.

 

I bet that was an interesting trip! I'm assuming you got soaked in the process, lol. I never thought I would consider a back up camera, but the way you guys talk about them on here makes me want one.

 

If you're getting the navigation in your new truck, check out the Ford Lockpick. Great product, allows you to turn your rear view camera on the factory unit at anytime (also enables dvd playback and nav input while driving).

I never had a camera on any vehicle until I bought my '11, now I want to add more cameras to it!

 

Very ingenious same pricipal as a "mule" truck at a trailer depot.

I like the idea. sure beats the little yellow ***** on a collapsible antenna.

 

Here's the camera and display I used:
Amazon.com: PYLE PLCM7200 7-Inch TFT Mirror Monitor with Rear-View Night Vision Camera: Electronics

They claim 7", but that's only if you put it in the severely distorted "widescreen" mode. Undistorted, it is more like 5".

 

Very similar to the Firestone R4Tech suspension.

Firestone R4Tech Air-Over-Leaf Rear Suspension

They use airbags and a new softer leaf spring to achieve a better ride when empty, with a squat function to assist with hitching the trailer.

 

I recently switch from the license plate camera to this one. Amazon.com: Waterproof Car Rear Vehicle Backup View Camera High-definition Cmos 170 Degree Viewing Angle E363: Electronics

It gives a better angle and the case is metal plus it's small. The other one use to fog up inside but not this one. I have it attached to the bumper above the plate. I added this too and works well with the camera. Coupler Connect - Trailer Hook-Ups Made Easy

Not as cool looking as air bags but does the job.

 

Try here:
eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices

 

I'll definitely have to get that setup for my next trailer. My wifes disabled and can't help me anymore.

 

Exactly the same in concept - Nice to see someone offering a "bolt on" version!

Of course, being a cheap-A person with an engineering degree and well equipped shop I just had to do it all myself. I have well less than $1K into it.

I do like their anti-axle wrap system. I was worried about excessive axle wrap/hopping when I pulled the one leaf, but so far it has been manageable with a prudent throttle foot. I have planned out an antiwrap bar if I ever find it necessary.