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Hooking up the trailer tip

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Old Jun 1, 2008 | 04:08 PM
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Exclamation Hooking up the trailer tip

90% of the time I have no assistance when backing up to my boat trailer to hook up. I would have to get in and out of the truck several times before I had the ball mount positioned under the trailer just right. I saw all types of items in catalogues to assist. Prices ranging from $30.00 to $120.00. I cobbled together a mount for an old mirror to hang on the tailgate. Cost to me $0.00. Had it all laying around in the garage. Now even when there is someone to assist I just hang the mirror on the tailgate and don't even pay attention to the hand waving and shouts. <!-- attachments -->
 
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Old Jun 1, 2008 | 04:13 PM
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Thats nice Robin. You ought to see me when I back to my gooseneck trailers. lol I can get it centered but, I have to get out 3-4 times to get the hitch over the ball. Short as I am, I can't see squat.

You have a good thing going there.
 
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Old Jun 1, 2008 | 04:18 PM
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Nice idea, reps sent for ya. I try to line up one of the bolts in the center of the tailgate with the center of the trailer, but it doesn't work nearly as slick as your idea.
 
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Old Jun 1, 2008 | 04:59 PM
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Originally Posted by miller_feed
Thats nice Robin. You ought to see me when I back to my gooseneck trailers. lol I can get it centered but, I have to get out 3-4 times to get the hitch over the ball. Short as I am, I can't see squat.

You have a good thing going there.
Originally Posted by superduty4x4
Nice idea, reps sent for ya. I try to line up one of the bolts in the center of the tailgate with the center of the trailer, but it doesn't work nearly as slick as your idea.
Thanks guys, works great for me. Had the mirror left over from my 5th wheel days. Had a rail mounted tool box and couldn't see over it to even see the fifth wheel hitch. I'm a short chit myself. Plus I am "depth perception challenged". I'll think I have only a few inches to go and get out and look and it's more like a foot.
 
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Old Jun 1, 2008 | 05:05 PM
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I can't see my tailgate in my rearview mirror. But I have the fuel tank and tool box in the way. Every once in a while I get it the first time.
 
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Old Jun 1, 2008 | 05:13 PM
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I have a hell of a time hitchg up
with the way my back and neck are pieced together there ain't no looking out the back window,and with tinted windows and topper robly couldn't see anyway

Back in the days when I use to have to hook up a lot I had a piece of 6" angle iron 6" high welded to my hitch and when I felt a bump the trailer was ready to hook up
I could be a couple inches off to the side and it would move the truck or trailer one to line up
 
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Old Jun 1, 2008 | 05:15 PM
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Man, that is nice.

What I do is just have the ole lady stand somewhere that I cannot see her in my mirrors, and then have her wave her hands and arms pointlessly and give directions that I cannot hear over the truck until I get to pissed off and do it myself, the old fashioned way...in and out of hte truck 3-4 times to get it dead on.

Any she wonders why I always have one beer when we head out with the RV

......maybe I ought to look into making one of those.

WR
 
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Old Jun 1, 2008 | 05:29 PM
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Originally Posted by whiskeyrichard
Man, that is nice.

What I do is just have the ole lady stand somewhere that I cannot see her in my mirrors, and then have her wave her hands and arms pointlessly and give directions that I cannot hear over the truck until I get to pissed off and do it myself, the old fashioned way...in and out of hte truck 3-4 times to get it dead on.

Any she wonders why I always have one beer when we head out with the RV

......maybe I ought to look into making one of those.

WR
I can relate to the misguided assistance. Only thing worse than one person waving and shouting is when two people are doing it and giving conflicting directions. Now I can ignore them and back right up to the trailer. I of course thank them for their help.
 
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Old Jun 1, 2008 | 05:31 PM
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Ray that is a good way to do it. I have seen that before.

WR, I know what you mean. Thats why I do it myself, she would have me 6" off center and say, well you moved the truck.

How many times have you guys seen a license plate so beat up that you can't see the numbers. I refuse to do that, I will get out 10 times if I need to.

The best is the tailgate benders. I know so many people that had to get a new tailgate because they put them up then pulled away from the gooseneck trailer and WAM, new tailgate.
 
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Old Jun 1, 2008 | 05:35 PM
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good write up, i might try that out but i have been very lucky with my guessing because there are the bolts in the tail gate and center of that is hopefully the nose of the boat.
 
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Old Jun 1, 2008 | 05:40 PM
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Originally Posted by rbaker6336
I have a hell of a time hitchg up
with the way my back and neck are pieced together there ain't no looking out the back window,and with tinted windows and topper robly couldn't see anyway

Back in the days when I use to have to hook up a lot I had a piece of 6" angle iron 6" high welded to my hitch and when I felt a bump the trailer was ready to hook up
I could be a couple inches off to the side and it would move the truck or trailer one to line up
Ray,

You missed a marketing opportunity. Saw this and similar products in several online catalogues.
 
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Old Jun 1, 2008 | 06:00 PM
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awesome...reps sent
 
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Old Jun 1, 2008 | 06:40 PM
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That's pretty slick! You should look into having it manufactured. Reps sent.
 
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Old Jun 1, 2008 | 06:45 PM
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Nice job robin, reps sent. You'll be surprised what you find laying around the garage that will make life just a little bit easier.
 
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Old Jun 1, 2008 | 07:01 PM
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Originally Posted by TchTchr
That's pretty slick! You should look into having it manufactured. Reps sent.
Actually I got the idea from a $90.00 item in a catalog. It was prettier but not worth 90 bucks.

Originally Posted by big poppa pump
Nice job robin, reps sent. You'll be surprised what you find laying around the garage that will make life just a little bit easier.
Best thing I ever came up with recycling my own junk.
 
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