I have a new to me hauler. a 2006 Diesel Liberty, I cannot see anything close to the hitch as the full size spare in mounted on the back.
I have with the pickup been able to remove the tailgate to see what's up backing down.

I have tried the ball on the hitch and ball stuff doesn't seem to really work for me.

What do other people use to do solo hookups?

Bill

A couple people I know have used these and give it good reviews.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?id=0034405521806a&navCount=1&podId=0034405&parentId=cat20169&masterpathid=&navAction=jump&cmCat=MainCatcat21412-cat20169_TGP&catalogCode=UJ&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat20169&hasJS=true

Practice..You'll get the feel for it..

Practice..You'll get the feel for it..

I agree, and have the dents in my bymper to proove it:wall:

A couple people I know have used these and give it good reviews.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?id=0034405521806a&navCount=1&podId=0034405&parentId=cat20169&masterpathid=&navAction=jump&cmCat=MainCatcat21412-cat20169_TGP&catalogCode=UJ&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat20169&hasJS=true

I'll be at Cabela's in Maine next Saturday, I am going to look at this too.

Idea.

1) Measure the distance from the ball to the back of the rear tires.
2)Place a tire wedge blocks at the measured distanced from the hook on the trailer.

When you back your truck slowly to the wedge block you will be lined up with trailer hook.

The way I do it, Get the trailer and vehicle in a dead strait line and look in the mirrors, you should see things about equaly spaced. then replicate this as your backing down on the trailer. atleast thats how I do it with a 10 wheeler and a tag trailer. Don't be afraid to get out and look when you think your close. and also a line to back to works well.

I lean a 5' piece of PVC against the hitch even with the ball socket so I can see it over the back of the truck as I back up. I just barely touch it with the ball when backing up and it falls over. This puts the ball about 2" off center but even with the socket. This is enough to then lower the trailer onto the ball while pulling it over that 2".

I just get in and out a few times as I sneak up on it.

I'll have to post the video of the attempt to break worlds longest boat hookup.

I hate missing side to side by inches coming back doing it again, and again.

I've tried the PVC thing, I'll give that a shot with the v-bracket from cabela's.

This works for me

You can get license plate cameras for 99 USD.
Might be worth.

Open the back hatch (as long as it won't hit your boat or trailer). I tow with a 4-runner and its much easier backing up to the hitch with the hatch open so I can see. I also take my star wrench and lay it in the back lined up with where the ball is. Anything would work just to give you a point of reference. Sometimes have to check and adjust distance a few times but I'm always line up almost perfectly doing it like this.

Practice..You'll get the feel for it..Get the trailer and vehicle in a dead strait line and look in the mirrors, you should see things about equaly spaced. Sneak up on it.
All good advice. I might add to lower the hitch a turn or two so it touches the ball and not the bumper or tail gate. My suburban will squat 1/2 inch and slide under and then pops up when i do it right. I'm called back up Bob by some of my friends .

My 2009 Tacoma comes with a camera in the rear view. The minute I put it into reverse i get a tv quality pictue on the left 1/3rd of my rear view mirror. Great little option.:claps:

the tall rod on the trailer with tennis ball
to match up to the tailgate

Have someone else back up the truck while you watch.:lurk:

I had the same problem last year. Couldn't see the hitch. On internet I saw a device to bring trailer to truck but too pricey. Fred flintstone method to do same thing is to mount a winch to trailer behind hitch. Put cable around ball and back to winch and crank trailer to ball,secure hitch and cable and off you go. Could be bad on a down slope/grade ,but a stop for wheels would fix that.

Practice besides its good exercise getting in and out of your truck 10 times to get it right, also the lack of or should I say the nuber of dents in your license plate will tell how good you get at it.

I just get in and out a few times as I sneak up on it.

i'll bet you do !!!!!! wearing highheels w/ a black mask and a whip:lasso:

get out your tools

and customize your fishing vehicle

install a friggan window in the tailgate


or you can keep on waxing it... wax on - wax off

um...:point: you missed a spot

H*** just put the truck in reverse close your eyes and STEP on it!!!

realy I have three bolts that form a triangle they hold the tailgate handle on I just line them up and Back up slowly tell you feel the bump

it just takes practice ,… if you are worried about a dent in the license plate late just put a board in front of it

I use the dented lic plate method, works great for me!!

Does the tailgate open up? If so, and if it doesn't hit the boat then you can probably leave it open so you can see everything. Used to do this with a cherokee, 17 whaler, and it worked fine.

Haha!! Just do like I do, leave the truck hooked up all season, and drive the wife's car for work...

you da man.... ha ha ha hah !

I've got an old piece of vhf antenea apoxied to a magnet that sits forward of the ball on my hitch. When it moves, I'm there. Two might be cool too. One on the hitch, one on the reciever. Line 'em up and you're good to go.
I kind of like the DIY theory.

I have a weird way I do it but it works so I keep at it:

I back up until I get in the ball park, then I get out and take a look and estimate about how far I have to go and in what direction, then I get back in the truck leave the drivers door open and put my toe fixed on the ground outside and begin to slowly back up look at my foot, you can actually see (and feel) how far the truck has moved and the direction very accurately when you are looking at a fixed point. When feel I have moved the estimated amount and direction I stop, usually I can just nudge and drop her down on the ball. I normally do everything alone so I don't have the luxury of someone standing back there.

Also, rear view cameras are cheating! Besides anyone who has them has WAY to much money and we should tax the hell out of them:hee:

I have a weird way I do it but it works so I keep at it:

I back up until I get in the ball park, then I get out and take a look and estimate about how far I have to go and in what direction, then I get back in the truck leave the drivers door open and put my toe fixed on the ground outside and begin to slowly back up look at my foot, you can actually see (and feel) how far the truck has moved and the direction very accurately when you are looking at a fixed point. When feel I have moved the estimated amount and direction I stop, usually I can just nudge and drop her down on the ball. I normally do everything alone so I don't have the luxury of someone standing back there.

Also, rear view cameras are cheating! Besides anyone who has them has WAY to much money and we should tax the hell out of them:hee:

I try to do it this way also, hopefully the diesel won't surge and crush some. I'll be trying the first time Saturday.

hook up the trailer, then glue a button on top of tail gate right in the center, put another button on trailer were you can see it.
Line up the buttons when backing down you will be right on!

The distance is another story, you can leave the trailer down till you tap the ball, then raise trailer a bit and back up, or tap the truck and pull forward a nit you be on every time.

I just pick my boat trailer up and put it on the ball easy as pie.

But with my cargo trailer I do it similar to how Mr. Sandman does it. It takes a few times back and forth checking it because I park it on the side of the driveway and have to angle my truck over to it instead of straight on, therefore there is more guessing but I got used to it.

i'll bet you do !!!!!! wearing highheels w/ a black mask and a whip:lasso:

I never wear high heels while trailering a boat. Too dangerous.