Backing the tow vehicle to the hook

[Mr. Sandman]

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

[striperman36]

Originally Posted by Mr. Sandman

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

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.

[macojoe]

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.

[Slipknot]

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.