Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Two little tricks that I use, sure make it easy to hook up the tear, all by myself. First, I stand a thin stick or piece of wood leaning right against the front of the trailer hitch. It must be long enough to be seen in the rear view mirror. Then, starting about 20 feet away from the tear, I back up slowly, lining up the rear view mirror and the exact center of the back window, with the vertical stick. As the rear of the car gets near the stick, I drive very slowly and as soon as I see the stick move, I stop! This always works for me, and sure saves wear and tear on the car bumper.

Roly ~~

Hi Roly,

That sounds like a good trick! I travel alone and new to towing a trailer,
so I need all the help I can get!!!

Thanks,

I don't have a pic of it, but I have a mirror on a board which rests on the top of the rear van hatch opening..... I look in my rear view mirror and the mirror at the back is tilted at 45 degrees so I can see the ball... and when the coupler is over it... I'll try to get a pic next week, am off to meet up with the ADK folks at fish creek ponds...

Somewhere a long time ago I saw a flag pole which mounts on the hitch to act as a guide when trailering. I think it was in a boating magazine. Has anyone else seen a similar item? I'll try and find something on the Net. It sounds as if the leaning stick is an easy (and free) way to line up... Unless you're camping in the desert - sticks may be a little scarce then...

I've seen those, they are magnetic and you stick one to the tongue and the other to the car. Line them up and you're golden. I have so many catalogs, I can't remember where I saw it.

edit:
Found this with a quick Google search, it isn't the exact one but you get the idea:
http://www.magnetichitchlocator.com/how-it-works-cab-rear-view-mirror.html

I have an idea:
1.hitch up the trailer nice and straight,
2. put a dot or on the trailer directly over the hitch which toy can see thru the rear window,
3. put another dot or at the bottom center of the window to line up!

Might have to have a helper stick the window dot from the drivers' perspective but this should work, eh?

arnereil wrote:I don't have a pic of it, but I have a mirror on a board which rests on the top of the rear van hatch opening..... I look in my rear view mirror and the mirror at the back is tilted at 45 degrees so I can see the ball... and when the coupler is over it... I'll try to get a pic next week, am off to meet up with the ADK folks at fish creek ponds...

I picked up a mirror at Camping World that is made to do that. I never leave home without it. A good $25 investment.

I back up within about 5 feet or 10 if I can't see well enough, or even more if I don't have room to back up easily, then move the tear to the tow ball.

When I get to a camp site, I just pull along side the camp site, unhook the tear and push it in to place.

Hey Roly,

Since I built my teardrop so light I just pick it up by the tongue and pull it over to my truck.

But I'll remember your trick for the Scotty...

Joseph

I REALLY need to find me a stick!

Thanks Roly.

Bev

Roly--

WOW! I wanted to have the TD hooked up and ready to go when the boss lady came home from work last Friday. I grabbed an old piece of baseboard, leaned it up against the tongue and backed right up. Easiest hook-up ever. Thanks mucho.

Rob

I saw the magnetic flags at Tractor supply co last week when I bought my trailer. That and a 10,000,000 Candle power flash light. oh yea I need one of those.

Ben

Found these at the local U-Haul place while having hitch installed on my Wrangler
Hitchin' Rods

Not as cheap as Roly's stick but kinda cool

Here is what I use.... pretty much foolproof, as long as you back up straight..





And, don't forget to take it off before closing the hatch...... all that white is the front of the tear as I back up.

That mirror thing is wicked cool arnereil.