[Rhodes22-list] Hitch and Tongue

[Bill Effros]

Easier method:

There is a $10 plastic device with magnetic bases on 2 parts, and sleeves to make the 2 Parts (one for hitch, one for ball) tall enough to see, short enough (disassembled) to store.  Plastic V on top of one piece.  Line up the straight piece in the center of the V piece.

You don't really need things like these once you understand where things are in relation to what you can see from the driver's seat.  You line things up visually from the driver's seat; stop the car; get out and walk back to see how close you are, and whether you have lined things up properly, keep getting out and reinspecting as you get closer and closer--note also which way your front wheel is turned when getting back into the car or truck.  Leave the front door open and look at the ground as you back up for the final foot or two so you can see how far you are travelling.  When you get close put the height of the hitch 1/4" below the height of the ball.  When you back into the trailer the hitch will ride up on the ball, and then drop right onto the ball.

Stop.  Retract the jack wheel and swivel it up.  Connect the chains, brakes, lights, lock and double check the hitch connection with your finger, and then by lifting on it.  Drive off.

Once you get the hang of this you can do it repeatedly with a single exit from the car before the hitch mates with the ball, and a single exit after.  Don't try to do it without checking unless you really know what you are doing.

Bill Effros


----- Original Message ----- 
From: Saroj 
To: The Rhodes 22 mail list 
Sent: Sunday, August 29, 2004 4:25 PM
Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Hitch and Tongue


Sounds good.... what's a ferrule?

Saroj

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Robert Skinner" <robert at squirrelhaven.com>
To: "The Rhodes 22 mail list" <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
Sent: Sunday, August 29, 2004 4:12 PM
Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Hitch and Tongue


> > From: Saroj
> > ...
> > What I have the devil of a time with is getting the hitch and the tongue
> > lined up without being able to see either.  Any suggestions?
>
> ----------------------------------------------
>
> 1.  Find an old fishing pole with a busted tip,
> etc. or a whip for a bicycle flag, or other
> resilient rod 1/4" or so in diameter.
>
> 2.  Locate a ferrule or piece of small pipe, or
> block of wood with a hole in it that fits the
> base of the rod tightly.
>
> 3.  Using epoxy cement, cement the rod holder
> to the top of the hitch just over the ball
> receiver, taking care to make sure that the
> rod is exactly vertical.
>
> 4.  Repeat the process, cementing a rod holder
> to the hitch just forward of the ball.
>
> 5.  Now, when you back up, the tops of the rods
> will be visible, and you can line them up any
> way you like.  You might paint them different
> colors so you can tell them apart.
>
> 6.  When the trailer is hitched up, remove the
> rods and stow them.
>
> Hope this helps,
>
> /Bob Skinner
> __________________________________________________
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