Anybody have one of these - - do they work? Looks like a good idea to me. thanks
Never used one. I just know where the center of my tailgate is and line it up with whatever trailer I need to tow. After about two times of towing a trailer I know exactly how far to back up and just lower the trailer.
It is more of an experience thing than anything else. Of course you could get a remote back up camera for the cheap and be done with it.
I taped a piece of string to the trailer by the hitch. When jacked up enough to clear the ball the string barely touches he ground. When hooking up I wind it down to that point and slowly back up to it. I have a shell on my truck so I ling up the rear window handle with the bow roller. Like chuck said, it becomes a matter of knowing how far to back up after that. If you drive an suv just find the center of the rear window and put a small sticker on it. Of course if you are pulling a small boat with something big then it’s a new ball game. Another trick is hook up and pull up untill the whole setup is stright. While sitting in the car or truck have someone put a piece of black tape on the trailer where you see the edge of truck in the mirrors. If you can lign that up evenly you’re on target.
1720 KW 110 Johnson
16’ Bonito 65 Johnson
I do that too. Got some nice dents in my license plate too!
2000 SeaPro 180CC w/ Yammy 115 2 stroke
1966 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25 4 stroke “Flatty”
That’s what your wife is for. They are GREAT at giving directions.
Thanks for the replies. I do better at alignment than I do knowing when to stop. Also, my hitch won’t drop unless alignment is perfect; can’t shake it down. Now I have thought of something I’ll pass on - - it may be the adjustment of the trailer tongue is out, and here’s a trick: use another, unmounted ball and adjust on that, sure beats shoving 3500# of boat and trailer around.
About wives’ trailer directions - - my wife keeps saying, "c’mon back, c’mon back and then SCREAMS…STOP!!! Nothing in between. Funny, once you get used to it.
Optiker my tag has no dings. A couple of times I have hit it crooked but I’m going slow enough to feel the bump of the ball. Bumper is even free of dings. Now the front bumper is a different story. When I say just enough for ball to clear, that is what I mean. The flat lip around the tounge actually slides across the ball.
1720 KW 110 Johnson
16’ Bonito 65 Johnson
quote:
Originally posted by carolinacootOptiker my tag has no dings. A couple of times I have hit it crooked but I’m going slow enough to feel the bump of the ball. Bumper is even free of dings. Now the front bumper is a different story. When I say just enough for ball to clear, that is what I mean. The flat lip around the tounge actually slides across the ball.
1720 KW 110 Johnson
16’ Bonito 65 Johnson
You just aren’t hooking up and going fishing enough!! 
“Miss Amanda”
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-Yammy F-150
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That is true Lynn but I still won’t ding the tag with my setup. May happen with a different rig though.
1720 KW 110 Johnson
16’ Bonito 65 Johnson
quote:
Originally posted by mrhardwareThat’s what your wife is for. They are GREAT at giving directions.
My wife is horrible at anything to do with a trailer or a boat. Told me yesterday “straight… straight… straight… pull up and go to the right about this far” as she held up close to a foot between her hands. Love her otherwise, but boating/trailering drives me absolutely nuts.
BG
They can be found cheaper but they all do the same.
Here’s an inexpensive ($10) option, probably available elsewhere:
http://www.harborfreight.com/magnetic-trailer-alignment-kit-95684.html
I have a back up camera that I got from Best Buy that helps me every time. Also good to look out for “little poeple”