How do you see the ball when backing up?

[dieseldad97]

Simple question for all of you that back up to your trailer to hook up. Whats the best way to see the ball? I hate getting out of the truck 3 times to see where I'm at. Anyone have any ideas that work?

Thanks. :smile:

 

[Russ Spence]

haha mine is in the bed of the truck but I also have a back up camera on my truck for the purpose your are talking about

 

[Larry Millette]

I normally have my helper guide me. When he's not around I play the guessing game. After almost 11yrs I can usually pretty much nail it the first time. Of course,,,,there are those days when I can't hit the side of a barn door and have to line it up a few times. :banghead:

 

[TheCleaningDoc]

Here you go.... These have been out for years.

http://www.redtrailers.com/ShowItem.asp?id=63300

 

[Scott Stone]

I normally have my helper guide me. When he's not around I play the guessing game. After almost 11yrs I can usually pretty much nail it the first time. Of course,,,,there are those days when I can't hit the side of a barn door and have to line it up a few times. :banghead:

I use the Larry method. I sit in the seat nearly the same way, every time. I know where the trailer lines up in the rear view mirror, so I just back up to the trailer, and line it up in my rear view mirror. Unless I am exceptionally tired, I can get it every time.
Failing that, I might have to get out a couple of times, but that happens maybe once a month.

 

[Vince Wood]

Just do what I do. Never unhook the trailer from the truck to begin with. Problem solved

 

[Lou Zehnder]

I use both mirrors and back up making sure each side of the trailer is equal in the mirror. I go till I hit then pull up a inch or two and I'm normally good. If you aren't lined up straight to the trailer its a pain.....

 

[dieseldad97]

Thanks guys. Nice to know I'm not the only one who has struggled with this. I saw a pic a few days ago that had a mirror mounted to the trailer. Hmmm, not a bad idea.

 

[JimFergerson]

Ya, i think it's just takes some practice.

I just try to notice where the trailer tracks in the mirrors, and i back it up accordingly. I just back it up to where I barely tap the trailer and I just roll forward a few inches.

Luckily, most of the trailers I've dragged around where light enough to move a inch or so on the blocks...

Most of the time i find the "sweet spot", sometimes I think my neighbors are watching and giggling at me.
leasantry:

 

[Chris WCR]

Just eye ball it !

 

[Danny Bates]

I have used this in the past but after so many years i'm like Larry and Scott.

http://www.jcwhitney.com/coupler-co...T2&zmam=15972153&zmas=21&zmac=165&zmap=32893G

 

[Mike V]

Backup camera otherwise I would be in and out.

 

[offdutyfireman]

Fish eye mirror on the back of the trailer.

 

[FullBlast]

#1 is get straight with it. And as was said just line it up on each side.

Something that I do to is when you unhook it don't jack it completely off the ball, that way when you pull out your truck will go down just a little as it comes out. Same when you go to hook up. You go back till you feel your truck go down and back up and then you know when to stop.

Gotten pretty good at it in the last 10 years!!

 

[cajun cleanin]

I just use the Swartz.

 

[The Cleaner]

Same as larry, after 18 yrs I can do it in my sleep. But my Ford does have a back up camera which works awesome if one of the rookies are hooking up.

 

[bhenson]

I put a piece of red tape on the top of the tailgate above the hitch then one on the trailer where I could see it above the hitch. Back up line the two up and ta-da.

 

[OSM-Jo]

Mark the front of the trailer with a piece of tape where the truck bed lines up with it. Just got to be straight on when backing. With tape you only need one mirror. Back up till it bumps (hits the bumper over the ball) and pull up about 2 or 3 inches.

Or just have the help spot you...