Hitching up the caravan when solo

Eaglemax · Guru

RE: Hitching up the caravan when solo

Warren-Pat_01 · Guru

Hi Mike,
Just in case you change your hitch and follows several of the cheap methods shown above.

I've always used Treg/Trigg polyblock types - I came up with a system like Plain Truth using the exact same handle (will have to check when I get home that it hasn't been "borrowed"). I added some dowel in the end of the handle & stick it into the block side. The receiver likewise has another handle bolted on to it. I then line up the two handles & reverse back until I have "Contact". Then remove both handles & complete the reversal.
Works well every time that I am alone.

Greg 1 · Guru

Change your hitch for a McHitch auto hitch. You won't be sorry. Easiest hitch to hook up that I have ever had. A reversing camera is a great assistance as well.

Mike Harding · Guru

What a brilliant set of replies! And what a clever bunch of people
you are :)

Thank you very much everyone for taking the trouble to respond.

The Couple-Mate looks good and is not expensive but as it relies upon
brute force to push the van into position I wonder how well it would
work on a 2.7T dual axle van?

The McHitch also looks good but is expensive.

The idea with broom handle and tape from Plain Truth is great but I
think it won't work if you cannot approach the van at an angle of
zero degrees ie. straight. To be fair we can probably do that most of
the time but I had occasion last week in the bush when an
inconsiderate tree prevented me so doing. Nevertheless I'll give it a
try.

Outlaw40: My son also came up with the mirror idea (poor man's
camera) and that sound viable too.

2-Smiths:
>Mike, given all the research you undertook before even leaving first
>time out, I'm a little surprised that hitching wouldn't have been on
>the "research" list.

2-Smiths, what can I say!? I have failed! I shall try to do better
next time :)

I like Eaglemax's idea with the two dowels, very simple and will work
irrespective of the approach angle.

I suppose the camera would do the job best but I'd like to avoid yet
more electronic junk, if I can.

I'll let you know how it goes - nothing can be worse than my current
technique! :)

Thanks again people.

Dougwe · Chief one feather

Mike, you reverse the tug and the A frame is guided into the Couple mate and directly above tow ball. Nothing physical on your part with that bit. The only thing left to do then is wind the hitch down onto the ball, easy peasy mate. Attach chains and lights check all lights are working on van and off ya go. Nothing hard in any of the procedure. As I said above it only takes about 10 mins.

Possum3 · Guru

Mike for $10 the alignment kit will change your hook up for ever; www.harborfreight.com/magnetic-trailer-alignment-kit-69778.html It is impossible to miss the hitch first time.

The magnetic trailer alignment kit includes two separate telescoping rods that you magnetically attach to your vehicle's hitch and the trailer's coupler. Then simply raise the bright yellow markers to a height where you can see both of them from your driver's seat, then get in and drive. When you've got the two markers aligned, you're in position to easily hook them up. The trailer alignment kit's rods are chrome-plated to resist rust.

oldbloke · Guru

Possum, That is a US site. Are they available here.

oldbloke · Guru

What about a baby monitor.?

Possum3 · Guru

oldbloke wrote:
Possum, That is a US site. Are they available here.

I bought them here at Aussie Disposals Wagga from memory they cost $10 a pair about six years ago - but I'm sure there would be other camping outlets here selling them. Even if the US ones were ordered it would normally only take about 2 weeks for delivery.

Possum3 · Guru

Found a video but still looking for Aussie retailer. www.youtube.com/watch

Eaglemax · Guru

Possum3 wrote:
oldbloke wrote:
Possum, That is a US site. Are they available here.
I bought them here at Aussie Disposals Wagga from memory they cost $10 a pair about six years ago - but I'm sure there would be other camping outlets here selling them. Even if the US ones were ordered it would normally only take about 2 weeks for delivery.

Possum, that looks like a good solution not unlike the two rod model I made.

I suppose I have to allow for some not being handyman types but mine was so simple to make.

Tony

-- Edited by Eaglemax on Friday 8th of February 2019 08:56:46 PM

SouthernComfort · Guru

"The Couple-Mate looks good and is not expensive but as it relies upon
brute force to push the van into position I wonder how well it would
work on a 2.7T dual axle van?"

More a gentle nudge than brute force. The car and van 'work' together easily, no human effort involved. All you need do is wind the coupling down onto the ball when aligned (and not forgetting to remove the wing from its bracket before driving off!).