Posted 2006-05-23 6:12 PM (#42173) Subject: Lining up GN ball and trailer
Member
Posts: 41
Location: Merrillville, Indiana
Tried this and it works great
I have a Dodge Quad Cab, so when backing up to the GN trailer I can't see the ball in the bed of the truck. This makes it a little hard to hitch up with just one person. The truck has a folding Tonneau so when backing to the trailer I line the tailgate lock (in the center of the tonneau) with the GN and have had fair success. Still have to get in and out of the truck a few times.
Today when I hooked up I took a floor magnet (the type you get at Home Depot for picking up nails and screws) It has about a 10 or 12 inch magnet and an adjustable handle. I put the magnet just behind the ball on the truck bed, handle vertical (plumb) off the truck bed. Now when I back to the trailer, I line the tailgate lock on the tonneau with the magnet handle and the trailer GN (center). I use the rearview mirror like a gun sight. When the GN bumps the magnet handle it's over the ball. Backed into it about four times today first time every time I was over the ball.
I think you could put a small decal low in the center of the rear window that would work the same as my tonneau lock.
Posted 2006-05-23 7:13 PM (#42175 - in reply to #42173) Subject: RE: Lining up GN ball and trailer
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 524
Location: Lone Oak, Tx
I've been using 2 bungie cords. One long, one short, Long one is stretched from one side of the bed to the other and the other is hooked on the long bungie, just in front of the ball, and my tool box. Hit the bungie hook on the short one that's attached to the long one and I'm on the money every time. $6.00 depending where you get your bungies...LOL (did I confuse anyone??).
Posted 2006-05-23 10:55 PM (#42186 - in reply to #42173) Subject: RE: Lining up GN ball and trailer
Expert
Posts: 2453
Location: Northern Utah
I just line up on one of the ribs in the truck bed and back up till my tail gate is about 2" away from my trailer spare tire. That will get me close enough every time. I'm in a Ford Crew cab, No way I can see the ball. But looking over my shoulder I can see my tailgate.
Posted 2006-05-24 8:11 AM (#42198 - in reply to #42173) Subject: RE: Lining up GN ball and trailer
Member
Posts: 27
Location: TN
:I just line up on one of the ribs in the truck bed and back up till my tail gate is about 2" away from my trailer spare tire. That will get me close enough every time. I'm in a Ford Crew cab, No way I can see the ball. But looking over my shoulder I can see my tailgate.
Yep, I also use the "ribs" on the bed on my 1999 Dodge. Works every time, no repeated trips out of the truck to check :)
Posted 2006-05-24 8:14 AM (#42199 - in reply to #42173) Subject: RE: Lining up GN ball and trailer
Elite Veteran
Posts: 634
Location: Tipton, IN
I line it up by the ribs too. And UNLESS someone is trying to guide me, I generally hit it the first time. I do worse when somebody is waiving their hands , left, right, yada yada.
Posted 2006-05-24 8:43 AM (#42202 - in reply to #42199) Subject: RE: Lining up GN ball and trailer
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 303
Location: Grapeland, Texas
I use the ribs also, but painted a small white square on the end of the bed on the middle rib. I have the black bed liner so it shows up good. It seems to help line it up.
Posted 2006-05-24 8:44 AM (#42203 - in reply to #42173) Subject: RE: Lining up GN ball and trailer
Member
Posts: 38
Location: Howard Cty, MD
I use a scrap water copper pipe, PVC connector ring and duct tape. I taped the pipe (about 3 ft long) to the outside of the PVC connector ring (6 in diameter). The ring makes a good base and is heavy enough to hold up the pipe upright as well as wide enough to straddle the ribs in the bed of the truck. Then I place the ring behind the ball in the truck. When the screws of the GN hitch touch the pipe, I'm dead center over the ball. I also use the ribs of the truck bed to line up the truck while backing. I've got a Ford crew cab and can't see the ball from the driver's seat. You can make a similar 'contraption' using spare parts around the house - block of wood, wooden dowel, old broom stick, etc. I've seen similar items in catalogs go for $15 - $30.
BTW, best lesson I ever got in backing a GN trailer - line up the wheels in your side view mirror with where you want to go. Back slowly. Place hand at bottom of steering wheel. Turn wheel 1/2 revolution in direction you want rear of trailer to move (clockwise trailer end goes left, counter-clockwise trailer end goes right). WAIT for trailer to move. Line up truck with trailer once you are headed to target. Adjust as neccessary. If you turn wheel more than 1/2 revolution at a time, then you are generally oversteering and the trailer will go all over the place on you. One last tip - use all the area you can when turning around.
Posted 2006-05-24 8:56 AM (#42204 - in reply to #42175) Subject: RE: Lining up GN ball and trailer
Veteran
Posts: 274
Location: Memphis, TN
Originally written by maccwall on 2006-05-23 1:13 PM
I've been using 2 bungie cords. One long, one short, Long one is stretched from one side of the bed to the other and the other is hooked on the long bungie, just in front of the ball, and my tool box. Hit the bungie hook on the short one that's attached to the long one and I'm on the money every time. $6.00 depending where you get your bungies...LOL (did I confuse anyone??).
Posted 2006-05-24 1:28 PM (#42216 - in reply to #42202) Subject: RE: Lining up GN ball and trailer
Regular
Posts: 87
Location: Lavaca, Alabama
Originally written by longearsrule on 2006-05-24 8:43 AM
I use the ribs also, but painted a small white square on the end of the bed on the middle rib. I have the black bed liner so it shows up good. It seems to help line it up.
Exactly what I did, but I have a friend who cannot get her mind around this concept. I have a tool box and I can judge the distance from it to the coupler to tell if I am right over the ball. Never have a problem.
Posted 2006-05-24 3:53 PM (#42223 - in reply to #42173) Subject: RE: Lining up GN ball and trailer
Expert
Posts: 3802
Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
I didn't worry about hooking to "THE TRAILER". I "TELL" my wife to go out and hitch up when I say so, LOL! It just takes some practice. I got a long bed extended cab dually and can line it up 9 out of 10 times. I thing she just "TOLD" me to go out and check the water tubs!
Posted 2006-05-26 8:28 AM (#42282 - in reply to #42173) Subject: RE: Lining up GN ball and trailer
Veteran
Posts: 198
Location: Iowa
I got a cool little device at Tractor Supply. It's a telescoping antenna with a yellow ball on one end, and a magnet on the other. I Just stick the device on or right behind the gooseneck ball, back up till gooseneck pushes the yellow ball over and I'm lined up. Now I can do it all just looking out rear view mirror and don't have to strain neck.
Posted 2006-05-31 12:38 PM (#42445 - in reply to #42282) Subject: RE: Lining up GN ball and trailer
Member
Posts: 41
Location: Merrillville, Indiana
Originally written by Flooper on 2006-05-26 8:28 AM
I got a cool little device at Tractor Supply. It's a telescoping antenna with a yellow ball on one end, and a magnet on the other. I Just stick the device on or right behind the gooseneck ball, back up till gooseneck pushes the yellow ball over and I'm lined up. Now I can do it all just looking out rear view mirror and don't have to strain neck.
Yep, thats about the same as the floor magnet idea. It's real nice not to have to look back and strain your neck. Just aim like a gun sight, and drop the trailer down
My wife hooked up Sat. and again on Tuesday. First time and she was over the ball without help. She didn't have to look over her sholder Just line up in the rear view mirror.
As for using the ribs in the bed or tail gate. In our quad cab I can't even see the tail gate, so that isn't an option. Guess if I wasn't so short and old, or didn't have the quad cab with a folding tonneau I wouldn't need to find other options.
Posted 2006-06-04 9:58 AM (#42609 - in reply to #42173) Subject: RE: Lining up GN ball and trailer
Member
Posts: 16
Location: virginia
I use a tall toilet plunger placed just in front of the ball. Mark the plunger tip and the trailer (while hitched) with bright collored electrical tape. I use my inside mirror to watch while I back on the ball. When the plunger tip hits the spot marked on the trailer I am over the ball.
Just watch the smiles on peoples faces when you whip the plunger away. Great conversation starter too/