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12-08-2010, 07:08 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 136
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Eyes in the back of my head!!
How frustrating is it attempting to hitch onto my Spartan! Has anyone ever purchased a Couple Mate trailer hitch guide. Bass Pro sells one for around $50, and I guess my question is, does it work or is there a better option, rear camera, etc. Give some feedback since I don't have "eyes in the back of my head".
Thanks again.
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12-08-2010, 07:52 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 600
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Haven't tried one of those. What I have done for the last 10 years at work is. Find a point at center of trailer. Place my head at center of truck while backing. Then line up center of truck tailgate with center point on trailer. Back up to about a foot from hitch. Stop get out and verify I'm lined up. Adjust as needed then back up another 6 inches. Verify adjustments are working. Then back up last 6 inches. Also when availible a second set of eyes to direct at hitch speeds this up . I have hooked to and unhooked from as many as 5 trailers a day at work.
__________________
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12-08-2010, 08:03 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: St. Augustine, FL
Posts: 3,595
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Quote:
Originally Posted by made2care
How frustrating is it attempting to hitch onto my Spartan! .....................I guess my question is, does it work or is there a better option, rear camera, etc.
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If you were to install a rear view camera and display then you would not only be able to hitch up easier but the camera would be provide just plain ole backing up help too.
But, you can use Corsair's method for less money.
__________________
KIX
'02 Ultimate Advantage 40J Spartan MM - Cummins ISC
2013 Jeep Rubicon JK Unlimited
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12-08-2010, 08:08 PM
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#4
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Community Administrator
Pond Piggies Club LA Gulf Coast Campers Outdoors RV Owners Club Entegra Owners Club Skyline Owners Group
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 40,765
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Whatever you do, don't buy the magnetic flourescent sticks that go on the ball & the hitch. Big waste of money. Used 'em, maybe, twice 8 years ago. Now they sit in a box in my basement.
L-
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Lori (& Dave, my spirit guide) - RV/MH Hall of Fame Lifetime Member | My iRV2 Photo Albums
2016 Phoenix Cruiser 2350S, 2018 Phaeton 40IH,2006 Bounder 36Z, 2004 Cougar 285EFS, 2000 Aerolite 25FBR
There is great need for a sarcasm font. 
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12-09-2010, 11:44 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Vintage RV Owners Club
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Sauvie Island, OR
Posts: 2,596
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Go to harbor freight and buy their inexpensive hitching guide. It has two magnetic bases that have telescoping poles on them to the top of which is affixed bright yellow tennis balls.
Stick one on top of the tongue's mouth and one right behind the ball on the stinger back up till the balls are lined up and stop when they're touching (May take a little practice with placement to get it perfect every time, but far easier than guessing distances).
Works like a charm.
Magnetic Trailer Alignment Kit - $14.99
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12-09-2010, 12:07 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,152
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Pep Boys and other auto parts stores are selling a back up camera system for under $100. I bought one from Auto Zone and installed it on my motorhome.
The camera is built in to a license plate bracket which did not work for me so I mounted it higher and it is fine. The camera needs power at the rear of the vehicle, back-up lights, etc can provide this. The monitor plugs into a cig. lighter and has a suction cup mount. Wireless from camera to monitor.
There are 2 sizes of monitors, neither are very big but do work.
I tow my wife's Tracker sometimes and it is nice to be able to check on it when driving. I have the camera and monitor powered off a toggle switch.
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12-09-2010, 01:06 PM
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#7
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Member
Winnebago Owners Club Florida Cooters Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 74
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01-14-2011, 04:01 PM
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#8
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 15
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Hummmmm fellows and whats the wife doing all the time youre trying to hook up put her to work a few hand signs and arway you go.
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01-14-2011, 08:03 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Anacortes, WA (Stick & Brick)
Posts: 2,643
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A neighbor had a good system on his boat trailer. On a post immedately behind and in line with the trailer hitch, he installed a large truck-type outside rear-view mirror, angled at 45 degrees. It was at a height that showed the hitch on the trailer.
It gave him enough field of view that he could watch in the truck mirror as he approached and line up exactly. I think he had some cross-hairs painted on the mirror to help.
Total cost was maybe 20% that of a back-up video, not to mention nothing needed in the truck.
He could get the truck ball within about a quarter inch of the trailer hitch, single-handed.
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Frank Damp -Anacortes, WA,(DW- Eileen)
ex-pat Brits (1968) and ex-RVers.
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01-14-2011, 08:04 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 691
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Walmart sells a wireless camera/monitor kit for 50 bucks. Would be fairly easy to set up for that purpose. Also works at night
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01-14-2011, 09:09 PM
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#11
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Moderator Emeritus
Jayco Owners Club RV Trip Wizard
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Poinciana FL
Posts: 7,781
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NLOVNIT
Whatever you do, don't buy the magnetic flourescent sticks that go on the ball & the hitch. Big waste of money. Used 'em, maybe, twice 8 years ago. Now they sit in a box in my basement.
L-
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Lori,
I used those all the time when hooking up to my boat. 
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Jay and Peggy Monroe
"Can't take it with you, not leaving any behind"
2024 Jayco White Hawk 26FK
2024 Ford Expedition
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