Trailer Tricks

timboli · 18 August 2004, 05:01

I noticed in Practical boat owner this month-I know,wash my mouth out-that in the hints and tips section there are some ideas to do with backing a car up to a towing hitch using either a strategically positioned mirror attached to the spare wheel/back of the car or a post on the front of the trailer.
If anyone else finds difficulty knowing how far to back up without outside assistance like me,it may be worth a look.
If anyone does this already-how well does it work?

TQBoater · 18 August 2004, 06:52

Never seen the mirror idea but I have a friend who has a video camera mounted just behind the towball for general reversing. As he can see the edge of the ball in the picture hooking up to the trailer is no problem.

WebSite

They are priced a bit high for me, I'm waiting to find an old bin lorry in the scrapyard and take one from there

whitingiom · 18 August 2004, 07:56

Take 16 year old son with you, ask him to watch you reverse and suggest you'll take it out of his pocket money if you damage car!

Seriously my wife is far better at reversing than me so I usually let her hook it up (and reverse down slip).....it's her car so she takes care of it.

I usually make sure the jockey is wound higher than the tow bar, hang the safety chain off the hitch and wait for the tinkle that tells me the ball is underneath.

Mark Halliday · 18 August 2004, 08:18

A garden cane stuck in a lump of plasticine on top of the tow hitch will give you a good idea of where it is.

codprawn · 18 August 2004, 10:18

You can rig up a video reversing system for less than £100 if you use a hand held portable tv and a small ccd camera - stuff like this is getting so cheap it is amazing.

Mike B · 18 August 2004, 11:06

I was lucky enough to be able to pick up a micromark b/w 5in tv/monitor and b/w camera from a store in cardiff called "The Range" not sure if it is a chain or not. It can only take one camera which wasn't a problem for me. It is all set up to run on 12v and has a single lead from the camera to the monitor which feeds power to the cam and a/v signal back to the monitor.

A similar item is http://www.mismo.co.uk/product/247eMM23072.html but this has ability to take two cameras and is more expensive (I paid £50).

If anyone is interested I will find out the model number tonight and you may be able to track one down.

Alex Brown · 18 August 2004, 12:11

A while ago, I had thought of putting one of these

http://www.maplin.co.uk/products/mod...moduleno=19863

on the top of the a-frame looking back behind the boat whilst towing - it'd certainly help the viewing of the blind spot directly behind the tow. Could probably fit the lcd tv where the central rear view mirror is too on the top of the windscreen to give the desired result.

-Alex

Jon · 18 August 2004, 14:54

[QUOTE=Mike B] I was lucky enough to be able to pick up a micromark b/w 5in tv/monitor and b/w camera from a store in cardiff called "The Range" not sure if it is a chain or not. It can only take one camera which wasn't a problem for me. It is all set up to run on 12v and has a single lead from the camera to the monitor which feeds power to the cam and a/v signal back to the monitor.

The Range is a client of mine - stores are listed on http://www.therange.co.uk/

More opening all the time.

codprawn · 18 August 2004, 20:13

Great shops - the one in Swansea is brilliant

Rogue Wave · 18 August 2004, 21:47

I think PBO is a great magazine I have learned a lot from it.

there is a range in Soton It's in the area that was once the dell. about half a mile away

The stick and plasticine seems a good option to me

Richard B · 18 August 2004, 22:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rogue Wave

The stick and plasticine seems a good option to me

Sounds good to me.
I reverse up to the hitch with the back seats lowered and the tailgate open - the extra visibilty gets me near enough!

Hightower · 18 August 2004, 23:27

The lateral thinking answer is tooooo: .................... Move the boat to the car.
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Mind you though, you might have to do an Arni work out beforhand

timboli · 19 August 2004, 04:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hightower

The lateral thinking answer is tooooo: .................... Move the boat to the car.
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.
.
.
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Mind you though, you might have to do an Arni work out beforhand

Unfortunately,I live on the side of a hill so this isnt always possible.Thanks everyone for your comments,I will play around with a mirror and the post idea to start with,the video camera seems too complicated to me.
Opening the tailgate seems simple and effective but would not alwys be possible due to overhead obstructions(garage roof)

Hightower · 19 August 2004, 08:10

Put a bumper protector plate behind the tow ball to protect your pride and joy, this will help to prevent nasty mistakes when practising.

Windchill · 19 August 2004, 16:23

I've used an old wing mirror mounted to the front of an Ifor Williams horse box for years. It means that I can hitch up completely single handed. Horsey stuff, like boat stuff, is way over priced - these mirrors are advertised in the press for about £30.00. All you need is a piec of tube, and a second hand wing mirror- done!!

Hightower · 20 August 2004, 08:03

thats a good Idea. Any peice of mirror with a angled back and a magnet so that you could stick it on your winch post when reversing, should give you a good view.