"The Trailer" is home!

[NW Cat Owner]

Originally Posted by ice-breaker

I think that if I had a mattress that shape and size for a 21', I would slide the mattress to the foot of the bed and put a foam filler piece at the head (or maybe have some large wedge shaped pillows made that could be used for sitting up against for reading). I would then construct a square corner for the front bed frame corner. The corner could easily be made to look the same as the rest of the woodwork and could be easily removable if you ever went back to a mattress with the stock shape.

Yep, already been thinking of doing it this way. I'll have to play around with it next week and see which I prefer. Thanks, though, as you never know which way my brain is thinking about things. (Heck, I have problems knowing at times!)

[NW Cat Owner]

Originally Posted by Jimrules

Sooooo, about those levelers...I bought a set of the Anderson's.

So, yeah, about those levelers.

One of the things to remember when we're discussing *levelers* () is that I'm gonna be taking out the trailer a lot on my own. I've been told by numerous RV owners that it's lots easier running up on blocks when you've got someone to help holler at ya for getting it level. I don't feel like running back and forth to the trailer and truck a million times on my own.

So, anyone got any suggestions on good ways to know exactly when you're over the ball with the hitch? Even with Michael giving me directions at Sumas, it still took quite a bit of "forward one inch", "back half an inch" - drove me nuts! There's gotta be a better way, especially when you're on your own. I do need to learn where everything is when it shows up in the backup camera on the Tundra, which I imagine would help.

Anyway, suggestions would be quite helpful! Thanks.

[Mary F]

I think the best answer is "practice."

You'll be doing lots of back and forth at first, but it will get easier to figure out how to line it up, and how to look at the ground next to you in the driver's seat, and judge when you've moved three inches or twelve.

So many things about this are new to you - you're having to take in lots of information and impressions all at once. It does get easier... And easier.

About the levels: remember that that bubble floats. So, the high side/end is what's letting that bubble float.

You say you're pretty good (level) right now, side to side... You'll need either "Lego-style" blocks or boards or BAL levelers when out camping (as you know), but it sounds like you might be able to work on your parking spot at home, similarly to what we did: we dug out where each wheel was going to rest, and laid in a 12-inch square/flat cinder block for each. It took some prep, but it makes it easy to level at home: just drive onto those "pads."

Congrats on getting your trailer home, and on all the accomplishments so far. (For what it's worth, I didn't know the squiggly pins are called R-clips, either, and we've been doing this some 19 years or more.)

[skyfree]

Originally Posted by NW Cat Owner

So, yeah, about those levelers.

One of the things to remember when we're discussing *levelers* () is that I'm gonna be taking out the trailer a lot on my own. I've been told by numerous RV owners that it's lots easier running up on blocks when you've got someone to help holler at ya for getting it level. I don't feel like running back and forth to the trailer and truck a million times on my own.

So, anyone got any suggestions on good ways to know exactly when you're over the ball with the hitch? Even with Michael giving me directions at Sumas, it still took quite a bit of "forward one inch", "back half an inch" - drove me nuts! There's gotta be a better way, especially when you're on your own. I do need to learn where everything is when it shows up in the backup camera on the Tundra, which I imagine would help.

Anyway, suggestions would be quite helpful! Thanks.

If you are within a half inch just let it down and it will move enough to hitch up. Bump it a bit if you have to.

I use this hitch alignment system to get in that range:

Sears.com

They are magnetic. Place one on top of the trailer and one directly on top of the ball. Easy to align by yourself backing up. When the one on top of the ball falls over, you are there. 9 times out of 10 I can just lower directly onto the ball at that point.

[rbryan4]

Laura, I should think the rear view camera on your truck will give you a good view when hooking up - the one on my F150 certainly does, and it has a zoom feature I use when I'm getting close. Makes hooking up solo a snap.

[arniesea]

Originally Posted by NW Cat Owner

So, yeah, about those levelers.
I do need to learn where everything is when it shows up in the backup camera on the Tundra, which I imagine would help.

Anyway, suggestions would be quite helpful! Thanks.

Laura, if the 2017 Tundra is anything like my 2016 Tacoma, here is some info on the backup camera lines. The furthest back horizontal blue line is a warning line that you are getting close. The middle blue line is where the edge of the tailgate would be if you open it. (This is really helpful if backing up to a loading dock for example.). The red line is about 3 or 4 inches from the bumper. Then there is the center vertical blue line to line things up.

So when hitching, line the vertical blue line up with the trailer hitch and keep it on that line as you back up. Slow down as you get to the "tailgate" line and ease it to the red line. Get out and see where your ball is relative to the hitch. After a couple of tries, you will know exactly the distance to the hitch relative to the red line and will hit it every time. Good luck!

Arnie

Oh! One other point: the hitch height will affect how it appears in the camera. Make sure the hitch is always about an inch or so above the ball height. Too high and it will look different in the camera.

[Ron in BC]

Originally Posted by Iowa Dave

Hi Jim
The meanest thing I ever did to the Scouts was to tell them that under no circumstances were they allowed to pee on an electric fence that surrounded the horse pasture at Scout camp.
Without further explanation, I walked away.
Dave

When I was a kid my dad was fed up with dogs knocking over the garbage can in the back lane. He ran a hot wire to it. I wonder if the Scouts ki-yied like a dog did. Ah, the good old politically incorrect days.

Ron

[NW Cat Owner]

Originally Posted by Mary F

So many things about this are new to you - you're having to take in lots of information and impressions all at once. It does get easier... And easier.

... it sounds like you might be able to work on your parking spot at home, ...

Congrats on getting your trailer home, and on all the accomplishments so far. (For what it's worth, I didn't know the squiggly pins are called R-clips, either, and we've been doing this some 19 years or more.)

Thanks Mary! How about ALL this is new to us! Yeah, I'm just feeling very overwhelmed by it all now, so I'm stepping back from it for a bit and focusing on other stuff. Although I might haul a few more things out to the trailer every day.

So, did you call it the squiggly pin? Or the pin thingie?

Originally Posted by skyfree

I use this hitch alignment system to get in that range:

Sears.com

Got it bookmarked! Thanks.

Originally Posted by arniesea

After a couple of tries, you will know exactly the distance to the hitch relative to the red line and will hit it every time. Good luck!

Oh! One other point: the hitch height will affect how it appears in the camera. Make sure the hitch is always about an inch or so above the ball height. Too high and it will look different in the camera.

Great info, thanks! I haven't driven the Tundra enough to figure out all those lines. The FJ has a backup camera but I never really use any lines. Plus, it has a beeper for when I get too close to stuff, which the Tundra doesn't have and I miss greatly. (As well as the dual visors!)

I figure once Dirk gets home I'll practice backing up, with him telling me exactly where to stop so I can see what it looks like on the camera. Hitch height is a great tip!

Appreciate everyone's time and expertise in trying to help me get this all figured out.

[Steve Clark]

So Glenn, Now that all this hitch and leveling talk is complete, finish the story.......How did your Mother do against her twin sister?

[dfandrews]

Originally Posted by NW Cat Owner

..... I've been told by numerous RV owners that it's lots easier running up on blocks when you've got someone to help holler at ya for getting it level. I don't feel like running back and forth to the trailer and truck a million times on my own......So, anyone got any suggestions on good ways to know exactly when you're over the ball with the hitch? .....

Laura,
When I'm backing solo, and have gotten close to the ball, I measure (or eyeball estimate; comes w/practice) how far to back, then: in the tow vehicle, with the door open, I set my left foot on the door sill, pick a point (point A) on the ground that's line-of-sight with my toe, locate a point (B) on the ground that's the correct distance from (A), then back 'til my toe lines up with the point (B). As long as you don't move your foot while backing, it works well enough to get the hitch over the ball enough to engage the ball.

The description is a lot more complicated than just doing it. Hope this can help.

[Zardoz]

Originally Posted by NW Cat Owner

I figure once Dirk gets home I'll practice backing up, with him telling me exactly where to stop so I can see what it looks like on the camera. Hitch height is a great tip!

Appreciate everyone's time and expertise in trying to help me get this all figured out.

Hi Laura,

Before Dirk gets home, you may want to Google "how to assist someone parking/hitching a trailer" or some variation thereof. Then, watch some YouTube videos on how the driver and spotter should communicate. Will greatly improve the overall experience and guaranteed to add years to your marriage.

The voice of experience,

Rich

[Kountrykamper]

Originally Posted by Zardoz

Hi Laura,

Before Dirk gets home, you may want to Google "how to assist someone parking/hitching a trailer" or some variation thereof. Then, watch some YouTube videos on how the driver and spotter should communicate. Will greatly improve the overall experience and guaranteed to add years to your marriage.

The voice of experience,

Rich

The wife and I should watch those videos before each camping season. 38 years of marriage and 30 years of camping and I still don't understand the hand signals she gives. I especially like when she disappears in the mirrors and is still giving directions. I just stop and wait for her to reappear.

[Zardoz]

Originally Posted by Kountrykamper

The wife and I should watch those videos before each camping season. 38 years of marriage and 30 years of camping and I still don't understand the hand signals she gives. I especially like when she disappears in the mirrors and is still giving directions. I just stop and wait for her to reappear.

I bought a cheap pair of walkie-talkies so we could at least stop screaming and curse each other in a civilized tone .

[Jim Bennett]

If I need assistance from my wife when reversing the trailer into a spot, I usually just get her to plant her foot beside where I want the tires to be, and use that as a guide. Saves any misinterpretation.

I have thought of bringing a small traffic cone to do the same thing with, but always remember at the campsite.

[gbaglo]

And, for Christmas, she gets a pedicure?

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

If I need assistance from my wife when reversing the trailer into a spot, I usually just get her to plant her foot beside where I want the tires to be, and use that as a guide. Saves any misinterpretation.

I have thought of bringing a small traffic cone to do the same thing with, but always remember at the campsite.

For late arrivals, I have used a flashlight laid on the ground as a marker. Same idea, plus illumination.

[Ron in BC]

Originally Posted by Kountrykamper

I especially like when she disappears in the mirrors and is still giving directions. I just stop and wait for her to reappear.

Ah, some things are universal.

Originally Posted by Zardoz

I bought a cheap pair of walkie-talkies so we could at least stop screaming and curse each other in a civilized tone .

Yup, so much easier with walkie-talkies. Much easier to clarify a situation. We've gone in the opposite direction with FSR radios though. We now have better quality ones than the other ones we have. Since we carry them we also use them when one or the other of us is on an outing a fair ways away from the trailer.

Ron

[sunrisetrucker]

Originally Posted by Mary F

For what it's worth, I didn't know the squiggly pins are called R-clips, either, and we've been doing this some 19 years or more.

I've always known them as Mae West pins

[David H]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

If I need assistance from my wife when reversing the trailer into a spot, I usually just get her to plant her foot beside where I want the tires to be, and use that as a guide. Saves any misinterpretation.

Does she still cook you supper after you run over her foot?

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by David H

Does she still cook you supper after you run over her foot?

You gotta know I am careful enough to not do this, or I might lose more than supper.