hitching with a backup camera...

[WillyB]

Backup cameras are the power windows of today.

I saw a truck yesterday that had the old crank windows. Oh my, how did we ever tolerate those torturous devices.🤣

[SageRpod]

Originally Posted by RangerMan

I use a 'redneck' solution to this problem. I know what my trailer looks like when being towed. Using my mirrows I can see down both sides easily.

When backing up to hitch, I want it to look in my mirrows just as it does when I moving down the road. I'll stop when a few feet from the hitch and get out to check then distance to the hitch.

I leave my driver door open and watch the bottom edge of the door and the ground to judge how far back i've moved. I rarely have to adjust more than a few inches. Then there's the getting the latch down on the ball .....

I did say it was a 'redneck' solution. Works for me.

This is exactly how we hitch up to the 5.0. Backup cameras are terrific for bumper pulls, but don't do much for you when your tailgate is down to hookup to a 5.0.

[brroberts]

I like the backup camera, but have also used the door open ground measurement for a long time.

[Centex]

Originally Posted by SageRpod

.... Backup cameras are terrific for bumper pulls, but don't do much for you when your tailgate is down to hookup to a 5.0.

True, that.

The applicable / equivalent hitching assist for a 5.0 owner is the "bed-view" cam now available on some trucks.

Having that on my F150 is just as much of a game-changing 5.0-hitching convenience as a backup cam for hitching the bumper-pull trailers.

Since taking this first-trial pic I've added some tape 'markers' to tell me when my pinbox is clear of the power-tailgate so it can be raised using the on-dash button, and another to give me exact indication when the Andersen coupler is centered fore-and-aft over the ball.

Yeah, like OP John with his Expy and bumper-pull, I'm loving all this new-tech ... solo-aligning my 5.0 for hitching without ever stepping out of the cab!

[SageRpod]

Originally Posted by Centex

True, that.

The applicable / equivalent hitching assist for a 5.0 owner is the "bed-view" cam now available on some trucks.

Having that on my F150 is just as much of a game-changing 5.0-hitching convenience as a backup cam for hitching the bumper-pull trailers.

Since taking this first-trial pic I've added some tape 'markers' to tell me when my pinbox is clear of the power-tailgate so it can be raised using the on-dash button, and another to give me exact indication when the Andersen coupler is centered fore-and-aft over the ball.

Yeah, like OP John with his Expy and bumper-pull, I'm loving all this new-tech ... solo-aligning my 5.0 for hitching without ever stepping out of the cab!

Wow. Looking to see if this is available as an aftermarket add on!

[Centex]

Originally Posted by SageRpod

Wow. Looking to see if this is available as an aftermarket add on!

Please see your PM inbox - I may be able to assist.

[brroberts]

Originally Posted by WillyB

Backup cameras are the power windows of today.

I saw a truck yesterday that had the old crank windows. Oh my, how did we ever tolerate those torturous devices.🤣

I still have a truck with crank windows I use regularly. 1998 C2500.

[John in Santa Cruz]

Originally Posted by RangerMan

I use a 'redneck' solution to this problem. I know what my trailer looks like when being towed. Using my mirrows I can see down both sides easily.

When backing up to hitch, I want it to look in my mirrows just as it does when I moving down the road. I'll stop when a few feet from the hitch and get out to check then distance to the hitch.

I leave my driver door open and watch the bottom edge of the door and the ground to judge how far back i've moved. I rarely have to adjust more than a few inches. Then there's the getting the latch down on the ball .....

I did say it was a 'redneck' solution. Works for me.

Hah, that's exactly what I have been doing for years...

[Ops]

There are occasions when hooking up to the trailer, the shade or sunshine will interfere with the dash screen view of the hitch socket and tow ball (i.e.: too much contrast or not enough).

Depth of view can be hindered enough that it'll take a couple of trips to actually determine how much I have to move the tug fore or aft, port or starboard to get the ball under the hitch socket.

I painted a small white cross on the top of the hitch socket. Not perfect, but it helps improve the contrast enough to align the two in most circumstances.

[SageRpod]

Originally Posted by RangerMan

I leave my driver door open and watch the bottom edge of the door and the ground to judge how far back i've moved. I rarely have to adjust more than a few inches. Then there's the getting the latch down on the ball .....

I did say it was a 'redneck' solution. Works for me.

I'm sure others with newer trucks have this same issue. The modern F150 protests loudly when you put it in gear with the door open. Oh how I wish there was a mute button on the dash for occasions like that.

[MrLynn]

Originally Posted by WillyB

Backup cameras are the power windows of today.

I saw a truck yesterday that had the old crank windows. Oh my, how did we ever tolerate those torturous devices.🤣

I miss winding the windows up and down. It worked. It didn't need a battery.

Cost me c.$300 to get my drivers-side power window fixed last year, including programming (to get it to go down with one push). Was complicated for me to attempt, and required me to buy an expensive gizmo, so I let the shop do it. Never had to repair a wind-down window.

I miss the wing vents, too. Not so much now, as I don't smoke cigarettes, but I still miss the vents.

[John in Santa Cruz]

OTOH, I forget how many window cranks I had to replace, admittedly many of those were VW from the mid to late 80s, which were notorious for fragile cranks and also outside door handles.