Which is easier to hitch?

[arniesea]

Originally Posted by Ronn

Thanks for this information, I hadn't thought or heard of this before.

I found this on the web:
Install X-Chocks AFTER your rig is level and remove them BEFORE hitching up. Because of the way X-Chocks “lock” your wheels together you can damage them or (less likely) your RV's suspension system if you raise or lower your rig with them installed.

I constantly read the forum and pickup good information like this . I've had my trailer over a year and have used it a lot, but something new to me comes up quite frequently. Thanks Arnie

[Jim Bennett]

A few times I have had to disconnect my trailer on quite steep and undulating ground. I do use my X-Chocks where wedge chocks are real hard to use. What I do raising and lowering the trailer is to move lift/drop it a short bit, then one by one release and reset the X-Chocks. This reduces the stress on the axles a lot compared to jacking a long distance with them constantly set.

[UncleTim]

Originally Posted by arniesea

I found a super, simple solution for aligning my Andersen Ultimate hitch to the ball receiver on my 5.0. I use a telescoping magnetic pickup tool like this one: https://www.amazon.com/SE-8036TM-NEW.../dp/B000RB3XBA

Okay I bought one of these and I hit the Anderson Offset dead center first try. I had to back up a little bit more but that was it.


This is a brilliant idea for those of us that never use condoms. A little humor there.

[Gary252]

Originally Posted by arniesea

I found a super, simple solution for aligning my Andersen Ultimate hitch to the ball receiver on my 5.0. I use a telescoping magnetic pickup tool like this one: https://www.amazon.com/SE-8036TM-NEW.../dp/B000RB3XBA

I simply put the tool on the bolt head on the hitch that you use to torque down the hitch to the gooseneck ball in the truck. This bolt head is just forward of the hitch ball on top of the hitch. I extend the tool so it is visible in my interior rear view mirror in the truck.

On the pin box of the trailer, I have some orange electrical tape marking the center line of the pin box. It is really easy to line up the tool in my rear view to the tape as I back up. As soon as the front edge of the pin box touches the tool, I stop. Now the ball and the Anderson ball adapter are perfectly lined up side to side AND forward and aft! Retract the landing gear, lock the pin and I’m hitched. Easy Peasy.

(I still have to get out once during this process to raise the tailgate after the pin-box clears it. If my wife is around, she does it.)

Edit: Next time I hook up, I’ll take pictures.

I do exactly this procedure. Hardest part was to find the telescoping tool that raises high enough. Very easy!

[Little Richie]

Originally Posted by Centex

Suggest that depends on the 'driver aides' employed / available.

For example, without any 'spotter', using a modicum of driving skill and the rear-view cam on my Ridgeline toggled to the 'down view', I'm able to 'nail' the position of my hitch-ball with any of my three bumper-pull trailers (RV, 2 different utility trailers), first time every time, making the 'tolerance' for misalignment moot.

My RV has an 'Atwood type' coupler; the utility trailers both have 'bulldog type' couplers; the former is slightly more tolerant to misalignment IME.

I would add that cameras make a big difference. They also reduce the work of the spotter, I actually call them marital aids, as they reduce tension between the spotter -a.k.a. Spouse - and the driver.

[gbaglo]

I've abandoned my Swift Hitch backup camera in favour of Easy Hitch, telescoping rods with magnetic base. You place one rod on the ball and one on the hitch, lining them up as you back up. When the rod on the ball falls over, you are on target. You do have to get out once, when you get close, to check height of the hitch.
Easy Hitch is on clearance at Princess Auto. I don't use the LEDs, as in I've not replaced the batteries. I found the lens becomes unscrewed in the glove box and batteries fall out, or the lens gets screwed tight enough to turn on and deplete the batteries.

[Ian and Sue]

Originally Posted by UncleTim

The 5.0TA is harder to hitch, particularly if you have the Anderson offset. You need to get it pretty well aligned or it does not slide in. Plus you got tail gate issues (raising and lowering). I already put a ding in mine! Ouch!

When using the bumper hitch, and if you have a back up camera you can get it almost perfect every time. I am getting better now with the king pin, but the king pin is a little more difficult with the offset. No biggie! It pulls like a dream! I am a king pin fan! For sure!

I have the anderson with my 5.0 TA and bought some of those magnetic hitch alignment balls. Now I get the alignment right usually the first time. I also put some center line marks on my back window and tonneau cover to help w alignment.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Camco-446...SABEgIzrPD_BwE

[John in Santa Cruz]

I've managed to hitch my E21 numerous times to my F250 long bed solo without any aids, it does require hopping out of the truck a dozen times to check. My wife makes a horrible spotter, she wants me to tell her what to tell me, whihc makes the process an exercise in frustration, so I usually go it alone. OTOH, I hitched up once with my son spotting, and it was like easy as could be, he got me right on the spot the first time, dropped the trailer on the ball, had me pull forward an inch to take up the slack so the ball would latch, and had the chains on before I even got out of the cab.

[Ronn]

Originally Posted by Ian and Sue

I have the anderson with my 5.0 TA and bought some of those magnetic hitch alignment balls. Now I get the alignment right usually the first time.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Camco-446...SABEgIzrPD_BwE

I also use the adjustable ball magnet and find it works fairly well. An earlier post in this thread use a telescoping magnetic pickup tool on an Andersen gooseneck. I have the rails and aluminum bed, so I don't see that working for the rail mounted Andersen.

I saw a post a while back in the forum where someone attached a very small tube to the Andersen ball mount and put in a wire with a flag on it. I have that on my wish to do list. The advantage I see of the wire over the ball is not having to mess with it each time I hook up.

Found it, posted by ReagentGrade - https://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f...ra-8408-3.html

[Chotch]

Originally Posted by harrysteven

Thanks, everyone! I'll have to read these two or three times more for the info to sink in. I'll also have to look up some terms and photos related to the fifth wheel, like pin box. And see if I can find videos of TT & 5th wheels hitching.

My only experience is with a travel trailer: A 32' Arctic Fox 30U with a Dodge Ram 3500 Crew Cab Long Bed, connected with a Hensley Hitch. The Hensley was great for towing, hardly knew the TT was there, but a bear to connect; you had to get a square peg into a square hole, and there was not a great deal of tolerance. I had a partner back then, and she was more adept at it than I was. I'll be travelling solo now, and don't want to have too many problems hitching, so I want to make the right choice between the 5.0 5th and the 21C (or 19) TT.

I'll probably have more questions as I explore this further.

Thanks again, everyone.

Harry

Don’t stress too much about hooking either type, you’ll figure it out. My 5.0 TA is our first trailer and after a couple times hitching up is no big deal. Just go slow and think about what you’re doing. Totally recommend the Anderson Ultimate hitch, and think you’ll love the towing manners of the 5.0 if you go that route. The OAL of truck and trailer are shorter with the fifth wheel which aids in maneuvering and parking. Have never had any issues with swaying or porpoising. Also don’t have to deal with weight distribution type hitch which I have no personal experience but have been entertained a few times watching the connection process 😁