Tandum trailer-connecting to truck

[kmeforou]

I have had a single axil trailor for about three years and I have been thinking about getting a tandum. My problem is that I have trouble lining my truck up with the hitch. With a single axil, I would have no trouble moving the trailer to meet the hitch when unloaded. However a tandum is a different story. I would appreciate any response on how you are able to line up your rig without the help of another person. The way I do things now, I would imagine it would take me at least fifteen to twenty minutes to get connected. Any response you can give me that is beneficial will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[LawnPerfect]

practice
practice
practice

look up a thread called "trailer hitch" lots of good pointers there

[LawnPerfect]

actually the thread is called "hitch guides"

alot of different methods used
maybe one will help you out
http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=60099

[GrassBustersLawn]

Go to www.ballard-inc.com They have an E-Z Hitch. It fits on your truck's hitch. Has a V shaped plate that you back up to your trailer. As you do that it centers the trailer over the ball. I use it for my heavier trailers, WORKS GREAT!

Mike

[Jason Rose]

Ditto on the practice! It's all in just depth perception and seeing where your trailer lines up with the side of your truck. Trust me, I never thought I'd get it either. I would back up to my single axle somewhat close then just wrestle it around, I thought I was gonna die the first few times I was in and out of the truck repositioning it. Thank god nobody was watching! Now I can drop my trailer just about anywhere, leave, come back, and be totally hooked up and back in the truck in about a minute. Oh, my trailer is a 8.5' x 20' with 2 dixons, a 33" wb, 21", and a bunch of other stuff from day to day, so NO, i'm not moving it around to get it on the ball.

I hope this boosts your confidence a little!

[little green guy]

it's not that hard, you'll get used to it. Just look in your mirrors and center the truck between the trailer and you'll be pretty close. Some days I hookup 5+ times a day and 75% of the time i'm dead on in the first shot.

[P&C Lawn Care]

It just takes practice knowing where the truck lines up with the trailer. If you have problems take a dowel rod (or rebar or a stick) and paint the end red (or any bright color) attach it to the center of the front end of the trailer and then make a mark on the top of your tailgate. Back up and line them up.

[Rhett]

With your trailer hitched look in your mirrors and see where your rear quarters are in relation to your front of trailer. Have a friend place a piece of red tape on the trailer, while you are looking in the mirrors, that match the outline of your rear quarters in relation to the trailer.(both sides) Leave trailer reciever just high enough so that it scrapes the ball. Line up rear of truck with tape marks and listen for the reciever to contact ball.

[NCSULandscaper]

If you are having trouble, here is a somewhat inexpensive way to get better.

http://www.secureyourtrailer.com/ezhitch.htm

[kmeforou]

Thanks for all the good advice.

[Royalslover]

I must be an idiot because after 16 years of backing up to a trailer it still takes me about 5 times. :confused:

[Kelly's Landscaping]

Its realy rather easy you have a couple options.

#1 have an employee learn how to guide you this works real well

#2 if the trailer is unloaded you can easily man handle it up to about an 18 footer just push it will move.

#3 this is what i currently prefer use an wheel mounted auto jack like a 2-3 ton even with a fully loaded trailer you can move it over a few inches to a foot if needed and there you are your hooked up. One other thing about the jack its quicker to unhook then hand cranking the trailer.

[Phishook]

leave the truck in neutral, so you can push it. But not if you're on a hill;)

[walker-talker]

No offense, but if it should take you 15-20 minutes to back up to a hitch, then you shouldnt have a driver license.

[kmeforou]

For the one that thinks I should not have a driver's licence, I have not had an accident that was my fault since 1968. For connecting my single axil trailer, it only takes a couple of minutes. I have never had a tandum trailer before and am considering purchasing one of them. I know these aren't easy to move and I figured it would take me the time mentioned to line it up exactly, based on the procedure I had been following. Thanks to the help of others out there, I will take a different approach to hooking up my trailer. The feedback others have given me has been greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[msloop77]

I have the easiest solution of all. Look on www.cabelos.com under their trailer accessories. They sell a 10 inch mirror that clamps onto your tail gate that allows you to see your trailer hitch when you back up to the trailer. I used one all summer long and works like a champ every single time. Costs about $30.00.

Problem solved.