Question on cargo trailer hook up - RV-Dreams Community Forum

sologal · RV-Dreams Family Member

Question on cargo trailer hook up

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

In addition to all of the above, if the trailer has a "twist-tight" ball clamp (see first picture - item "D", after pulling the trailer a short distance, stop in a convenient place and make sure that the twist control is still tight. If the clamp tightens up, but doesn't also tighten the ball to the rest of the ball receiver, it will loosen after a short distance. In the image below, you can see the twist handle on top and also see the clamp under the trailer hitch portion of the image.

There are also other styles of hitches, and with all of them, be sure and have some kind of lock to keep someone else from releasing your trailer's hitch. Normally, there is a hole through the tongue or through the "release lever" that allows one to attach a lock.

In the one above, the "locking hole" is on the side. The following two pictures shows the locking holes in the side of the lift handle.

Here is one image of a hitch lock.

Terry

EDIT: Lesson learned. I went into Photobucket this evening and went to removing images from the "Recent Uploads" section of my account because I had "moved" them to other website categories. WRONG THING TO DO!!!! Removing from the "Recent Uploads" section also removes them from the other categories as well. So, I had to put photos back into Photobucket and then come back here to change the links.

-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Tuesday 8th of October 2013 09:23:23 PM

Workinrvers · RV-Dreams Family Member

no really easy way to hook on, by yourself, that I have found. I tend to get close with the camera and can usually move the trailer enough to get the tongue over the ball with out too much heavy grunting. I also have one of these trailer dollys and that makes moving the empty trailer easier once it is unhooked from the motor home.

One thing you can try is to have the camera at an angle where you can actually see the connections versus one like mine which is mounted way up on top of the motor home looking to the rear. With mine I cannot actually see the connection but can usually get close.

Phil

el Rojo and Pam · RV-Dreams Family Member

Deb there's a few things you can do to make it easier:

1. As Phil said "get a camera". With a camera aimed correctly you can put the ball of the hitch right under the tongue.

2. Put a wheel on the jack so the trailer is easier to move. This works until you drag the bottom of the jack in a dip and can't put the wheel on anymore. Always take the wheel off before moving and raise the jack completely.

3. Hook the trailer up with it empty. You should be able to move the tongue around "a little" with your knee.

4. Find a nice neighbor "like me" to hook it up for you. BTW.. I let people help me back up sometimes but I never let them hook it up, but you being a lady might have to let your neighbor be a gentleman. Always make sure it's hooked up correctly YOURSELF.

I'm sure others will add tips too!

dewwood · RV-Dreams Family Member

If you do not have a camera one way to back up to a trailer you can't see is to put something (a cone or anything visible) out where you can see it in your rear view mirror. Place it in line with the front of the tongue on the trailer but about five feet to the drivers side where you can back up to the object using it to direct you. When close get out and check to see how close to the trailer hitch you are and make corrections as needed. It may take a few tries but you should get close enough that you can get hitched to the trailer. As others have said an empty trailer is easier to move and the tongue weight should not be very much. Also you will want to hook up before loading the trailer anyway for safety, trying to load a trailer that is not hooked to something is very dangerous as the trailer will not remain stable and can tip up or move away from you. I am sure with a little practice you will be able to hook up without any help. Like others have said there is usually someone who will lend a hand if needed, but always check the connections yourself.

sologal · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks for all the info! I will be trying the cone method for sure, If I can't move it even a little I will go with the camera and of course ask for help if I need it. I won't be unhooking it if I am boondocking in an isolated area but I have read there are a few area's that will not allow a trailer and you have to drop it in a designated area, these are the times I will certainly need some back up help. I will check out those dollies [thanks for the link] Terry I have the lock on the lift already so I will be using one for sure, and dewwood thanks for the hook up before loading info I did not think of that at all.....Deb

NWescapee · RV-Dreams Family Member

Not that it applies to us right now, but I'm curious about the comments to hook up the trailer while it's empty. Is that practical? Here's our scenario, artists who do art shows with trailers that contain all the art show set up "stuff". We know several with MH's (class A and class C). I never see any of them empty the trailer before hooking up, most leave their art show set up stuff in the trailer all the time so they don't have to transfer stuff from the MH to the trailer before each art show.
When we were thinking about a MH before deciding on a 5'ver this is what we envisioned. Trying to understand the issue of hooking up while the trailer is loaded???

el Rojo and Pam · RV-Dreams Family Member

Ruth, the reason it was stated to hook it up empty was because Deb has a motorized scooter and the trailer needs to be secure at the front so it doesn't move when the scooter is driven in the back of the trailer. Also, it's easier to move the tongue of the trailer around for the not so accurate positioning of the ball when backing up.

Hope that helps,

Red