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Topic: Hitching up alignment aid

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John4703

28/12/2017 at 7:47pm
Location: Glasgow
Outfit: Elddis Avante 454

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I saw somewhere that it is possible to buy two stickers, one goes on the car rear window and the other on the caravan front. As you reverse you can see in the mirror how they align, and it is supposed to be easy to get to exactly the correct place to hitch up.
I’ve not got a clue what they are called but wondered if anyone on here knows about them and if they are any use.

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We camped for years. In 2019 we bought an Elddis Avante 454. We like it as it is short (6.9m) and fits in our driveway and has a fixed bed.
We had 127 nights away in the caravan in 2023.

Hacksaw Bob

28/12/2017 at 9:14pm
Location: West Midlands
Outfit: Various tents

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No idea if they are any use, but I think what you describe may be called Hitch Sniper.

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Marshmallowqueen

28/12/2017 at 9:29pm
Location: Nottinghamshire
Outfit: Pennine Countryman 2010

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Try searching for Hitchright on e. Bay or google . Never tried it so no idea if they work.

Another idea I've seen is try putting a tall stick with a tennis ball on the top in the hitch so you can see it as you reverse.

John4703

28/12/2017 at 9:37pm
Location: Glasgow
Outfit: Elddis Avante 454

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Thanks for both suggestions. They are the sort of thing I was thinking that I'd seen but without a name Google failed me.

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We camped for years. In 2019 we bought an Elddis Avante 454. We like it as it is short (6.9m) and fits in our driveway and has a fixed bed.
We had 127 nights away in the caravan in 2023.

LlaniDavis

28/12/2017 at 10:46pm
Location: Llanidloes Powys
Outfit: Skoda Yeti SEL4x4 +Bailey Ranger 460-4

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Hitch up without anything, then add a piece of tape to the back window of the car and then another in line with it as you look out of the rear on the front of the caravan.

Problem solved next time you hook up, and much cheaper!

chrisn7

29/12/2017 at 2:12am
Location: West Yorkshire
Outfit: Bessacarr Cameo 625 2011

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Quote: Originally posted by LlaniDavis on 28/12/2017
Hitch up without anything, then add a piece of tape to the back window of the car and then another in line with it as you look out of the rear on the front of the caravan.

Problem solved next time you hook up, and much cheaper!

But this doesn't work in practice, unless the car and van centre lines are already perfectly aligned. If you have to come in at an angle 2 points won't achieve alignment.

Use the 2 points mentioned plus a third imaginary point on the top of the rear seat centre (or any visible central feature). When all 3 line up, you are there.

If you use a satnav such as the Garmin Camper, a camera is available for that just clips on the number plate and delivers an image as soon as reverse is selected, which is even better.

Paul_B

29/12/2017 at 7:31am
Location: Yorkshire
Outfit: Car & Caravan

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I have hitch aid that's called a motor-mover

oxter

29/12/2017 at 8:55am
Location: NE Scotland
Outfit: Bailey Phoenix + CRV

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Quote: Originally posted by Paul_B on 29/12/2017
I have hitch aid that's called a motor-mover

Mine is called a reversing camera. - I no longer need a wife, but I have retained her anyway 😀

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playing at tinkies

kenles

29/12/2017 at 9:20am
Location: Gloucestershie
Outfit: Fiat Ducato campervan

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I made one up two large clips and two canes.put cip and cane on the bumper plate and the other on the hitch tiled cane over the ball so when the two canes touch you are spot on worked for me for many years when I pick the caravan up on my own

iank01

29/12/2017 at 9:20am
Location: Worcestershire
Outfit: Buccaneer Cruiser

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I line up by using the rear view mirror using the sides of the caravan making sure they are equal on both sides. If I am slightly out as happens on occasion I judge the distance I need to move over, get into the vehicle go slightly forward and then reverse the distance to line it up. Simples!

Octavia4x4

29/12/2017 at 9:29am
Location: Harrogate Yorkshire.
Outfit: Skoda Octavia 4x4 & Compass Omega 482

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Wife stands with her elbow above the hitch head and arm up, reverse up using mirror and line the rear wiper (round bit) with her arm, she then guides me in with her other hand, bit to left or right, taps window when the ball over hitch. Perfect every time, learnt it on a caravan towing course years ago.

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Skoda Octavia Estate 2.0TDi 4x4 (2012) towing a Compass Omega 482 (2014)

morepints

29/12/2017 at 9:45am
Location: Dartford Kent
Outfit: VW T6 conversion

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Someone on here suggested using a magnetic pickup tool. I tried it - with the Yeti tailgate up, and the centre seat down it's great. The tool sticks to the tow ball; then reverse towards the stabiliser handle, in the vertical position. So long as I've remembered to make sure the hitch is high enough to clear, the pickup just drops off when the ball is aligned.

I've even managed to hookup without supervision from higher authority, so a bonus there too.

Wilkinson so have them for £2.20; plus it's useful for pétanque as well!

Johnnie Boy

29/12/2017 at 12:23pm
Location: Cleveland
Outfit: Swift select 164

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reversing cameras the way to go... cheapo off the net works fine.

John4703

29/12/2017 at 1:32pm
Location: Glasgow
Outfit: Elddis Avante 454

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Quote: Originally posted by morepints on 29/12/2017
Someone on here suggested using a magnetic pickup tool. I tried it - with the Yeti tailgate up, and the centre seat down it's great. The tool sticks to the tow ball; then reverse towards the stabiliser handle, in the vertical position. So long as I've remembered to make sure the hitch is high enough to clear, the pickup just drops off when the ball is aligned.

That sounds like a good idea, simple, works at an angle and cheap.

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We camped for years. In 2019 we bought an Elddis Avante 454. We like it as it is short (6.9m) and fits in our driveway and has a fixed bed.
We had 127 nights away in the caravan in 2023.

blueexpo97

29/12/2017 at 2:57pm
Location:
Outfit:

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Even cheaper is using your door mirrors and simply making sure you are in the middle of the marker lights on your van.

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XVI yes?

As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.

Kelper

29/12/2017 at 6:55pm
Location: Northern Ireland
Outfit: Sterckeman Alize Concept CP480

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It's the same idea as was devised for getting the exact height to drop the 'Dam Busters' bombs.

We now have movers, so it's no longer a problem.

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