Pay It Forward

SilverRhino · Nov 8, 2009

A few years ago, while hooking up to our previous 5th wheel.......a gentleman was standing and watching as we adjusted the front jack height to properly match the height of the fifth wheel.

As I was getting ready to back up the TV.....he stopped me and handed me a peace of cord with a bolt attached to it. He then instructed me to attach it to the bottom of the overhang so that the bolt just touched the ground. By attaching this each time....I would know how much to raise or lower my trailer to hitch to the TV.

I modified the original a bit......now I try to carry a couple of them with me, so that I can "Pay It Forward" the way that gentleman did so many years ago......helping out a novice with his seasoned wisdom. All you need is a few feet of #16 jack chain, a section of 3/4" wood dowel, a spring clip and a lad screw ( for weight ).

The attached photos show the simple set up.....just clip the hook to the the hitch pin.....set the trailer to the proper height for hitching to the TV......adjust the length of the chain so that the bolt in the dowel pin just touches the ground......and your set to hitch up!

Freckles · Nov 8, 2009

What a Great idea !! Thank you !!!! I love this forum.

imchud · Nov 8, 2009

SilverRhino said:
A few years ago, while hooking up to our previous 5th wheel.......a gentleman was standing and watching as we adjusted the front jack height to properly match the height of the fifth wheel.

As I was getting ready to back up the TV.....he stopped me and handed me a peace of cord with a bolt attached to it. He then instructed me to attach it to the bottom of the overhang so that the bolt just touched the ground. By attaching this each time....I would know how much to raise or lower my trailer to hitch to the TV.

I modified the original a bit......now I try to carry a couple of them with me, so that I can "Pay It Forward" the way that gentleman did so many years ago......helping out a novice with his seasoned wisdom. All you need is a few feet of #16 jack chain, a section of 3/4" wood dowel, a spring clip and a lad screw ( for weight ).

The attached photos show the simple set up.....just clip the hook to the the hitch pin.....set the trailer to the proper height for hitching to the TV......adjust the length of the chain so that the bolt in the dowel pin just touches the ground......and your set to hitch up!

Thanks for the post -I will be making one asap...

Elder1 · Nov 8, 2009

well add me to the list of making one soon. What a great idea, thanks

Mariposa · Nov 8, 2009

chain

Why didn't I think of that. I been using the old fashion tape measure

bigredtruck · Nov 8, 2009

I see DH's Christmas present in this thread

jimtoo · Nov 8, 2009

bigredtruck said:
I see DH's Christmas present in this thread

Thread??? I would use string,,, thread is a little small for this application.

Jim M

brunomisty · Nov 9, 2009

Thanks for the idea. Looks like I will be making a few of them

SherwoodDavis · Nov 9, 2009

That is a great idea.... Thank you for the post.

4ever · Nov 9, 2009

So simple and so effective. That's a great idea. Will be making one this week.

Thanks,

Ted

plumberdude · Nov 9, 2009

thanks for the info. i will add this to the list of things we will bring to pick -up our new toy hauler on the 16th. again i will fool the wife that i know what i am doing(sure i will) after 25yrs she knows better(rookie)

JWG · Nov 9, 2009

What a great idea - Thanks for posting it... Add me to the list of those making a few...

PSF513 · Nov 10, 2009

That truly shows that the best ideas are often the simplest. We do our by my wife or I walking up to the king pin and measuring it on our body. This is much easier and less messy.

THANKS

jmgratz · Nov 10, 2009

I have always just eyeballed mine and it has worked for me. One less thing to carry and move around to get to other things.

khalsey · Nov 10, 2009

I use the memory level that you set when front raised up to unhook so you know what height to raise it to when getting ready to hook backup. Can be purchased at Camping World.

caissiel · Nov 10, 2009

Thats a great Idea. I set-up the height of the pin and 5th wheel hitch so as to make the trailer level when I unhitch. That is if I am on level ground. I will surely make one with an old dog leach.

Pay It Forward

SilverRhino

Well-known member

Attachments

Freckles

Founding New York Chapter Leader-Retired

imchud

Well-known member

Elder1

Active Member

Mariposa

Well-known member

bigredtruck

Well-known member

jimtoo

Moderator

brunomisty

Sundance Owner

SherwoodDavis

2009.Me.&.Her

4ever

Well-known member

plumberdude

Well-known member

JWG

Member

PSF513

Well-known member

jmgratz

Original Owners Club Member

khalsey

Well-known member

caissiel

Senior Member

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