A Guide to Hitch Guides
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If you just need help, a lot of hitch guides are on the market right now. Hitch guides come in two styles. The first and most popular are long rods, also called hitch flags, which attach to your bumper and your hitch ball. Line the rods up and back up until they touch. Most are magnetized, so they are easy to use. The second kind is an open-sided triangle that guides the trailer tongue to your hitch ball as you back up. At least one company has come up with a mini camera that attaches to your license plate frame and transmits to a monitor in the car, allowing you to see what's behind you. Below is a selection of flags and guides, manufacturer's suggested price and websites or phone numbers. However, you can often find hitch guides at horse trailer and RV dealers. |
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Hitch Rods, Flags and Guides |
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Align-Quik Hitching Guides $19.95 |
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Two orange plastic rods that telescope from 30" to 44" in height and attach magnetically to the hitch ball and the coupler. Back up and match the rods together. |
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Couplemate Trailer Hitch Guide $39.99 |
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Same concept as the EZ Hitch wedge-a 14" wedge that guides your trailer tongue toward your hitch ball. |
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EZ Hitch Complete Kit $59.95 |
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The wedge, which attaches to your hitch with a couple of screws and is easily removed, has a 14" surface. Just back your vehicle until you feel contact with your hitch. Now, just ease back until your hitch is centered. |
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Hitchin' Rods $21.95 |
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Just like Align-Quik - two four-foot-long rods. Place one on the ball. Put one on the front of the trailer. Line them up in your rearview mirror. When you see the one on the ball move, drop the trailer on the hitch. |
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Magnetic Hitch Locator $39.95 |
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Place one Magnetic Hitch Locator base on tow vehicle's metal bumper. If bumper is not metal, place on tow vehicle's hitch frame. Place the other Magnetic Hitch Locator base on the tow vehicle's hitch ball. Extend both Magnetic Hitch Locator masts until their reflector globes are aligned and visible in tow vehicle's rearview mirror. Remove second Magnetic Hitch Locator base from tow vehicle's hitch ball and place it on the trailer hitch. Back tow vehicle to align Magnetic Hitch Locator's reflector globes. Hook up your trailer. |
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Hitch Up Mirror |
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An acrylic, convex backup mirror for gooseneck or tag-along trailers. Night vision available. |
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Vizualogic Hindsight Backup System |
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For the truly high tech, the Vizualogic Hindsight system is basically a small camera attached to your license plate, hooked up to a monitor inside the vehicle. It comes on automatically when you put the vehicle in reverse. |
