Hitching mirror

G Cherokee
G Cherokee Forum Participant Posts: 402
100 Comments
edited September 2016 in Parts & Accessories #1

So today, whilst I was being dragged round various shops, I started to think about hitching the caravan solo.

I`d thought about thissometime ago and the only one I could find was on an auction site for £45.

Anyhoo, I made my own this afternoon...

1 small stand alone mirror  £2.50

1 in car mobile phone holder with sucker (£0.00)

Used either stuck on the gas locker lid, or the rear screen of car, both works a treat..... pleased of punch is I   LaughingLaughing

 

Comments

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,149 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2016 #2

    That's the way to do it! Laughing

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited September 2016 #3

    I open the tail gate & stand up-ish behind the wheel if I have to hitchup alone to give me a starter ..... it still entails a lot of getting in and out & having a look though Laughing

  • Metheven
    Metheven Club Member Posts: 3,987 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2016 #4

    Nice one 'GC', sometimes the simples things are best Money Mouth

     

    I invariably hitch up on my own, reverse until the parking sensors beep continuously then another foot on that and I'm somewhere near Happy get out and have a look at what distance more I need, hop back in the car, reverse while looking at the ground out of the open drivers door to gauge that distance, job done Cool

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited September 2016 #5

     .... reverse while looking at the ground out of the open door to gauge that distance, job done Cool

    That's what I do, but I seem to have to do some hopping in & out before I'm lined up

    Though elf'n'safety stops you doing so on some cars ie the door has to be shut before it lets you engage drive ....obviously only applic with a 2 pedal gearbox 

  • mbee1
    mbee1 Forum Participant Posts: 557
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    edited September 2016 #6

    Why keep hopping in and out of the car?  I reverse as close as I think I can then hook up using the mover.  Piece of cake

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited September 2016 #7

    Why keep hopping in and out of the car?  I reverse as close as I think I can then hook up using the mover.  Piece of cake

    Cos using the mover is admitting defeat ...... Wink

  • mbee1
    mbee1 Forum Participant Posts: 557
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    edited September 2016 #8

    Admitting defeat?  Rubbish. Typical cost of a mover somewhere between £600 and £1000 and I had one to make life easier when it comes to hooking up, pitching, reversing etc.  

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited September 2016 #9

    Admitting defeat?  Rubbish. Typical cost of a mover somewhere between £600 and £1000 and I had one to make life easier when it comes to hooking up, pitching, reversing etc.  

    My tongue was firmly in my cheek .... hence the Wink

     

  • ABM
    ABM Forum Participant Posts: 14,578
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    edited September 2016 #10

    I  seem  to  recall  seeing  quite  a  few  of  the  used  Japanese  vehicles  that  are  imported  to  Britain  for  conversion  to  small  motorvans  having  mirrors  on  the  tail gate .  They  look  very  much  like  early  transit--sized  van  door 
    mirrors,  on  a  plain  rod,  which  is  bolted  to  the  very  top  of  the  t/gate  and  face  more  or  less  vertically  downwards.

  • G Cherokee
    G Cherokee Forum Participant Posts: 402
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    edited September 2016 #11

    I  seem  to  recall  seeing  quite  a  few  of  the  used  Japanese  vehicles  that  are  imported  to  Britain  for  conversion  to  small  motorvans  having  mirrors  on  the  tail gate .  They  look  very  much  like  early  transit--sized  van  door 
    mirrors,  on  a  plain  rod,  which  is  bolted  to  the  very  top  of  the  t/gate  and  face  more  or  less  vertically  downwards.

    Write your comments here...

    The vans in question have very flat back ends,

    Get so much as a small slope on the rear screen and the arm isn't long enough to clear the bumper. . . . Been there, tried that Worried

  • ABM
    ABM Forum Participant Posts: 14,578
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    edited September 2016 #12

    Ah  Well,  that's  another  good  idea  junked !!  At  least  I  tried  Wink

    B

  • compass362
    compass362 Forum Participant Posts: 619
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    edited September 2016 #13

    I'm just trailing a Fresnel lens(off eBay) on my Vauxhall zafira  , basically it enables you to see anything below rear window height up to 3 feet away at the back of the car.

    I line caravan locker door up centrally in the lens , when I can't see the the hitch head I stop & get out & have a look  , I never back direct under the hitch but try & get level either side several inches , then just swing caravan on its axis  to over tow ball , pretty simple & it works well when you are on your own.

    The lens is roughly 8 by 10 inches  & affords a good rear view , but works better if the car rear window is pretty vertical .

  • G Cherokee
    G Cherokee Forum Participant Posts: 402
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    edited September 2016 #14

    I shall look at those my friend Laughing