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10-20-2010, 12:52 AM
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#1
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Sioux Falls
Posts: 617
M.O.C. #9380
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Setting Pin Height for Hookup
It has always been a minor annoyance for me to set up the correct height of the rig for a clean hookup to my hitch. Usually I get the truck (tailgate down) under the pin then eyeball the height to make an adjustment that will allow me to back into the jaws. Usually this takes a couple of attempts as I ease into the hitch.
I have a Trailer Saver that has a lot of articulation in the head so when hooking up it has a pretty good ( 30 degree ) downward tilt and it can be 20 or 30 degrees tipped to one side as well. This makes guessing the height a guess at best, duh! I want to avoid a high hitch so my goal is to have the truck come in a bit high so that it forces the truck to take some weight from the rig as it slides over the hitch plate.
Here is a way to eliminate this guesswork. I measured the height from my hitch base plate to the bed of my truck. Then I took a short piece of chain and hung it from the pin (off to the side of the pin in one of the holes in the Moryde mount). I adjusted the length of the chain so that the distance to the end of the chain from the pin plate is the same as the dimension I took from the hitch to the truck bed. When I back the tailgate under the chain, all I have to do is move the rig up or down until the end of the chain just kisses the open tailgate floor.
Voila! Only one adjustment of the height and it goes in perfectly every time.
Enjoy!
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10-20-2010, 01:02 AM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: New Bern
Posts: 4,387
M.O.C. #8728
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That's why we are on the top of the food chain!!!!
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10-20-2010, 01:09 AM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Sioux Falls
Posts: 617
M.O.C. #9380
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But Jim, I didn't make my chain from cookies. It's steel.
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10-20-2010, 02:04 AM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Benson
Posts: 3,121
M.O.C. #1658
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I use the hookup memory level. Just set the marker when you unhook, when it's time to hookup just align the bubble with the mark and you're ready to go
http://www.campingworld.com/shopping...p-memory/15718
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10-20-2010, 03:39 AM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Kville
Posts: 2,865
M.O.C. #7871
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I take the rod that opens/closes the awning, measure the height of the pin when unhooked from the truck and place a small piece of tape at that spot on the rod. When it's time to hook back up, I raise/lower the pin to the mark on the rod.
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10-20-2010, 03:59 AM
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#6
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Garland
Posts: 450
M.O.C. #10688
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Like Charlie, I use the memory level from Camping World (can be found elsewhere). The memory level works great when unhooking as well, I set the memory bar on the left edge of the bubble level before lowering the jacks, lower the jacks till the bubble is centered on the memory bar, and now I am at the correct separation height.
I like the idea of using the chain to set the height for hooking up to the rig; I wonder if there is a way to use it for disconnecting as well?
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10-20-2010, 07:27 AM
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#7
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Montana Master
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location:
Posts: 560
M.O.C. #8818
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I just use my remote to raise or lower the pin to match the hitch as I am backing in to it. Works for me. Once I am close to engagement, I lower the pin to put some trailer weight on the hitch, and back up the final 4 or 5 inches to engage the jaws. ....and always, ALWAYS, immediately get out of the truck and do a visual check of jaws and pin for proper engagement (jaws fully closed, not high-hitched, etc.) and secure the locking lever.
Then I do a test pull with the landing gear about an inch above the ground, just for good measure.
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10-20-2010, 04:15 PM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Colorado Springs
Posts: 3,335
M.O.C. #10496
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That's exactly the same method I use. My Superglide has a distinctive sound when the jaws close around the kingpin. Visual and tug test are most important.
Quote:
quote:Originally posted by KTManiac
I just use my remote to raise or lower the pin to match the hitch as I am backing in to it. Works for me. Once I am close to engagement, I lower the pin to put some trailer weight on the hitch, and back up the final 4 or 5 inches to engage the jaws. ....and always, ALWAYS, immediately get out of the truck and do a visual check of jaws and pin for proper engagement (jaws fully closed, not high-hitched, etc.) and secure the locking lever.
Then I do a test pull with the landing gear about an inch above the ground, just for good measure.
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__________________
2010 3150RL
LevelUp, Dual 6 volt batteries, Progressive Industries EMS HW50C, Honda EU2000i Generator, Bridgestone Duravis R250 tires, Torklift Glowstep Revolution Stairs, LED Tail lights
2015 RAM 3500 Laramie SRW LB CC Cummins 6.7L Aisin Trans B&W RVK3600
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10-21-2010, 04:34 AM
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#9
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Port Orchard
Posts: 1,153
M.O.C. #3403
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We also use the hookup memory level. If I can just get the DW to set the marker when we unhook. If we do remember to set it then when it's time to hookup we just align the bubble with the mark and we're ready to back up under the pin. Works great.
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10-21-2010, 03:30 PM
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#10
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Oceanside
Posts: 20,028
M.O.C. #20
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We also use the hookup memory level. Before they were available I used a similar device my Dad made for me back in about 1995. I tried several methods with strings, etc, but never found them accurate enough. If that method works for someone else, great. For me the level works beautifully.
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03-10-2024, 05:25 PM
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#11
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New Member
Join Date: Jan 2023
Location: Wirtz
Posts: 4
M.O.C. #32233
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On the Montana 295RL 2023 there is a memory height that the trailer goes to when getting ready to hook up. This is an option on the menu. I just can't remember how to set the height memory when getting ready to detach. Someone at a campground told us about it. As I recall you hold the left and right buttons on the leveling system panel before detaching. Tried that but the system didn't like that. Anybody familiar with that. Thanks
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03-10-2024, 06:35 PM
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#12
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: Shingle Springs
Posts: 2,590
M.O.C. #30417
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SteveHirsch
On the Montana 295RL 2023 there is a memory height that the trailer goes to when getting ready to hook up. This is an option on the menu. I just can't remember how to set the height memory when getting ready to detach. Someone at a campground told us about it. As I recall you hold the left and right buttons on the leveling system panel before detaching. Tried that but the system didn't like that. Anybody familiar with that. Thanks
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I have the same unit. It's hitch height memory. Nothing for you to do but unhook. The auto level will remember the height and return to it once you press auto hitch height.
__________________
Tony & Donna & the best dog ever, Murphy.
2022 Montana HC, 295RL, 720 watts Solar, Onan 3600 LPG, 2K inverter, 200AH Lithium. 2020 GMC Denali 2500 6.6 Duramax, Demco 21K Auto Slide
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03-10-2024, 08:42 PM
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#13
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Dec 2022
Location: Manahawkin
Posts: 75
M.O.C. #32095
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I have the same RV and this is the first I am hearing of this. Tony is this something that is preset at the factor or do I set this up and it retains in the memory.
Thanks in advance
__________________
2023 Keystone Montana High Country 295RL
2022 GMC Sierra Duramax 2500 Denali
S&B 62 gallon diesel fuel tank
Slide toppers Sailun tires
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03-10-2024, 10:06 PM
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#14
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: Shingle Springs
Posts: 2,590
M.O.C. #30417
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Scroll through the arrow until you see the option
__________________
Tony & Donna & the best dog ever, Murphy.
2022 Montana HC, 295RL, 720 watts Solar, Onan 3600 LPG, 2K inverter, 200AH Lithium. 2020 GMC Denali 2500 6.6 Duramax, Demco 21K Auto Slide
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03-10-2024, 11:03 PM
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#15
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Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Carmichael - CA
Posts: 7,696
M.O.C. #4831
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Quote:
Originally Posted by seasure1
I have the same RV and this is the first I am hearing of this. Tony is this something that is preset at the factor or do I set this up and it retains in the memory.
Thanks in advance
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It has been a standard feature since inception in 2012. Turn on the Level Up and press the left and right arrows simultaneously. The sytem will return the pin to the height when you last unhooked.
*EXCEPTION* If the pin was below "level" when you unhooked (normally not an issue except for sites which slope down hill from the rear), the system will give you an error and you have to adjust the pin height manually.
__________________
Carl (n Susan)
There is more to life than fuel mileage.
2012 Montana 3700RL Big Sky Package towed by a 2015 Ford F350 6.7L PSD 4WD CC LWB
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03-11-2024, 08:44 AM
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#16
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: Shingle Springs
Posts: 2,590
M.O.C. #30417
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Here's the instructions
__________________
Tony & Donna & the best dog ever, Murphy.
2022 Montana HC, 295RL, 720 watts Solar, Onan 3600 LPG, 2K inverter, 200AH Lithium. 2020 GMC Denali 2500 6.6 Duramax, Demco 21K Auto Slide
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03-11-2024, 05:35 PM
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#17
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Anderson
Posts: 2,790
M.O.C. #22835
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The auto memory works quite well on the Lippert self-leveling systems ... UNTIL .... you decide to hit the "auto level" a second time because the trailer has settled in the sand, dirt, gravel, whatever. Even a slightly deflated tire can throw it off causing a re-level to happen. When you do that, you looses the original height.
Actually, the OP's system is pretty creative and would work, under any conditions. And .... no electronics to fail or "error" out codes to deal with!
__________________
History is not about the past, it's an explanation of the present.
2019 Montana High Country 375FL
2014 Chevy Silverado Duramax, 6.6L Dually
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03-12-2024, 03:59 PM
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#18
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Catoosa
Posts: 787
M.O.C. #18384
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NCFischers
That's why we are on the top of the food chain!!!!
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Well darn, I guess I’m on the bottom of the food chain.☹️ For years before I got an Andersen hitch I would just eyeball it to make sure the trailer was a little low and then backup until the 5th wheel plate just contacted the pin box. I would then raise the trailer until there was only a slight angle on the hitch plate, then back under the trailer lifting it about a half inch. This brings up my only complaint about the Andersen, hitching is all done by eyeball😱
__________________
2015 3100RL legacy...2005 Ford F-250 CC SB. Tows like a charm! 4/19 Updated to 2017 Chevy 3500 CC SB SRW -hope it tows as well as my F 250 did!
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