Wow! Great video. I am new to towing and have the Aliner Ascape since May 2023. I am a solo camper (my dog too, but she's not much help) so hitching the camper has been a little stressful but is getting easier the more times I've done it. An important point that you both demonstrate so well is to take your time. One thing that I have to do, is when connecting the chains, I twist them a couple of times to shorten the length to ensure they will not touch the ground. Thanks for the video and the printable list! I look forward to seeing more. Happy camping!
What a great idea for a youtube. Some long-term Aliner owners that camped with me last May failed to do everything on their trip to a national Rally in June. Just missing one step can cause a problem. Their missed step was plugging the 7pin connector securely into the tow vehicle. It drug behind the Aliner on the road which sanded the end off! I was off to a tri-regional rally in 2013 and trusted someone else to secure the tongue to the tow vehicle. It was latched above the ball instead of below the ball. The trailer came loose from the tow vehicle a short distance from my residence and left a small tell-tale sign of this on the rear bumper of the tow vehicle. Fortunately my electric tongue jack had a skid plate and I was going uphill very slowly. The electric brakes did stop the trailer when I pushed on the tow vehicle brake pedal. I hope people realize how important it is to never trust anyone else to properly lower and secure the tongue to the ball on the tow vehicle and be sure to follow this video.
Thanks so much Brian for the awesome feedback. I've always been very paranoid about hitching up.. thus i'm always ensuring the hitch ball is properly secured and all the steps are followed. Not doing things correctly is a recipe for disaster.
Yay, Nicole! My wife also wants to be involved in how to hitch our camper. You did a great job showing how important it is to make sure the hitch ball is seated in the coupler so it can lock correctly. A lot of trailers get loose from too high of hitching thinking "it's on there". And, I also see a lot of trailers being towed without a coupler pin or lock (doesn't take much bouncing to pop the coupler and the trailer gets loose). Couple of things: Grease. I like using a tube of heavy-duty axle grease and only applying a dab on top of the ball before connecting. I think the spray is a little too thin of a coating and it gets everywhere requiring much more frequent cleaning. Break Away cable. You really don't want to attach it to the same hitch everything else is attached to... Why? Because if the hitch fails, then the break away cable never gets activated applying brakes to the run away trailer. Let the hitch handle the coupler and safety chains, and then find a different anchor point for the break away cable. Glad to see you folks are enjoying the 118 degree heat as much as we are in Phoenix! (Sarcasm. This heat sucks). Cheers! Pete in Arizona - KI7LIL
Thanks so much Pete on the suggestions on axle grease as well as break-away cable!! I've been watching those Phoenix temperatures.. so crazy. I'm definitely spending more time inside.. unfortunately we did this video in the open garage. We we're sweating like crazy !!
Pro job guys! That was a great idea to show the latching "foot" that's underneath the tongue. Many people don't know what this part of the assembly looks like, how it works, or, that if they don't have the tongue "reach" for the ball, the ball can hang up on the "foot", and then not actually be coupled. The ball striking the foot can also bend, or otherwise damage the foot, and then the trailer is always difficult to couple after that. Replacement parts are available, so a damaged foot or bent threaded rod can be replaced. As Peter mentioned, I'm also not a fan of the lube spray. A dab up inside goes a long way, and you can buy a vinyl ball cover to help keep the mess a little more to a minimum. Good pre-flight tactics also! Cheers!
Thanks so much Todd. Yeah, Nicole went a little nuts with the lube spray !! I thought it really important to show the latching, as i've heard of veterans even taking this for granted, and it not coupling correctly. I "always" look to ensure it latches from underneath. I gotta watch your latest video !! I'm killin my training. Did 13 miles on Tuesday with over 4K of elevation. 14 miles next week !!
@@GoldenK9Campers Excellent news on the training! Be sure to add in more clean protein to help rebuild/build muscle (wild caught salmon, "grass finished" beef, and if you have a source, venison from NZ is a great red meat option). Non-inflammatory nuts (walnuts, pecans, pistachios, macadamia, blanched or skinless almonds) are another good source, and they're high in other nutrients, per caloric content, as well as healthy fats. Unsalted, and raw are the best versions.
You are so welcome! Hitching up for the first time is scarry. Even now, I find myself double checking myself after i've hitched up just to make sure I don't make a mistake.
Thank you! Super helpful, have you considered a stabilizer bar? I will be buying an aliner and pulling it with my 2017 Lexus Rv 450h, 3500 lb towing capacity. YOur tips to find a used one was great as well! Enjoy your channel.
Thanks David. We don't really have any issues with sway. But we can't have additional items on tongue (i.e., we can't carry propane on their because of weight). We'll be getting a truck in 2024 though.. so problems will go away. Thanks for commenting and watching. Really appreciate it !!
Toyota installed the OEM Hitch and Wirinng harness for the 4 pin. Then I went to a truck accessory shop to get the 4 pin to 7pin adapter and extra wiring installed
Wow! Great video. I am new to towing and have the Aliner Ascape since May 2023. I am a solo camper (my dog too, but she's not much help) so hitching the camper has been a little stressful but is getting easier the more times I've done it. An important point that you both demonstrate so well is to take your time. One thing that I have to do, is when connecting the chains, I twist them a couple of times to shorten the length to ensure they will not touch the ground. Thanks for the video and the printable list! I look forward to seeing more. Happy camping!
Thanks Karen!! Our two dog's don't help much either!! Have fun camping with that cool Ascape !!
Never twist the chains! Shorten them or buy the right size. Google it if you think I am wrong
First time rving. Seeing how the coupler works was really helpful. Thanks
Awesome. You'll be a pro in no time. For me.. I just stay to the right in the slow lane on the freeway.. and just relax. Have fun !!
What a great idea for a youtube. Some long-term Aliner owners that camped with me last May failed to do everything on their trip to a national Rally in June. Just missing one step can cause a problem. Their missed step was plugging the 7pin connector securely into the tow vehicle. It drug behind the Aliner on the road which sanded the end off!
I was off to a tri-regional rally in 2013 and trusted someone else to secure the tongue to the tow vehicle. It was latched above the ball instead of below the ball. The trailer came loose from the tow vehicle a short distance from my residence and left a small tell-tale sign of this on the rear bumper of the tow vehicle. Fortunately my electric tongue jack had a skid plate and I was going uphill very slowly. The electric brakes did stop the trailer when I pushed on the tow vehicle brake pedal.
I hope people realize how important it is to never trust anyone else to properly lower and secure the tongue to the ball on the tow vehicle and be sure to follow this video.
Thanks so much Brian for the awesome feedback. I've always been very paranoid about hitching up.. thus i'm always ensuring the hitch ball is properly secured and all the steps are followed. Not doing things correctly is a recipe for disaster.
Yay, Nicole! My wife also wants to be involved in how to hitch our camper. You did a great job showing how important it is to make sure the hitch ball is seated in the coupler so it can lock correctly. A lot of trailers get loose from too high of hitching thinking "it's on there". And, I also see a lot of trailers being towed without a coupler pin or lock (doesn't take much bouncing to pop the coupler and the trailer gets loose). Couple of things: Grease. I like using a tube of heavy-duty axle grease and only applying a dab on top of the ball before connecting. I think the spray is a little too thin of a coating and it gets everywhere requiring much more frequent cleaning. Break Away cable. You really don't want to attach it to the same hitch everything else is attached to... Why? Because if the hitch fails, then the break away cable never gets activated applying brakes to the run away trailer. Let the hitch handle the coupler and safety chains, and then find a different anchor point for the break away cable. Glad to see you folks are enjoying the 118 degree heat as much as we are in Phoenix! (Sarcasm. This heat sucks). Cheers! Pete in Arizona - KI7LIL
Thanks so much Pete on the suggestions on axle grease as well as break-away cable!! I've been watching those Phoenix temperatures.. so crazy. I'm definitely spending more time inside.. unfortunately we did this video in the open garage. We we're sweating like crazy !!
This is the best video! I've never towed anything in my life. Didn't come from a family that ever towed anything let alone have a camper.
Thanks so much for the kind words.
Pro job guys! That was a great idea to show the latching "foot" that's underneath the tongue. Many people don't know what this part of the assembly looks like, how it works, or, that if they don't have the tongue "reach" for the ball, the ball can hang up on the "foot", and then not actually be coupled. The ball striking the foot can also bend, or otherwise damage the foot, and then the trailer is always difficult to couple after that. Replacement parts are available, so a damaged foot or bent threaded rod can be replaced. As Peter mentioned, I'm also not a fan of the lube spray. A dab up inside goes a long way, and you can buy a vinyl ball cover to help keep the mess a little more to a minimum. Good pre-flight tactics also! Cheers!
Thanks so much Todd. Yeah, Nicole went a little nuts with the lube spray !! I thought it really important to show the latching, as i've heard of veterans even taking this for granted, and it not coupling correctly. I "always" look to ensure it latches from underneath. I gotta watch your latest video !! I'm killin my training. Did 13 miles on Tuesday with over 4K of elevation. 14 miles next week !!
@@GoldenK9Campers Excellent news on the training! Be sure to add in more clean protein to help rebuild/build muscle (wild caught salmon, "grass finished" beef, and if you have a source, venison from NZ is a great red meat option). Non-inflammatory nuts (walnuts, pecans, pistachios, macadamia, blanched or skinless almonds) are another good source, and they're high in other nutrients, per caloric content, as well as healthy fats. Unsalted, and raw are the best versions.
We just got a small camper and are new to all of this! Your video was so helpful! Thank you!!!
Thanks so much !!
thank you for the printable list. this video is helpful because you explain in detail and nice and slow. thank you!
You are so welcome! Hitching up for the first time is scarry. Even now, I find myself double checking myself after i've hitched up just to make sure I don't make a mistake.
Amazing tutorial guys 🤗
Thank You !!
Thank you! Super helpful, have you considered a stabilizer bar? I will be buying an aliner and pulling it with my 2017 Lexus Rv 450h, 3500 lb towing capacity. YOur tips to find a used one was great as well! Enjoy your channel.
Thanks David. We don't really have any issues with sway. But we can't have additional items on tongue (i.e., we can't carry propane on their because of weight). We'll be getting a truck in 2024 though.. so problems will go away. Thanks for commenting and watching. Really appreciate it !!
How did you get a 7 pin harness? Is that an oem hitch and did you diy both wiring and hitch?
Toyota installed the OEM Hitch and Wirinng harness for the 4 pin. Then I went to a truck accessory shop to get the 4 pin to 7pin adapter and extra wiring installed
@ does this void toyota warranty? Would it be better to get a 7 pin wiring upfront or you recommend what you did? Thank you!
@@HDMOVIECREATOR2012 Toyota won't install the 7 pin.
@@GoldenK9Campers will this void toyota warranty? I got the extended warranty