Performance Tool Vehicle and Trailer Aligner - LED and Yellow Ball

by: Steve07/01/2020

This is one of the Great Inventions of the 21st Century, in my opinion. SO Simple. SO Easy. Why didn't someone invent this a century earlier???There's a slight difficulty for me because one of my trailer hitches has a round top, so the 'mast' tends to tilt. Anyone should be able to either File a flat spot or whack a dent that'll support the magnet. During the day it's not a problem--I can see the direction of the mast. At night, it's more of a challenge. Still, I hope someone got an award for inventing this (the REAL Inventor, not his supervisor :-[ ) 825539

I genuinely write home about this, telling relatives about something theyve got to get.

Steve M - 07/02/2021

by: Vee01/06/2020

Well let’s start off with this worked great. The led lights were a nice add-on and I even used them once for one night hookup. That being said, I’d forgotten I had them. Because using them for awhile, I got the feel of hooking up my trailer and now it’s very routine. I know where my alignment points are and it because I used the hitch alignment balls to develop the skills to do it without help. OK once in awhile everyone has a bad day, tge stars don’t align and Gods screwing with you and you can’t get that trailer lined up to save your life ( and usually it’s raining or snowing or it’s like 180 degrees outside). But mostly it’s a great investment. Oh piece of advice; with the trailer hooked up decide where the markers are easily seen and line up from the drivers seat. Not straight on. Slightly angled toward driver. 736079

To be honest don’t use it all that often. Like I said in original review. It’s a great learning tool. And I still start using it when I have to hook up a new trailer. Basically it gives you muscle memory. And you learn where your pivot points are. I’ve even used it on my plow. To line up my hitch points. This is a very good item to keep around. And if you are having a crap day and can’t line it up. Break out the lineup balls. Or lights at night I keep it in my Jeep so I always know where it is. Plus that’s my plow vehicle snd the plow lineup in the cold is a bear. Remember to line this up to drivers position not dead center. Once I was hooked up I marked the position for the next time I need it. So my review is this is a great tool, and you should keep it handy. And this reminded me to check the batteries in the lights just in case

Vee - 01/07/2021

by: Cliff12/15/2019

This tool is something I had thought about making myself and so when I found it , it was one less task. I have not used the lighted function yet but overall it works great and the first time I could get trailer to hitch within a 1/2"! I nicknamed this device " the Marriage Saver" because it prevents those arguments where interpretations of hand signals and terms like "more" are not in scale or measurable to help make small adjustments for the unfortunate person "helping you back up"! This tool has proved durable, repeatable and we'll worth the money as a proven Time saver! Great stocking stuffer! 732547

Great, be sure to pack balls in a protected container or spot!

Cliff S - 12/16/2020

The aligner was delivered very fast. This system/tool at under $20.00 is an excellent choice over a camera system at $150-200. This is especially the case if you, like me, do not pull a trailer much. It takes some skill development to get the alignment right, but not much. I got close enough on my first try. Much better than backing blind! One of the blinking LED lights did not light. I disassembled it and found the small, delicate wire contact was not aligned proper in the socket. Misaligned aligner? Fixed it and it works fine now. I do not expect to be hooking up at night, but as an early morning aid, the LED option is a good idea. I was concerned that this aligner would not work for me because I use a 180 degree aluminum hitch ball assembly on my GMC pickup with which I move the trailer around occasionally. I tow on the road with a 3/4T Suburban with an all steel, weight balancing hitch ball assembly. The aligner is magnetic and will not attach to aluminum. However, the edge of the hitch pocket sticks out beyond the bumper just enough to provide a steel surface directly behind the ball. (See photo). I recommend the aligner to the frugal, occasionally tower. More frequent towing? I would go to a quality wireless camera set up. 519193

Click to Enlarge

I bought these so I can keep track of the end of the dove-tail on my flatbed while backing. Hand little tool and easily stows in the tool box 1060711

by: Wendy05/05/2021

These aligners are great to have and have cut down the time I line up my camper with my car. 4 stars because they are delicate telescoping up and down(light weight metal)...they bend/snap off easily so mine have been taped and I try to be very careful pulling them up and down. 1029448

by: Todd S.04/02/2019

These are a great time saver when hitching up to our popup camper. Better than using a second person with hand signals, and no need for a backup camera. I can get within an inch of the hitch on the first try, and without having to get in and out of the tow vehicle several times to check the distance. They collapse down to a small size and store in my storage box on the camper. The LED attachments work well, too. 616219

Still working perfectly a real time saver.

Todd S - 04/02/2020

How does a flat magnet adhere to a round rounded receiver and remain straight up and down? 1025635

Thank you for your review. This product attaches to the shank of the ball mount, not the hitch ball.

-- Sierra K - 05/04/2021

by: R Brown06/21/2019

After using the tow hitch aligner for a year, I have To say it is a wonderful device. I now can hitch my 14 foot in one attempt, every time, with no assistance. No more jumping out of my truck to see where the Ball is. The only caveat is that you must learn how to Properly align and view the alignment in your Mirror(s). The magnets to attach one ball to the hitch and The other to the tow vehicle is terrific. Also the Fact that the balls are attached to a telescoping Wand make it easy to align the balls doing set up. I just love my hitch alignment tool; it works great. R. Brown Ocala, Fl. 661210

It is great!!

R B - 06/22/2020

Excellent product for backing up boat trailer at night. 1078407

As I get older it is a LOT easier to line up my trailer hitch/truck with these aligners. Last time I tried it by myself, it took about 4 tries to get it right...these are a big improvement over the in-&-out process I've relied on for tooooo long. :-) Yes, I would recommend this product. 918114

I purchased this product for use with our small camper trailer that I will not be taking out on the road for another two months. I've previously used a wood dowel pushed into a drilled hole in a piece of wood placed on the ground next to the trailer hitch and then opened the liftgate on my Jeep and backed up until I hit the dowel. This usually got me within a couple of inches left or right of where I needed to be and I could push the trailer tongue over the hitch ball. I think this inexpensive product should improve on the accuracy I got with the dowel. The magnets are very strong and hold firmly on the vehicle hitch and trailer tongue. The flashing LEDs are an added benefit for backing up in the dark. Be careful not to unscrew the base of an LED too far when turning it off as the 3 button batteries and a small spring will fall out. The threaded base in each of the yellow balls doesn't look very robust so don't over tighten it. However, if the threads broke off you could still use these balls or any similar light weight balls with a small hole in them. This is an inexpensive product that's definitely worth trying. 362622

Simple to use product that works for me. I open the back of my Jeep, put the magnetic alignment rods on the vehicle

Bob M - 04/06/2018

by: zpilot12/12/2020

Awesome product, the backup lights on my Chevy truck were hard to see in the dark. the addition of a pair of these lights wired into the original backup lights really put a new light on the problem. 923179

Have not used it yet but have wanted one for a long time. The sale price was great and it looks like it will work great for me! Fast shipping also. I have a front hitch on my pickup so no built in camera. Front hitch very handy for moving trailers in to a tight spot. This will make hooking up a real breeze! 912023

by: Gordon A03/17/2020

I have a hitch installed on the front of my vehicle to allow me to back my boat trailer into some tight spots. Because I could not see the ball or the trailer coupler from the drivers seat, it was very difficult and time consuming to hook up to the trailer. With this product it is now very easy and quick to perform this task. 767028

Great product for the price, excellent customer service, they kept me informed every step of the way. I don't buy a lot for my trailers but when I do, I know where my first stop will be. 920577

These are awesome!!!! My first try even to hitch up my camper solo and I could do it, thanks to these little guys. Brilliant invention. 675367

While these work great and I still carry them with me, Ive now got a back up camera which is even easier to use. If you dont have that camera, though, these little guys make solo hitching a breeze.

Lisa - 07/25/2020

I think is better than other products I have seen out there but it could use some improvements. 1039613

by: Vigilant Consumer06/30/2019

I purchased the hitch aligner and found it most helpful. It really took the guess work out of hooking up. Months later I purchased another unit for use as a guide in driving cars onto my Hunter lift. Even though it really wasn't designed for the new use, it worked just fine. 664816

Just fine unless a car has a fiberglass hood.

Vigilant C - 07/03/2020

by: Chuck08/08/2018

This aligner works well as long as the trailer and tow vehicle are on parallel surfaces, side to side. This may seem obvious, but I didn't realize it until I tried it at home where the approach to my trailer is at a slight angle relative to the trailer parking position. So it doesn't work well there. At most campsites, this is not the case, so it works very well at them. 551272

When I can back up in line with the trailer, it works very well and saves getting in and out of the tow vehicle multiple times. I havent had occasion to use the lights, so I cant comment on them.

Chuck - 08/08/2019

by: SMcLeod09/29/2018

I love my Performance Tool Vehicle and Trailer Aligner with LED & Yellow Ball. My 5th wheel hitch sits below the rim of my truck and the cab seats sit above the hitch. I cannot see my 5th wheel hitch in the bed of my truck. However, with the yellow ball lined us with the center line on my 5th wheel both the 5th wheel and the hitch couple together every time. Thank you for such a handy product. A great solution to an otherwise impossible problem. Thank You!!! 570151

I bought this to help line up the bow cradle on my trailer so that I can drive my 19' boat onto the trailer without assistance to line them up...looks like it will do that task. 918064

Good product works as advertised.The rods had a slight bend,but ajdjusted accordingly worked fine. 673005

Good

Chuck - 07/22/2020

Although I have not yet had occasion to use these trailer “aligner,” they appear to be adequate for my needs, and a good value for the money. 651692

I liked the concept, but I only attempted to use these two or three times. The magnetic base would not remain positioned on the trailer tongue where it needed to be in order to serve as a guide. I still have them, but will likely give them to someone who might find them useful.

Russell - 06/03/2020

Fast delivery! Product arrived as described, but when I was showing it to my wife, one of the products was broken. I emailed customer service, and received a very quick phone call. They are going to replace the product. Super friendly customer service, very professional. It was a pleasure doing business with etrailer. I will buy from them again. 911175