Why Not Set Trailer Aligner # PTW1276 Balls So that They Touch When Aligned

Updated 08/08/2017 | Published 08/07/2017

Question:

This product seems to only help the driver line up the ball and coupler in the horizontal plane, but doesnt tell the driver when the hitch ball is *under* the coupler. In fact, when I watch the video, it does not appear to me that the coupler will lower onto the hitch ball correctly. The vehicle appears to be too far back. Why doesnt the video show the vehicle portion of the tool positioned so that the foam balls move/touch when the hitch ball is directly under the coupler. For example, if the tool was mounted *on* the hitch ball, it could be used to line up the tow vehicle in both the horizontal and vertical plane. As soon as it moved, the driver would know that the hitch ball under the coupler. Would there be a problem using the tool in this manner?

asked by: Dave M

Expert Reply:

The problem with having the balls touch when they are lined up perfectly is that you'd have to mount the two pieces of the part # PTW1276 so close to the ball on the ball mount and the front edge of the coupler that it might interfere before the balls were able to touch. What would most likely happen is the that coupler would hit the base of the ball mounted on the truck and push it back before the balls would touch.

That's why they are best to be used as a way to get the left and right alignment close and then once the balls get pretty close get out of the truck to make sure you are in the right spot and adjust as needed.

Other issue is that it may be hard to see exactly when the balls touch as the closer ball would block the view of the further away one.

expert reply by: Jameson C