A hitch guide mechanism is disclosed for connection to a first tongue having a ball hitch thereon which is for mounting to a frame of a vehicle and a corresponding second tongue having a ball hitch socket for mounting to a frame of a trailer. The ball hitch includes a threaded stem and is received through a bore of the first tongue and is maintained by a threaded nut. The hitch guide mechanism includes a first member which connects to the first tongue and has a portion which extends generally vertically above the ball hitch. A second member connects to the second tongue and has a portion which extends generally vertically above the ball hitch socket. The first and second members can include separably removable sleeves. The portions extend a sufficient height when the members are so connected as to be rearwardly viewable when seated in the vehicle.
The present invention discloses an alignment guide for trailer hitches for a person backing a vehicle having thereon a trailer hitch ball into proper alignment with the tongue and trailer hitch socket of a trailer. The present invention comprises a telescopic guide post for attachment onto the top of the hitch socket on the tongue of the trailer. A receiver, having a mounting base and a "Y" member, is provided for magnetic attachment to the rear of the backing vehicle. The base of the "Y" of the receiver member contacts the telescopic upright member to inform the driver of the vehicle that the ball of the hitch is directly under the socket on the tongue of the trailer.
A trailer hitch alignment system provides a system that can be utilized with different trailers without requiring modification of the trailers or requiring minor modifications that require less than a minute or so to effect. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides two acoustic transceivers for directing acoustic signals towards and receiving reflected acoustic signals from a downwardly extending hitch assembly for a gooseneck trailer whereby this unique feature of the gooseneck trailer is utilized as a signal reflector. A timer is utilized to time the transmitted/reflected signals to determine at least two distances for determining a relative position of the downwardly extending hitch. A readout gives the driver ongoing feedback for aligning the gooseneck downwardly extending hitch with the hitch ball.
