magnetic towing lights

Builder · Jun 9, 2011

Maybe he was saying "thanks" for loaning it to him.
The few times I've borrowed equipment, I usually fix, straighten, paint, etc. something that needs attention to say thanks.

Soundguy · Jun 9, 2011

more often than Not I will offer to pull my trailer with my truck for someone asking to borrow it, vs letting them borrow it.

Many times I've been on emergency 2am trips to another city or state to grab a broke down vehicle or similar for a friend.. just part of life.

same with tractors. I'm glad to show up and do a lil work / help with work, vs lending out my tractor.

soundguy

YesDeere said:
That is some solid thinking! I never even considered that. This is a great thread! Gained a little knowledge. I only let one friend of mine use my trailer. Hes a landscaper and has pulled more miles than anyone I know. And that's only been a handful of times. Usually just a backup incase his breaks down.

In the past I have loaned a trailer out to others and it never comes back he same. Bent fender, missing straps or chains. You name it. So no more. Causes some ill will. I was younger and didn't really realize how careless people can be when it's not their stuff. If I never hear " I didnt do that" I will be a happy man

mitch becton · Jun 9, 2011

recently pickep up a set for a friend out in the country from northern tool looked fairly decent and cost about 10.00 for set also got him a couple of magnetized flags for the trailer hook up so it gives you something more to aim for when hooking a trailer up you put at area where ball goes and away you go.

Soundguy · Jun 9, 2011

yep.. I need to get me a set of those flags or tennis balls on poles. also helps with backing an empty short ( 16' or less ) flatbed when you have a long bed truck and can't see the corners of the trailer untill it's already too sharp to work with.

soundguy

texasjohn · Jun 9, 2011

I CANNOT recommend the magnetic sticks with tennis balls on them...had several...they always break...the stick is horribly flimsy and all TOO easy to hit/bend...and then they break completely.

i finally got a set with a fiberglass stick.... works dandy, also, magnetic attachment was stronger than the tennis balls....cost a little more, but I don't believe they will ever break on me.

JB4310 · Jun 9, 2011

I've got the back up balls and they work great, I just don't use them much because I'm to lazy to take them out and I'm pretty good at coupling trailers to trucks with out assistance.

But I have tried them and thought they were definitely helpful.
They have them also at HF for around 10 bucks.

JB

Soundguy · Jun 9, 2011

texasjohn said:
I CANNOT recommend the magnetic sticks with tennis balls on them...had several...they always break...the stick is horribly flimsy and all TOO easy to hit/bend...and then they break completely.

i finally got a set with a fiberglass stick.... works dandy, also, magnetic attachment was stronger than the tennis balls....cost a little more, but I don't believe they will ever break on me.

IF YOU ARE HITTING / BENDING THEM i TAKE IT YOU ATTEMPT TO LEAVE THEM ON AL THE TIME VS WHEN JUST BACKING UP? i WAS ONLY INTENDING TO USE THEM AS BACKING UP MARKERS.. THEN STOW TO KEEP THEM SAFE.

oops.. darn lil keyboard and capslock..

soundguy

eastexan · Jun 9, 2011

Soundguy said:
IF YOU ARE HITTING / BENDING THEM i TAKE IT YOU ATTEMPT TO LEAVE THEM ON AL THE TIME VS WHEN JUST BACKING UP? i WAS ONLY INTENDING TO USE THEM AS BACKING UP MARKERS.. THEN STOW TO KEEP THEM SAFE.

oops.. darn lil keyboard and capslock..

soundguy

OWW! My ears...stop shouting! :laughing::laughing:

Builder · Jun 9, 2011

Soundguy said:
IF YOU ARE HITTING / BENDING THEM i TAKE IT YOU ATTEMPT TO LEAVE THEM ON AL THE TIME VS WHEN JUST BACKING UP? i WAS ONLY INTENDING TO USE THEM AS BACKING UP MARKERS.. THEN STOW TO KEEP THEM SAFE.

oops.. darn lil keyboard and capslock..

soundguy

Edit button?

Builder · Jun 9, 2011

texasjohn said:
I CANNOT recommend the magnetic sticks with tennis balls on them...had several...they always break...the stick is horribly flimsy and all TOO easy to hit/bend...and then they break completely.

i finally got a set with a fiberglass stick.... works dandy, also, magnetic attachment was stronger than the tennis balls....cost a little more, but I don't believe they will ever break on me.

Give me the link to those?

The plastic ones I bought were toast after a few weeks.

Soundguy · Jun 9, 2011

Builder said:
Edit button?

yeah what about it?

I type on a netbook. it was hard enough to bang it in once.. not gonna bang it in all over again. easier to add a 'my bad' and go.

if ya don't like it, just ignore it.

easy to do.

soundguy

texasjohn · Jun 9, 2011

They are called HITCHIN' RODS, QWorks Corporation

It's a Dallas, Texas based company.

Just under $30.... exceptional quality IMHO. They aren't going to break.

The ones from HF will break almost immediately. And, no, I didn't leave the HF ones on all the time. Normal handling and intended use simply results in the HF ones getting busted... also, the magnet is so weak that they blow off in the wind and while backing up.

Builder · Jun 9, 2011

texasjohn said:
They are called HITCHIN' RODS, QWorks Corporation

It's a Dallas, Texas based company.

Just under $30.... exceptional quality IMHO. They aren't going to break.

The ones from HF will break almost immediately. And, no, I didn't leave the HF ones on all the time. Normal handling and intended use simply results in the HF ones getting busted... also, the magnet is so weak that they blow off in the wind and while backing up.

Thanks, Texasjohn.
Harbor freight stuff is such a joke. That was my experience, too and the reason why I won't buy their lights or most anything else they sell. Once I saw the comments like "wired backwards" or "magnets too weak" or I have to fix a product brand new out of the box, I wonder why I'd waste my money. It's like taking 10-20 bucks of my money and throwing it in a trash can. I'd rather spend 2-3-4X as much and at least get something made by a company that has to earn a reputation for quality.

I found these and decided to go this way. I like the flexible stick with the spring mount, rather than the magnet. Price is pretty fair, too. http://safetyflag.com/products/29-Flags-Misc-/104-Bicycle-Snow-Tractor-Pennant-Flags

Builder · Jun 9, 2011

Soundguy said:
yeah what about it?

I type on a netbook. it was hard enough to bang it in once.. not gonna bang it in all over again. easier to add a 'my bad' and go.

if ya don't like it, just ignore it.

easy to do.

soundguy

Generally, I do.

mitch becton · Jun 10, 2011

the set of back up marker balls i got from northern were on the fiberglass stems looked to be as good a grade as any fishing rod i have seen.

powerstroke444e · Jun 16, 2011

As for the Magnetic tow lights I wired them to a flasher so that all I have to do is plug in to my jump pack to get them to flash and put them on back of oversize wide loads and equipment with no lights. A couple zip ties to keep the jump pack on and off I go.

newbury · Jun 27, 2011

powerstroke444e said:
As for the Magnetic tow lights I wired them to a flasher so that all I have to do is plug in to my jump pack to get them to flash and put them on back of oversize wide loads and equipment with no lights. A couple zip ties to keep the jump pack on and off I go.

Seems like zip ties are quickly becoming as required as duct tape!

Soundguy · Jun 28, 2011

good to have both.

i like to ziptie my trailer wire plug to the socket to prevent it from being knocked out by road debri.

BTDT 2100 miles from home before...

soundguy