Surface docking at different heights

[THX1138]

A better way to dock vessels on the ground is needed. This must have been suggested before but I failed to find relevant threads. The claw is a poor option because connection is temperamental and requires multiple ramming attempts to get it to connect with each impact a risk of breaking something.

I'd like to see a docking option that doesn't require physical connection by using an engineer to connect a tube between two vessels but I'd also accept a way in the VAB/SPH to ensure that docking ports are the same distance from the ground. The problem with that is that weight affects the compression of the suspension of landing gear/wheels and transferring fuel changes weights.

Fixing the claw to connect more reliably would also work.

Edited June 3, 2016 by THX1138