twiceblessed....nacole 433 Posted April 21, 2017 Report Share Posted April 21, 2017 So, tomorrow is finally the day. We're picking up our new 5th wheel. Have to admit, I'm a bit nervous about this one. Hitched into the back of our truck, I believe it will only be about 3 feet longer than our bumper pull however...it's so much taller and I'm concerned about the pivot point being different. So... finger crossed and I will be praying TONS. I have 3 local trips planned, before I pack up the kiddos and head to Washington State in June. Hopefully I'm feeling a bit more confident before them. I know to go slow. I know to take wide turn and look for low branches/overpasses. Any other tips... throw them my way! I'll post pictures, soon Quote Link to post Share on other sites
h2odivers...Ray 952 Posted April 21, 2017 Report Share Posted April 21, 2017 Woot! Woot! I bet you feel like a kid at Christmas lol i bet you'll find it easier and more comfortable owning a 5er than your bumper pull. I definetely would rather pull the 32' stock trailer (goose neck) than my 16' number pull flat bed trailer. I feel like it more secure to the truck and I have more control, especially backing. Advice? You'll do great. Maybe take it to an empty parking lot and practice driving and backing it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
twiceblessed....nacole 433 Posted April 21, 2017 Author Report Share Posted April 21, 2017 11 minutes ago, h2odivers...Ray said: Woot! Woot! I bet you feel like a kid at Christmas lol i bet you'll find it easier and more comfortable owning a 5er than your bumper pull. I definetely would rather pull the 32' stock trailer (goose neck) than my 16' number pull flat bed trailer. I feel like it more secure to the truck and I have more control, especially backing. Advice? You'll do great. Maybe take it to an empty parking lot and practice driving and backing it. Thanks! We are excited! We do have a large empty parking lot no too far from us, so that is a though. I've heard that a lot (about the pulling), so I think we'll be good there... on straight road at least, haha I'm guessing the rest is just like our other campers, it will take getting used to. I had gotten pretty good at backing up our TT; I'm praying I'm a quick learner on the 5th wheel. We've already gotten permission from our neighbor (her driveway is flat where ours has a step hill) to practice backing in/out... so that should be helpful. When planning my drive out to WA, I knew that I might have the 5th wheel so I reserved all pull-through sites. Haha Tom will fly out and drive home with us, so I wasn't as concerned with those reservations. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bhall 115 Posted April 21, 2017 Report Share Posted April 21, 2017 Pulling does feel 'more secure' over the travel trailer. However, I still look like a fool backing my 5er up. I completely suck at it (A lot of it is I'm afraid I'm getting too close to my window). However, I hook up and pull/back up a bumper pull trailer several times a week. I can almost do that with my eyes closed. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dblr....Rennie 224 Posted April 22, 2017 Report Share Posted April 22, 2017 Just take your time and relax, don't rush things, it might seem to track different then your used to now but that's where the take your time thing comes in. Go slow and watch, by going slow it will give you time to adjust, good luck and enjoy!!!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023 Posted April 22, 2017 Report Share Posted April 22, 2017 So exciting!! Can't wait to see pics of the new rig. Wishing you many safe and fun-filled trips! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
rtguy007 74 Posted April 23, 2017 Report Share Posted April 23, 2017 Cant wait to see pics. Hope you got it home ok and are ready for your first trip. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
caveat lector 181 Posted April 24, 2017 Report Share Posted April 24, 2017 Congrats. I hope to follow your "TT to 5th" soon. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
twiceblessed....nacole 433 Posted April 24, 2017 Author Report Share Posted April 24, 2017 Picked her up on Saturday...I spent the night at a campground without Tom or the kids, cleaning, stocking and doing some painting (which fiend said they were opening up their rig at a local CG? Thank you for that idea!). Still have a little more to do as I didn't get into the site, and start working, until 6ish. Tom pulled it there, I pulled it home. The truck did not squat at all when hitched up. Hitching/unhitching, much easier than our Propride. I can feel the difference (in weight) when I accelerate to get on the freeway, towing down the road doesn't feel too much different but having the right RIGHT THERE (in your mirrors) is freaking. Turning, I went ridiculously slow and I think that will just take time to feel comfortable with. Increased the trailer brake on the truck as I think it was set too light (set up for the TT). That made a difference. Trying to figure out the self leveling feature...I'm not sure that it works that well, may have to have the dealership look at the after our trip out west. Had new tires installed (from a 10 ply to a 14 ply) before we picked her up on Saturday. Even though the brand the manufacturer put on there, had some pretty decent reviews, I just felt better with a heavier tire with our cross-country trip scheduled. We're taking her out camping this weekend; the kids are soooo excited. I'll try to post pictures, soon! djsamuel 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CCIntrigue...aka Gwen 547 Posted April 24, 2017 Report Share Posted April 24, 2017 Congratulations! Looking forward to your pictures! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dblr....Rennie 224 Posted April 24, 2017 Report Share Posted April 24, 2017 Congrats and great move on upgrading the tires JMSisko 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Duane 152 Posted April 24, 2017 Report Share Posted April 24, 2017 WooHoo! Congrats on the new rig! Before long you won't even remember how that TT felt behind that truck, as you will be a 5th wheel pro. I can't tell you how impressed I am (like that really means much) with your desire and courage to get out there and tackle new things and adventures! Pictures, we want pictures! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ependydad...Doug 176 Posted April 24, 2017 Report Share Posted April 24, 2017 Sounds awesome! For pulling and turning, I was told that you watch the trailer wheels on the inside. Once they pass whatever obstruction there is- you can then safely turn as sharp as you need to. It was really helpful for me to learn when I could turn. It becomes natural after a while. Otherwise, for practice in a parking lot, I never wanted to spend the money on a 100 traffic cones or even soccer field markers. Someone said to take a few gallons of water and red solo cups. Fill them a little to give them ballast and they won't blow over/away. If you run over a few, no harm, no foul. Just know that backing in- the pivot point is in the middle of your truck bed. That point has to move side to side before the camper's rear will move side to side. Give yourself a couple of extra feet that you'll have to back up before the camper responds. I tend to pull up to where I think I need to be, and then another 6' or so. Small corrections are your friend. My big mistake for a LONG time (and I'm still guilty) is that I'll way turn the wheel in either direction. I laughed one day thinking that my truck looked like windshield wipers in front of the camper - back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. Small corrections win. Glad things seem to be going well with the new camper! Congrats! djsamuel 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Travisma 1,317 Posted April 24, 2017 Report Share Posted April 24, 2017 26 minutes ago, ependydad...Doug said: Sounds awesome! For pulling and turning, I was told that you watch the trailer wheels on the inside. Once they pass whatever obstruction there is- you can then safely turn as sharp as you need to. It was really helpful for me to learn when I could turn. It becomes natural after a while. Otherwise, for practice in a parking lot, I never wanted to spend the money on a 100 traffic cones or even soccer field markers. Someone said to take a few gallons of water and red solo cups. Fill them a little to give them ballast and they won't blow over/away. If you run over a few, no harm, no foul. Just know that backing in- the pivot point is in the middle of your truck bed. That point has to move side to side before the camper's rear will move side to side. Give yourself a couple of extra feet that you'll have to back up before the camper responds. I tend to pull up to where I think I need to be, and then another 6' or so. Small corrections are your friend. My big mistake for a LONG time (and I'm still guilty) is that I'll way turn the wheel in either direction. I laughed one day thinking that my truck looked like windshield wipers in front of the camper - back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. Small corrections win. Glad things seem to be going well with the new camper! Congrats! That's a great idea. Or empty cardboard boxes. Liquor stores usually have a lot on hand they love to get rid of, they aren't too large either so a bunch would fit in the truck bed. If your eyes are like mine, you'll need the larger targets the boxes make! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
twiceblessed....nacole 433 Posted April 25, 2017 Author Report Share Posted April 25, 2017 23 hours ago, CCIntrigue...aka Gwen said: Congratulations! Looking forward to your pictures! Thank you! 18 hours ago, Duane said: WooHoo! Congrats on the new rig! Before long you won't even remember how that TT felt behind that truck, as you will be a 5th wheel pro. I can't tell you how impressed I am (like that really means much) with your desire and courage to get out there and tackle new things and adventures! Pictures, we want pictures! Thanks!! I'll post pictures in another week or so... still personalizing it 18 hours ago, ependydad...Doug said: Sounds awesome! For pulling and turning, I was told that you watch the trailer wheels on the inside. Once they pass whatever obstruction there is- you can then safely turn as sharp as you need to. It was really helpful for me to learn when I could turn. It becomes natural after a while. Otherwise, for practice in a parking lot, I never wanted to spend the money on a 100 traffic cones or even soccer field markers. Someone said to take a few gallons of water and red solo cups. Fill them a little to give them ballast and they won't blow over/away. If you run over a few, no harm, no foul. Just know that backing in- the pivot point is in the middle of your truck bed. That point has to move side to side before the camper's rear will move side to side. Give yourself a couple of extra feet that you'll have to back up before the camper responds. I tend to pull up to where I think I need to be, and then another 6' or so. Small corrections are your friend. My big mistake for a LONG time (and I'm still guilty) is that I'll way turn the wheel in either direction. I laughed one day thinking that my truck looked like windshield wipers in front of the camper - back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. Small corrections win. Glad things seem to be going well with the new camper! Congrats! Great tips Doug, thank you! 18 hours ago, Travisma said: That's a great idea. Or empty cardboard boxes. Liquor stores usually have a lot on hand they love to get rid of, they aren't too large either so a bunch would fit in the truck bed. If your eyes are like mine, you'll need the larger targets the boxes make! Haha...yes, we too may need the boxes Quote Link to post Share on other sites
djsamuel 322 Posted April 25, 2017 Report Share Posted April 25, 2017 23 hours ago, ependydad...Doug said: Small corrections are your friend. My big mistake for a LONG time (and I'm still guilty) is that I'll way turn the wheel in either direction. I laughed one day thinking that my truck looked like windshield wipers in front of the camper - back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. Small corrections win. This is the best advice of all, regardless of the type of camper. Take your time and make small corrections. It took a couple of years, but I finally got that ingrained in my brain! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dogdiver 3 Posted April 29, 2017 Report Share Posted April 29, 2017 http://www.loveyourrv.com/back-fifth-wheel-trailer/ Great article. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Memphis 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
twiceblessed....nacole 433 Posted April 30, 2017 Author Report Share Posted April 30, 2017 23 hours ago, Dogdiver said: http://www.loveyourrv.com/back-fifth-wheel-trailer/ Great article. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Haha...yes, thank you. I love him and watch his YouTube videos often ☺ We watched this one, a few weeks back. It was helpful. Thanks again! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bhall 115 Posted April 30, 2017 Report Share Posted April 30, 2017 On 4/29/2017 at 4:57 PM, Dogdiver said: http://www.loveyourrv.com/back-fifth-wheel-trailer/ Great article. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk See that spotter in the pics and the hand never moves out of that one position. That's exactly how my wife does spotting for me! *I hope she doesn't read this.... *even though it's true.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
twiceblessed....nacole 433 Posted May 1, 2017 Author Report Share Posted May 1, 2017 12 hours ago, bhall said: See that spotter in the pics and the hand never moves out of that one position. That's exactly how my wife does spotting for me! *I hope she doesn't read this.... *even though it's true.... Haha Quote Link to post Share on other sites
h2odivers...Ray 952 Posted May 1, 2017 Report Share Posted May 1, 2017 13 hours ago, bhall said: See that spotter in the pics and the hand never moves out of that one position. That's exactly how my wife does spotting for me! *I hope she doesn't read this.... *even though it's true.... And if your the spotter don't stand in one place the whole time. My son stands right we're I need to be I have told him multiple times that I can see him when we first start. But as I turn the trailer I lose him if you don't move out from behind the trailer. MOVE! Lol. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
keith_h 420 Posted May 1, 2017 Report Share Posted May 1, 2017 1 hour ago, h2odivers...Ray said: And if your the spotter don't stand in one place the whole time. My son stands right we're I need to be I have told him multiple times that I can see him when we first start. But as I turn the trailer I lose him if you don't move out from behind the trailer. MOVE! Lol. Same issue I had with my wife at first. I told her if she couldn't see me in the mirror I couldn't see her. Now we're working on automatic movement to the blindside as a number of our favorite campsites have compound curves. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
twiceblessed....nacole 433 Posted May 1, 2017 Author Report Share Posted May 1, 2017 Pics. Still have a little bit more personalizing to do but... we're getting there Couch is made into a bed, for our son. During the day (if it's bad weather) there is room for him to play and there is a second tv in there, which the kids found fun for a morning video :) Our daughter sleep up in the bunk... she loves it! djsamuel and BradyBzLyn...Mo 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
keith_h 420 Posted May 1, 2017 Report Share Posted May 1, 2017 Looks nice. I like the key cubby and wish we had room for one. I also like the way the way the range and sink counters are separate. I like large cutting boards and the large open area of the island would allow that. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
h2odivers...Ray 952 Posted May 1, 2017 Report Share Posted May 1, 2017 Looks great. Where is your sons couch/ bed? under your daughters bunk? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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