Going 5th wheeling, beginner advice?

[rumblefish]

So my inlaws bought a 5er. From what Ive been told, Im guessing its around a 24'. I plan to use my 92 to pull it for longer trips, although they are gonna use their V8 Dakota (I know, I know) to make it to the campground that is just under 3 miles from their house. I dont like the idea, but I think it will make it that far ok.



Where can I find the basics, the do's and don'ts, etc? Im pretty solid on the actual towing part, as I've done my fair share, but never with a 5er. Any and all advice is appreciated. To me, camping is in a tent, so this camper stuff is all new to me. Feel free to cover the absolute basics if you want to go that far. My wife and her mom are both scatter brained, so Im sure I am going to handle the business end of things and they will handle the fun stuff. Lemme have it, and TIA!



Jeff

 

[B.G. Smith]

Know the height of the towed vehicle and alwas be aware of service area awnings, etc. Cut you about half a dozen leveling blocks from 2"x6" boards, 2"x8" is even better, bevel the ends to 45 degrees and cut them all so they will slip between the tires on the trailer if it is tandem axle. Most places you will need two just for the front jacks. Alway check and adjust the brake controller before you get on the main highway. Adjust the electric brake bands every 1,000 miles. Repack the wheel bearings once a year. Pick up a spare grease cap/cover for the wheel bearings if you can find one. They are hard to find on the road and are prone to disappear at times. Keep the tires aired to amximum rated pressure and visually check them at each stop. Make sure you have a good spare tire and carry two if the trailer has Goodyear tires. I like to put a lock in the fifth wheel hitc latch while traveling. When the trailer is not being used, go inside and check for leaks every time it rains. Check the seams/caulking of the roof, end caps and windows for deterioration. Best time to stop a leak is before it happens. There are lots of folks with lots of good advice on this forum so you should get several replies as I know my list is just touching the surface. Have fun. bg

 

[DonTX]

I made two stupid mistakes in my learning curve you might avoid. When unhitching, it is easy to not run the fiver jacks up far enough (even though it SEEMS you have lifted the whole truck). What happens next is not a pretty sight, when you pull forward, the truck springs bring the bed sides up, all the way to contact the fiver!! I actually did that twice, slow learner I guess.

The other caution is when turning 90 degrees, be sure things don't contact the corner of the cab. I checked very carefully in a parking lot, had enough clearance easy. Then I backed into my driveway, when the trailer and truck are on different surfaces, you can clip the cab with the fiver so fast you will only be able to cry after it happens to dent your cab.

 

[HBarlow]

One of the easiest and possibly fatal mistakes you can make with a fifth wheel travel trailer is the proper coupling to the hitch. It is very easy to drop the trailer on the bed rails.

When hooking up adjust the trailer front landing gear so that the bottom of the kingpin plate on the trailer is the same height as the top of the hitch surface in the tow vehicle. It will be approximately 48" from the pavement as a start point. Back to it slowly and under it gently. Stop and exit the truck and adjust the trailer height if necessary. The front landing gear on a travel trailer is somewhat flimsy and can be damaged if you back against the kingpin too hard.

Latch the coupler collar(s). MAKE CERTAIN THE KINGPIN IS PROPERLY SECURED IN THE HITCH. I always walk around behind the trailer and using a flashlight if necessary, I look into the fifth wheel hitch to make sure the kingpin is coupled correctly. It is easy to allow the bottom of the kingpin to rest ON TOP of the hitch collars rather than inside.

Always avoid putting your body or even an arm between the top of the bedrail and the bottom of the fifth wheel overhang until you are absolutely certain the trailer is properly coupled. Men have lost their right arm or their life reaching in to connect the seven pin plug and the trailer has slid backward out of the hitch. After a visual check, raise the landing gear 2" or 3", just enough to clear the ground, and do a pull test. Put the truck in gear and pull forward gently a few inches to make sure the trailer is with you and not going to drop on the truck bed rails. Some prefer to do the pull test with the trailer resting on the landing gear but it is possible to bend the landing gear legs if you pull too hard. A gentle tug will determine if the hitch is coupled properly.

 

[Grizzly]

Write out a procedure for hitching and unhitching the 5er. Have someone, like your wife, read it off to you and check off each item. Here's a partial list. Anyone is welcome to add to to it;





HITCHING;



1. First thing you do is raise the rear stabilizer jacks. Lower tailgate and with wheels blocked on trailer, back truck on to receive.



2. Make sure pin is locked on receiver, set padlock on handle as stated by BGSmith.



3. Raise front landing gear about 1/2" so that the pads are just off the ground.



4. Connect electric cord. Check lights, brake light. Raise tailgate. Move truck forward about 3 inches. If trailer moved with you, raise landing gear rest of the way.



5. Check everything inside trailer that all is secured, windows and vents are closed, TV antenna is down.



6. Check everything outside. AC cord is unplug and stowed. Water and drain hoses are unhooked and stowed. Check that all compartments are locked, slide out(s) are in, awning is secure. Check air pressure on all tires, including truck. Pick up all leveling blocks. Adjust tow mirrors.



7. Do a walk around inspection of truck and trailer, twice.





UNHITCHING;



1. When you back in to where you want to unhitch check the entire area for low hanging branches, big ant piles, very uneven ground or anything that doesn't look right. Check drainage patterns in event of rain. You don't want your trailer with 4 feet of water around it. Remember, you're going to be here awhile. When you find the right spot, level trailer side to side. If you can't level it with two or three blocks, find another spot.



2. Block trailer wheels very securely. Set landing gear down until you see a slight space between the plate on the receiver and the plate at the pin. Pull the handle. Disconnect power cable from truck. Pull truck out. Stow trailer cable. Level trailer front to back. Set rear stabilizer jacks down. Connect water drain and electric, unless dry camping.



Note; Keep you procedure list handy and check is off each time you hitch and unhitch. As some of us get older we tend to forget some things. My wife knows better then I do and keeps me straight.

 

[Grizzly]

Harvey's post happened minutes before mine and I said some of the same things he did.



Ignore the duplication.

 

[Bill Stockard]

A 5th wheel tows into a turn differently than a bumper pull trailer. When going around a corner, the 5th wheel will "cut" into the corner more than a bumper pull becasue of it's hitch location in the bed instead of at the rear bumper. Remember to allow for this and swing out wider to make the turn.



Also a 5th wheel backs differently than a bumper pull. Again it "cuts" into the turn more. I suggest towing your 5th wheel to a large empty parking lot and practice backing into some painted on parking spaces to get famliar withn the combination before going to a campground/RV park the first time. Otherwise you'll put on a "show" for the others in the park.



Bill

 

[B.G. Smith]

As Grizzly stated, we will eventually all say about the same thing I guess. I just thought of a couple of other things. Watch or have someone watch the front of the truck (and the rear of the trailer) when backing into a tight spot. I took out a 8" marker post with the front of my truck while backing into a spot at East Fork on Lavon in Wylie a few years back, also I have a 4"x6" block of wood about 18" long in my driveway so I can tell where to stop when backing in to park, well I was over a little too far to the side and when straightening the trailer up I missed the block last week when we came home, luckily the trailer didn't hit the eaves of the house but the ladder did, anyone got some new rails for a TopLine ladder? Also when I crank the antenni up I hang a red cord on it so I will remember(hopefully) it is up. bg

 

[rumblefish]

this is all good advice. it has an extended pinbox, or whetever you call it when the pin is out in front of the trailer instead of underneath it, so i dont think cab clearance will be an issue up to 90 degrees. the 5er is a '85 model, so no slide outs or fancy stuff to worry about. i appreciate everything said so far, and look forward to more. i knew there is a plethora of experience here, which is why i asked here. keep it coming fellas.

 

[icman95]

The condition Harvey describes regarding the height of the kingpin in relation to the hitch is called a high hitch. It is dangerous and can be deadly. As he states, be sure to hookup so that the truck rides up under the trailer in such a way that when it contacts the pin box, it actually lifts the trailer a bit. I'm not talking tons, just an inch or two. This will ensure that the pin hooks inside the jaws and not on top of them, causing the high hitch. I do know a guy who high hitched a 48 foot trailer full of soda. Somehow he made it out of the yard and onto the main road. As soon as he started uphill, the trailer slid off the tractor and down a ravine. Fortunately, no one got hurt, but had someone been directly behind him, ouch... This kind of "woopsie" can happen more often that you would believe if you're not careful.





I am concerned about the trailer hitting the cab when using the Dakota to pull it. Only because the Datoka doesn't have a full sized bed, like the Ram. It won't be a problem if you're aware of it and watch for it every time. You may not be able to turn a full right angle when backing, but then again maybe you can.



Good luck.

 

[rumblefish]

they dropped trailers all the time at my former employer. most were in the parking lot, some were out on the road, but i have definitely heard of it happening, and what you say makes great sense.



the dakota is a long bed, but i think its only 7. 5' iirc. like i said, its only 3 miles to the local campground, which is prolly the farthest they will tow it with the Dak. i think putting the hitch in the back of the dakota is mainly to move it around their place, as they live 45 mins away.



im gonna make a list out of all this, and thanks to you guys, i wont look like such a idiot my first time out!

 

[Jim W]

Nice to have another camper with us. Your parents and you will have fun if you just take your time and think about what you are doing. Everyone has given you very good advice and follow through with their recommendations. I only have a couple of things to add that I have learned in the last couple of years that we have had our 5er.

1. I always back up from the driver side, such as pulling in to the drive way at home or campgrounds. I place the truck and 5er as close to the left side of the road as possible. When the rear trailer tire is at the edge of the start of the drive way or entrance into the camp site, I start my turn in. I have found this to be the easiest for me. The other item is my wife is always there to help backing me, in watching the cab and 5er along with on coming traffic. She also helps with hitching up she guides me into the hitch pin. She stands on the drive side and I can watch her guiding me in to the king pin.

2. Watch the tail gate this can get nailed very easy by the pin box or king pin, I know I have done this.

3. In the campground you may even need to place blocking under the front tires of the truck to hitch or un-hitch. The hitch plate and pin box need to match angles to un-hook safely. I would also add wheel chocks to the back tires to prevent roll back from the tow vehicle when un-hitching. I know these are common sense things to do, but they can be over looked.

Good luck and enjoy your times.

 

[Hoefler]

I have found a pair of FRS radios very helpful. That the wife can communicate with me if she needs to go around to check the blind side.

 

[JSafrit]

Lots of good info here. I would only add that you need to "chock" the wheels of the 5th wheel BEFORE trying any hitching or unhitching. Always place a wheel chock in front of AND behind the trailer wheels. This prevents movement in either direction.

Hope this helps.

 

[HBarlow]

Lots of good info here. I would only add that you need to "chock" the wheels of the 5th wheel BEFORE trying any hitching or unhitching. Always place a wheel chock in front of AND behind the trailer wheels. This prevents movement in either direction.
Hope this helps.

A very good reminder. We've all heard of the poor inexperienced RVer who lets his running gear down in a hillside or sloping campsite, disconnects from his truck and watches it roll down the grade. A big heavy fifth wheel trailer does put a lot of weight on it's landing gear but can still roll away if not chocked.

 

[AClayton]

I think the towing aspect has been covered in detail here so I won't even bother. Remember the sewer hook-up equipment,a good RV water hose 'filter optional',a quality 30A RV ext. cord,75ohm cable TV cord,lawn chairs and outdoor tables and stuff. A good grill is a must IMO and some kind of patio carpet to lay out on awning side of RV to help keep mud out. My wife and I always carry warm weather clothes and cold weather items just in case the weather changes..... like this time year does!!!



Plan on bringing extra stuff if you have young kids. If it rains and you're couped-up inside the RV with them with nothing to do..... well,good luck to ya'..... can get miserable!Just make sure they have plenty of activities to wear them out!!!Bring bicycles,big-wheels and pack games for everyones enjoyment.



Bug spray,sun-screen,extra blankets,pool stuff and swimwear,radio,a trash can outside so kids don't need excuses to go in RV all the time!!The list goes on..... you will need to tow the trailer with your truck when you add all this extra weight to the trailer. But you will need this stuff... . guarantee it!!!





Alan

 

[Grizzly]

1. I always back up from the driver side, such as pulling in to the drive way at home or campgrounds. I place the truck and 5er as close to the left side of the road as possible. When the rear trailer tire is at the edge of the start of the drive way or entrance into the camp site, I start my turn in. I have found this to be the easiest for me. The other item is my wife is always there to help backing me, in watching the cab and 5er along with on coming traffic. She also helps with hitching up she guides me into the hitch pin. She stands on the drive side and I can watch her guiding me in to the king pin.

I also back the trailer from the driver's side as often as possible. That way you can see the back of the trailer and it's wheels through your tow mirrors.



As Hoefler stated, Walkie Talkies are very handy for communicating with your guide. If you don't have the radios, use your cell phones or develope a good set of hand signals. When my wife and I first started doing the, "I drive and she does the guiding", trick she would never stand where I could see her through the truck mirrors and then she would place her hand in front of her face and wave one finger for me to back up. Well we had to fall back and develope good set of hand signals. Now sometimes she backs the truck and trailer and I do the guiding.

 

[RVTRKN]

The high hitch condition and losing the 5ver is because the operator did not check the jaws or slide bar for this condition before leaving. All truckers, or almost all, check this before pulling on the trailer. It is called "Looking down the throat" to make sure the pin is locked into place. This is a habit you should start from the beginning of hitching 5ver's, and I will double take a look at it before I declare my load safe, its the last thing I do before pulling it.



As far as the Dakota is concerned, as long as the pin weight is within axle and tire rating's, it is capable. A 24' 5ver does not weigh that much and due to the center of the trailer axles being so close to the pin, the weight should be light. But that being said, weigh it at the scales if you suspect it to be close to the rating. There is a data plate that will give you GVWR for the trailer on the trailer. I owned a 92 Dakota with a 318 magnum V8 and wouldn't think twice about the size of 5ver your hauling, just remember to check pin weight and axle ratings, because you don't know what the numbers are and it is better to be safe than sorry. Pulling a 5ver is more stable than a TT due to the position of the hitch over the axle and is the reason you can tow with passengers inside the 5ver, though I don't recommend it.



Remember your 5ver will track closer to the curb when turning and drive below speed limit, if above 60MPH, until you get a feel for the 5ver. Also being that it is a old 5ver and tires are probably old as well, make sure they are in good condition and even though they look to be in good condition, be cautious about them, and keep an eye on them until your sure there OK. A good habit is to check them for heat as well condition when stopped, you never know when a brake can be a problem, the heat will give it away. I speak from experiance on the last sentence.



Good luck and have fun camping.

Steve.

 

[RVTRKN]

I also back the trailer from the driver's side as often as possible. That way you can see the back of the trailer and it's wheels through your tow mirrors.



As Hoefler stated, Walkie Talkies are very handy for communicating with your guide. If you don't have the radios, use your cell phones or develope a good set of hand signals. When my wife and I first started doing the, "I drive and she does the guiding", trick she would never stand where I could see her through the truck mirrors and then she would place her hand in front of her face and wave one finger for me to back up. Well we had to fall back and develope good set of hand signals. Now sometimes she backs the truck and trailer and I do the guiding.

A good saying is "When in doubt, get out" and look first.

 

[PToombs]

Get one of those infrared temp guns if you tow very far. This makes it easy to spot brake problems and tire heating. It doesn't have to be a $120 Mac tools one, just a decent one to get readings with. Make sure you have the necessary jacks and tools to change the tires, check brakes, or what ever.

My inlaws went to a dog show in Canada a few years ago. They lost a wheel bearing on the trailer just as they got there. My MiL went to the show, and my FiL spent 2 days filing and rethreading the spindle to get the hub and nut back on. They made it back safely, then he fixed it right.

Be prepared!