Going 5th wheeling, beginner advice?

[MLee]

With all this advice being offered take it all in. Now go get "RV" with Robin Williams and have a laugh.

When dumping, start with the dirtiest tank first, and use the gray water to do the rinsing of the discharge hose. USE DISPOSABLE GLOVES to do this dirty work. Use White hoses that are used for drinking water, they won't have a Rubber taste like a garden hose.

 

[icman95]

MLee is spot on!! We bought the movie "RV" and kept it in the camper until a rainy day, then watched it. Great fun! I know it's off topic a bit, but also check out the movie "The Long, Long Trailer" from the '50's. Lucy and Dezi star in it with similar characters to Lucy and Ricky, but their names in the movie are Nicki and Tacy (I think). Great show!!

 

[RVTRKN]

MLee is spot on!! We bought the movie "RV" and kept it in the camper until a rainy day, then watched it. Great fun! I know it's off topic a bit, but also check out the movie "The Long, Long Trailer" from the '50's. Lucy and Dezi star in it with similar characters to Lucy and Ricky, but their names in the movie are Nicki and Tacy (I think). Great show!!

Ya, I remember that movie, I think that it fit the theme of this thread as well

 

[Grizzly]

The two most important items on any trailer, IMO, are tires and brakes. If you have trailer tires that are more then 3 years old and they're Chinese ST, get rid of them. I good LT tires is always best. Inspect brakes and bearings. Replace any parts if needed and repack bearing.



Also, since you plan on towing the 5er with a 1st gen, which means limited seating, if it's a Club Cab, you may be tempted to carry passengers in the 5er. Don't, it's not worth the risk. Take a second vehicle instead.

 

[B.G. Smith]

Couple more things, you will need a 50 amp to 30 amp adapter and possibly a 20 amp to 30 amp, some of the newer parks only have 50 amp outlets, also a donut for the sewer line, some places require it (they always have it for sale), maybe just a way to promote a sale. bg

 

[ringneck]

hitch lock

be sure to lock hitch as soon as you can,dont wait . I told for years with out locking reese hitch,than one day with my new cameo carriage pulling a hill,it happen and you dont want to know the rest. as you know you might be able to toe with a small truck butt can you stop,itis not worth it. ringneck saying good look.

 

[AABEN]

When you hook up always put the pin in to lock the fifth wheel that way you will know if it is hook up if fou can not put the pin the latch handle you are not hook up. All so it will keep some from unlocking it for you. I thank your Dakota will not have the braking that you should have for that load! If you are in a wreck and they check things out you will be in hot water!!=== GOOD LUCK

 

[RVTRKN]

When you hook up always put the pin in to lock the fifth wheel that way you will know if it is hook up if fou can not put the pin the latch handle you are not hook up. All so it will keep some from unlocking it for you. I thank your Dakota will not have the braking that you should have for that load! If you are in a wreck and they check things out you will be in hot water!!=== GOOD LUCK

Braking is part of the axle ratings so if you don't go over the axle rating you will be fine.

 

[rumblefish]

so tomorrow is the big day. im using my 92, since we dont have the brackets and rails for the dakota yet. and, i just love to work my truck, as it impresses me everytime. thanks again for all the suggestions, ill let you guys know how it goes!

 

[Grizzly]

Good luck, have fun and check everything off your Check List.

 

[rumblefish]

i had to come back home today to go to work, and thought id give an update. its going great so far, even the kids are being good for a change! i got the 5er to the campground just fine. could hardly tell it was back there. the spot they gave us was quite difficult to back into, im sure everyone else enjoyed the show. backing from the driver side was completely impossible, and in addition, ive found the absolute last person on earth i want to guide me into the spot in my mother in law, especially when combined with my wife. seems like i had 2 people telling me 13 things all at the same time. mother in law told me to come "straight back" with the rig at a 45deg angle or so. 2 way radios are definitely going to be used next time, and mom in law is going to be somewhere else at the time of backing.



i also need to either lower the rear of my truck or lift the camper, and i am uncomfortable with the angle while towing. my tailgate came within 2 inches of the underside of the trailer on a couple of the dips i encountered. ive got around 6" of clearance to the bed rails on level ground, although less at the rear due to the non-level attitude of the trailer. i already checked out the axles, and they are on top of the springs. im thinking a flip is in order to gain a couple inches of height cheap and easy. ive noticed alot of the other campers sit quite a bit higher, is there any thing else i can do to correct this?

 

[RVTRKN]

Be sure to check your pin weight and see if the Dakota can tow it. The reason you want the Dakota to pull it is that the 24' 5ver was made for smaller vehicles, I'm sure you will find it is within the ratings. The shorter the trailer, the harder it is to back in even thought it is shorter, it is easier to over correct. But with the Dakota sitting lower and shorter wheel base will help backing as well as the 5ver sitting level. Keep in mind to ignore everyone except your spotter, and remember what I said before "when in doubt get out". I like to visualize even when someone is spotting for me, it will also help you later when you have to back it in alone.