Need advice (20 questions)

[BFC]

Backgroung: Towded a lot of small trailers, but nothing this big. Yes I have read the fifth wheel towing thread. For truck see sig.



I'm fixin'(sorry been in TX too long;-) to go on my first long trip, well long enough, with my new fifth wheel, Dallas, TX to Tucson, AZ. RV is 31' high profile Coachmen Catalina (Model 285 RK) Dry weight 8200 lbs. Hitch is a goose neck.



Other than the obvious, wide turns, lane positioning, no tailgating, whatch the A/C on the roof ect... . Any words of widom you "experienced" towers could throw my way I'd appreciate.



Questions: Got enough truck for this right?(I know I do just making sure) Do I need to stop at weight stations? What kind of spare parts should I bring if any? Towing mirrors? MPG I can expect if I keep the go pedal not too close to the floor? Thing to whatch for. Things to do to the truck before I leave? Please humor me.



Big thank you in advance,



Glenn

 

[Big John]

BFC, so many things and so slow at typing! The most common mistakes are the simple things. Check air pressure in all tires on truck and trailer, including spares. Have a set of safety triangles, just in case you break down. Make sure everything inside the trailer is stowed away properly. There is a lot of action on the road that can dislodge almost anything.



I have always been fond of carrying spare bearings, races, and seals for my trailers. This may not be needed, but my rigs are usually of the vintage type, and I am a belt and suspenders kind of guy. I also carry a jack that I know will work on the trailer.



Allow yourself plenty of go room along with the added stopping room. Your acceleration time is greatly reduced while towing.



Watch your angles! The trailer can quickly get into the bed rails on the truck when turning into fuel stations, camping spots, ETC, that are too steep an angle. Take it slow and pay attention!



I always found it less distracting to leave the wife and kids at home. JUST KIDDING, DEAR! But the point is, do not be distracted by other things while towing and manouvering your rig. Have your route planned out and know where you are going! Indesision can be dangerous.



I never stop at weigh stations.



Your mirrors are the most important part of your towing, next to good brakes!



You have PLENTY of truck. Should make for a stress-free tow. I always like too much truck, as opposed to too little.



Many more things that others can throw at you, but just relax and enjoy the trip!

 

[CGoyette]

there are more than 20 answers

Most of the stuff you covered on your own.

Trailer but not all inclusive



Watch trailer lug nuts

make sure all slides are in properly

make sure pwr cords are wrapped up and put away correctly

make sure your access doors are closed correctly

make sure your hitch is locked correctly

make sure you have a LOCK on your hitch (some think its funny to unlock you while your taking a leak)

Make sure you use your mirrors when you just going down the road ( you’d be surprised at the trail you might be leaving)

Make sure you pay attention to other drivers honking and waving franticly for you to pull over or pointing to the rear ( you forgot something above and tehre are seeing it dragged)



Truck

watch for over heating of transmission or engine

take it easy on the truck after a long hill climb

Change fluids and have the services done to the transmission ON TIME and Diffs



Driving

Don't go over 60 mph till you done 5000 towed miles you will have a no shi! hit the brakes emergency cause you did look far enough ahead... . if you should have one of these you can shorten the towed miles requirement you will remember for ever



Oh did I mention if you ain't sure if there’s a easy turn around you stop the truck and walk it first... . nothing like stopping at a dennys then after a real belly buster breakfast you figure out you have to do a 8900 point turn around ... if you can.



get Trailer Life mag and read. Listen to every horror story they will happen to you if you forget there cause... . 99. 99999999 percent DRIVER error of the TOWING vehicle. You don't stop on a dime even if the truck has lots of pulling that ain't stopin power.



Most of all just enjoy the drive its why you bought the thing I hope so take you time.



Oh yea forget night driving till you had a deer run out in front of you in the day light... . that way you can feel the thrill and see yourself in the mirror screaming.



Did I mention my first trip with a TT was with a friend and we jackknifed it doing 70 MPH... . I bought a 5th Wheel and a dually so didn't he.





Enjoy the trailering life its exciting even when you want it dull!

 

[Stranger]

Advice

All the previous posts are GREAT. I would pay extra attention to the lug nut torque, specifically roadside as they tend to loosen more than curb side.

Also, don't watch the taillights of the vehicle in front of you! WHAT THE HE*( IS THIS GUY SAYING??? Exactly the response I was looking for!. Watch for the lights of the one 3 vehicles in front of you. If his/her brake lights come on for an extended period, (you'll know how long) start slowing!!! Because something may be happening. It's alot safer to get out of cruise for nothing than to have to stop HARD, 'Cause spit's happenin'. (Know what I mean?)

As for height, most RV's are below the standard minimum height limit of 13"6' however, some overpasses, bridges etc could be lower! (BUMMER)

Also, this is a biggie! Every time you leave your rig unattended, potty stop, fuel etc. check your hitch!!! There many ugly stories of unscrupulous people who like to pull the kingpin hitch lock due to either being jealous; "That's what I want when I retire", or "Here's this GD RVer taking a trucker's spot in this rest stop!"

Seen it, heard about, never had it happen, YET.

Other than that, haul AppleSS.

 

[BFC]

Big J,



now that you mentioned the wife thing... ... ... .



Thanks all,



Glenn

 

[NVR FNSH]

The trailer plug on the factory receiver will not survive your forgetting to disconnect the umbilical cord before pulling away from the trailer. I now get to fix or replace mine



Be VERY careful about your tailgate - there are some 'entertaining' threads on here about trashing stock tailgates. I just bought the plastic 5th wheel tailgate from CW (Stromberg-Carlson) - very light weight and allows me to use the receiver mounted plug & have a tailgate.



As said earlier - watch the trailer on sharp corners. I spaced out and tried to make a turn at a Ranger Station - almost took out the side of the trailer before my brain engaged.



Brian

 

[jlatham]

BFC

Not much more I can add everyone else did a great job of answering your questions. I never have hauled a travel trailer, mainly farm equipment and dozers some times grossing 37000-38000 pounds. Ill just offer you a list of things that I check.



Main thing to check is the trailer you don’t use it every day and aren’t real familiar with it. (Important) Look at were the axel connects to the frame be sure that every thing looks right. I’m really not to familiar with the type of trailer that you are using. Just take a good look at the suspension to make sure every thing is in place. Next thing that I would do is to check bearings make sure they have plenty of grease or oil and that all of the hubs are tight. (Not every time just for long trips) Lug nuts are important make sure they are tight. Make sure that every tire has plenty of air. (don’t for get the spare) For a long trip like that I might even take 2 spare tires just my preference. Test all the light make sure they are working properly. Take plenty of tools and an extra set of parts. (Good jack)



After checking the trailer check all the fluids in you pickup. If your close to needing to change you motor oil I would go ahead and do it before you left. It’s a good idea to take a spear belt with you. One other thing to check is the connecter for lights and breaks. Some times the Dodge adapters don’t make a solid connection. (If used a lot)



These are just things that I check before making long trips like that just some suggestions.



Hope you have a great trip. Sorry my post is so long.





Justin P. S. Is skydiving fun?

 

[PUMPERDUDE]

Stay from behind vans

Large vans like a UPS or Bread truck. They block your view down the road and can stop way faster than you. Found this out on a trip through Little Rock ARK. where the interstates merge/split. . Next thing I know Traffic in center lane is stopped. I'm doing 60. Thought my break pedal would break I was pushing so hard. Never ever ever again. Could have been bad. Lucked out. Had about 10 feet to spare. Bad Bad feeling. Easy to get it rolling. [With CTD]Much harder to stop. Good luck and enjoy your trip.

 

[RATTLINRAM]

Just a few oddball things not mentioned

Some of the unspoken rules:

*Every time you try to leave ample safe distance between you and the vehicle in front of you,,,,,,,,,,one or more idiots will try to fill it. Apparently, they think you're wasting space on the road.

*I drive out of the mirrors almost as much as the windshield. I don't know how many times I've started to pull back into a lane after making a pass only to find some little car has cut in front of the vehicle I just passed and is trying to pass me. I use the clip on type mirrors and adjust my stock mirrors so that I can just see my trailer wheels. I also adjust my inside mirror so I can look at my 5er hitch and things in the bed.

*Come up with some way of reminding yourself to lower the tv antenna, (seen a guy rip a 12" hole in the roof of his rig leaving the campground)

*Always check the fridge door lock before traveling. It won't matter who was in it last,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, The Wife will blame you while muttering very bad words as she cleans up the mess.

*And most important* When backing into the RV spot and wife is giving directions, remember, breath slowly, remain calm, and use this excuse when you get out of the truck to look for yourself,,,,,,,,,,,"I just wanted to give you a kiss cause we're having so much fun together"

 

[BFC]

Justin P. S. Is skydiving fun?

You don't want to start me on skydiving... ... ... 3320 times and counting! Only one way to find out and I can fix that!



Glenn



PS That's why I'm talking the trip

 

[Loren]

Glenn,



I agree with all of the sage advice offered here. Two other guys mentioned a jack for the trailer. I found out the hard way that the spare is useless without an adequate jack. I eventually bought a short hydraulic jack that is rated to lift the entire weight of the trailer. I have had to use it more than once to lift one entire side of the fifth-wheel. Overkill here is a good idea.



Lug nuts require attention on a trailer. The wheels get lots of side loads during turns, and the nuts loosen. I use a torque wrench on mine. I had the tires balanced a while back, and the tire shop guys used their impact wrenches to tighten the lug nuts to about twice the recommended torque of 120 ft-lb. Fortunately, nothing broke from the extra torque. Check them yourself and you'll feel more secure about it.



I also leave plenty of room between me and the guy ahead. If some jerk fills the hole, I slow down some more and get my "safety space" back. There's not really a safe way to keep that space occupied. You'll find that your rig won't stop in a hurry, so allow for the extra distance. In stop and go traffic, I do what the big rigs do: Pick a gear and let the truck idle (or almost idle) its way down the road. The six-speed is nice, but shifting up and down in traffic is no fun.



Dennis has some good advice regarding dealing with your wife when parking. My wife and I have been at this for several years, and you'd think that we would have a system by now, but we don't. I don't think we even agree on what is right and what is left. Maybe we'll have to start using port and starboard. The last time she directed me while backing up to the hitch ball on the travel trailer she said, "Just come back about another two inches and move two inches to the right. " Great advice about breathing slowly and remaining calm.



Happy towing.



Loren

 

[Big John]

Dennis, that line you use on your wife, does it really work? The Big "N" would just look at me funny and say something like "get back in the truck or do it yourself, and I don't mean back the trailer!"



Big John

 

[Batman]

Glad I read this thread. I never in my wildest dreams thougth of checking my hitch after going to a restuarant. Some people are real scum if they unhook you.

Thanks for all the great advise.

 

[klenger]

I assume a lock on the hitch would make it harder to pull the handle out. I may have to consider one. I just hate the idea of another key.

 

[Pogodually]

I have a padlock on my hitch to keep some donkey from pulling it and letting me drive out from under the fiver. Also you should make sure your hitch is locked prior to lifting the front jacks. I did once. Have fun as I have for last 12 years. Did 7,000 miles last summer.

 

[Texas Diesel]

I've learned alot from reading this thread, especially about leaving distractions (wife) at home... . One thing I do is to adjust my mirrors just low enough so that I can see the trailer tires when I make a turn. Dont forget to grease your (gooseneck) ball.

I like to have my wife grease mine , perhaps I wont leave her at home. PERHAPS!!

 

[NVR FNSH]

Re: Just a few oddball things not mentioned

Originally posted by RATTLINRAM

Some of the unspoken rules:



*And most important* When backing into the RV spot and wife is giving directions, remember, breath slowly, remain calm, and use this excuse when you get out of the truck to look for yourself,,,,,,,,,,,"I just wanted to give you a kiss cause we're having so much fun together"

Too true..... My neighbor comes out to watch my wife & I back the 5th wheel into its spot on the side of the house Now, I admit I'm not very good at backing the trailer but my wife hasn't quite grasped the idea of telling me driver/passenger side (we use FRS radios) instead of left/right for which way the trailer needs to go or that by the time you can see that the trailer needs to go the other way it's too late. Working on her 'anticipatory' skills.



Check out the following link about women and backing trailers - too amusing... .



http://www.off-road.com/dirtbike/aug2000/wo/



Brian

 

[Fireman]

Exit Guide

I have found that diesel can be hard to find sometimes, and sometimes its at a station that is small and difficult to get in and out of pulling a 35' trailer. Just before our last trip I bought an exit directory, among other things it tells you all of the exits that have diesel, and wether they have room to accomadate Trucks, busses, and RVs. I found this to be well worth the $25. purchase price.

As for backing, I tell my wife that I don't want directions, just tell me to stop before I hit something. So far this has worked 99 out of 100 times, but that is another story.





Have fun

Fireman

 

[BFC]

One more question

My truck as the tow package on it. It has the 7 prong plug on the hitch. I was told tonight that I need some kind of box/contoller in the cab to control the brakes on the trailer, any truth to that?



When I brought it from the dealer(only time I've ever towded it, short ride) I just pluged it in and seemed fine to me. So what gives?



Thanx,



Glenn

 

[RATTLINRAM]

Try looking here............

BFC,

Yes, you need a brake controler. Even though you have the tow pkg. , the truck is not equipped with a brake controler. My truck also has the tow pkg. which included a pig tail to wire in the controler of your choice and plugs into the wiring harness under the dash. It also included a 7 pole to 4 pole adapter for use when towing a trailer with a four wire plug (no brakes, no reverse lights, no 12v power lead). These two items were in the glove compartment. Without a brake controler box, You will have no braking at all on the trailer! NOT GOOD! I have one of the Hayes-Lemmerz units.

Take a look HERE to get an idea. Hope this helps and maybe someone else has more info.