Have 35 ft 5th/w my wife lived in it while working in the Dallas area then we had it towed to Lubbock Tx. Put in covered storage for now about 3 years I now have bought a 350/ 08 long bed ford diesel truck with B and W gooseneck hitch as I am writing this they are putting in a b and w companion hitch and 7 point wiring since I have never towed a trailer other than small ones since we now would like to use it for small trips I need help with
1. Basic do and don'ts
2. pulling 5th wheels (new at this)
3. How to check the 5th wheels operation after being in storage so long
I want to make sure it operates well and I tow it safely. Any and all help(and advice would be great since I have retired from the army now I would like to use it
#1 on your list will be to address your tires. They don't wear out, they deteriorate due to age. Check the DOT codes to see how old they are. Next to that might be your wheel bearings.
I'm sure others will be along to offer more advice.
Welcome to the forums, you will find a lot of valuable information here.
Thank you for your service, and enjoy your retirement. I retired from the Army in 1996, have about 5 more years to retire again, then there will be more time for trips.
2007 Keystone Laredo 29RL, 2000 Ford F250 7.3 PSD, Firestone bags, Pressure Pro, 16" Michelin XPS Ribs, MorRyde Pin Box, Dexter EZ-Flex, PI EMS-HW30C, Dirt Devil CV950 Central Vacuum, 2000W AllPower by Kipor, 4000/3500W Champion C46540
Since you say that you have not pulled anything a large as this 35 ft. fiver, I will offer some very elementary advice on pulling. Keep extra distance between you and the next car because you need more room to stop. I like to be at least five seconds behind. Naturally, four wheelers will pass and pull in right in front of you, but keep your cool and back off if you need to. Next, I don't like to drive over 60 mph because fuel economy gets bad at higher speeds: that fiver creates a lot of wind resistance. Next, you know of course to swing wide on turns. The advice is to take it slow on turns and watch your mirrors. If it looks like you are going to hit a curb then stop. Hitting curbs is hard on trailer tires.
X2 on the swing wide in turns. A fifth wheel turns inside of the patht the truck's tires take. I went to a high school parking lot & just practiced backing up the first time. It will back up a lot different than a regular bumper pull trailer. It will cut more, but react slower to steering inputs. I would check the tires, and grease & inpect the bearings too before it's pulled too far.
Texas Tech wrote: Have 35 ft 5th/w my wife lived in it while working in the Dallas area then we had it towed to Lubbock Tx. Put in covered storage for now about 3 years I now have bought a 350/ 08 long bed ford diesel truck with B and W gooseneck hitch as I am writing this they are putting in a b and w companion hitch and 7 point wiring since I have never towed a trailer other than small ones since we now would like to use it for small trips I need help with
1. Basic do and don'ts
2. pulling 5th wheels (new at this)
3. How to check the 5th wheels operation after being in storage so long
I want to make sure it operates well and I tow it safely. Any and all help(and advice would be great since I have retired from the army now I would like to use it
Find yourself a good checklist, then modify it as you learn your specific coach and truck; there are any number on here and other RV fora. If you have the time and funds, check out one of the RV driving schools. If no RV driving school is convenient, check out a trucking school and see if you might work out something with an instructor there. Find a big parking lot and practice driving and, especially, backing. LEARN PATIENCE! If all else fails, stop, get out and LOOK.
I can't agree more about the tires and wheel bearings. Invest in GOOD tires, i.e. almost anything not made in China. If you have 16" rims, look to LT tires with Michelin Ribs, Bridgestone Duravis and BFG Commercial TA all getting good reviews. Not knowing exactly what coach you have, if it's on the heavy side, you might even consider jumping up to 17.5" rims.
Again, use the search feature here to see what people use to accessorize their rig. Everything from utensils to tools to leveling blocks, jacks, batteries, propane bottles, grills, sewer hoses and accessories; the list goes on. Decide how you are most likely to camp and make your purchases accordingly. Never going to boondock? One good battery will get you by. Going to do a lot of boondocking? Multiple =good= batteries, solar, generator, etc. would be on the list.
One thing to do to get your feet wet, is to literally camp in your driveway for a weekend, or two. Set up exactly as if you were camping (except maybe for sewer), and camp for a few days. Make it a point to NOT use the house unless absolutely necessary. Level the rig, use the stove, 12v and 110v lights and accessories, slides, bathroom and sinks, etc. (Personally, I had an electrician add a 30 amp circuit and plug on my electric box so I could set up and run the A/C, if necessary. If you don't need A/C, just a good =heavy gauge= extension cord will work to power the coach.)
No matter what, have fun!
Lyle
2002 GMC Sierra 2500 HD Duramax Crew Cab 4x4
Banks Bullet Tuner and Monster Exhaust
B&W Turnover Ball with 5th Wheel Companion
2004 Komfort 25FSG Fifth Wheel
1936 John Deere Model A
International Flying Farmers 55 Year Member
Just another basic item. Just make sure you have 6" or more clearance between the top of the truck bed rails and the overhanging part of the 5th wheel. Enjoy!!!
Above is all good advice. Also look at your propane tanks. They changed valves some years back to whats called OPD valves, and if you have the older style no one will fill them. Also check the roof for peeling/cracking sealant and replace so no water leaks.
In addition I would suggest you do a complete pre-inspection as if you were buying a used trailer to make sure all appliances & electrical systems are in working order.
May appear a bit overwhelming right now, but take your time and all should work out shortly.
Good Luck and thanks for your service.
2011 Arctic Fox 29-5T 5th Wheel
2011 Silverado HD 3500 6.6L Duramax Diesel Crew Cab
Short Bed 4X4 SRW LT
50gal Transfer Flow Aux. Tank
16K Valley Hitch w/bed saver
Be sure to check refidgerator, water heater, and furnace to see that no critters have built nests in them and that the vents are clear of debris.
Bill
'08 Cedar Creek 32TK, 35'9", 13,990#
'01 F-250,Lariat, 7.3L, SC, Auto, LB, JW Towmaster Tranny, 6.0L Tranny cooler, DP custom tunes, 4" Turbo back exhaust, Auto Meter Gauges, Firestone Air Bags. '07 Headlights and Grille, Prodigy P-3.
Offline
