You might want to look at the new wireless Digital Level that JT's put out. It makes unhooking and hooking a breeze, plus leveling is a snap both front to rear and side to side. I am hard of hearing so it does me no good to have my wife telling me when the unit is level as I can't hear her.
When you pull out from under your 5er be sure to measure to the ground so you can reset the pin to the same height when you are ready to hook up. Saves backing, looking, leveling, etc.
Hard?/???? I always do mine myself.. Might get the kid to throw a block under the wheel..
2007 GMC DURAMAX,LBZ,4 by Crew, Allison
Magnaflow Turbo Back Exhaust
Predator Tuner
18by9 Helo's on BFG's
5year old boy
3 year old baby girl
Sea ray boat
Wilderness 5th wheel
SandRail
HD WideGlide
FORD Expediton
honda Eu3000
I have never had any help when hooking/unhooking from my wife, probably a good thing, cause I wouldn't be able to do it right
I back into place and get out and look (maybe even a few times before final location) then right before I get where I want, I put out my leveling blocks up against the tires. If I need two blocks high, I put two on the ground and one in the middle to make a piramid and easier to back up on, tilt my mirror down to watch the 5ver wheel and back up on the blocks. Next, I check the side to side level to make sure I am close to level, Then put my TWO ROTO chocks on each side. Put out 3 blocks under front landing gear and lower gear about half way, then pull pins to drop feet to blocks, continue to extend gear making sure the pins latch and now I am watching the king pin, as soon as the 5ver lifts off hitch (approx 1/8") I pull and release latch, unlock saftey brake cable and electric plug, pull away from 5ver and look to see if the nose needs to come up or go down. I just use a round bubble level on my counter top, once i have the 5ver almost level I leave the nose just a slight bit lower then the finished height, I then put 3 more blocks on the back stablizers and lower them until they just touch the blocks, then I go and raise the front to level.
Next I hook up all the utilities before I let the sides out to make it easier to get to them without having to crawl under slides to run hoses, electric, etc.
Now I let the slides out (I check for clearance before hand, I know if I stand with my shoulder agains the camper and extend my arm that is the distance I need to be away from any obstacles. If it is questionable, I hope blinds and watch through the window.
Next I let out awning set out chairs and it is just about time for a cold beer.
When it is time to leave, antenna down, awning in, slides in, unhook utilties, raise rear stabilers and raise or lower front to about what I think it should be, open catch on hitch, and back up to king pin, adjust as necessary, back into pin, set parking back, put in park, put on saftey latch and then continue to retrack gear, hook up electric then I wld once more around truck and 5ver from drivers door clockwise back around to drivers door to make sure I have not forgotten anything and head out.
I am sure I forgot a step some where, but this is close.
Dave & Nannette wrote: In one week I am going on a long trip (1,000 miles total) BY MYSELF. Anyway, I did my first "practice solo camping trip". My wife used to be in charge of hooking / unhooking fifth wheel as she guided me. But I am now single and may not have no help. So I tried it myself.
Hitchin' up was hard by myself and unhooking took me awhile to have the teeth clear the king pin. Everytime I backed up to release the "claw" then put truck in park, the truck would go slightly forward. It was like I wished I had a 20 foot arm.
Looking for suggestion of how the best way (and safe way) to unhitch solo. I think I am going to ask fellow campers for help, if possible. Because it is a little difficult doing by myself!
I taught my wife to do a lot of the hitching and unhitching chores. It is wonderful to have a partner like that. We also double check ourselves when hooking and unhooking. Without the double check I think I'd make a checklist (or two or three) to keep me from forgetting something. That would be the most important thing for me.
Single, it takes a couple of times getting in and out of the cab for me. Checking pin height, alignment, hitch latch, etc. Not much else to offer besides what has been said.
Good luck with your trip.
charlie
2006 Toyota Tundra Crew Cab
2003 Skyline Nomad 24ft Fiver
Me and Wife
Maggie the Old English Sheepdog
Helping me hitch/unhitch frightened my wife, so I allowed her to go inside the trailer to get it ready. We have hitch/unhitch lists to follow which make it harder to screw up. I'll share mine if you send me your e-mail address to cwsoules@mindspring.com. When hitching up my cover blocks my view of the hitch so I back up to the point where I am close, park and walk back for a look and adjust as necessary.
USN RET. 2001 Diesel Dodge Quad Cab 2500 Auto w/4:10 rear end. Miller Mfg Truck Bed Cover, with RBW hitch, and a 1995 29' Automate 5th wheel with one slide
Condolences from DW and myself. The tips already posted will hold you in good stead. I normally just remind myself when soloing to take it slow, and do one more walk around than I would do with DW there. While solo camping for a long weekend earlier this year, I pulled too close to the water and electic stub for slider to extend, so had to take a deep breath, unchock, hitch up again and move over. I also use one of my Lynx Levelers placed on the ground right beside where I want the rear tire on the drivers side of the 5er to be. Helps me mark how far back to go on back in sites.
Puller: '04 HD2500 4x4 SB,EC Duramax/Allison. Airaid intake, 4in. exhaust turbo back, ORU leveler.
Pullee: '02 Keystone Cougar 276EFS Reese 16k w/ slider.
(map is for current 5er only)
Here are a couple of tips for solo hitching and unhitching.
When I first got my 5er, I could never back the truck and get the hitch aligned with the kingpin on the first try. I came up with a method that works 100% of the time. I pasted a small white round label at the bottom of the center of my rear window. When I’m ready to hitch, I shove a three-foot long foam swim noodle vertically in the center of the crack between my open tailgate and the bed of the truck. Then, I just look in the rearview mirror as I’m backing and align the label on the window with the noodle and the kingpin. (The three points are like are like sighting down a gun barrel.) When the noodle hits the kingpin, it bends out of the way and I’m in perfect alignment.
To get the proper kingpin height without having to get in and out of the truck, I bought the Memory Level at Camping World and stuck it next to the landing gear switch on the side of the 5er. It has a pointer that slides so you can mark a position. After I’ve raise the 5er to the proper unhitching position, I slide the pointer to the bubble so I’ll “remember” the proper height when I’m ready to re-hitch. It works every time.
Dave, no advice on your question here but my heart fell reading your original post and signature. May God hold Nannette close, and comfort you with His grace.
Good luck on your trip, and thank's for your Navy service!
Don't be afraid to ask for help. I had help the first time I tried to unhook at a campground and needed it badly. You will get the hang of it quickly. Chock or block the wheels of the trailer before unhooking. You don't want to be trying to figure out how to stop it from rolling down a hill when it is moving. Backup camera would be a good add on. Look for pull through sites so you don't have to back up as much. Please don't take this wrong, but if you want to travel there are singles travel groups. You can help those that help you. I am in no way suggesting that anyone could replace your co-pilot.
Sorry to hear of your loss. Have faith. If you take time to look you will see she is not as far as you may have thought. Take care.
1998 Dodge 3500 dually turbo.
1999 Nu Wa Snowbird Legend 31 + 2 RLTGBW
1998 12' Porta-Bote with 5HP Nissan and Electric motors
2 X Honda 2000EU
Years and years of experience to gain!!!
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