Advice? Just bought first fifth wheel

[kwayRN]

We just bought our first fifth wheel. It's a gently used 2015 Cedar Creek 38ck. It looks like it's never been used. We are happy with the price and RV.

Any advice to newbies? We are in the process of reading a book about maintenance and care. While we've never towed a fifth wheel we do have a 3500HD Silverado dually and fortunately a friend who used to own several, so he's going to spend time with my husband showing him the ropes.

Our plan is to full time in the fall when my daughter goes back to school.

[drdarrin]

Where to start... Water hoses, 2 x 25', water pressure regulator, filter, check the water heater anode and get a spare. If your rig is plumbed for a w/dryer and you don't plan on using it, get some brass caps and cap the lines. All of the above and any thing else related to fresh water, like bleach, stored in its own sealable container.

Stinky slinky. You'll probably want a 15' and a 10' extension, clear 45 degree elbow and a support for the slinky. Disposable gloves to wear when dumping. All of this, except the gloves, stored in its own sealable container.

Wheel chocks for the wheels, wood blocks for the stabilizer, something to level the trailer as much as 4 inches, under both wheels (we carry 2, 2x10 boards plus 3 packages of the yellow Lego like leveling blocks. Don't forget a level.

We also carry 2, 2000 watt generators and adapters to convert 50A to 30A to 15A.

That's all I can think of at this point. Sounds like you have plenty of truck and someone to help train you on backing that rig up. I'm still working on that part myself

[TonyDi]

My favorite thing for a new RV is a check list. I like to have it so that when setting up camp I know that all things are done. More importantly breaking camp. I hate to leave something behind, or attached.

[wingnut60]

Guess you have the hitch and everything is set up to pull it?
Suggest, for first outing, go to a full-hookup campground near your home and set up for a couple of days. Being close to home, whatever you forget will be reachable, if you can't operate without whatever it is you don't have.
Then begins the.....list, and a never-ending outgo of cash to buy gadgets you can't do without. DO NOT go to Camping World without and itemized list--postpone the impulse buys until you have a few outing under the belt.
And, enjoy.
Joe

[jimcumminsw]

Originally Posted by kwayRN

We just bought our first fifth wheel. It's a gently used 2015 Cedar Creek 38ck. It looks like it's never been used. We are happy with the price and RV.

Any advice to newbies? We are in the process of reading a book about maintenance and care. While we've never towed a fifth wheel we do have a 3500HD Silverado dually and fortunately a friend who used to own several, so he's going to spend time with my husband showing him the ropes.

Our plan is to full time in the fall when my daughter goes back to school.

First welcome to the forum!

I would also look at the web site for information on your Cedar Creek.
http://www.forestriverforums.com/forums/

Before even leaving your home base practice hooking -up and un-hooking the trailer. Also learn to use the level up system on the trailer. I would also use some type of blocking under the pads on the level up system to keep the hydraulic struts from over extending.

What type of refrigerator came with the trailer, a residential or a RV one that will run of propane/electric? If it is a residential then you will need to use the invertor when you are off of shore power. This is identified in the operational manual for your needs.

One of the first items to purchase is a portable/hardwire surge guard to protect the electronics and electrical system in the trailer.
See link. Search - surge guard - Camping World

There is a lot more but other I am sure will add what they think you will need.

[monkey]

Like said use a setup teardown list or get in a habbit of doing one thing first, then the next. Remember to chock the trailer tires Before unhooking the truck. Do a finall walk around before leaving a campground, look above, (antenna) below, all stoage compartments, caps on sewer drains, etc... Take your time... Have fun !!!!
Monkey

[southernlady]

Originally Posted by wingnut60

Guess you have the hitch and everything is set up to pull it?
Suggest, for first outing, go to a full-hookup campground near your home and set up for a couple of days. Being close to home, whatever you forget will be reachable, if you can't operate without whatever it is you don't have.
Then begins the.....list, and a never-ending outgo of cash to buy gadgets you can't do without. DO NOT go to Camping World without and itemized list--postpone the impulse buys until you have a few outing under the belt.
And, enjoy.
Joe

Or go to Camping World and find the manufacturers of anything you feel you need...then check out places like Amazon for lower prices. Most will be lower at Amazon but not everything.

One thing I did was "strip" my kitchen at home of things that were extra to go in our MH. Did the same with our excess linens (sheets/blanket/towels/etc. Buy duplicates of toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, soap etc to just leave in the rig.

Honestly the only bath items we actually take from the house to our MH is our electric toothbrushes (we have an extra charger in the coach) and our prescription meds.


But setting up in your driveway or very close to home for your first trip helps find all these things you need.

[ralphie]

Physically check the tires before each trip and after each use for seperation of tread and sidewall bubbles. Use the max air pressure indicated on the sidewalls. If they are ST tires, don't exceed their speed rating, most often 65mph (although some have higher ratings).

[raineman]

Originally Posted by southernlady

Or go to Camping World and....

Just be warned, camping world can be an absolute nightmare on many fronts. Several posts on here about them. I get the majority of my stuff for the RV from Amazon

[450Donn]

The smartmphone app, rvchecklist is a really good app for chexking off your packing.
Like any RV you needs te basics, potable water hose, sewer hose, maybe two with adapters. Everything else you will figure out as you go. BBQ, chairs, etc will come. BTW welcome to the Cedar Creek family. You will learn that CC has fantasric customer support.
Our 2005 CC 34CKTS has been a great trailer.

[southernlady]

Originally Posted by raineman

Just be warned, camping world can be an absolute nightmare on many fronts. Several posts on here about them. I get the majority of my stuff for the RV from Amazon

So do we, but seeing it at Camping World helps me. Easier to see it in person there than try and figure out what it looks like online, esp if there aren't many photos.

Plus, Amazon has SO much stuff that getting brand names helps you search. Getting those at Camping World is a big help.

[ccsvolsfan]

I would suggest a Progressive Industries EMS HW50C. Does so much more than a surge protector. Also best service and warranty of any RV product made.
Bins for storage are great.
Watch You Tube videos for most questions you have. Great resource, but some are obviously advertising.

[kwayRN]

Thank you all. My husband and I are in the process of putting together a basic start up list of things like sewer and potable water hoses, wheel chucks and leveling wood/plastic. On Friday we are going to set up camp just about twenty minutes from here. Then will figure out the rest as we go I guess. Top of the list is bedding. We will add as we go. Our plan is to use it locally for a few months on the weekends until we get better hang of it. Thanks again!

[jacknife]

Learn how to back it up. Measure exactly how tall it is from the highest point to ground when hooked up and remember the figure or write it down . There are low bridges.Get a truckers road Atlas, available at most truck stops. In the front it will have the low bridge hts on any US hiway that trucks can run on . Don't just listen to a GPS they can get you in trouble. Always try to check route against your Atlas. Have a set of hand and arm signals that you both understand. Waving a hand at fifty ft doesn't get it for a stop signal crossing your arms works much better.
Don't get too close to a curb on rt turns you will find your side walls scrubbing or on the curb. Learn how to adjust your trl brakes unless they are self adjusting. Make sure of the kind you have. Practice stopping in a parking lot so you can see exactly how long it takes to stop (a lot longer then you think). The most important thing to know is operating your rig safely and confidently on the road in various weather conditions. Be safe have fun and good luck !