Community Forums

suiteowner · 03-28-2015, 11:37 AM

Just a few suggestions for newbies...Before you start out on your 1st adventure make a check list of procedures for hooking and unhooking your 5th wheel from your tow vehicle...This is most important as doing the wrong thing, could injure you or cost you thousands of dollars in damages...I have been enjoying camping with an RV for 30 years and have seen several people make some horrible costly mistakes...For an example a few years ago I seen a couple pull in a campground,park there brand new 5th wheel and truck pull the unlock handle on there hitch...Get back in the truck and pull the truck out from under the 5th wheel and forgot to put the landing gear down...It totally destroyed the front cap on the 5th wheel and crushed the bed and tailgate of there truck...

Czar Of Poop · 03-28-2015, 02:31 PM

Yes, don't forget to lower the front landing gear but also don't forget to chock the wheels so it won't roll forward.

dvkiel · 03-28-2015, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by niceguy9605

Yes, don't forget to lower the front landing gear but also don't forget to chock the wheels so it won't roll forward.

I'm new to the 5th wheel lifestyle, but pulled a regular tow behind several years ago. I always made my first thing to do after getting the trailer where I wanted it was the chock the wheels on both sides of the trailer. I don't think that procedure should be any different with the 5th wheel, and then make sure lower the front landing gear down before you even think of pulling the unlock handle.

BadDogPSD · 03-28-2015, 06:22 PM

And don't forget to lower the tailgate!

dvkiel · 03-29-2015, 05:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BadDogPSD

And don't forget to lower the tailgate!

oh yes and the tailgate down as well.

tucsonrv · 03-29-2015, 08:35 AM

True story. Years ago I had a new for truck with the original tailgate. At a family's gathering in Fun Valley, Colorado. I back in with my5th wheel chocked the tires and lowered my legs. My dad, brother, father in law, cousin and uncle are resting on the bed of the truck just talking. My dad tells me to "jump in and pull away I pull your lever". So, I get in the truck by dad say your unlatch pull out. The other grown men back up and I pull forward but only go 3 feet and Wham! No one lowered the tail gate... Truck with less than 3000 miles. So, use a check list.

5 grown men and no one noticed... Needless to say I purchased trailer tail gate.

jimcumminsw · 03-29-2015, 08:56 AM

I believe this will provide all the information that you will need for RV'ing.
I use a modified version of these every time we go out that I store on my PC.

RV Camping Checklists

Jim W.

J Birder · 03-29-2015, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dvkiel

oh yes and the tailgate down as well.

Or better yet, get a 5th wheel, notched tailgate. Ti makes hitching and unhitching much easier.
2011 Chevrolet Silverado Tailgate | etrailer.com.

Joel

tuffr2 · 03-30-2015, 05:26 PM

I have my checklist laminated and on easy to find pink paper. It saved me at least once with my tailgate. If you do have a checklist make it a solid habit to 'always' use it !!! Else mayhem can happen.

dvkiel · 03-31-2015, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tuffr2

I have my checklist laminated and on easy to find pink paper. It saved me at least once with my tailgate. If you do have a checklist make it a solid habit to 'always' use it !!! Else mayhem can happen.

Being new to the 5th wheel lifestyle could you provide me with a copy of your checklist, I would be very appreciative.