Community Forums

vikingboy1 · 12-06-2018, 05:00 PM

So we are about to drag our 5th wheel from Michigan to Texas for the winter and being new to this world we have a few questions. We plan on taking 5 or 6 days to get there so when stopping for an overnight is there any reason why we can't leave the rig hooked up and just pop a slide and sleep for a quick as possible departure in the morning? Is this what most 5th wheel people do or do they UN-hook and set up completely..Probably won't be as much of an issue once we get out of this cold weather, probably the first two days.

Tundra2084 · 12-06-2018, 05:26 PM

The first night we stay in a hotel and leave the RV hooked up BUT, we lower the front landing gear to take some weight off the truck for the night.
There are night's we leave the combo hooked up when staying in it, but we again lower landing gear to stabilize the fiver, all depends what the level of the unit is when parked. We have been where we HAD to unhook to level the RV otherwise we would roll out the side of the bed if we didn't.
After the first night we generally stay in the RV at night, but plan on shorter driving days so hooking up the water, power and cable if available is what we do. Unhook the truck from RV and find a store to get some food for the rest of the trip. Then it's dinner, relax and a good night's sleep, starting out the next morning around 9am. We drive until around 3pm then find a campground for the night.
What we started out 14 yrs ago doing in 2 day's of pushing our truck and nerves, driving 12 to 15 hour days, is thankfully done now in 4 to 5 shorter relaxed days. If you have the time, drive shorter days, and enjoy the trip. Just saying.

tbos1958 · 12-06-2018, 05:32 PM

We do the shorter days too. If the site is level and big enough we may leave the rig hooked up. Usually we disconnect and fuel while out. Only hook up electric unless we need more water or need to dump.

BuzzWolfAR · 12-06-2018, 05:39 PM

I stay hooked only if level. Putting out slides when not level is not recommended with my Cedar Creek.

Old-Biscuit · 12-06-2018, 05:44 PM

My 5vr is level when hooked up

Overnighters.....
Level side to side if needed then run slides outs

Truck can handle the weight whether towing or stationary

So I might/might not lower front legs/rear stabilizers just depends on arrival time
Early...drop legs and set stabilizers to reduce bounce/motion
Late....nope. Just level side to side...extend slides and go to bed

Bob_C · 12-06-2018, 05:51 PM

Same as above post....

redhooker · 12-06-2018, 06:33 PM

Pull the plug from the truck when parking to avoid draining your vehicle batteries.

mrgrayaz · 12-06-2018, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old-Biscuit

My 5vr is level when hooked up

Overnighters.....
Level side to side if needed then run slides outs

Truck can handle the weight whether towing or stationary

So I might/might not lower front legs/rear stabilizers just depends on arrival time
Early...drop legs and set stabilizers to reduce bounce/motion
Late....nope. Just level side to side...extend slides and go to bed

Same, though I will basically always drop the front legs so they are just touching. Really reduces the bounce.....

benderdog · 12-06-2018, 07:09 PM

Same as others never though to unplug that's a good tip thanks

mrgrayaz · 12-06-2018, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by benderdog

Same as others never though to unplug that's a good tip thanks

It's also outdated. Modern trucks trailer charge circuits are controlled by the BCM. It shuts off the power.....

Wcordes · 12-06-2018, 07:18 PM

If we stop only to sleep I leave it connected and slides in as we can still get to bed and bath.

Bob_C · 12-06-2018, 07:18 PM

Even my 99 disconnects power thought the trailer relay in the main fuse box.....

Oldelevatorman · 12-06-2018, 08:09 PM

We always unhook, doesn’t take that long! Rarely do an overnight unless short on time. Three hundred miles is pretty much our limit, in no hurry and don’t want the batteries to get too low and shut down the inverter for residential fridge!

Gigattime · 12-06-2018, 08:50 PM

We've done both. I usually like to disconnect and level if staying in a campground. I like have all six points done to make our unit solid when walking around. When I do disconnect at a one night stop, I typically pull straight forward so it's an easy back up and reconnect.