|
04-26-2007, 07:30 PM
|
#1
|
Member
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Mesa, AZ
Posts: 94
|
I may be getting a 5th wheel... and I've never been around them before or really know much about 'em. I've always towed "regular" trailers, from small ones up to very long ones.
I'm coming from a Lance camper, which I got rid of just over a year ago. The truck is a 2005 Dodge RAM 3500 dually 4x4 6sp. The trailer I may be getting is a Keystone Raptor 3814SS toyhauler. The sucker is 39'7" long and will end up weighing probably 15k by the time it's loaded up.
I guess my main question is this... what do you do differently when towing a 5th wheel compared to a regular trailer? I know they'll turn sharper, but I'm also wondering about backing them up... is it much different?
I did a lot of Googling and have read all I could find, which wasn't much. I read some stuff on how to hook up and unhook. But I could find nothing on the very basics of towing one of these things.
Any input would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Rob
__________________
2019 Arctic Fox 992 Truck Camper
2006 Keystone Raptor 3814SS
2005 Dodge RAM 3500 QC 4x4 6sp
|
|
|
|
Join the #1 RV Forum Today - It's Totally Free!
iRV2.com RV Community - Are you about to start a new improvement on your RV or need some help with some maintenance? Do you need advice on what products to buy? Or maybe you can give others some advice? No matter where you fit in you'll find that iRV2 is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!
You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with other RV owners, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create an RV blog, send private messages and so much, much more!
|
04-26-2007, 07:30 PM
|
#2
|
Member
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Mesa, AZ
Posts: 94
|
I may be getting a 5th wheel... and I've never been around them before or really know much about 'em. I've always towed "regular" trailers, from small ones up to very long ones.
I'm coming from a Lance camper, which I got rid of just over a year ago. The truck is a 2005 Dodge RAM 3500 dually 4x4 6sp. The trailer I may be getting is a Keystone Raptor 3814SS toyhauler. The sucker is 39'7" long and will end up weighing probably 15k by the time it's loaded up.
I guess my main question is this... what do you do differently when towing a 5th wheel compared to a regular trailer? I know they'll turn sharper, but I'm also wondering about backing them up... is it much different?
I did a lot of Googling and have read all I could find, which wasn't much. I read some stuff on how to hook up and unhook. But I could find nothing on the very basics of towing one of these things.
Any input would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Rob
__________________
2019 Arctic Fox 992 Truck Camper
2006 Keystone Raptor 3814SS
2005 Dodge RAM 3500 QC 4x4 6sp
|
|
|
04-27-2007, 04:33 AM
|
#3
|
Moderator Emeritus
Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Bryan, TX when not traveling.
Posts: 22,948
|
They really do not turn sharper, but they will cut inside the tracks of the truck. So you need to swing wide on turns to allow for the trailer to follow inside the turn.
As for backing, they are different and the only way to learn is to practice. Find a large empty lot and set up some cones or 2L pop bottles as guides. You do need to start a backing turn pretty aggressively (sharp) and once started, straighten out and follow the trailer through. It is all about practice.
Once you learn the tricks, you can back a 5er into a slot or spot that it would be really hard to get a TT into.
Ken
__________________
Amateur Radio Operator (KE5DFR)|No Longer Full-Time! - 2023 Cougar 22MLS toted by 2022 F150, 3.5L EcoBoost Tow Max FX4 Lariat Travel with one Standard Schnauzer and one small Timneh African Gray Parrot, retired mechanical engineer
|
|
|
04-27-2007, 01:09 PM
|
#4
|
Member
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Mesa, AZ
Posts: 94
|
Thanks!! I'll make a point to do some good practicing. I'm good with a regular trailer, but I think 5ers are supposed to be easier.
We have a family camping trip planned in July, and the nat'l forest campground we're staying in has room for the trailer, but getting in there could be challenging... I'll have to practice up before attempting it.
Rob
__________________
2019 Arctic Fox 992 Truck Camper
2006 Keystone Raptor 3814SS
2005 Dodge RAM 3500 QC 4x4 6sp
|
|
|
04-27-2007, 01:17 PM
|
#5
|
Moderator Emeritus
Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Bryan, TX when not traveling.
Posts: 22,948
|
Getting into my drive is a bit of a challenge, but it can be done. Wife at the back of the trialer on a FRS walkie-talkie as I can not see the rear of the tailer most of the time.
Alos, once I get the rear end started down the drive (I have to back if down a non-straight drive for a total of about 120' and it is only 11' wide), I do not have room to get the truck back straight with the traile rwhen backing. I have to make a couple of pull forwards to get the truck and trailer at the right angle to push on back. May take all of 5 minutes to back it in.
Since you have some trailer experience, you should do fine. With the pivot point located over or forward of the rear axle, it starts the trailer turning slower when backing.
Have fun.
Ken
__________________
Amateur Radio Operator (KE5DFR)|No Longer Full-Time! - 2023 Cougar 22MLS toted by 2022 F150, 3.5L EcoBoost Tow Max FX4 Lariat Travel with one Standard Schnauzer and one small Timneh African Gray Parrot, retired mechanical engineer
|
|
|
04-29-2007, 02:08 PM
|
#6
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: North America somewhere
Posts: 30,966
|
Yes, you can turn the truck(longbed) sharper without hittng the 5er. A shortbed requires a sliding hitch. The 5er wheels will track about 6'-8'inside the duals of the truck in a sharp turn. Our 5er(see sig) is 39'9" long. You must be aware of the 5er height at questionable underpass's, tree limbs,etc.
__________________
2000 Winnebago Ultimate Freedom USQ40JD , ISC 8.3 Cummins 350, Spartan MM Chassis. USA IN 1SG 11B5MX,Infantry retired;Good Sam Life member,FMCA. " My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country. John F. Kennedy
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|