Is 5th Wheel Easier? Please Please Read, Need Help

[TwelveVolt]

X2 on the spotter. It is easy to get focused on one thing and forget to scan the others, such as vertical clearance, tree branches, tail swing, etc.
One rule I follow is that if I cannot see where she is standing, the bus does not move.
And no, I do not think it makes me look like a bad driver to have her standing out there.
Backing into a tight campsite, we overheard the couple next door. "Look, honey. She is showing him what to do....AND HE's DOING IT!"

[THenman]

Spotter, walk around, and truck lanes at truck stops are all things I'd suggest.

I can often park better slow moves and getting out to look than I can with wife spotting. It just clicks in my head a bit better how to move the coach and what to look for in my mirrors and camera.

Spotter also does help esp. for higher items like tree branches you thought were not in the way when looking before you start moving.

As other suggest truck lanes for diesel. They have the room to not need to turn until well past the pumps. They want folks to pull up after filling if the are going inside and clear the pump for the next user. Since a semi is longer than you there is plenty of room behind the coach/toad if you pull to the line.

Just yesterday GPS took me a way that was a problem when it recalculated my route. Wife wanted me to turn around, and not seeing a safe entry/exit I refused since road was just a pita; not unpassable and next road was a state highway. She was not happy but I was not going to let us get stuck. Already on the trip I missed our first campground's turn in and took a similar labeled entrance where I had to unhook the toad to turn around.

Anyhow, plan ahead as much as you can. When a wrong turn etc. does create a problem help look for a solution and get him to stop or slow down until one is found. Then remember to be patient and just relax and think about how to get things done carefully. Driver can have their hands full just watching traffic etc. and a good navigator can be a huge help. If driver gets distracted trying to figure out navigation that distraction could result in an accident.

The above are just things I have found in our short time and about 8k miles of driving our coach.

Tom

[fpresto]

I too pulled 5th wheels until I purchased the Class A. I loved my 5th wheels but would not go back for most of the reasons others have mentioned. You mentioned a 40ft 5th wheel. Think about it for a minute. A 40ft Class A is 40ft more or less. A 40ft 5th wheel plus the large tow vehicle is how long? 60ft? and you still have the same issues of tail swing. It is just a matter of patience and not rushing. When in doubt stop and look.

[Arch Hoagland]

Originally Posted by partskenn

I agree with others here, planning is the key for us. I will not pull in anywhere unless I can see a clear path from the road. I have frustrated my wife before because she will want me to pull in to a parking lot saying "it will be fine". If I can't see an entry and exit route I like, I won't do it.

Amen!

[Enterprise]

Originally Posted by Arch Hoagland

I've pulled trailers and I would never go back to a trailer. For me maneuvering a 38 foot motorhome is easier, especially when backing into RV spaces.

For what it's worth my tail swung out and hit a pole at a gas station, cost me about $800 to fix that.

I also had to disconnect my toad at a gas station due to a roof sticking out that I didn't see pulling into the station.

Both those problems occurred on our very first trip around the United States. I learned from them as you guys did too.

I know of several people in their 80's driving RV. Keep it up.

RVing is called an adventure because every trip something exciting happens...I could tell you some horror stories I've had but it's all part of the game.

I have no idea how much the repair will be

[Enterprise]

Originally Posted by fpresto

I too pulled 5th wheels until I purchased the Class A. I loved my 5th wheels but would not go back for most of the reasons others have mentioned. You mentioned a 40ft 5th wheel. Think about it for a minute. A 40ft Class A is 40ft more or less. A 40ft 5th wheel plus the large tow vehicle is how long? 60ft? and you still have the same issues of tail swing. It is just a matter of patience and not rushing. When in doubt stop and look.

I am just about 60ft with the toad

[Enterprise]

First, thank you all for words of encouragement and that I am not alone with a pretty coach that is getting screwed up in a hurry. I am the prideful one of the set.
Thank you for the suggestions, alot of good feed, I LOVE IRV2, always been my first source of many I have to go to. And lastly, I am convinced that we will not be doing a 5th wheel, cause it would all be on him as I can't back up trailers, I have tried for YEARS with a boat trailer.

Ok, again, I didn't want to write a book....and still don't want to but will explain more.
Yes, this is a 40ft Diesel Pusher. Pulling a longer car than most due. Wasn't on purpose. Whole different story.
The situation with hitting the concrete trash can was backing into a space at a resort. I couldn't see the trash can as I was guiding the back and he couldn't see it either. He barely nicked it with the passenger side front bumper it fell over but it being concrete made it sustain less damage then the RV did.

The gas station issue. OK....We were in Northern California, wanted to travel the coast line so we traveled down Rt 20, stayed at the Lake overnight, continued the next day down 20 to 101, knowing we wanted to eventually pick up rt 1. DH saw a sign (that I did not see) that said Rt 1 turn left. As he started to turn, I realized it was Rt 1 South and we wanted to North...and sign said, don't proceed over 40' but there was no where to turn around even if I didn't have the toad. SO down the winding 1.5hr road we went. Wound up in Fort Bragg. We knew back on 20 we were just below a half tank. By time we got to Ft Bragg, we needed fuel. So we started looking for a gas station and was not finding any. Finally a Valero station appeared and he turned it. I said get wide and he got wide to late. He was going super slow, in his mirror he felt clear of the pole but guess it was a eyeball thing that was closer than he thought. and whacked it. The car was still not straight enough to pass the pole and not straight enough to disconnect. So he needed to get the coach straighter to try and straighten the car some but there was no where to go as the overhang was high enough but each pump had its own overhang and we would hit it, so we inched up on it, got the car straight enough to fight and unhook toad. When he rehooked it after we got the fuel....I think in his upsetting state with himself, he forgot to lock one bar. (gosh I hope he doesn't read this)
Anyway, driving down the road, in the rear view camera we noticed the car was riding halfway into the lane next to us. The one bar had disconnected itself and was riding free. So when we stopped and the car came a bit forward, the bar drove itself into my cars bumper. Making a nice big hole and bending the tow bar. So now we had to totally disconnect and I had to drive the toad to the campground. Out in no where land, trying to get a new towbar, took him one day to get it delivered and we had to get back up to rt 101 (via a better route now) and go south on rt 101 for about 45 mins to get the bar. We got a campground at rt 101 and drove just the toad south to get the tow bar.
That is how we have all the damages

Now to answer all your statements and such
Yes, I know there is tail swing from driving a bus, yes I most definitely get out and guide him. I try to survey a gas station by standing up and looking ahead (pending on which side of road it is on) I even sometimes get up and try to survey it from where we get off the freeway or highway...if not looking good, we just go straight and get back on freeway. No matter how tired I am, I NEVER EVER SLEEP when he is driving cause 2 sets of eyes in my opinion is not enough.
But sometimes he tells me he doesn't hear me....I am not soft spoken, I am Italian and proud of it! lol, we both are 100%. So I guess stubborn can fall in line sometimes.
As I think more about it, I think it is a trust issue. He knows I have driven a bus, he knows I can drive this, he knows I worked 7 years for a trucking company and direct and guided incoming and outgoing trucks in the delivery yard. He just has a tendency to look at things, think he has it figured out and goes for it. Doesn't tell me all the time what he is doing. When I say stop, you won't make it...it is either to late or he still believes he will.
Quick example, yesterday we got to an RV park nothing narrow, extra wide space. So I start backing him in....he keeps cutting when I say stop cutting your gonna hit that giant bush with the front driver side, he says no, I will clear it, just watch the back. I repeat, straighten out, your gonna hit it. Sure enough, he hits it. Hmm, guess you were right dear, I could have sworn I would make it past it. Scratched Mirror now. I say, why don't you trust me, I have never steered you wrong yet. I do trust you, I just thought. SO I get angry and say stop thinking please, just drive and listen to what I am telling you.

Thanks again all. You can't feed me enough information about ANYTHING when it comes to RVing. We were tent campers for many many years and love the traveling and being outdoors, wanting to get back to family but to hard to drive a car across and stay in hotels with 2 small bichons.....so we thought this was the way to do it but I won't let him off the West coast if I am having to continue white knuckle the arms of seat all day.
With any hope and God's help....we will make this work. It tries my patience and emotions. I am trying hard to be more patient, trying to do it just one day at a time.
Thanks again everyone!
If I knew how to post pics here, I would

[C.Martin]

Two quick notes on the tow bar. Although I do not own one...(wish I did at times) The Blue Ox Avail and I think the Roadmaster Sterling are "no bind" towbars. They are easier to disconnect when not perfectly straight. If I replace ours...I'll look into those.

And walk arounds. It doesn't matter what I say...my wife still does a quick walk around to double check my work. And yes, I've been caught on occaision with the over the entry door awning still out...or maybe leaving one of my fittings on the water faucet, or a jack pad. It always helps to have a fresh set of eyes look at the towing setup, antennas down, awnings in.

I have a personal friend that tore his awning off pulling out with it still deployed....and have heard testimony of others saying thier satellite dish can handle 70mph winds (highway speed)... What can I say...they're human.

[Enterprise]

Originally Posted by C.Martin

Two quick notes on the tow bar. Although I do not own one...(wish I did at times) The Blue Ox Avail and I think the Roadmaster Sterling are "no bind" towbars. They are easier to disconnect when not perfectly straight. If I replace ours...I'll look into those.

And walk arounds. It doesn't matter what I say...my wife still does a quick walk around to double check my work. And yes, I've been caught on occaision with the over the entry door awning still out...or maybe leaving one of my fittings on the water faucet, or a jack pad. It always helps to have a fresh set of eyes look at the towing setup, antennas down, awnings in.

I have a personal friend that tore his awning off pulling out with it still deployed....and have heard testimony of others saying thier satellite dish can handle 70mph winds (highway speed)... What can I say...they're human.

I usually do a follow up walk around... but we were at the gas station. The people behind us were getting pissed off, DH was getting flustered and I was just beside myself....

Not to mention that is the one thing I haven't worked on learning yet....the hookup of the toad, so I would not have probably noticed it anyway.
Yes I know all about the Sat Antenna. The other day this guy come running out of the same kind of gas station....yelling your gonna hit my ceiling light...I thought to myself, we aren't that tall. I looked at him and said. Bet you forgot the one inside job you have, putting down the antenna. I got a OH S&$T! Down the antenna, we fit fine. So now this DW has made a sign, says put antenna up and it hangs on a string. He has to move it to push the button on the Sat Dish and so he just drops it, now when he gets in the drivers seat, if he forgot to put it up. The sign is in his face.
I have snap bands to remind me of all I have to do.
They are for wrists but they go around the steering wheel great. I put them on when we hook up and take them off as I reverse what they are. You write on them with magic marker. Like I have that says lower TV cause we had credenza made that has a TV that lowers into it and has storage in front of it. Put away the induction cooker, coffee pot, toaster....
Put in slides, attach slide stabilizer bars and on the reverse remove bars.

On the tow bar, we had the Roadmaster Sterling Terrain. We now have the Roadmaster Blackhawk All Terrain. We talked to Roadmaster before we ordered another....we had picked another Sterling, they told us what we were picking was what they call Classics instead of nonbinding. All 3 of their towbars come both ways...Classic and NonBinding. So I asked why did our Sterling nonbinding, bind. He said with the Sterling, it is made of aluminum because alot of owners don't like the heavy steel ones and aluminum is easier for women. But on the flip side it is less forgiving. The aluminum ones need total flat surfaces it won't work. That was our problem....the car was still on a little bit of the driveway tilt up. He claims the steel ones (there are 2, $8 difference in price between the two)....aren't perfect but are better at operating the nonbinding.

OK want to talk awnings!!!! I can talk awnings, I still don't have mine yet. And at least this one wasn't DH fault, mother nature had a hand in this one!!!!
We were at an RV park in Vegas.....day was calm as can be, not a wind in sight. (mind you I lived in a S&B for 23 years there before this journey) Everyone had their awnings out. A gust no one knows where it came from. Even auto retract awnings didn't work with it, all happened to fast. Most got blown upwards and downwards, snapping arms, putting tares in material. Well ours went up, seared the entire material off the roof, cut it razorblade clean. The material cover flew to the top of the RV and smashed my skylight over my shower. Hit it so hard it cracked the skylight molding inside.

So insurance company reacted real quick and ordered us a new one, even told us we could pick any color/pattern/design we wanted. Even getting LED lights sewn into the fabric . Ok, between making it, shipping it and it getting here, total 3 weeks. Arrives, delivered to location...Wah Lah, it is damaged....so 3 more weeks, well we could not wait 3 weeks, we have an appt in Junction City to have woodworking done. So it has finally arrived here in Oregon and will be installed sometime week of 29th. But they are having a hard time getting the inside part for the skylight. Still being worked on.
I told you guys....almost a mere 8 months doing this, 2 trips to Oregon only and I could literately write a book.
I had been wanting to find somewhere to start a travel blog but maybe I shouldn't....lol.....but I will, as soon as I find a blog company to start one with.

[Oldman5145]

Originally Posted by Enterprise

I have no idea how much the repair will be

I know, no one likes to pay more for insurance, if you have collision insurance (full coverage) turn in a claim. A hundred or two for 3 years is $300 to $600 plus what ever your deductible is. If fixing my coach is more I would use insurance. Other side of coin, I think you said you had two accidents, you may want to choose the larger of the two. Usually the the surcharge for the second accident in the 3 year period is considerably more. If you have an insurance agent ask them. If you have an 800 or .com agent you may not want to call, but give it a try.

[Enterprise]

Originally Posted by Oldman5145

I know, no one likes to pay more for insurance, if you have collision insurance (full coverage) turn in a claim. A hundred or two for 3 years is $300 to $600 plus what ever your deductible is. If fixing my coach is more I would use insurance. Other side of coin, I think you said you had two accidents, you may want to choose the larger of the two. Usually the the surcharge for the second accident in the 3 year period is considerably more. If you have an insurance agent ask them. If you have an 800 or .com agent you may not want to call, but give it a try.

Different Insurance companies for RV and Toad right now. RV is registered to South Dakota with insurance from up there. The car is still registered in Nevada and has State Farm. We did put in claim to State Farm for car....we have a $250 deductible.
I didn't put one into the insurance company on RV cause we are still on a claim for the Awning. They put in a second claim for the Skylight cause it was discovered after the claim started for the awning. Didn't make sense to me, just cause I didn't discover it till 5 days later. Then sent an adjuster to survey, they asked us to send pictures and they went on that with both items. So I guess that is now considered 2 claims. The 2 bumpers on the RV would be 3 and 4, I am assuming and I don't want all these claims happening in just 8 months that we are with them or my rates will rise. If they don't drop me all together. Plus I was told that insurance claims effect your credit score too. But haven't researched that totally, just was told so.

[DWJoyce]

Originally Posted by biggcrisp

...Watch Robin Williams backing out of the driveway in the movie rv ...

Saw the trailer for the movie on YouTube. Love that converted GMC Old Style bus! If they had headroom, I'd have one.

[Golfer Guy]

Judi, FYI I hit four cars on the side of the road on my maiden voyage home from the showroom with my 1st class A RV and toad. S*^t happens. In the big picture it will all be OK as long as its motorhome body work and not you or your DH.

Use caution and be patient. You are retired now take your time limit your driving distance each day. Enjoy the ride as best you can until you have gained the confidence in your partners abilities.

I know exactly where you were around Fort Bragg and HWY 1. That is not an easy area for any of us with a 40fter and toad. There are many of those roads that are not recommended for MH over 38' I know why now, I have been on them when I shouldn't have been too. Needless to say the DW was not happy with me either.

Hoping to hear more about your adventures, I'm pretty sure you will have fewer mishaps along the way. Glad to hear you are staying with the MH a 5er is not the way to go IMHO.

[Ray,IN]

I know the feeling of pressure when other folks are waiting for me to get out of their way. IGNORE them, it's your money/investment you're working with, not anyone else's. In the overall scheme of things, so you may have caused them to wait 3 minutes longer; it did reduce your stress and reduce your odds of making a mistake-with your investment.
Make a copy of checklists for every task with the MH for preparing for traveling, and use them every time. After a few months it will become a habit and greatly reduce odds of making a mistake.
There are many utube videos to help improve MH driving and maneuvering, persuade DH to watch them with you. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...6N89KzGjzhDICQ
To your original question; we have traveled in 2 different 5ers, and enjoyed both. We now travel in a MH, and will not return to a 5er.
A 5er is best if you plan to sit in one place for many months at a time, but if the 5er is so large you must tow it with a dually truck, length and width+turning radius might be bothersome in the city, and forget parking garages.