Full time in the 2020 JAYCO EAGLE??
My husband and I are looking to start full timing. We have been researching the 2020 JAYCO EAGLE 355MBQS. We love the layout but it’s 42’ which seems daunting. Does anyone have experience with this mo...
Forum Discussion
No comment on the Jayco, I have a Montana High Country 375FL (Front Living 5th wheel). I can make a comment about the length.
We went from a 10 foot box pop-up trailer to 21 foot (real length) travel trailer, to a 31 foot travel trailer, to a 35.5 foot travel trailer, to a 41.5 foot fifth wheel. Each step-up in length was a bit daunting for the first 10 minutes of towing. It seems after that, the initial overwhelming feeling vanished, and I thought to myself, "This is really OK."
I think the hardest adjustment was going from a lifetime of travel trailers to our first 5er, and being 41.5 feet long created a double learning curve.
Initially, driving straight down the highway is absolutely no different than the 21 foot travel trailer. (Our tow vehicles and trailers were always matched well).
It's just, with the longer trailer, you just got to remember... well..??? it's longer! Watching mirrors, watching shadows behind the camper when in tow, watching for adequate clearance to shift lane changes just demands a little more space. Turning a corner in a 5er is a bit different than in a TT.
The big difference, but I don't think it was the length, was attempting to back-up into the drive way or a campsite. It took a LOT of practice, trail and error, and lots of heart palpitations before I felt confident. The length may have attributed to some of my uneasiness, but it was learning where that pivot point is between truck and trailer.
After a year, it's now old hat. I've actually backed the behemoth into some pretty tight spots and back out again without breaking anything. The secret is to just go slow, make small adjustments, and go slow. Pull forward and start all over again if you have to. In time, I finally figured it out.
Each tow vehicle and each trailer will respond different. There is a learning curve. But there is no need to be overwhelmed. Just take your time, don't get into a rush, and be patient WITH YOURSELF and in a short while you'll wonder, why was I so concerned back then. This isn't challenging at all!
We went from a 10 foot box pop-up trailer to 21 foot (real length) travel trailer, to a 31 foot travel trailer, to a 35.5 foot travel trailer, to a 41.5 foot fifth wheel. Each step-up in length was a bit daunting for the first 10 minutes of towing. It seems after that, the initial overwhelming feeling vanished, and I thought to myself, "This is really OK."
I think the hardest adjustment was going from a lifetime of travel trailers to our first 5er, and being 41.5 feet long created a double learning curve.
Initially, driving straight down the highway is absolutely no different than the 21 foot travel trailer. (Our tow vehicles and trailers were always matched well).
It's just, with the longer trailer, you just got to remember... well..??? it's longer! Watching mirrors, watching shadows behind the camper when in tow, watching for adequate clearance to shift lane changes just demands a little more space. Turning a corner in a 5er is a bit different than in a TT.
The big difference, but I don't think it was the length, was attempting to back-up into the drive way or a campsite. It took a LOT of practice, trail and error, and lots of heart palpitations before I felt confident. The length may have attributed to some of my uneasiness, but it was learning where that pivot point is between truck and trailer.
After a year, it's now old hat. I've actually backed the behemoth into some pretty tight spots and back out again without breaking anything. The secret is to just go slow, make small adjustments, and go slow. Pull forward and start all over again if you have to. In time, I finally figured it out.
Each tow vehicle and each trailer will respond different. There is a learning curve. But there is no need to be overwhelmed. Just take your time, don't get into a rush, and be patient WITH YOURSELF and in a short while you'll wonder, why was I so concerned back then. This isn't challenging at all!
