Full time in the 2020 JAYCO EAGLE??

DutchmenSport wrote:
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!

I buddy on another forum was just like this, I think I bought too big. We all said drive it and it will become second nature. That was 2 years ago and he travels cross country full time. Take your time, it will become second nature. DW looked at a 40ft for our first RV. I looked at that hooked to a CCLB Super Duty and decided I needed to learn to drive something that big. Took a CDL class at the community collage. That turned into a second career when I bought an 18 wheeler that was 75ft with a 53ft trailer. Glad it worked that way as I don't woory about the 5W any more. ;)