Hitching a fifth wheel - in pictures

path1 wrote:
I can recommend...learn to do it right and do it that way everytime. Do not get distracted. There are no short cuts. If you think you have picked up some bad habits or have had some near misses find someone you trust and have them watch you and make some friendly suggestions. It is not a race. Make a check list and follow it. Check ego's at the door. To much at stake for any separation, in yard or on the road.

Agreed. Thanks for the comments.

kennethwooster wrote:
I thought you did an excellent job. I also have the B&W, and I also connect my emergency brake cable to the tie down on RH rear of truck bed. I've had mine get to short and pull out, and apply the brakes. Yes I was in a tight turn. Been looking for away to connect to the base of the hitch. I have the puck B&W hitch. Thanks for the ideas.

If it were me, I'd be tempted to have someone drill a hole into one of the legs and connect it there. Otherwise, I'd think about a coiled emergency breakaway cable. I haven't had any issues and we commonly use the truck bed for other stuff.

jerem0621 wrote:
Good write up. If those are affiliate links to the amazon site you may want to add a disclosure per FTC disclosure rules.

Jeremiah, thanks for the reminder. I've gone ahead and added it to my "Terms of Use" page and changed the wording in the footer to refer to affiliate links (unfortunately, I'm pretty limited on how much I can put down there due to Blogger's limitations. I know that this is an Amazon Program requirement, but I didn't know it was a FTC rule. Do you happen to have a link?

Cummins12V98 wrote:
I think you show a bias to B&W and RAM.;)

MAYBE! When you've got a good thing, why not flaunt it?! I actually have been in communication in the past with B&W about being a "fan boy". They sent me a t-shirt and goodies so I can be a poster child wherever I am.

C-Bears wrote:
Good narrative. Very methodical and safe methods. The key is to do it the same every time and DO NOT LET ANYONE DISTRACT YOU!

Thanks for the kind words. And, the "no distractions" is very true. I think I'm going to add that to my preamble at the top.

Good narrative. Very methodical and safe methods. The key is to do it the same every time and DO NOT LET ANYONE DISTRACT YOU!

I think you show a bias to B&W and RAM.;)

Good write up. If those are affiliate links to the amazon site you may want to add a disclosure per FTC disclosure rules.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

I thought you did an excellent job. I also have the B&W, and I also connect my emergency brake cable to the tie down on RH rear of truck bed. I've had mine get to short and pull out, and apply the brakes. Yes I was in a tight turn. Been looking for away to connect to the base of the hitch. I have the puck B&W hitch. Thanks for the ideas.

I have always done step 8 for the past 20 years which eliminates the need for a pull test.

Our Corp had big time problem with certain type "bracket pin" coming not only out on the road but usually missing when driver returned to yard. Still have these directions benched marked when we were trying to work thuru the problem. Might help you, might not?

http://ww1.safholland.us/quicklit/XL-FW460_en-US.pdf

I can recommend...learn to do it right and do it that way everytime. Do not get distracted. There are no short cuts. If you think you have picked up some bad habits or have had some near misses find someone you trust and have them watch you and make some friendly suggestions. It is not a race. Make a check list and follow it. Check ego's at the door. To much at stake for any separation, in yard or on the road.

Walk around..........

Seen lots of items that would have been caught with a simple walk around.

And have seen lot of folks do walk arounds and not really 'look' so they end up driving off with stabilizers still down, awnings not fully retracted/latched, TV Antennas!!!!! steps still out, compartment doors flapping etc. etc.

As for the tailgate.......didn't think about it cause I have a 'V' gate
but have seen the results of tailgate not being opened and/or being down and not enough clearance due to shot pin box

bpounds wrote:
Pretty good! I would probably add something about the tailgate. Making sure it is down, making sure it can be down without hitting the front of the camper, making sure it is up before departing, that kind of thing.

Oh man, great recommendation! I've added that. I completely forgot about it (I just do it automatically)!

Pretty good! I would probably add something about the tailgate. Making sure it is down, making sure it can be down without hitting the front of the camper, making sure it is up before departing, that kind of thing.