Hi. We are in transition. My wife is severely disabled, and I work M-F on the other side of the state (Washington). The sale of our house closes on Dec. 6, and we have to be out of the house by then, and we are transitioning to a 5th wheel (2009 Montana), in that my wife can no longer take care of a regular home. What concerns me is that first, I have no experience driving a diesel, using four wheel drive, nor pulling a 5th wheel, and not much experience pulling any kind of trailer. I'm pretty smart, and perhaps that's best shown by my asking for help. We have a space reserved at an RV park in South Everett, and we have to bring that 5th wheel across Snoqualmie pass the weekend of Dec. 7th/8th. I anticipate blizzard conditions (anything less is a blessing, right?) I'm thinking of putting Blizzak tires on the four 5wheel tires and four wheel on the truck should suffice. I will have chains just in case. Now, if we will be limited on finances, so I am also imagining that the Blizzak tires can't happen, will all weather radials suffice, with chains if needed? Do I have to chain both axles? Next Summer we are relocating to Phoenix when our daughter and her family return from a posting in New York, so this will be our only time bringing the 5 wheel across a mountain pass in winter time. Any advice and information would be greatly appreciated!!!

go to a dealer hire some one to deliver and set up your rv. . your in need of some experinced help.

If I was in your Pasco-based shoes, I'd skip the passes altogether and come over via the Columbia Gorge/I-5.It's about 140 miles farther, but since it's a one-time thing it ought to pay off in the savings on snow tires/chains/hassle.Best of luck to you!

Thank you Francesca. I hadn't thought of that. I'm thinking that's what we will do. Midnightsadie, paying someone to transport it is not an option. Thank you though. We had thought of that.

The one thing about the Gorge is wind- but if you live in Pasco you already know that!First week of December is early enough that you shouldn't run into the ice storms that sometimes blow through there in January...but do keep an eye on forecasts just in case.

Levi777 wrote:Hi. We are in transition. My wife is severely disabled, and I work M-F on the other side of the state (Washington). The sale of our house closes on Dec. 6, and we have to be out of the house by then, and we are transitioning to a 5th wheel (2009 Montana), in that my wife can no longer take care of a regular home. What concerns me is that first, I have no experience driving a diesel, using four wheel drive, nor pulling a 5th wheel, and not much experience pulling any kind of trailer. I'm pretty smart, and perhaps that's best shown by my asking for help. We have a space reserved at an RV park in South Everett, and we have to bring that 5th wheel across Snoqualmie pass the weekend of Dec. 7th/8th. I anticipate blizzard conditions (anything less is a blessing, right?) I'm thinking of putting Blizzak tires on the four 5wheel tires and four wheel on the truck should suffice. I will have chains just in case. Now, if we will be limited on finances, so I am also imagining that the Blizzak tires can't happen, will all weather radials suffice, with chains if needed? Do I have to chain both axles? Next Summer we are relocating to Phoenix when our daughter and her family return from a posting in New York, so this will be our only time bringing the 5 wheel across a mountain pass in winter time. Any advice and information would be greatly appreciated!!!If you have the truck and trailer already, hook 'em up and drive around town and practice. Find a big parking lot where you can set up some cones and practice backing and turning. Have someone who =does= know what they're doing (got a trucker buddy?) coach you. You're =big=, just remember that. Give yourself room to accelerate, even more room to stop and room to turn corners. Use your mirrors and don't be afraid to take up 2 lanes to make a tight corner if you have to. If you have any qualms about a tight right-hander, drive up and take the next left and go around the block to get a straight-on shot. Be patient and know where you're going. NEVER totally rely on your GPS. Map out where you're going ahead of time and =compare= that to your GPS. I checked out that southern route and that sure looks better than trying to mess with a high pass in winter if you don't have to. Learn proper hitching and unhitching techniques as well as setting up and tearing down when you arrive and leave. Checklists are a great tool, even for the experienced RVer. Above all, if you don't know, or aren't sure, ASK someone. There are no dumb questions, only dumb answers, and those usually from people who asked that same question at some point in time. :-)Lyle

Need some serious advice! | Good Sam Community

sdetweil
Explorer
Nov 11, 2013
Levi777 wrote:
Lyle! Francesa! You are saving our lives! Thank you thank you thank you! Francesca, you are right about the wind. I'm so new at this, I test drove a used truck last week and the guy pointed out it had trailer brakes factory installed. Uh, trailer brakes? I'm reading, listening, searching, learning, all I can before that big day!

trailer brake controller. amazing what happens when u leave out a word!. all the later model trucks have them built in.. that way they provide better connection with what the truck is doing.

sharp turns are tough, you need extra space. (we almost rolled over the front of a small car on our recent trip, tried to take the corner too tight.., got trapped in the left of two left turn lanes).

you gonna put a chair lift on the trailer? my daughter in law has no ability to climb stairs, and her motorized chair is 400 lbs.
Levi777
Explorer
Nov 11, 2013
Lyle! Francesa! You are saving our lives! Thank you thank you thank you! Francesca, you are right about the wind. I'm so new at this, I test drove a used truck last week and the guy pointed out it had trailer brakes factory installed. Uh, trailer brakes? I'm reading, listening, searching, learning, all I can before that big day!
laknox
Nomad
Nov 11, 2013
Francesca Knowles wrote:
The one thing about the Gorge is wind- but if you live in Pasco you already know that!

First week of December is early enough that you shouldn't run into the ice storms that sometimes blow through there in January...but do keep an eye on forecasts just in case.

Don't forget that you're self-contained and, if you leave prepared (as you should), you can stop and wait out bad weather. Have a list of possible stopping points along the way.

Lyle
laknox
Nomad
Nov 11, 2013
Levi777 wrote:
Hi. We are in transition. My wife is severely disabled, and I work M-F on the other side of the state (Washington). The sale of our house closes on Dec. 6, and we have to be out of the house by then, and we are transitioning to a 5th wheel (2009 Montana), in that my wife can no longer take care of a regular home.

What concerns me is that first, I have no experience driving a diesel, using four wheel drive, nor pulling a 5th wheel, and not much experience pulling any kind of trailer. I'm pretty smart, and perhaps that's best shown by my asking for help.

We have a space reserved at an RV park in South Everett, and we have to bring that 5th wheel across Snoqualmie pass the weekend of Dec. 7th/8th. I anticipate blizzard conditions (anything less is a blessing, right?)

I'm thinking of putting Blizzak tires on the four 5wheel tires and four wheel on the truck should suffice. I will have chains just in case. Now, if we will be limited on finances, so I am also imagining that the Blizzak tires can't happen, will all weather radials suffice, with chains if needed? Do I have to chain both axles?

Next Summer we are relocating to Phoenix when our daughter and her family return from a posting in New York, so this will be our only time bringing the 5 wheel across a mountain pass in winter time.

Any advice and information would be greatly appreciated!!!

If you have the truck and trailer already, hook 'em up and drive around town and practice. Find a big parking lot where you can set up some cones and practice backing and turning. Have someone who =does= know what they're doing (got a trucker buddy?) coach you. You're =big=, just remember that. Give yourself room to accelerate, even more room to stop and room to turn corners. Use your mirrors and don't be afraid to take up 2 lanes to make a tight corner if you have to. If you have any qualms about a tight right-hander, drive up and take the next left and go around the block to get a straight-on shot. Be patient and know where you're going. NEVER totally rely on your GPS. Map out where you're going ahead of time and =compare= that to your GPS. I checked out that southern route and that sure looks better than trying to mess with a high pass in winter if you don't have to. Learn proper hitching and unhitching techniques as well as setting up and tearing down when you arrive and leave. Checklists are a great tool, even for the experienced RVer. Above all, if you don't know, or aren't sure, ASK someone. There are no dumb questions, only dumb answers, and those usually from people who asked that same question at some point in time. :-)

Lyle
Francesca_Knowl
Explorer
Nov 11, 2013
The one thing about the Gorge is wind- but if you live in Pasco you already know that!

First week of December is early enough that you shouldn't run into the ice storms that sometimes blow through there in January...but do keep an eye on forecasts just in case.
Levi777
Explorer
Nov 11, 2013
Thank you Francesca. I hadn't thought of that. I'm thinking that's what we will do.
Midnightsadie, paying someone to transport it is not an option. Thank you though. We had thought of that.
Francesca_Knowl
Explorer
Nov 11, 2013
If I was in your Pasco-based shoes, I'd skip the passes altogether and come over via the Columbia Gorge/I-5.

It's about 140 miles farther, but since it's a one-time thing it ought to pay off in the savings on snow tires/chains/hassle.

Best of luck to you!
midnightsadie
Explorer II
Nov 11, 2013
go to a dealer hire some one to deliver and set up your rv. . your in need of some experinced help.

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