Forum Discussion

RetiredSquid's avatar
RetiredSquid
Explorer
Sep 28, 2015

NewBee 5er specific questions

So as I previously stated New to 5th wheels but not rv,s. I bought a 2015 36'10 Jayco and pull it with a 2011 F250 Crew Cab 8" bed, 4x4 Power Stroke. Connected with B&W Turnover and Anderson Ultimate.

My biggest question is how to avoid low bridges, branches and other hazards that I would like to stay clear of. I have found multiple apps for the smart phone, What works for you guys?

On another note pulled her home from the dealer (3 hours), pulled her to my northern MI property (3 hours) for a week of dry camping, and back home again for another three hours. Truck pulls the 5er real nice. Really had no problems with the exception of not re-squaring and re torquing the Anderson ultimate, this oversight was on the stupid side.

I need to have a 7 way installed in the bed and get a set of Anderson safety chains. Truck was previously used for towing a so I am really surprised there is no 7way in the bed.

10 Replies

  • rhagfo's avatar
    rhagfo
    Explorer III
    Sep 30, 2015
    Wow really worry that much about low bridges? The standard on all state and federal highways is 13'-6", you should be below that even with a 4x4 and a slightly raised 5er. Hook it up get on the roof with a straight 1X3 place on highest point level to the side and measure to the ground, likely about 12' maybe 12'-6" they just look real tall.
  • laknox's avatar
    laknox
    Nomad
    Sep 30, 2015
    RetiredSquid wrote:
    So as I previously stated New to 5th wheels but not rv,s. I bought a 2015 36'10 Jayco and pull it with a 2011 F250 Crew Cab 8" bed, 4x4 Power Stroke. Connected with B&W Turnover and Anderson Ultimate.

    My biggest question is how to avoid low bridges, branches and other hazards that I would like to stay clear of. I have found multiple apps for the smart phone, What works for you guys?

    On another note pulled her home from the dealer (3 hours), pulled her to my northern MI property (3 hours) for a week of dry camping, and back home again for another three hours. Truck pulls the 5er real nice. Really had no problems with the exception of not re-squaring and re torquing the Anderson ultimate, this oversight was on the stupid side.

    I need to have a 7 way installed in the bed and get a set of Anderson safety chains. Truck was previously used for towing a so I am really surprised there is no 7way in the bed.


    Several ways to go on this. You can buy print truckers' maps with low clearances. Garmin (and I assume other mfrs.) makes truckers' and RV-specific GPS units where you can enter height, weight, width, fuel range, etc., and it will route you based on these. There are Android apps that do the same thing. The most comprehensive database of low clearances is called Route-1, which lists almost 6,000 LC points in N. America. It is d/l'd as either app-specific format or as a Garmin-style POI database that can be imported into the device or an app. A lot of people on here use the Co-Pilot GPS app for Android. It has both automotive and trucker versions.

    Lyle
  • Dustytuu's avatar
    Dustytuu
    Explorer
    Sep 30, 2015
    We avoid low bridges by staying on the interstate highways. Or truck routes.
  • azrving's avatar
    azrving
    Explorer
    Sep 29, 2015
    shepstone wrote:
    I often get my wife to climb up on the roof of the fiver while driving along and yell out to me to look out for the low hanging branches.... What a trooper ..


    LOL. I was going into a gas station that looked too low and it did cross my mind to have DW climb the ladder then it struck me about my not being able to cook and I got out and did it myself. :)
  • Mike_Boutet's avatar
    Mike_Boutet
    Explorer
    Sep 29, 2015
    shepstone wrote:
    I often get my wife to climb up on the roof of the fiver while driving along and yell out to me to look out for the low hanging branches.... What a trooper ..


    LMAO!
  • shepstone's avatar
    shepstone
    Explorer
    Sep 28, 2015
    I often get my wife to climb up on the roof of the fiver while driving along and yell out to me to look out for the low hanging branches.... What a trooper ..
  • Halmfamily's avatar
    Halmfamily
    Explorer
    Sep 28, 2015
    I stay on roads truckers use and look up and ahead while driving. Watch for low slung phone lines, I pulled one down two years about a half mile from our house, caught the front A/C. I also carry a pole saw for the low tree branches in campgrounds and side streets.
  • azrving's avatar
    azrving
    Explorer
    Sep 28, 2015
    I measured the highest point and put sticker on my dashboard.

    Bought a truckers guide with low clearances.

    DW and I pay close attention. I like to see semi trucks. I try not to venture too far off with the FW. I find it least stressful to separate my travel and my sightseeing. I learned it the first year I pulled a TT in South Carolina. There were plenty of places to get hung up in with no advance warming. Tourist stops with no signage and all of a sudden hairpin turns and impossible to turn around areas. Maybe it was just the area I was in.

    Again, I like to get to where I'm going right along with the big trucks and then explore without the FW.
  • 2oldman's avatar
    2oldman
    Explorer II
    Sep 28, 2015
    Out west we have few low bridges. As for branches, look up! And stay off residential streets.

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