Newbie

Hi and Congrats !! Since this is your 1st 5'er, take it slow, when driving. we have a 42' Montana, and I drive around 60-65 mph, it seems I get better fuel mileage. Make sure of your overhead clearance and when using fuel station make sure you can make a wide enough turn to get to the pumps and get out. Caught myself a couple of times when we first gotten ours. Finally Have a great time and enjoy!!! Good Luck and Happy Camping !!

Congrats on the new TV and 5er. I would suggest taking all the interstates you can to get to FL. Use the major fuel stations along the way the first time with the 5er as they will have turning space and the height needed for the trailer. Keep your speed down as MD said, you will get the better mileage and enjoy the trip. You might also take some time at a large parking lot turning right and left so you know just how far you can turn with the trailer attached. Will help so you don't get into a station that you can't get out of.

Welcome to the 5'er family.
1- check and double check your hook up, do safety walk around before you start and at every stop.
2- drive slow while keeping up with traffic... 60mph is plenty fast for me
3- anticipate traffic ahead and keep a reasonable distance
4- make sure to adjust your mirrors, I like to be able to see my trailer tires when I turn, this way I know where I'm tracking.
5- be aware of your overhead clearance, most roads now have sufficient clearance but gas stations may not.
6- I set my Ford on tow mode and if road conditions allow on cruise control(some may not agree with cruise), relax, let the truck do it's job and don't rubber neck to much, your coach is following you...it is back there.
7- Some parking lot practice is always a good idea.
Most of all enjoy. GPG
PS: I like the center lane especially where the on ramps are short and busy, this avoids having to deal with jack rabbit drivers trying to out run you so they do not get behind a rig ... (my pet peeve)

If your gps is like mine sometime it will take you onto cow paths since it is a more direct route. I never follow gps when on long haul trips with a load.

More than safe speed, safe following distance is important. Almost everything can out-stop you. Double, even triple, the distance you would follow without the trailer.

Parking single handed I judge by the side I can see when backing. Know that if good on the seen side the unseen side is good too. Never be too proud to get out & look. Much cheaper that way.

do NOT blindly follow your GPS. get a state map at each state entry welcome center or AAA
bumpy

GPG52! wrote:
Welcome to the 5'er family.
1- check and double check your hook up, do safety walk around before you start and at every stop.
X1-- make sure to do the "Bump test" every time you hook up the 5th wheel. Lower your front jacks so they are about 2 inches off the ground then use your electric brake to lock up the wheels on the 5th wheel and then just move your truck forward with a couple of tugs just to make sure you are hooked up correctly.



3- anticipate traffic ahead and keep a reasonable distance
X1-- stopping a 5th wheel takes a lot longer than what we are used to when driving our cars.

4- make sure to adjust your mirrors, I like to be able to see my trailer tires when I turn, this way I know where I'm tracking.
X1 -I visually scan the tires about every 10 min. to make sure is all ok. When you stop at rest stops, put your hand on the wheel hubs to check for heat. Warm is ok! If you can't keep your hand on the hub, you might have bearing issues.

5- be aware of your overhead clearance, most roads now have sufficient clearance but gas stations may not.
X1-- I prefer to use truck stops for fuel to avoid height and crowding situations. ie. Flying J or Pilot fuel stations.

7- Some parking lot practice is always a good idea.
Most of all enjoy. GPG
PS: I like the center lane especially where the on ramps are short and busy, this avoids having to deal with jack rabbit drivers trying to out run you so they do not get behind a rig ... (my pet peeve)

If you don't have an "Exhaust Brake", strongly encourage you to install one. Makes a big difference coming down hills:)

Dave H M wrote:
If your gps is like mine sometime it will take you onto cow paths since it is a more direct route. I never follow gps when on long haul trips with a load.

I just bought a new Garmin GPS which allows me to set it for autos only or trucks only. Trucks only avoids getting directed to "cow paths".

Welcome to the forum and congrats on the trailer. I wouldn't just pick up the trailer and head home. I would give myself a day to dial in the trailer and possibly make some adjustments that might be difficult on the road. Sounds like a fun trip.

Forrest1975 wrote:
Hello everybody. Just got a 2015 Ram 2500 6.4 hemi and will be going to get my first fifth wheel this week. I will be driving from Perry, Iowa to Key Largo, Fl by myself and this will be my first experience towing a fifth wheel. . I am looking for some general advice for a first timer. Wondering if there's any routes I should avoid (planning on following gps) advice for campgrounds gas stations etc. also if anybody is towing with the same truck any advice on using tow mode, manual or auto etc would be greatly appreciated.

Some good advice, so far. I'd add to take some time at home and find a big, empty lot, and practice turning and backing. Get some cheap cones at WalMart to mark your spots. Also, if your PDI when you pick up the FW is anything less than 2 hours, you're getting short-changed. ESPECIALLY being a newbie, you should plan on =at least= 2 hours, 3-4 if you can get them to agree with it. Video the entire process, if possible, because you =will= forget stuff. Another good thing to do, is to "driveway camp" for a night or two to familiarize yourself with all, and I mean ALL, the systems.

Another thing to look for on the web, are checklists. 3 lists is a good thing. One for contents; pots, pans, utensils, dish rags, dish soap, sheets, towels, TOOLS, PHONE CHARGERS, etc. Second list for pre-hitching walk-around and hitching procedure. Third list for unhitching and post-unhitch/set-up at your site. Better to have too much than not enough. You can modify the lists for your specific use as you become more familiar with camping. I've met more than one camper who, even after camping for decades, still uses checklists and have seen a couple guys with laminated lists that they check off as they go.

Lyle