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rambotheshark's avatar
rambotheshark
Explorer
Jul 04, 2013

Trailer to Fifth-Wheel Transition

It looks like sometime this week I will be making the step up from a travel trailer to a fifth-wheel. I am excited to move up from a 25 foot travel trailer to a 30 foot+ fiver.

I do have some questions though because I learned as a flight instructor, teaching people to fly helicopters, that when you have an airplane pilot you have to break some airplane habits to teach them to fly safely. Helicopters and planes both fly, and have some similarities, but old habits in one can get in trouble quick with the other.

That being said, what old trailer habits might I want to watch out for and shake so I can tow my fifth-wheel safely? I figure the way the corner is one of them, but anything else come to mind that one of you experienced fivers might want to share?

Thanks...

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  • rambotheshark's avatar
    rambotheshark
    Explorer
    Jul 04, 2013
    Thanks for the responses.

    I do have back-up practice scheduled. I stay at a campground in Florida. We are empty this time of year so I can drive around and practice various spots which will be nice. I imagine that a lot of it comes down to adjusting the different pivot point in your head.

    Then it is time to take the first week of August off from work and head out on a nice 2+ week road trip to break it in.

    Another question I have since I travel alone usually is how hard is it to hook-up and disconnect versus a trailer by one's self?
  • samsontdog's avatar
    samsontdog
    Explorer
    Jul 04, 2013
    Yeah you will be taking the step up. Up the higher steps into the 5th w up the steps to the bath room etc. We have a 40ft 5th w that is now parked as a rental in Yuma that the DW and I had problems with our hips and knees climbing those extra steps. We are old farts tho
  • avvidclif1's avatar
    avvidclif1
    Explorer
    Jul 04, 2013
    We did the same thing, 25' BP to 31' fifth. As previously noted it turns a lot more inside and is taller. Got to think about looking up.

    Other than that you will start kicking yourself in the rear that you didn't do it sooner. So much easier to pull and no white knuckles from sway. Of course the large amount of extra room for everything is incredible. After 2 years we still haven't filled the cabinets in the kitchen nor the underneath storage.

    Enjoy
  • deleted-2's avatar
    deleted-2
    Explorer II
    Jul 04, 2013
    backing up .... no verbage helps..... practice , early and often.

    ^^^
    Truer words have yet to spoken.
    I found back-up maneuvers a large challenge initially.

    ...and congratz on the new fifth wheel!
  • transamz9's avatar
    transamz9
    Explorer
    Jul 04, 2013
    You have a lot more weight behind you. With a fifth wheel, you will sometimes forget how much more weight you have behind you. Just plan ahead.
  • cdlaine's avatar
    cdlaine
    Explorer
    Jul 04, 2013
    -The bow wave I experienced when the big rigs blew by became
    non-existent with the 5ver.

    -backing up .... no verbage helps..... practice , early and often.

    -do whatever it takes to make the rig(s) ride level ...many benefits,
    few negatives.

    -checklists... always.

    -healthy respect for the 5ver hitch... appendage eater.

    -everybody verifies the levelers are down, tail gate down , and tire chocks in place before TV disconnect.

    Good luck

    Charles
  • Jack_Diane_Free's avatar
    Jack_Diane_Free
    Explorer
    Jul 04, 2013
    Since the pivot point is above the axle rather than behind it on the ball the 5er will track deeper into a corner that the TT. Just take it a little wider. Other than losing the back of your truck to me that is about it.
  • rvluversnc93's avatar
    rvluversnc93
    Explorer
    Jul 04, 2013
    Well, the two main things I had to relearn was the fiver cheats more when turning and that makes it easier to curb the tires. The second is height... My fiver with bedroom A/C is 12ft 5in tall. For me those two things are the ones that stand out. One other is making sure the king-pin is latched correctly. If a trailer drops of the hitch is not good on the trailer jack etc. ... but if the fiver drops, wham truck and trailer have major damage. I can tell you when you hit the road the first time you will be so amazed how well a fiver tows they do have a different though. Man even my DW was like this is great the first time she drove with it!

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