Wife and I just got back from a 2700 mile road trip with our '03 F350 6.0 dually extended cab that has all the major issue resolved,I think! We would like to be full timers after I retire. We have never owned a camper or fifth wheel. I bring up a camper because I'm not sure which would be a better fit. We experienced countless road construction sites with minimal room for the width of an 18 wheeler or fifth wheel. I know there ultimately is enough room but the stress of driving with something that wide, I'm not sure I would enjoy the adventure. Are my fears unfounded? Where does one get the training/experience needed to not be a danger on the road. Thanks for the advice.

campaholic52 wrote:We experienced countless road construction sites with minimal room for the width of an 18 wheeler or fifth wheel. I know there ultimately is enough room but the stress of driving with something that wide, I'm not sure I would enjoy the adventure. Are my fears unfounded? Where does one get the training/experience needed to not be a danger on the road. Thanks for the advice.I assume you are describing, driving between two concrete barriers. Could be describing a very narrow two way traffic thru construction area with barriers.My experience, is to simply slow down to a speed that you are comfortable with. I have found these construction areas, are not that long. Better safe than sorry.If you are meeting a lane of traffic that is very narrow and a big truck is hogging the stripe, I slow down even more and might even stop. Usually, the oncoming truck will get over to their side. You could give them an outside the window, hand signal to slow down and signal to move over. Better safe than sorry.Hope this is helpful!!Pat

Not sure of any defined training as I'm sure 90% of us just did it and learned on the fly. I started with a 24'5th and had white knuckle grip the 1st 10 miles of the 30 mile trip home. The start was a simple turn out of the dealer lot and then a merge to the highway. Glad I got used to it on the highway as I was able to feel it out for lane placement and where things were in the mirror. 10 miles later I was relaxing and it was a easy drive the rest of the way. 2 turns in town and I quickly learned about turning wide as I jumped curb the 1st time I turned right at a traffic light. Backing into the back yard was a real trial and error exercise but again you will quickly learn what works and what don't. I kept trading up in trailer size and weight in a few foot increments and almost no difference once you learn on the first few outings. 36' and 16,800# trailer now but had 34', 33', 27 ' rigs on the way up.(Spent and lost $$ on each trade so better to spend extra time deciding what you want and need right at the start). Randu

Use your mirrors and keep an eye on the FW/TT tires as well as the sides of the unit. CDL classes tell you to check mirrors every 15-20 seconds.

GrumpyandGrandma wrote:Use your mirrors and keep an eye on the FW/TT tires as well as the sides of the unit. CDL classes tell you to check mirrors every 15-20 seconds.I never look back in the mirrors in narrow lanes, a quick glance for traffic is all. I look ahead and stay centered or slightly right in the lane. If your mirrors clear the rest will clear!Is the F350 not a daily driver? If not drive it more often you will get comfortable with the size, from then on it will be easy.

Tent trailer campers and pop up campers are not that wide. Travel trailers and fifth wheels are about the same width as your dually rear fenders. Whats the problem, have you hit something with your dually rear fenders?

Wannabee | Good Sam Community

Randu
Explorer
Sep 21, 2014
Not sure of any defined training as I'm sure 90% of us just did it and learned on the fly. I started with a 24'5th and had white knuckle grip the 1st 10 miles of the 30 mile trip home. The start was a simple turn out of the dealer lot and then a merge to the highway. Glad I got used to it on the highway as I was able to feel it out for lane placement and where things were in the mirror. 10 miles later I was relaxing and it was a easy drive the rest of the way. 2 turns in town and I quickly learned about turning wide as I jumped curb the 1st time I turned right at a traffic light. Backing into the back yard was a real trial and error exercise but again you will quickly learn what works and what don't. I kept trading up in trailer size and weight in a few foot increments and almost no difference once you learn on the first few outings. 36' and 16,800# trailer now but had 34', 33', 27 ' rigs on the way up.
(Spent and lost $$ on each trade so better to spend extra time deciding what you want and need right at the start).
Randu
Jay_Pat
Explorer
Sep 21, 2014
campaholic52 wrote:
We experienced countless road construction sites with minimal room for the width of an 18 wheeler or fifth wheel. I know there ultimately is enough room but the stress of driving with something that wide, I'm not sure I would enjoy the adventure. Are my fears unfounded? Where does one get the training/experience needed to not be a danger on the road. Thanks for the advice.

I assume you are describing, driving between two concrete barriers. Could be describing a very narrow two way traffic thru construction area with barriers.

My experience, is to simply slow down to a speed that you are comfortable with. I have found these construction areas, are not that long. Better safe than sorry.

If you are meeting a lane of traffic that is very narrow and a big truck is hogging the stripe, I slow down even more and might even stop. Usually, the oncoming truck will get over to their side. You could give them an outside the window, hand signal to slow down and signal to move over. Better safe than sorry.

Hope this is helpful!!
Pat

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