We've gone and done it now......
Well, after three years of planning and two more to go until retirement, we've finally purchased our future full timing 5th wheel. (see signature). I've spent the past three years pouring over info i...
Forum Discussion
Welcome to 5th wheel & rving. One way to adjust your brake setting the first time is to drive the truck with 5th wheel at 30mph on sand or gravel, and apply the brakes.
The 5th wheel brakes should lock up and skid some. adjust your brake controller until they just do.
That setting will get you home.
It is not the ideal setting though. The ideal setting is found by feel.
After you have been doing this for a while, you will know when the brakes are set properly by just stopping the RV one time. The trailer brakes should be helping the vehicles stop, but not doing the majority of the stopping. You will know it when you feel it.
It is good that there is a scale near the dealer. You should stop there and weigh the truck front axle, then the truck rear axle without the trailer (add the two for total truck weight). Then hook up the trailer and weigh the truck rear axle again, then the trailer, to weigh the trailer axles as a pair.
From these numbers you can determine if you are within the specs for FAWR,RAWR,GVWR,GCVW, and trailer weight.
Good luck on the new phase of your life.
The 5th wheel brakes should lock up and skid some. adjust your brake controller until they just do.
That setting will get you home.
It is not the ideal setting though. The ideal setting is found by feel.
After you have been doing this for a while, you will know when the brakes are set properly by just stopping the RV one time. The trailer brakes should be helping the vehicles stop, but not doing the majority of the stopping. You will know it when you feel it.
It is good that there is a scale near the dealer. You should stop there and weigh the truck front axle, then the truck rear axle without the trailer (add the two for total truck weight). Then hook up the trailer and weigh the truck rear axle again, then the trailer, to weigh the trailer axles as a pair.
From these numbers you can determine if you are within the specs for FAWR,RAWR,GVWR,GCVW, and trailer weight.
Good luck on the new phase of your life.
