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 in this forum, asking questions, getting various answers and opinions, but always getting valuable info. Call it conducting a recon if you will. This coming weekend, we will conduct our walkthrough/PDI and hopefully pick up our new to us rig and bring it home. I have two PDI lists, gleaned from this forum, so I think I'm ready for that. Got the B&W Turnover Ball and Companion hitch. Spent all day Sunday putting in the Air Lift Loadlifter 5000 in the truck. There's a scale not far from the dealership, so everything will be weighed before we head home. Still need to pick up a portable air compressor and grease the hitch, but other than that, I think I'm ready. But you know how that goes.There are still a couple things I'm worried about though. Number one, the trailer has GY Marathon E rated tires which are barely able to handle the dry weight, and we've got 270 miles and the Arkansas mountains to get it home. That's weighing heavily on my mind.Second, the brakes. I know to use a compass to test whether the brake magnets are working during the PDI, but how do I set the brake controller without being able to do a roll test? I've got a few steep grades to pass through before hitting relatively level roads and I'm afraid of not having enough trailer brake? Any suggestions? Thanks for all your wonderful advice and help through everything. I will continue to use this forum and hopefully be able to input my own advice as we start the new chapter in our lives.

have the folks get you squared away on the brakes during the pdi.

Congrats on the new coach.Is the 2012 F250 going to be your fulltiming tow vehicle for the Montana?

Congratulations on your new rig. With your TV, you should be able to setup your gain on the break setting, that should be built in. As for your tires, you should find on the sidewall the weight rating and they should be inflated to the recommended PSI.

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.

Thanks for your service. I appreciate your dedication. The brakes will come. After it is fully loaded you will find how much you need. From what I've read about the tires I would pull them and put on a good quality tire. Maxxis is a good choice without breaking the bank. anyway enjoy your time of RVing. It has really meant a lot to us.

We've gone and done it now...... | Good Sam Community

Sturgeon-Phish
Explorer
Aug 06, 2014
Your brake controller should have instructions with it if not go online and download the instructions for your unit. Make all adjustments with the brakes warm.

Find a big parking lot and drive around a bit to get a feel for the turning radius, it is a lot wider than you may expect.

For your first trip home I'd stay on the roads the big rigs use andstay at 65 or below regardless of the traffic speed. Just move over to the right and let the traffic fly by.

Take or borrow or request to observe the torque check of the camper wheels.

I keep the radio off at least at first, and listen for any change in the noise of the TV or rig.
Jim
jevanb
Explorer
Aug 06, 2014
Jim&Sharon wrote:

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.
or find a local CAT scale, drive up with the trailer attached, drive off, disconnect then drive up again, they charge 10 bucks for the first pass and 1 dollar for the second, as the scale can do all axles at one time..
kennethwooster
Explorer
Aug 06, 2014
Thanks for your service. I appreciate your dedication. The brakes will come. After it is fully loaded you will find how much you need. From what I've read about the tires I would pull them and put on a good quality tire. Maxxis is a good choice without breaking the bank. anyway enjoy your time of RVing. It has really meant a lot to us.
Jim_Sharon
Explorer
Aug 06, 2014
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.
ReneeG
Explorer
Aug 06, 2014
Congratulations on your new rig. With your TV, you should be able to setup your gain on the break setting, that should be built in. As for your tires, you should find on the sidewall the weight rating and they should be inflated to the recommended PSI.
Nutinelse2do
Explorer
Aug 06, 2014
Congrats on the new coach.
Is the 2012 F250 going to be your fulltiming tow vehicle for the Montana?
Dave_H_M
Explorer II
Aug 06, 2014
have the folks get you squared away on the brakes during the pdi.

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