New trailer

Congratulations! We too had TT's so had the learning curve of the FW. We did a lot of practice in parking lots at first. DH even had me backing it up so that I, as DW, would know what he is experiencing when I'm giving him direction! It worked. You didn't say what make and model of FW you got. Enjoy it.

Sorry, Brookestone 395RL. I'm "lucky" in that I have a high school parking lot across from my house so plenty of backing practice space. My wife will be practicing as well.

You will love towing that new FW! As for backing, don't worry about the pride, or one shot thing. There are many times it just makes more sense to pull ahead a little, start over backing. It's easier on the tires and suspension, and less chance of hitting cab/trailer.

You'll still have the pride of your new FW! Congrats

Jerry

Before buying the 5er, the most I had ever towed was a 16' utility trailer with a tractor on it. Pulling out of the RV dealer lot, my first thought was "wow, that thing is huge". But after towing it 100 miles home, and "only" jumping one curb, I realized it was actually very easy. Did make me especially aware of the need for wide turns. After a practice session in the high school football stadium parking lot with some cheap orange cones from Walmart practicing backing, I felt comfortable in hitting the road.

Enjoy.

BB_TX wrote:
Before buying the 5er, the most I had ever towed was a 16' utility trailer with a tractor on it. Pulling out of the RV dealer lot, my first thought was "wow, that thing is huge". But after towing it 100 miles home, and "only" jumping one curb, I realized it was actually very easy. Did make me especially aware of the need for wide turns. After a practice session in the high school football stadium parking lot with some cheap orange cones from Walmart practicing backing, I felt comfortable in hitting the road.

Enjoy.

x2 on the wide turns. Watch your mirrors when you go around corners and don't be afraid to take a lane and a half if turning into a not-so-wide street. I have to get after my brother on this, both with my FW and with our GN trailer.

When you set up your hitch and pin box at the dealer, make sure you have no less than 6" clearance between the bed and the trailer, or you'll have problems. You do want to be level, but you can fudge a bit if it will get you clearance, and be 1-2" nose-high. If you do find yourself nose-high, then you'll have to check to see what you can do to get level and, hopefully, maintain level on the trailer. Also, since you'll be virtually empty, you'll get some squat as you load the FW with "stuff", and that will affect how the FW sits.

Lyle

My truck sits fairly low compared to my last one so I shouldn't have to worry about nose high. I have asked my dealer for a measurement of the pin height on the trailer so I can attempt to get my hitch close before I get there. Right now it's just in the middle adjustment. Figured I would start there.

Don't forget to look up, fiver is taller than a TT and there are lots of dangers up high.

Good suggestions. You will find it will be a very nice pull. I agree with previous posts to watch your turns and turn a little wider. True watch low branches and etc. I know as I've had a couple of branches that did damage. One cost me a new roof. I pulled bumper pulls for many years on the farm. I found the 5th was very easy to learn. It's true it will be a little differant backing up but you will get that quickly. Enjoy the new rig.

The tires on the 5er will track inside your truck tires. That is why you need to make wide turns. As for backing, when I made the switch from TT, I went to an empty parking lot and played a while. Then, since it was early in the season and our local Ohio state park wasn't open yet, I went to the state park campground, and backed into a bunch of sites. This was the best practice.

2x looking up. Know your height, and watch clearance signs.

You will love towing much more than your TT.

That's a fine looking trailer, a couple had one in a Georgia campground a few weeks ago with full body paint... pretty sharp. As others said watch out overhead for low branches.

I had a limb in a South Carolina state park( miles away from civilization) punch a hole in the bathroom fan skylight crank up cover last year, to make matters worse heavy rain was on the way. I made a 4"x6" patch from a 1 gallon plastic water jug and secured it in place with 12 sheet metal screws 1/8" x 1/2". I caulked the patch heavily with white G.E. silicon caulking. The patch held leak free throughout the rainy night & next day,replaced the cover a few weeks later.

Enjoy the new rig!!