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Serious dilemma.

Scott_85
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So my wife was going Thursday to pick up our new camper with a family friend and her dad since I am still overseas, well mother nature has thrown a wrench in that plan so now she has no one to go with her. So the question, she said she would go up their and get she has only ever pulled a 14' trailer, but I have taught her everything I know and she knows to take it easy leave lots of room in front of her and swing wide. The dealership is 2 and 1/2 hours away all interstate minus 4 or 5 miles.

Is it a good idea to go let her pick it up?

Would you let your wife do it?

Any tips if she does go get it?
TV: 2013 Ram 2500 Laramie, G56, Andersen Ultimate 5th Wheel Hitch.
5er: 2013 Coachmen Chaparral 280RLS
29 REPLIES 29

loulou57
Explorer
Explorer
I am talking as the woman here since most answers are from men.

If your wife feels comfortable doing this then don't insult her by telling her you "won't let her". I am going to assume your wife is intelligent enough to make the decision not to go if the weather is bad. If it starts to get bad then I would think she would turn around and come home.

As far as the inspection goes, if she feels comfortable enough she can inspect what you both are buying then why can't she?

If there are issues on the way home towing, a breakdown or whatever, can your wife call for assistance?

As far as having company along for the ride maybe you both have a friend male or female that can go with her.

Now don't get me wrong here I am not pushing the women's liberation movement here, if you knew me I am not that person. However, from posts I have read it sounds to me like a lot of men either do not think that your wife is capable or she shouldn't have that responsibility. I also am reading that many men are genuinely concerned about the safety of a loved one . I totally agree, we would all think that way.

This decision should be your wife and yours decision. Don't be influenced one way or the other by opinions that do not know you and your wife. If the weather is bad, the trailer will wait. Enjoy it when it does arrive.

jrwhited
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Explorer
a longer trailer is easier to pull than a shorter one.my wife pulls our 36' fiver all the time

DutchmenSport
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Explorer
If she feels confident she can do this, then let her. Why not?

restlesswind
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the bear II wrote:
If it was my wife I would have little say in the matter. Once she makes up her mind to do something it gets done no matter what I say.

Did we marry sisters?:B
In this case,I would strongly urge her to wait untill the weather is better.
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AUWing
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If Mother Nature has forced her 2 assistants to stay home I'd say this needs to be postponed. No doubt she's capable but if there's no experience pulling a 32foot trailer then too risky.

Congrats on the new rig, there will be plenty of doh stories in the future ๐Ÿ˜‰
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fla-gypsy
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Too much risk for me. No way I would put my loved one in a potentially dangerous situation that could affect life or limb. Is it really that urgent?
This member is not responsible for opinions that are inaccurate due to faulty information provided by the original poster. Use them at your own discretion.

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dapozer
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Congrats on the new rig.

No way I would let her or anyone else do this by themselves and in bad weather. It not really can she do it or will the truck/trailer be well prepared, it is the safety factor of weather and something new. If there is a problem will she be able to handle it by herself? blown tire, loose tires, bad hitch, loose axles, ice and slip offs, etc.... I always bring a buddy when picking up something new that I have no idea about. Just wait until the next opportunity and have her go with someone. No reason to put stress on her just to bring a trailer home to sit.

the_bear_II
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Explorer
If it was my wife I would have little say in the matter. Once she makes up her mind to do something it gets done no matter what I say.

downtheroad
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Explorer
"She will never need to back up."
One can never, ever plan on this...
Also a 32 foot 8000+ lb trailer is not a 14 footer.

My grandfather taught me, "If you can't back it up you shouldn't be pulling it."

I'd be a little nervous about this and she probably is also.
Just my thoughts...anyway-

Congrats on the new rig and I hope you get home soon to enjoy it.
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Scott_85
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Ok I got confused on the dates.
TV: 2013 Ram 2500 Laramie, G56, Andersen Ultimate 5th Wheel Hitch.
5er: 2013 Coachmen Chaparral 280RLS

Vulcaneer
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You said it was a new camper. So, I assume, she'll be doing the PDI too? I would have her wait, so someone could go with her. And I just saw the weather report for Virginia. They're call for 14" of snow. I would not recommend anyone tow in that kind of weather, or on those snow covered roads.
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Scott_85
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Dtaylor wrote:
Sounds as if she is more than capable, especially if she has towed before. If the weather is as crappy there as it is here, I would have her wait until conditions are better


That's is why the plans went to******for the 13th and who knows when she will be able to make it back up there.
TV: 2013 Ram 2500 Laramie, G56, Andersen Ultimate 5th Wheel Hitch.
5er: 2013 Coachmen Chaparral 280RLS

Scott_85
Explorer
Explorer
rhagfo wrote:
Little short on information.

How big is the new camper, has she parked one before. What is the TV.

Is she comfortable doing it.


Sorry, its 32 foot and has a dry weight of 8200 pounds. The TV is a 2013 Ram 2500. She has a spot to pull through at her parents so she never needs to back up. She said she will be alright but outside of her comfort zone. When she pulled the 14' it was all secondary road and up and over a mountain.
TV: 2013 Ram 2500 Laramie, G56, Andersen Ultimate 5th Wheel Hitch.
5er: 2013 Coachmen Chaparral 280RLS

Dtaylor
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Sounds as if she is more than capable, especially if she has towed before. If the weather is as crappy there as it is here, I would have her wait until conditions are better
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rhagfo
Explorer III
Explorer III
Little short on information.

How big is the new camper, has she parked one before. What is the TV.

Is she comfortable doing it.
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