I'm on the edge!!!

polishdon · 03-24-2016, 11:59 AM

I'm about to order what will be our first RV, a 2017 Wolf Pack 25pack12. I'm excited and nervous at the same time. Obviously the financial commitment is always nerve wracking, but thinking about towing a 37 foot trailer 6.5 hours for the first trip is a little crazy too.

I've been towing trailers for years, but nothing this big.

Any advice for a newbie, both on towing, picking up our new unit and using it our first time?

jgourlie · 03-24-2016, 12:01 PM

Just take it nice and easy while towing...I usuallly only do about 60mph. Once you get used to your setup you can increase speed and feel more comfortable with you trailer

RollingDownTheHighway · 03-24-2016, 12:07 PM

What's your TV?

Just take your time. It's not a race out there like some think it is. When I'm towing I try to stay around 60-65 and I let the highway and weather dictate it. The key is just be safe and aware of the others out there on the highways these days.

Big bird · 03-24-2016, 12:13 PM

Our Canadian neighbor is right on. Make sure you have good insurance. You know about turning, just give yourself a little more room. I had never pulled and purchased a 40 footer.

rmac04401 · 03-24-2016, 12:16 PM

Take wider turns. Longer trailers drift more than shorter ones. My new 31 ft trailer I have to allow more turning lane to keep it where it should be taking corners. More so than my 24 ft. Take your time as others have said. One positive about a bigger trailer they are more forgiving and don't easily get away from you when backing. Enjoy your new trailer. I

polishdon · 03-24-2016, 12:20 PM

Pulling with a 2014 2500 HD Duramax.

I'm going to upgrade the hitch as the factory one is only good for 1,500 lbs of tongue weight. The advertised tongue weight of the trailer is 1,173, and I want to use an Equalizer hitch. Will the 1,400 lb Equalizer be enough for this trailer? The max weight seems ok, but the tongue weight could be close.

dwayneb236 · 03-24-2016, 12:55 PM

Just got a 40' fifth wheel. My previous trailer was a 35 ft TT. I got extremely comfortable pulling the 35 footer and was actually nervous about the 40 footer. Once I was hooked up and pulling it was a piece of cake. Just have take a little bit wider turns. Backing wasn't bad either. Just take it easy and concentrate. longest I've towed is about 7 hours.

polishdon · 03-24-2016, 05:47 PM

Well I did it!!! I ordered a 2017 Wolf Pack 25pack12 and an equalizer hitch.

Won't be ready for a few weeks, but I am excited!!

rmac04401 · 03-24-2016, 06:23 PM

Congrats.

Bae · 03-24-2016, 06:34 PM

congrats!

larryo · 03-25-2016, 06:38 AM

Congratulations. Nothing about the towing that I can add. Take your time and enjoy it.

blwnsmoke · 03-25-2016, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by polishdon

Pulling with a 2014 2500 HD Duramax.

I'm going to upgrade the hitch as the factory one is only good for 1,500 lbs of tongue weight. The advertised tongue weight of the trailer is 1,173, and I want to use an Equalizer hitch. Will the 1,400 lb Equalizer be enough for this trailer? The max weight seems ok, but the tongue weight could be close.

Just wanted to throw this out there.. with a 2500, have you looked at your GVWR and what is left for your truck to carry? I can't see GM putting on a 1,500lb capacity hitch if your truck can handle more.. they'd put on the minimum amount required to get you the max weight the truck is rated for.

Just hate to see you order something and then find out you are overweight.

IF you haven't, look at how much you truck weighs and look at what your GVWR is to see how much available weight you have left.

Just ran into this with a member on the Powerstroke forum where he bought a 41ft 5th wheel that has a 2,800b pin for his F250... now he realizes he is almost 1,300lbs overweight for his GVWR

polishdon · 03-25-2016, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blwnsmoke

Just wanted to throw this out there.. with a 2500, have you looked at your GVWR and what is left for your truck to carry? I can't see GM putting on a 1,500lb capacity hitch if your truck can handle more.. they'd put on the minimum amount required to get you the max weight the truck is rated for.

Just hate to see you order something and then find out you are overweight.

IF you haven't, look at how much you truck weighs and look at what your GVWR is to see how much available weight you have left.

Just ran into this with a member on the Powerstroke forum where he bought a 41ft 5th wheel that has a 2,800b pin for his F250... now he realizes he is almost 1,300lbs overweight for his GVWR

Yes I've run the numbers so many times my head spins. lol That is why I chose a TT over a 5th wheel. Obviously I need to get the trailer and hit the scales before I know exactly where I'm at, but with the factory numbers and my estimates of what I will be using it for, I should be safe and smooth.

CamperAndy · 03-25-2016, 01:26 PM

Hello Polishdon,
Congratulations! Don't trust the brochure weights and don't trust the sales guy! Drive over a scale with and without the trailer, empty and loaded and get each time each individual axle weight, then do the math! Make sure your trailer is absolutely horizontal when loaded and hitched, so the weight is equal on both axles. You only have 15" tires so they are ST and have absolutely no reserve capacity and are only good for max. 65 miles per hour for some time. What are you loading in the back, bicycles, dirt bikes or havier? Do you have a short or a long bed truck? The longer the wheelbase, the better! Watch out for cross winds, after all you pull a 37' wall behind you! I don't know what you have now, but your next truck will be a diesel dually with a long bed. Happy camping, Andy

polishdon · 03-25-2016, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CamperAndy

Hello Polishdon,
Congratulations! Don't trust the brochure weights and don't trust the sales guy! Drive over a scale with and without the trailer, empty and loaded and get each time each individual axle weight, then do the math! Make sure your trailer is absolutely horizontal when loaded and hitched, so the weight is equal on both axles. You only have 15" tires so they are ST and have absolutely no reserve capacity and are only good for max. 65 miles per hour for some time. What are you loading in the back, bicycles, dirt bikes or havier? Do you have a short or a long bed truck? The longer the wheelbase, the better! Watch out for cross winds, after all you pull a 37' wall behind you! I don't know what you have now, but your next truck will be a diesel dually with a long bed. Happy camping, Andy

Most of the time it will be me, my wife and daughter and our kayaks, mountain bikes, etc... Other times I will be using it for competition BBQ so we'll have our smokers and gear back there.

I have a Duramax 2500 HD with a 6.5 foot bed.

I'll definitely be hitting the scales when I pick up the trailer just to make sure everything is legal and the WD is set up correctly.

CamperAndy · 03-25-2016, 02:53 PM

Hello Polishdon,
Thanks for the clarification. At least you have some weight up front. A dually gives you a wider stance and way more stability. Be aware of the weight distribution in the trailer, especially when you have your smoker in the back! I had one of these too and they are not exactly made out of thin sheet metal! Check out where the freshwater tank is, maybe filling that one might help you or makes it totally worse. You simply have to be aware of your situation, especially in crosswind situations, or you might have to use more road than there is there. Happy camping, Andy

rv1000 · 03-25-2016, 06:19 PM

Wolverine 1945 · 03-26-2016, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by polishdon

I'm about to order what will be our first RV, a 2017 Wolf Pack 25pack12. I'm excited and nervous at the same time. Obviously the financial commitment is always nerve wracking, but thinking about towing a 37 foot trailer 6.5 hours for the first trip is a little crazy too.

I've been towing trailers for years, but nothing this big.

Any advice for a newbie, both on towing, picking up our new unit and using it our first time?

Did you buy this TT 6.5 hours from where you live ???
Or did I misunderstand ???

polishdon · 03-26-2016, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wolverine 1945

Did you buy this TT 6.5 hours from where you live ???
Or did I misunderstand ???

It's actually 8 hours away.

There aren't many dealers within 5 hours of me that carry this model and Lake Shore RV in Michigan gave me a great price so I got it through them.

Wolverine 1945 · 03-26-2016, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by polishdon

It's actually 8 hours away.

There aren't many dealers within 5 hours of me that carry this model and Lake Shore RV in Michigan gave me a great price so I got it through them.

I sure hope you do not have to return it to many times for warrantee work !!! Enjoy & Good Luck !!!

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