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Old 04-16-2016, 05:49 PM   #1
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Greener than green as a new 5thwheel owner

New to the forum but finding it full of great info for someone who has no experience of owning a camper (I aged out of tent camping). If the weather will cooperate am hoping to go camping next weekend. My hubby & I played with hitching and unhitching today and backed it into the area we plan to park it. Since it is my trailer and hubby will be towing the boat, this will be an awesome learning adventure. I have watched videos, read what others have written; but know it will take experience to learn what I need to know. Got to just do it!
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Old 04-16-2016, 06:17 PM   #2
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Originally Posted by txbuffalokid View Post
New to the forum but finding it full of great info for someone who has no experience of owning a camper (I aged out of tent camping). If the weather will cooperate am hoping to go camping next weekend. My hubby & I played with hitching and unhitching today and backed it into the area we plan to park it. Since it is my trailer and hubby will be towing the boat, this will be an awesome learning adventure. I have watched videos, read what others have written; but know it will take experience to learn what I need to know. Got to just do it!
Good for you! I have pulled ours on the interstate and into the gas station, but I have yet to back it into a site. We have problems getting ours unhitched every time, so I don't think I could hook or unhook it by myself.
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Old 04-16-2016, 06:36 PM   #3
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Welcome to the forum and the World of RVing. You will eventually get use to the new camper and how to back and un hitch. Enjoy Later RJD
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Old 04-18-2016, 11:52 AM   #4
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If you have no experience with towing or backing the unit, I suggest going to a large mostly deserted parking lot or packed field and going about it very slowly, maneuvering around imaginary objects or traffic cones.

Practice backing into an imaginary space and turning around things.

It'd probably be worth investing in a few traffic or sports cones.
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Old 04-18-2016, 12:31 PM   #5
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My ms Amy pulled our 34' 5th wheel right through Chicago!
She seems tense tho. [emoji16]



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Old 04-18-2016, 12:43 PM   #6
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Originally Posted by txbuffalokid View Post
New to the forum but finding it full of great info for someone who has no experience of owning a camper (I aged out of tent camping). If the weather will cooperate am hoping to go camping next weekend. My hubby & I played with hitching and unhitching today and backed it into the area we plan to park it. Since it is my trailer and hubby will be towing the boat, this will be an awesome learning adventure. I have watched videos, read what others have written; but know it will take experience to learn what I need to know. Got to just do it!

GOOD FOR YOU! My DW won't even drive my truck, let alone tow anything.

Welcome to the wonderful world of RV'ing, and to the Forest River Forums. What kind of a trailer do you have?
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Old 04-18-2016, 12:46 PM   #7
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GOOD FOR YOU! My DW won't even drive my truck, let alone tow anything.

Welcome to the wonderful world of RV'ing, and to the Forest River Forums. What kind of a trailer do you have?
Ditto on the DW. She will tow the horse trailer which is 14ft but that's it!.

OP: Welcome to the forums and enjoy that new fiver!!
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Old 04-18-2016, 12:55 PM   #8
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Welcome. I also drive our fiver. I actually taught DH how to tow. I do most of the driving and all of the backing. DH is my ground guide and operates the hitch but we both know how to perform each other's duties just in case. I suggest wallow talkies to communicate when backing. DH will tell me tree 3 feet drivers side or you need to go more to the passenger side. That eliminated confusion of which right and which left are we talking about.

You will be fine doing this. I towed small horse trailers since I was 16. I got my first 30' tt in 2011 and boy was I nervous. Nothing to it. The fiver I was nervous again. The biggest thing with the fiver is know your height with your front aC and hooked to your truck. We measured ours so we know for certain. Be aware of the trailer cutting in tight on turns. Backing is different than a travel trailer or other bumper hitch style trailer. It takes a minute to respond and then responds quickly. You can not really straighten out easily backing up. It is better to pull forward to readjust and then back again. Enjoy your new glamper!
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Old 04-19-2016, 05:42 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TURBS View Post
My ms Amy pulled our 34' 5th wheel right through Chicago!
She seems tense tho. [emoji16]



2008 2500hd Duramax
2015 Columbus 320RS
2016 nights camped "0"
2015 nights camped "34"
Cups half full....wonder what's in 'em.....and still on the outskirts....
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Old 04-23-2016, 09:50 AM   #10
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Enjoy and welcome from Colorado. We are new to fiving too!
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