diablopilot 2 #1 December 26, 2005 Well? Got a trip coming up. Worried about it in the winter. Any tips? 27foot 5th wheel, 8400lbs max weight, 99 F-250 Diesel and manual trans.---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumper03 0 #2 December 26, 2005 QuoteWell? Got a trip coming up. Worried about it in the winter. Any tips? 27foot 5th wheel, 8400lbs max weight, 99 F-250 Diesel and manual trans. I have pulled my 27ft fifth wheel across country 3 times time - number 4 is coming up next weekend. The first two were with a small chevy 1500, had the smalled V8 chevy makes. No problems. I was worried though that if the trailer brakes failed, I was fucked. Now I have a chevy 2500 HD, largest V8 chevy makes, heavy duty brakes etc. No problems what so ever. Manual tranny shouldn't be a problem.Scars remind us that the past is real Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diablopilot 2 #3 December 26, 2005 What about weather?---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skinnyshrek 0 #4 December 26, 2005 Make sure you have power brakes on the camper. Also, when going up hill or steep inclines use 2md or 3rd gear. As you have a manual you will figure it out. If you feel the camper fishtailing. DO NOT APPLY BRAKES. slightly acceleratehttp://www.skydivethefarm.com do you realize that when you critisize people you dont know over the internet, you become part of a growing society of twats? ARE YOU ONE OF THEM? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skycat 0 #5 December 26, 2005 Since I know where you are heading, I can't help you on the trailer issue but I can help you on the weather. You won't have to worry about roads until UT and even then you don't have to stress until Vail pass and Eisenhower tunnel. Number one thing to do is obey the signs when they tell you to chain up, cause they aren't joking the roads are going to be bad over the passes. On the other hand both have a fleet of plows to keep the roads clear so as long as you aren't in a blizzard they should be clean. Go slow and ignore the stupid people passing you doing 80 in a snowstorm, you are bound to see them in the ditch soon enough.Fly it like you stole it! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
1888 0 #6 December 26, 2005 I have towed my 36' 5th wheel across country 5-6 times, once with the truck you have now except auto trans. Your truck should handle the load well. If you don't have 4 wheel drive get off the road when it is slippery. Make sure you know how to adjust the trailer brakes. If you don't know how, just stop at an RV store and they can show you. It doesn't take long but it's very important. A 5th wheel is the most stable way to haul a trailer, you don't get much sway or fishtailing, even when being passed by an 18 wheeler. Good luck and enjoy. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
namgrunt 0 #7 December 26, 2005 no problem use trailer brake with care ..59 YEARS,OVERWEIGHT,BALDIND,X-GRUNT LAST MIL. JUMP VIET-NAM(QUAN-TRI) www.dzmemories.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumper03 0 #8 December 26, 2005 QuoteWhat about weather? the only weather I had to worry about was heavy rain east of the mississippi. No problems - just slowed down a bit. The bigger problem is other drivers that don't know their ass from a pothole.Scars remind us that the past is real Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flyangel2 2 #9 December 27, 2005 Sweetie, think FLASHERS when going over the pass Pull over and wait it out. You can call us and we'll head up and party in the 5th wheel while waiting out the stormMay your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds. - Edward Abbey Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skycat 0 #10 December 27, 2005 QuoteSweetie, think FLASHERS when going over the pass Pull over and wait it out. You can call us and we'll head up and party in the 5th wheel while waiting out the storm Hell yeah...I'll even bring the eggnog cocktails. Fly it like you stole it! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flyangel2 2 #11 December 27, 2005 Yummy, eggnog cocktails. Hey J.P., you got a blender in that 5th wheel?May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds. - Edward Abbey Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diablopilot 2 #12 December 27, 2005 [ordering blender] Anyone know if they come in a 12v version?---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squirrel 0 #13 December 27, 2005 my previous job was hauling "show" trailers all over the country, advertising for stuff. i have driven everything from a ford 250 with trailer to a kenworth t600 with a 52 ft trailer at 78,000 lbs, and have been to 48 states. so, here is my advice. first, if you are loaded heavy in your fifth wheel, you may want to add air bags on your rear suspension. $300 bucks. it will help with sway. second, when going down a grade, start at the top of the grade in one gear lower than you can climb the hill in. thats the rule for 18 wheelers, so you will have to extrapolate from that. third. pack food so that you can pull over and wait out the weather. dont push it...once you loose it with a trailer, its over. rest often, stay sharp. fourth, stay south if you can. the 40 is faster than the 80, or the 70. and the 70 is often closed temporarly in winter. coarse the 10 is way south, and thats good. fifth, we have XMradio. its great, you may want to look into that, or load up your mp3 player. dude, dont take chances, at least not on the road. getting hurt driving is not half as fun as getting hurt jumping! cheers, J edit to add: if you drop below 35 mph on a climb, you must use flashers, thats the law. ________________________________ Where is Darwin when you need him? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sunshine 2 #14 December 27, 2005 QuoteNow I have a chevy 2500 HD, largest V8 chevy makes, heavy duty brakes etc. No problems what so ever. Manual tranny shouldn't be a problem. *Sunny goes off to dream about roadhead in the chevy...* ___________________________________________ meow I get a Mike hug! I get a Mike hug! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diablopilot 2 #15 December 27, 2005 Hey "threadjacker", this is serious stuff! Ok, so it's not that serious...---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squirrel 0 #16 December 27, 2005 Quote[ordering blender] Anyone know if they come in a 12v version? you can always get and inverter...check your power needs on a blender. ________________________________ Where is Darwin when you need him? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sunshine 2 #17 December 27, 2005 I apologize, but only cause i'm in a good mood. Hope you find a travel blender...hey, speaking of blenders... ___________________________________________ meow I get a Mike hug! I get a Mike hug! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squirrel 0 #18 December 27, 2005 oh yeah, forgot...big along a girly! ________________________________ Where is Darwin when you need him? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumper03 0 #19 December 27, 2005 QuoteQuoteNow I have a chevy 2500 HD, largest V8 chevy makes, heavy duty brakes etc. No problems what so ever. Manual tranny shouldn't be a problem. *Sunny goes off to dream about roadhead in the chevy...* stop teasing me. I have to to study Scars remind us that the past is real Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumpinfarmer 0 #20 December 27, 2005 QuoteQuoteQuoteNow I have a chevy 2500 HD, largest V8 chevy makes, heavy duty brakes etc. No problems what so ever. Manual tranny shouldn't be a problem. *Sunny goes off to dream about roadhead in the chevy...* stop teasing me. I have to to study Hey Sunny I got a Chevy and a 5th wheel. You can come ride with me anytime you want. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sunshine 2 #21 December 27, 2005 QuoteHey Sunny I got a Chevy and a 5th wheel. You can come ride with me anytime you want. You say the sweetest things. ___________________________________________ meow I get a Mike hug! I get a Mike hug! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sunshine 2 #22 December 27, 2005 Quotestop teasing me. I have to to study Tis only teasing if i don't intend to follow through... Good luck with your test. Hrm, as your reward for passing the test, howzabout some roadhead? ___________________________________________ meow I get a Mike hug! I get a Mike hug! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
azureriders 0 #23 December 27, 2005 I pull a goose-neck trailer of some sort, weather it be a true 5th wheel or a 2-5/16 ball set up, on a daily basis. The biggest tip I can give, that you probably already know, is to make sure you slow down before a turn and pull , NOT BRAKE, through the turn. This means on a slick road you are going to have to almost stop to make a 90degree and then pull through it. Right turn at a red light, no problem, right turn at a green light, stop first anyway. As far trailer brakes failing. I have seen it happen several times, if you are breaking in a turn and they go out with a 27footer, you are screwed, with his 1500 chevy, your F-250, or my F-350 it dont really matter, you are ditch bound. If you do find your self perpendicular to the trailer, truck sliding sideways and trailer rolling straight ahead, get you foot off the damn break and accelerate. QuoteSweetie, think FLASHERS when going over the pass Sorry, but that was spoken like a true female driver *steps back into my flame proof F-350* Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skycat 0 #24 December 27, 2005 Quote -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In Reply To -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sweetie, think FLASHERS when going over the pass -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sorry, but that was spoken like a true female driver *steps back into my flame proof F-350* No that was spoken like someone who has traveled in the mountains and knows that people drive too fast up and down the passes quite often causing accidents when they swerve in to the other lane because they didn't realize there was a slow moving vehicle ahead.Fly it like you stole it! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
redramdriver 0 #25 December 27, 2005 Make sure the 5th wheel is greased, and insure that it is "locked" if it has that capability. Also, yes, make sure that your 4 way flashers work well, carry an extra flasher if needed, they can become quite hot. Rule of thumb on the flashers...10mph under the speed limit put them on. Also, on fishtailing, you shouldn't have any problemo w/a 5th wheeler, but if you do....don't accellerate, that only makes matters worse, and as stated, don't brake...just let up on the accelerator and slow down, keep an eye on the trailer, and when it is pulling nice and straight again, resume posted speed limit *(yeah right). You shouldn't have any problems with the vehicle pulling it. If you are going by a truck stop you can look for 12v items..but a blender..come on..coffee pot, i've even seen toasters...but not a blender. And this time of the year...if you are going to be going into a cold climate...get AWS...all weather diesel supreme. It allready has the anti-gel in it, but if your on the cheaper side and are getting regular diesel fuel...consider purchasing some anti gel and dumping the recommended amount per tank full into your tank. Which is a reminder...have a funnel. have a great trip.So, you bring your beer? Its 5 o'clock somewhere POPS #9344 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
