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Joined: 3/16/2009
Posts: 23
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Hi everyone,
I am recently separated from my husband, and I will be traveling from NC to CA, via Colorado, pulling
our (my?) fifth wheel, which we bought used, right where it sits...We never had it on the road, tho the folks we bought it from pulled it all over the US. Its pretty scary for me - but I am going to do it! Anyone out there have any tips or cautions regarding pulling a 33' fifth wheel? (I have a 99 Dodge 1-ton dually.) and how to best plan a route, find campgrounds/rv parks etc. Thanks so much! Kristin :)
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Joined: 3/16/2009
Posts: 3528
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Hi Kristin !
Welcome to the forum -
I don't have my RV yet but am going to buy a 5th wheel so I'm confident you can do this !!
It is really scary but what an awesome opportunity for you - it's great that you're going to make the trip - way to go !!!!!!
I know you'll get lots of good info here and tons of support :D
Be the kind of person your dog thinks you are.
 Trudy, Molly and Murphy
Trudy, Molly & Murphy
"be the kind of person your dog thinks you are"
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Joined: 3/16/2009
Posts: 954
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Welcome to you Kristin! How about getting someone to show you the "tricks" of hooking up, and unhooking,... and take you out for a practice run before you hit the road alone. Of course you CAN do it! But a little practice first will be a good thing.
Keep your chin up, put some good music on and keep moving forward!
Best wishes....
Cedar
Adirondack Mts. in NY
'02 Ford Escape
'04 Chalet Arrowhead (C-->)
"One's world expands and contracts in direct proportion to one's courage"....Anais Nin.
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Joined: 3/16/2009
Posts: 681
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Don't know if you are a member of Good Sams, but they proved a trip planning feature on their site. I'm sure there are probably others out there too. Or, you could do it the old fashioned way and get out your atlas! There is also a weather site, (search old posts) that will help you plan your route to avoid anything too miserable.
When is your trip planned for? Are you leaving NOW or do you have a while to make your plans? I agree about going for a practice weekend maybe somewhere close by. That way you can practice backing into your spot (or pulling thru), hooking up, dumping tanks, etc.
Good luck and most important...HAVE FUN!
Paulette
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Joined: 3/16/2009
Posts: 1075
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When I was very very very young & my Dad drove a large truck & I use to ride with him------ when I was big enough to reach the clutch & brake & still be able to sit on the seat & shift gears------- My Dad taught me how to drive that truck!
One thing he always -always said to me was "SWING WIDE"!!
We also own an extended cab truck with a long bed & a 36 ft long 5th wheel------- I never make a turn in that rig that I don't hear my Dad saying to me----- "Swing Wide"!!
I agree with what the other girls have told you so far------ & remember to swing wide!
I have a friend who bought a mini-home & she decided to travel across country with it----she had never ever driven anything but a very small car----- when she arrived at our home in Kansas------- My husband just stood there & laughed as there was not any place on her rig she had not scraped it--& banged it & dented it--- she had gone under something too low & took off her air conditioner & was hauling the pieces that were left---
My hubby serviced it for her- & changed oil as she had not even changed the oil----- & then he had a check list for her & he taught her everything some one should have before she started out!
So if you have some one to answer your questions & you will or should have questions---- I would keep a notebook with the questions & answers in it!
I still have my own notebook with my own questions & answers in it----just for myself-reminders of what & how to do things!
Best wishes to you!!!!!!!!!!
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Joined: 3/16/2009
Posts: 15
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Hi and welcome to our group. Since the 5th has been sitting, perhaps it would be good to have it checked out by a friend with knowledge or a professional before taking it out on the road. That way you know your tires, etc are not going to give you problems traveling alone cross country. There is also a wealth of info on this forum to help you. Be sure and make some good memories for yourself while you on the road!
Oh the glorious joy of a morning well spent doing absolutely nothing!
Holly
Oh the glorious joy of a morning well spent doing absolutely nothing!
Holly
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Joined: 3/16/2009
Posts: 23
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Wow! Thank you to everyone who responded to my "Yikes!"....I'm planning on leaving pretty soon, within a few days.Unless something changes. I do have someone here at the rv park who will show me how to hook up and unhook, thank goodness. I have been emptying the gray and black water tanks myself and have filled the water tank...Good idea about practicing first, before hitting the road. Tho I'm impatient to just get on the road, I know I should (and will!) spend some time practicing.
I also have heard much about "turning wide." I have an extended cab with a long bed.
Do you ladies - women- girls- gals- ?? - have preferences for Roadside Assistance. I used to have Good Sams (didn't know about the trip planner) when we had a slide-in truck camper.
Again, thanks a lot for all the interest and help. This feels like a very supportive forum! Kristin :)
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Joined: 3/16/2009
Posts: 1009
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Hello Kristin!
Check out the extended forecast before leaving. There have been a lot of storms moving across the country lately. You might want to head south and travel on I-10 to CA. Weather will be better.
My suggestions:
Definitely have a tire place check out all your tires before heading out. Also have someone go over both rigs for you if you can - just to be sure belts, brakes, etc., etc. are all up to snuff.
A roadside emergency card is a necessity - especially when traveling alone. Either reactivate your Good Sam one or Camping World also has one, and there are others. They will come to your aid even from quite a distance away, if necessary. The guy who came out to change my blowout one time had to drive almost 60 miles to get to me. Didn't cost a dime. Imagine what it would have cost if I didn't have a service?
Since it sounds like you are a Good Sam member, you can find campgrounds all across the country that will give you the GS discount (10%) and as previously suggested, Good Sam will route you, too, but if you do stay on I-10 you can go all the way into California and might not need trip planning. I'd suggest picking up a campground directory if you don't already have one. A Passport America membership is quite cheap (last I knew $49/yr) and you get half off the camping fee at participating campgrounds. They sometimes have a lot of restrictions on how many nights, which nights can be used, etc., but for overnight stays it can't be beat!
Free overnight stops: A lot of rest areas will let you sleep in them, but some won't let you stay more than a couple of hours. Just don't "set up camp" by unhooking, leveling, opening awnings, or whatever. Walmarts are a popular overnight stop. Just go in and clear it with the manager. Truck stops are noisy, but usually quite safe havens, too. Not all truckers like to have RVs there, but Flying J, for one, encourages us to stay there.
Each day, when you stop for lunch or mid afternoon break, take out your directories, maps, etc. and estimate approximately where you will be when you want to stop for the night. That way you can get an idea of where the campgrounds, rest areas, etc. are and plan accordingly. I'd suggest stopping early. Probably by 4:00 local time. That way you will find an empty spot/site, have time to get set up, relax a bit, eat your dinner, take a walk around the place, etc. There's nothing worse than being on the road as it's getting darker and darker and you can't find a place to park!
I'm sure there are a whole lot more ideas and suggetions from all of us. Weed through all our advice and choose the ones that work for you!
Happy travels.
Evie
and fur people, Spike & Pia
Evie driving Flitter, 26' Itasca Spirit
with furry co-pilot, Spike
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Joined: 3/16/2009
Posts: 1280
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Hi Kristin,
Nice to meet you :) You came to a great place for honest and caring information.
Speaking of cautions, I have 2 for you. First of all, you should be intimately comfortable with driving that dually towing a 5er. That makes for a huge rig and for your own safety and others, you need to be able to handle it proficiently for a long trip like that.
Secondly, this is not the time of year to be making a trip like that. You are really going to have to watch the weather religiously and be prepared to lay over at times as you go. So I sure hope you are not a time limit.
I would strongly recommend you reconsider taking off without being better prepared for the unexpected.
Love,
Sharon
2007 RoadTrek SS-Agile
"Mercy" the Mapper
SKP 98330
 
"The Buggy" 2007 RoadTrek SS-Agile *
"Belgian" 2007 Honda Reflex Scooter
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Joined: 3/16/2009
Posts: 23
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Hi everyone,
I really do appreciate all the feedback. Maybe I haven't realized how serious an undertaking this is, especially this time of year. It is a sobering thought. I do want to be safe and enjoy myself, and certainly not put anyone else in jeopardy.
My financial situation is such that I feel I need to travel soon or the traveling/living money won't be there much longer...I was running a business with my husband (which almost went bankrupt) and now that I'm on my own, he's agreed to help me buy fuel to get out to CA. So I thought I should quickly take advantage of his generosity, as offers change quickly sometimes.
I am a good driver, accustomed to driving the truck. But like I said, have never towed a fifth wheel. I did tow a 20 ft bumper hitch cargo trailer a few times so I'm not a total novice. But never anything this long and heavy.
I don't know if my last response posted...I didn't see it so I must have messed up somehow. I had written I need to go to Colorado first to see 2 of my sons whom I haven't seen in 3 years. Sheesh! this is feeling rather daunting as I really consider the winter storms. I figured I could lay over somewhere if a storm comes up.
Right now here in NC its cold and windy, I wouldn't want to be on the road towing. Oh dear. Confusion sets in. Kristin
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