I Did It!

[Dawn309]

I hooked up the 5th wheel for the first time today. Of course I had the help of the guys here to tell me when to go back, when to stop, etc. I found out I cannot see the hitch because of Chuck's tool box. The guys were telling me later I could replace that tool box and get one that sits down in the bed and that would solve the problem.

It's a baby step, but it's a first step. I also found out the hitch is rated for up to 15,000 pounds, so that should do me no matter what, I think. I cannot imagine I would be towing more than that weight.

[OutandAbout]

Congratulations. You did do it. It will just take practice. There are things to help with backing up on the market. Things to put on the 5th wheel and your truck which will help you get aligned as you are backing up. Camping world has them. Linda

[Travelinana]

Can't add a thing about hooking up a 5'er but good for you taking the baby steps and succeeding. It will be easier and easier and your confidence will grow with it. Keep us posted. This is a wonderful forum to help us take on challenges whether it's hooking and unhooking or dealing with any of life's gnats that get thrown at us from time to time. I hope you and Sheila continue to know many (((hugs))) go out to each of you. You are meeting the greatest challenge of all!
Nancy

[mitch5252]

..

Congratulations, Dawn! We all knew you could do it...

..

[Dawn309]

Thanks everybody. The guys told me they are going to fix the hitch so it is easier and smoother for one person (me) to deal with. I was also thinking about some kind of sticker on the trailer cap and something that sticks up that I can see on the hitch. The guys (Chuck's friend for over 40 years and his friend) have been wonderful about coming to help out almost everyday since Chuck got so sick a year ago. They tell me the 5th wheel is easier to pull than the pontoon boat I usually pull when we go camping.

[Christine]

Good for you...i hope you give yourself a pat on the back!!!

You will like pulling a 5er alot better than a tt behind you.....

[Birdie]

Yeah Dawn. A good success story for you. To help guide the hooking up process, consider a magnet with a colored stick on it x 2 then put one on each hookup item. When they hit, you are good to go. Takes just a little adjusting. I used that on hooking up the TT and I see it being used on 5ers by vertically challenged women. Just an idea.

Two of the ladies here at the GTG are driving 5ers...one 30' and one 34'. So you go girl!!

[Bethers]

I was going to suggest just painting (taping) on the toolbox to line up - if that would work - but then kept reading and it sounds like you have that covered.

I'm glad you have people to help you learn how to do the things you never did - and even happier that you want to learn and do them.

You are woman, hear you ROAR.

Congrats.

[Dawn309]

I have to tell y'all Chuck said he was worried about me doing the driving. LOL. His friend told him he got to just sit back and relax. I told him he was going to have to hold Belle. His friend started laughing and told him there was nothing to worry about. I wouldn't let anything happen to Belle. As long as he was holding Belle, he was safe too. Smart alecks.

[AlmostThere]

Doin' the "happy dance"!!

[mitch5252]

Off Topic:

Abby would always want to sit in George's lap.
I said no can do because with G in the seat, the airbag would go off in case of an accident.
It could have killed the Little Monster.
I want the bears in AK to have that privilege...



PS: I don't know if it would have killed her, but it doesn't go off under a certain weight for a reason.

[Dawn309]

I know you're right Mitch. She normally lays in the front seat between us. Where she lays, I don't think the airbag would hit her. She is almost under the console.

Thanks,
Dawn

[rvgrammy1953]

Good for you, Dawn!!! Great job!!! I do the backing up to hitch our 5er and we use a piece of electrical tape on the 5er right above the hitch....I line it up with the center of the sliding back window of the truck, then Ernie calls out weither I need to turn the wheels a little Left or Right...and it goes where it suppose to go... I also have done it by myself, it took awhile without Ernie giving me the left or right directions, but I did it....Surprised the heck out of him.....

[gkcbates]

That is awesome! If Steve wasn't doing the connecting and driving I'd probably get a class C or something like that. But reading all this I think "maybe, I might"

[Nasoosie]

CONGRATS, DAWN!!!

I use orange duct tape on my hitch to site(sight) it in and line it up, although mine is a trailer hitch and not a 5th wheel hitch. But I assume it would work about the same!

Hope to see you on the road somewhere sometime!