Forestville/Mystery Caves State Park, MN

[Bethers]

I suggest, after reading the others about towing, which I agree with, that you might want to see if there's a way to figure out opening this one without worry about your back. Linda and I were talking this morning and I admitted I have to remember to reposition myself putting my car on and off, because otherwise I've been known to bend wrong and hurt my back. When I was helping Sparkle, I hurt my back with her sway bars and would have had to find a way to avoid that if doing that often. I also almost hurt my back starting her generator for her. The location of it was perfect for her, but I'm shorter and was in the wrong angle to pull the cord straight, thus straining.

Just suggesting that a hard sided might not be easier, so before you give up, you might want to spend the time to find out if this is workable without injuring your back.

[MelissaD]

One advantage of 5th wheel over a TT is no WDH hitch/bars etc...

With each design there are pro's and con's. We had to evaluate different heath concerns while looking for our unit. When the day comes for the next one I'm leaning toward a "Super C" built on a semi truck. Will probably have to have a lift installed.

[Cougarfan]

I am at a point now where lifting the hitch for my trailer is just too hard. I pull or strain a muscle every time I do it.

So, I'm going to get the Andersen Weight Distribution hitch. https://www.andersenhitches.com/Catalog/andersen-nosway-weight-distribution-hitch.aspx

The part I'll have to carry only weighs about 25 lbs which I can manage. No more greasy trailer ball or bars. No more straining to carry hitch head and install it on the truck. No more muscle relaxants my first night of camping. This hitch is also supposed to eliminate sway and the dreaded bouncing. I can manage the sway without much problem but the bouncing was killing me. I know that there are people that say this is the best thing since sliced bread and others (who apparently don't own one according to what I've read) say it can't possibly work. I have been watching the reviews and conversations on various sites for over a year and am convinced that this is the one for me. Someone in the Forest River Forum actually sent me a PM and said to buy it before I ever tow again. I won't be sorry.

I'm going to pick up the hitch this weekend and use it for the trip to the gtg so I'll be able to provide a trip report after that.

Barbie, I'm still not understanding why you have to take the spare tire off to hook up the pop up. Maybe a picture of the back of the Jeep with the tire on that also shows the position of the receiver tube would help. There might be an easy, inexpensive fix for that problem like an extended hitch. I know they make them for campers so they can tow a boat. There might be one that isn't quite as long that you could use.

Otherwise, everyone here has provided great insight as to the complexity of hitching up a hard-sided trailer. I guess if it were me, I would find a way to fold up the trailer like others said that didn't hurt my back. I would always find a way to go camping if I knew I didn't have to sleep on the ground

Good luck!
Laura

[bluepinecones]

Glad you had a good time in such a pretty location.
Sorry about issues with setting up the pop-up. Hope you can work something out soon.