Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 09-21-2006, 08:22 PM   #1
Happytrails
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: LaGrange, Georgia
Posts: 5
hitching a fiver

My wife and I have had motor homes, but are now looking at replacing our DP with a fiver. We were at a campground earlier tonight and watched someone un-hitch his rig from truck. When he went to actually unhitch, he had to work with the lever on the hitch and pull it pretty hard to unlock rig. Looked pretty difficult or vigorous to unhitch. Would appreciate insight into what all is involved and difficulty(physical) when unhitching and seting up a fiver. We are used to undoing toad and pushing buttons from inside to level etc. however, we are very interested in a fiver, just a little concerned about set-up and unhitching or even re-hitching?
Thanks in advance for your insight and experience in fiver info.
__________________

__________________
Happytrails
Happytrails is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-22-2006, 12:05 AM   #2
billr
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Ontario Canada
Posts: 857
Happytrails,

It is no problem connecting or disconnecting the fiver. Most hitches are set up to lock automatically when you back into the king pin. Then you just verify it is locked and secure the lever.

To disconnect, pulling the lever to unlock the hitch is made easy by unloading the hitch before you pull it.

If when you try to pull the handle it is tight, just release the truck out of park and allow the tension to relax, if on unlevel ground, you may need to put in fwd or rev then park and set brake to hold the truck in the "sweet spot" then pulling the lever is easy.

The fellow you saw, must not have done that, and just gave it a yank. Which is ok too as long as your king kong!

Cheers,
Bill
__________________

__________________
Bill and Joan
4 Collie pups
05 M/S 38RL3 #2046
01 Volvo VNL770
05 Smart Passion Loaded piggyback
https://picasaweb.google.com/billandjoan
Weigh-It Portable RV Scales
https://www.weighitrv.com
billr is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-22-2006, 07:17 AM   #3
rverdlm
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: On the road
Posts: 1,063
I would sugest a hitch with a Binkley head like these http://www.trailersaver.com/products.php#hitches They are much easier to use and are much stronger than any others.
__________________
Dave & Barbara
KenWorth T2000
2005 Mobile Suites 38RL3 #2338
MorRyde IS 8K axles, LazyBoy recliners, LCD tv
Full time since '96
rverdlm is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-22-2006, 08:18 AM   #4
jbeletti
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Weatherford, TX
Posts: 25
Happytrails,

With respect to the pushbutton leveling aspect of your post, you can have a hydraulic leveling system added to many 5ers.

If that's what you're used to and if you have no desire to stack boards on the low side and run over them to raise the low side of the coach up, the cost of a hydraulic leveling system may be worth it to you.

Best of luck,

Jim
__________________
Jim
jbeletti is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-22-2006, 09:35 AM   #5
john
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Fort Worth,TX
Posts: 162
Level

You can't get "Big Foot" levelers added to the Mobile Suite. I tried and Big Foot said no....
I just use the inf. bags...they work great for me.
__________________
Wilma & John
2006 Mobile Suite 36TK3
john is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-22-2006, 10:55 AM   #6
rverdlm
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: On the road
Posts: 1,063
I'm very sensative to things being level. That being said, the pocess of leveling my 5th wheel is real easy. First off, most RV spaces are pretty level side to side. The first thing we do when we're in position on a lot is check the side to side level. You'll quickly learn how much you need for level. If it's out a little it's a board under one wheel, for a little more it's a board under both wheels, or 2 under one and one under the other, etc. Then it's put the front jacks down, unhook (or not if only staying one night) level front to back and put the back stabilizing jacks down. This whole process takes less than 10 min because in less than 20 min we have all the hookups done, the TV dish set and are relaxing after a days drive.
__________________
Dave & Barbara
KenWorth T2000
2005 Mobile Suites 38RL3 #2338
MorRyde IS 8K axles, LazyBoy recliners, LCD tv
Full time since '96
rverdlm is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-25-2006, 11:30 PM   #7
cwsoules
Junior Member
 
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 29
When my 5er hitch is reluctant to open it is caused by the pin riding on the bar which locks my hitch. If I have already put my wheel locks on the trailer, I start the truck and back up about 1/8" to relieve the pressure on the locking bar. It shifts with ease then.
__________________

__________________
2000 Quad Cab 2500 Auto w/4:10 rear end. DTT 89% VB, TC, Mag HI-TECK Pan, Smart Box, EZ, PAC Brake, Pillar gage mount with EGT, Boost, and Tranny output temp, Miller Manufacturing Truck Bed Cover, with RBW 5er hitch, and
Rigged to tow a 29' Automate 5th wheel.
cwsoules is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:29 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
×