I am looking to pick up my 5th wheel on Thursday from the dealer, and bring it home til we leave for Florida next week. Not sure what day we leave, depends on the weather. Looks like it will be the beginning of the week. Is it ok to leave my 5th wheel hooked up to the pickup, or must I unhitch and set it up. My thinking was if it snows and with the cold weather they are forecasting, the levelers or jacks could freeze, and I have better options if I can just leave it hooked up. Any advice would be much appreciated.
Workinrvers said
05:12 AM Jan 19, 2011
I would leave it hooked up and not worry about it, it will be fine.
Enjoy your trip!
Terry and Jo said
08:43 AM Jan 19, 2011
I will go out on a limb here and say that I agree that as long as you won't need the truck for anything else, it won't hurt anything to stay hooked up.
Now, to relate a "somewhat" humorous story, depending upon whether you were the owner or not, a friend of mine wrote and told me about flooding that they were having in the hill country of Texas. She was telling me that among other things that washed away in the flood was a camper and pickup that was hooked to it.
So, I suppose as long as you aren't in a flood area, it will all be good.
When you finally get on the road, good luck and have fun.
Terry
Bill and Linda said
09:36 AM Jan 19, 2011
By all means, leave it hooked up.Not a problem.You can level the rig, front to back and side to side with it connected using leveling blocks. Did it all the time before the Big Foot levelers were installed on our rig. (Still do with them.) In fact, it will probably seem more stable hitched, that 6 to 8,000 lbs of tow vehicle connected up front tends to do that.Just remember, if you have to unhitch and go someplace, make sure you block the wheels on the trailer – all four of them - so it can’t move.Best to always do that regardless in my opinion so you don't forget. But that's just me.
For what it is worth, we normally stay hitched if it’s a one night stay unless we really have to go out for something and we work to keep that from happening by stopping enroute when possible.(Wally Worlds mostly have big rig friendly parking lots.)
As to the landing gear legs freezing, never had that happen.I guess they could, but it would take quite an ice storm and a lot of water splashing up under the rig to freeze where it mattered.Besides, even if that happened you could chip the ice away.But I really wouldn’t be concerned about that.
This takes just a little practice to get comfortable, but it works just fine if you think ahead and use common sense.
Safe travels
Bill
FD5 said
11:16 AM Jan 19, 2011
If it is still winterized nothing to worry about with it hooked up, if it is not winterized you will need a heat source of some type.
bonnie and clyde said
11:27 AM Jan 19, 2011
Thanks Phil-Terry-Bill. The information is very helpful and what I was hoping for. With the 5th wheel hooked up, I can move it as need be if we get the snow they are forcasting. I am looking for my travel window next week to head to some warmer weather.
bonnie and clyde said
11:31 AM Jan 19, 2011
thanks John--it is winterized and will stay that way til we get to Florida
Jim said
11:35 AM Jan 19, 2011
I would leave it hooked up. Just remember to do a good "walk around" before you move it, including checking the locking pin on the hitch. Mischievious kids could think that would be funny.
I'll bet you'll be glad to head to warmer weather.
Safe travels.
Luvglass said
12:03 PM Jan 19, 2011
You might disconnect the electrical connection between the truck and fiver as a precaution. Some systems may still be drawing electricity and you could deplete your truck battery. Make sure to reconnect before leaving on your trip.
Have a good one,
bonnie and clyde said
07:15 PM Jan 19, 2011
Jim--can not wait for warmer weather-they want high in the teens here on Saturday. Fred, thanks for the advice on the electrical connection--it is all new to me
Now, to relate a "somewhat" humorous story, depending upon whether you were the owner or not, a friend of mine wrote and told me about flooding that they were having in the hill country of Texas. She was telling me that among other things that washed away in the flood was a camper and pickup that was hooked to it.
So, I suppose as long as you aren't in a flood area, it will all be good.
When you finally get on the road, good luck and have fun.
Terry
By all means, leave it hooked up. Not a problem. You can level the rig, front to back and side to side with it connected using leveling blocks. Did it all the time before the Big Foot levelers were installed on our rig. (Still do with them.) In fact, it will probably seem more stable hitched, that 6 to 8,000 lbs of tow vehicle connected up front tends to do that. Just remember, if you have to unhitch and go someplace, make sure you block the wheels on the trailer – all four of them - so it can’t move. Best to always do that regardless in my opinion so you don't forget. But that's just me.
For what it is worth, we normally stay hitched if it’s a one night stay unless we really have to go out for something and we work to keep that from happening by stopping enroute when possible. (Wally Worlds mostly have big rig friendly parking lots.)
As to the landing gear legs freezing, never had that happen. I guess they could, but it would take quite an ice storm and a lot of water splashing up under the rig to freeze where it mattered. Besides, even if that happened you could chip the ice away. But I really wouldn’t be concerned about that.
This takes just a little practice to get comfortable, but it works just fine if you think ahead and use common sense.
Safe travels
Bill
I'll bet you'll be glad to head to warmer weather.
Safe travels.