I've been living in my fifth wheel for about 4.5 years and I love living in it...although as I tell people who ask, living in an RV can be work (I know that will not be news around here!)
That said, I'm also a 70+ senior, alone, getting older fast as time flies by, and before I leave for my annual mid summer to fall trip, this year, I am contemplating a number of things......the kinds of things that I am usually a bit leery of, such as roadside assistance for this and that....but in view of my circumstances, and a very nasty trip last year due to mechanical problems on my truck (ram 5500), and various stops i had to make, to make some changes/fixes to my trailer, thinking I might want to do, now.
Indeed, my fifth wheel is heavy; 24,000+ triple axled, pounds provisioned, and the idea of toughing it out on my own in an interstate is getting more unsettling as time goes by.
So, I'm here, certainly, to happily introduce myself to future friends, but also to seek some advice on this, that and the other thing.
thanks in advance and good morning,
robert
jayc said
08:01 AM May 30, 2020
Welcome Robert. It sounds like you've got a pretty good idea of what you need and want. This is a good place to make friends and get information from.
Good luck and travel safe.
George441 said
02:16 AM Jun 4, 2020
Nice to meet you, Robert.
LarryW21 said
06:07 PM Jun 4, 2020
Robert, change a tire....when you do not need to do so. This will give you confidence. I use a home built wood ramp instead of a jack. You may need two.
RonC said
09:52 AM Jun 5, 2020
Welcome Robert ... I, too, am over 70, and although I am perfectly capable of changing a tire, I don’t intend to. Here is my “plan” to avoid roadside issues. I have roadside assistance. Pick the plan you like from those that are available, but FMCA is a good one. I have upgraded my running gear to morRyde independent suspension (this eliminates all of the axle, spring, shackle, and bushing issues) it also provides a much improved ride for the the trailer frame and contents. I upgraded to electric over hydraulic disc brakes, which eliminated the brakes overheating in the mountains issue (it also improved my stopping performance by about 40%). I upgraded the wheels to 17.5” high spec aluminum and the tires to Goodyear G114 H rated tires. In 4 years of full timing I have not had any tire or suspension issues at all. Once a year I return to morRyde and have the wheel bearings inspected and repacked, alignment checked, and the brakes inspected. We do about 7,000 miles a year towing. I highly recommend a tire pressure monitoring system. There are several well regarded ones but I have the TST on all six wheels of the truck and all four of the 5th wheel tires.
Good luck.
-- Edited by RonC on Friday 5th of June 2020 09:54:22 AM
-- Edited by RonC on Friday 5th of June 2020 09:55:49 AM
-- Edited by RonC on Friday 5th of June 2020 10:10:25 AM
-- Edited by RonC on Friday 5th of June 2020 10:11:08 AM
-- Edited by RonC on Friday 5th of June 2020 11:30:15 AM
jrzygrl64 said
11:31 PM Jun 19, 2020
Welcome!
yandel said
08:03 PM Sep 9, 2020
Welcome to the community, Robert! Sounds like you are enjoying your RV life.
arcaguy said
06:01 PM Sep 17, 2020
Hi Robert, Welcome, and nice to meet another young fellow here.
ideshine said
08:45 AM Nov 27, 2020
Hope you're doing great on the road, Robert.
MagicElly said
08:59 PM Dec 10, 2020
Hi, Robert, I'm new here too. Wish you the best!
Hdrider said
07:11 AM Dec 27, 2020
Hello Robert, welcome aboard. You will find a lot of good advise here.
HI,
I'm robert.
I've been living in my fifth wheel for about 4.5 years and I love living in it...although as I tell people who ask, living in an RV can be work (I know that will not be news around here!)
That said, I'm also a 70+ senior, alone, getting older fast as time flies by, and before I leave for my annual mid summer to fall trip, this year, I am contemplating a number of things......the kinds of things that I am usually a bit leery of, such as roadside assistance for this and that....but in view of my circumstances, and a very nasty trip last year due to mechanical problems on my truck (ram 5500), and various stops i had to make, to make some changes/fixes to my trailer, thinking I might want to do, now.
Indeed, my fifth wheel is heavy; 24,000+ triple axled, pounds provisioned, and the idea of toughing it out on my own in an interstate is getting more unsettling as time goes by.
So, I'm here, certainly, to happily introduce myself to future friends, but also to seek some advice on this, that and the other thing.
thanks in advance and good morning,
robert
Good luck and travel safe.
Welcome Robert ... I, too, am over 70, and although I am perfectly capable of changing a tire, I don’t intend to. Here is my “plan” to avoid roadside issues. I have roadside assistance. Pick the plan you like from those that are available, but FMCA is a good one. I have upgraded my running gear to morRyde independent suspension (this eliminates all of the axle, spring, shackle, and bushing issues) it also provides a much improved ride for the the trailer frame and contents. I upgraded to electric over hydraulic disc brakes, which eliminated the brakes overheating in the mountains issue (it also improved my stopping performance by about 40%). I upgraded the wheels to 17.5” high spec aluminum and the tires to Goodyear G114 H rated tires. In 4 years of full timing I have not had any tire or suspension issues at all. Once a year I return to morRyde and have the wheel bearings inspected and repacked, alignment checked, and the brakes inspected. We do about 7,000 miles a year towing. I highly recommend a tire pressure monitoring system. There are several well regarded ones but I have the TST on all six wheels of the truck and all four of the 5th wheel tires.
Good luck.
-- Edited by RonC on Friday 5th of June 2020 09:54:22 AM
-- Edited by RonC on Friday 5th of June 2020 09:55:49 AM
-- Edited by RonC on Friday 5th of June 2020 10:10:25 AM
-- Edited by RonC on Friday 5th of June 2020 10:11:08 AM
-- Edited by RonC on Friday 5th of June 2020 11:30:15 AM
Welcome!