Slid the hitch for the first time

EMD_Driver · 01-25-2010, 07:14 PM

After taking the fiver to the dealer on Saturday, I decided to try parking it at home with the hitch slid back. After moving the handle to the unlocked position, I proceeded to slide the hitch. The sound it made was horrible and the look on Kitty's face was priceless!

I verified that it was locked and then started up the driveway. JohnB can attest to the difficulty involved in this turn-around and we were a bit more prepared this time. Kitty has some FRS radios and we put them to use. With the hitch slid back, the maneuvering was much easier. I did jack knife the rig, just to see it done. I was very uncomfortable, seeing the fiver that close to the cab of the truck!

I managed to get the fiver into it's spot, in less than five minutes. It's even in there to Kitty's specifications!

I really don't see the need, for us to invest in an auto-sliding hitch. This was almost effortless and a piece of cake. One thing I would recommend is that when you try to turn a 5th wheel rig around in a tight spot, that you do it during the day! That makes it MUCH easier!

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**JohnB** · 01-25-2010, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EMD_Driver

I managed to get the fiver into it's spot, in less than five minutes. It's even in there to Kitty's specifications!

Yup that Kitty, she has a keen eye for things being in the right spot! or else.... LOL

kanyonkitty · 01-26-2010, 08:19 AM

HUM, are the boys doing a little "Kitty Bashing" here ??????? Just remember, I don't get mad, I get even

**JohnB** · 01-26-2010, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kanyonkitty

HUM, are the boys doing a little "Kitty Bashing" here ??????? Just remember, I don't get mad, I get even

No, no, no, no.... by all means NO. After seeing how you put the 299 in that spot, I bow to the master.... (wave, wave, wave) Not to mention putting the T2499 in the car port all the time... Heck the new camper "pad" is a walk in the park!!

And yes when I back the T310 in next to the shed, it needs to be true parallel to the shed, or else... we try again... In my case I have an electrical transformer to content with.

See the green box. Thats the sprakie house

The service guy came to pump out the aerator tank last fall and he said to Cindy, gee that's a tight fit for that camper. Not much room. I said to Cindy, he should see how Kitty has to manipulate her camper into the “spot”. I have a 200 foot straight shot back…. Not like WV that has at least 2 turns, about 20 compound angles, a telephone pole and a woods…. Oh and a hill, everywhere…. Did I mention hills???

kanyonkitty · 01-26-2010, 11:18 AM

Geesh John,

You have a real challenge, also. But, you said you have a "straight" shot at your landing pad, lucky you.

Now, for the 2499 in the carport, I NEVER knew just how "CLOSE" I got the curb side of the trailer to the carport as I couldn't ever see it. I just used to line up the street side (if thats possible on a curve & uphill), and backed her in, NEVER heard a "CRASH" sound, so must have done it right.

Putting the 299 in it's "spot", well that was possible because Gary was spotting for me, as there were lots of blind movements on that parking job. It was a real "manovering experience", but it was the best place to put it.

Now to the 5th wheel, can you believe this, I have not even so much as moved it 5 feet, let alone really tow or park it. OH no, wait, I did back it up about 6 inches to connect the king pin to the hitch, under Garys' WATCHFUL eye.

SO, that should be a real learning experience, when I go to tow it.

Some people just can't visualize how goofy my driveway/parking area is.

Kitty

HappyCampers · 03-05-2010, 02:40 PM

I can relate to the horrible noise the sliding fifth wheel makes. The first time I slid the fifth wheel we were at the dealer where we bought the coach. They showed me how to do it, and then made me drive around their facility a few times to get the hang of towing a fiver. When the hitch slid and locked into the rear slot, I thought the dang trailer fell off onto my bed.

I see you guys, and gals are showing difficult parking places. Here is where I park my beast. I was especially concerned when I traded the shortbed quad-cab, for the longbed four door. I wasn't sure that I could do it with the extra wheel base of the truck. I'm also pretty sure that I can't go any bigger with the trailer either. So no F-345SR in my future.

I have to seriously hug the mailbox and phone pole (within a very few inches) then crank the heck out of her. And man the axles really flex at this point. Backing into the driveway then (while not scraping the front of the truck on the church wall) and then into the yard a little. Then I have to forward and reverse a few times to get her a little closer to the fence. Then unhook quickly while blocking the road. I get a lot of people who are amazed that I can even get her in the driveway.

[img]http://i946.photobucket.com/albums/ad310/SunlineHappyCampers/Sunline%20Pictures/100_0681.jpg

[/img]http://i946.photobucket.com/albums/ad310/SunlineHappyCampers/Sunline%20Pictures/100_0841.jpg

HappyCampers · 03-05-2010, 02:48 PM

EMD_Driver · 03-05-2010, 05:07 PM

I would love to watch you put that thing in that spot Lowell!

That slider noise is really horrible, but I guess that's how they are designed. Fortunately, I hope to not be forced to slide the thing anymore! I just picked up a new TV.. 1994 Ford F350 crew cab, long bed.. It does have the 7.3 powerstroke diesel in it, but it's not so new, that I have to have a dealer do all the work on it!