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01-28-2013, 10:31 AM
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#21
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 752
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One more... If it is getting dark and you find yourself the one waiting to get by, turn your headlights OFF. Someone's lights in your eyes are enough to drive "me" crazy. Not only are you fighting the night, traffic in the CG, and now someone with their lights in your eyes. Rant over...
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2016 Pinnacle 36REQS
2022 Ford F-450 6.7 4x4 CC LB Dually
Mike & Chelle, My kids when they decide to go with us.
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01-28-2013, 12:11 PM
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#22
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Severn
Posts: 114
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The one thing I have not seen anyone mention is to check your trailer brakes, I check mine as I leave my driveway on every trip.
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01-28-2013, 04:46 PM
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#23
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: North Idaho, Coeur d Alene
Posts: 10
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#1 make sure you get a good equallizing hitch.
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North Idaho
Jayco G2 23FB
2007 Chevrolet 2500HD 6.0L
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01-28-2013, 06:50 PM
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#24
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 114
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With your new TT, you're going to need to buy some accessories. With respect to towing, it's helpful to have convex mirrors or some sort. If you have extended mirrors but convex mirrors are not incorporated as part of the unit, small round convex mirrors can be attached via an adhesive backing.
As others have stated, make sure your WDH is properly configured. Your dealer will have it configured with an empty TT and your unloaded tow vehicle. See the sticky on this forum to learn how to set-up your rig like a pro.
Before departing anywhere with your TT, ensure that all your lugs are properly torqued. This will require the purchase of a torque wrench. Get a good one that won't be out of spec in a couple of months. Also, before departing, (1) check tire inflation (which will be based on TT weight); (2) check hitch area for proper connections (ie, WDH system, safety chains, break-away cable, etc.); (3) the lights; (4) do a walk-around to make sure your electrical cord(s)/hose(s) are disconnected, steps are closed, all storage doors securely closed, and nothing will be left behind.
Know the true height of your TT. Determine the height with the AC unit(s) -- write the height on a small business card and keep near your odometer. When pulling into gas stations or going thru low bridges/overpasses, you immediately will know whether you can clear the zone or not. Don't guess or assume you'll be OK.
Before backing-up, survey the location. Consider the elevation of the spot (both side-to-side and lengthwise), and make sure you have the necessary blocks for leveling. If you have a slide-out, factor in the width of it when trees/bushes are in play.
When backing-up, until you become comfortable with the process, it's helpful to have two (2) people outside the tow vehicle to assist. Have one person up-front with you (who can see the overall "picture") and another person at the back. The two outsiders can be on radio with each other to communicate easily.
Before disengaging the TT from tow vehicle, use wheel chocks.
Before driving, get a "feel" for the length of your rig by having a car parked 5', 10', 15', and 20' behind your TT while you sit in the drivers seat. Lock those images in your memory. This will help you when passing other vehicles on the highway. Get some soccer cones and use when practicing in a parking lot.
While driving, don't plan on going faster than 65mph. Your TT tires are (most likely) rated for 65mph max. Going faster increases the probability that you'll get a flat. With cross-winds, slow down. If mother nature pulls out all the stops (wind, rain, etc), take a pit-stop and wait for the storm to pass (if possible). You'll encounter all sorts of tailgaters, so plan on installing machine guns on your rear bumper (before they are banned!) to keep tailgaters at bay. For the avoidance of doubt, I'm joking (!). Actually, just ignore these idiots and allow them to pass if possible.
Get into a routine when hooking-up and unhooking so that you don't forget a step or two when interrupted by a family member or a CG visitor.
Finally, remember, safety is your number one concern when towing. Good luck and many happy trails with your TT.
__________________
2004 Suburban 2500 LT 8.1L/4.10/4x4
Putnam XDR Class V, Equalizer 1400#
2006 Jayco Eagle 264BHS
Iota DLS-55, Progressive Industries EMS-HW30C, Trimetric TM-2025
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01-29-2013, 01:47 PM
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#25
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Merrimack NH
Posts: 917
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Be sure to hve extended mirrors on your TV Larry
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Larry & Rachel Demers 2013 F150 Eco Boost Super Cab 6.5 bed 6 sp. 3.31 4x4 White Hawk 28DSBH
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01-29-2013, 02:02 PM
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#26
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 752
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If your TV has a Tow/Haul switch make sure to use it. It will make the TV shift at the pattern required to haul your load better and it also in some cases helps with slowing the vehicles.
__________________
2016 Pinnacle 36REQS
2022 Ford F-450 6.7 4x4 CC LB Dually
Mike & Chelle, My kids when they decide to go with us.
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02-02-2013, 07:54 AM
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#27
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Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Manteno, IL
Posts: 18
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One thing that I noticed that has not been mentioned yet was the removal of the anti-sway bar. If you have a weight distribution hitch and use it correctly it's a good idea to remove the anti-sway bar. It's the thin adjustable bar that connects the TV and TT on two smaller hitch balls held in place by cotter pins should be removed when attempting to back up. The bar itself is made for when towing and assist in reducing sway. There is a chance that it could fail if left in place when in reverse.
__________________
2014 Eagle HT 26.5 RLS
2009 Dodge Ram 1500 Crew Cab Hemi 4x4 Big Horn
Magnaflow muffler with factory dual exhaust, K&N drop in filter
3:55 ratio, Goodyear Duratrec 285/60/R20
2011 Jayflight 22FB...sold!
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02-02-2013, 10:23 AM
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#28
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Kincardine Ontario
Posts: 163
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That depends on the WD system used. Types like Equal-i-zer don't have the additional friction antisway piece so there is no problem when backing up. We used to have the type with the separate antisway and did at times forget to take it off before backing up. It is much nicer with the Equal-i-zer.
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Owenssailor
Ont. Canada
2017 Chev 4x4 Crew Cab 5.3l 3.42 8 spd trailer pkg
2011 Jayco JayFeather Select 28U
Equal-i-zer 1400/14000
Rotochocks
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02-02-2013, 11:59 AM
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#29
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 389
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Bolt your TT door shut.
I have had mine open even when it is "locked". It seems the difference in air pressure will force open your door.
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Richard & Marilyn
2010 Ford F150, V8, 5.4 liter
2010 Jay Feather Sport 165
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02-11-2013, 10:55 PM
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#30
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Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: CA, United States
Posts: 2
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When you're going to tow a trailer. You must check to ensure that you have a good wiring connection from the tow vehicle to the camper. Check that all of the lights are in working order including brake lights and turn signals. Also be sure that the electrical brake system is working as it should.
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02-12-2013, 12:47 AM
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#31
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Richmond B.C.
Posts: 303
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Try to make it your site before dark, I am going to rig up halogen driving lights for backing up. My last camping trip last Oct, it got dark quick and I had to had both my wife and daughter hold my 2 LED D cell mag lights to illuminate the sides of he trailer so that I could safely back into my site. I ended up assisting another camper with a 5th wheel back into heir site too.
__________________
2012 Jayfeather X213
2004 Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie Quad cab 4x4
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02-12-2013, 09:04 AM
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#32
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Southern Indiana
Posts: 1,326
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Westerncanuck
Try to make it your site before dark, I am going to rig up halogen driving lights for backing up. My last camping trip last Oct, it got dark quick and I had to had both my wife and daughter hold my 2 LED D cell mag lights to illuminate the sides of he trailer so that I could safely back into my site. I ended up assisting another camper with a 5th wheel back into heir site too.
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This is soooo important!!
__________________
2017 Some Other Brand (SOB)
2013 Jayco Jay Feather X23B (She Gone)
2014 Ford Expedition
Gerard
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02-13-2013, 03:31 AM
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#33
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Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Hudson Valley, NY
Posts: 11
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Once you've parked.... Chock your tires first! Don't even think of unhooking without having both sides chocked.
That tip comes from experience!
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