Items needed for new Fifth Wheel

[Camping Couple]

Hi Everyone,

We recently purchased a Jayco Eagle HTX Fifth Wheel. We have been camping for years with Travel Trailers. I’m sure I have pretty much all the required items needed. What I’m looking for are suggestions that are Fifth Wheel specific items that I’ll need. We pick up the new one on September 5th.

[TxLoser]

Only thing I’d add that you may or may not already have is more wood or LEGO blocks for the leveling jacks. Limiting the amount of stroke on those is key to successful use of that system. Beyond that, it should be a direct transfer of “stuff”.

[AKRUEBBE]

To start, how about a bottle of champagne to christen her

[havnfun]

Congrats on your purchase.
Before you imbibe in the champagne, install Steadyfast Stabilizers to knock out most of the wiggle. Works great for my fiver. 3 bars, easy install, easy use.

Happy RVing,
Jeff

[Camping Couple]

Jeff!!! Nice to see you. It’s been awhile. I was at my mom’s last year about this time and did some fishing at your favorite place....Fools Hollow. Caught some nice trout.

[Joan617]

X2 on the lego blocks and the Champagne! A 5'ver is arguably more complicated to level, and the Champagne, well, why not?! Your new rig will have more space for that.


Good luck and keep us posted.


Oh, and how do you drive that Coast Guard Cutter around Kalamazoo?


Angus

[triplebvalp]

Originally Posted by Joan617

A 5'ver is arguably more complicated to level ...

Angus

Yep, I'll argue that … I unhook the FW and press the "magic" auto level button, 2 minutes later and it's level.

[Mopar_Earl]

Measuring your exact height of the trailer and remember it or note it on the dash.
Scale your combo and truck so you know your weights.
Have bare minimum of 6" bed rail/tailgate clearance. 7" or greater is ideal.

Earl

[Camping Couple]

Originally Posted by Joan617

X2 on the lego blocks and the Champagne! A 5'ver is arguably more complicated to level, and the Champagne, well, why not?! Your new rig will have more space for that.


Good luck and keep us posted.


Oh, and how do you drive that Coast Guard Cutter around Kalamazoo?


Angus

LOL on the Coast Guard Cutter. That is the CGC Monomoy. It was my favorite Duty station when I was serving. Now she is serving over in the Persian Gulf. All the Island Class Cutters which the Monomoy is are starting to phased out.

[Camping Couple]

We didn’t get the auto leveling system on ours. It wasn’t an option that was installed. Ours 5er was on the lot. For leveling our TT’s we have always used the Anderson Levelers. I have always had good luck with them. Once it is level, the stabilizers hit the ground.

[RedHorse1]

It’s not “stuff” but I’d suggest getting a handle on the differences in turning. A TT tends to follow the TV’s path in a turn, the 5th will turn inside the TV path. Right turns in particular will take some getting used to. My mantra is, “turn wide and late”. I scrubbed many a curb learning this.

Also, give some thought to getting on the roof. Our TT did not have a ladder and I never needed on top while we had it. The 5th has one but I don’t like climbing it. I carry a folding ladder in the truck bed and have used it several times.

The basement on the 5th was HUGE, I’d never fill it. Nope, don’t be in too big a hurry, it seems to fill itself.

[Big1]

Congrats!

[DonaandDon]

I have found that the storage areas are larger and this has led to an increase in totes. Largers ones and some smaller ones to keep it all organized. Additionally, don't know if you use pool noodles through out your rigs, we do..

Congrats and good luck.

[Skidawg]

Consider a bottle jack that will lift your new FW in case you have a flat tire. Slight weight difference from your TT to your new FW. Congrats ! SKIDAWG

[Marine71-76]

Originally Posted by triplebvalp

Yep, I'll argue that … I unhook the FW and press the "magic" auto level button, 2 minutes later and it's level.

You are extremely lucky. Most of the time we get "out of stroke".

[dkegel]

Originally Posted by Marine71-76

You are extremely lucky. Most of the time we get "out of stroke".

Not to hijack this thread, but I would argue that you are extremely unlucky.

Perhaps you are extending the front jacks too far when unhitching? That can cause issues.

Dave

[triplebvalp]

Originally Posted by Marine71-76

You are extremely lucky. Most of the time we get "out of stroke".

If the site is extremely unlevel, I will adjust the amount of "lego blocks" under the jacks accordingly so the leveling jacks don't have to extend their full length.

[GHen]

I would like to second a few of the comments above.

Auto levelers are our favorite option, very fast setup. Without one, bring lots of wood blocks or leveling component options.

My spouse loves the stabilizers to stop the “wiggle”.

Extra half step in case the stairs are high. You can make them out of wood or short folding stool.

Getting on a scale to get weights on truck, hitch, 5r axels is a must. Add gear and fluids as you would traveling. Compare those numbers to your truck specs and 5r specs.

I also added solar panels and a 6v battery system.

And last but not least, an extra bag of ice, for your cocktails on your new patio!

[Nathan S.]

I assume you already have X-Chokes, if not get some. Get a pin box stabilizer. If your spare is where mine is those under frame stabilizers won’t work unless you move the spare. And you didn’t say what your bed length was, but if it’s a short bed get a sliding hitch, it’s well worth the extra money and piece of mind.

And congrats!! Once I figured how to drive it, we love it. Like a previous post, wide turns. I have a couple marks learning.

[ETCrockett]

Congrats on your new FW! A couple of things worth considering is an rearview camera for the FW and a good tire pressure monitoring system for the FW. At 42' I'm glad to have the camera to help with lane changes and backing into tight spots. The TPMS system just gives me peace of mind rolling down the road knowing all the tires are properly inflated and not building up heat! Save the champagne for the maiden voyage!