From a former OTR driver and now a full timer. The best way to do a pull test is to slightly raise the landing gear, engage the trailer break and pull. There is no other way to do it! You are teaching the right method.
This is my first 5th Wheel experience and the Changing Lanes videos are truly exceptional. As a professional educator, I was about to pull out what little hair I have watching one nonsensical video after another. Then, when about to give up I saw your logo and thought, "OK, one more time!" and what a blessing. Each video is thoughtful, informative, and professional - no rattling on about unrelated nonsense, and the checklists on the blog are fantastic. I'm sure you get a lot of positive feedback, but I just wanted to add my "THANK YOU" and to encourage you to keep it up.
I've traveled alone for work with a camper for 14 years, the last 7 in a 5th wheel. I've purchased some of the items that y'all have recommended that give me peace of mind, and will make my life easier. I can't thank you enough for sharing your knowledge of RVing. I hope to never have problems getting my RV off the hitch again. The struggle has been real. Again, thank you for sharing and showing me that there are better ways to do this RV thing.
Chad and Tara this is one of the best hookup video I’ve seen on UA-cam. Thanks for showing people the correct way to hook up. I really enjoy following your videos very informative.
Thank you for this video. I have asked the question of how to exactly hitch and unhitch a 5th wheel with no response from other YT'ers. I use check lists on a daily basis, and for me, I print them, laminate them, then use a dry erase marker to check of the items. No batteries to go dead, no screens to break; old school
Hey guys, we decided that this is the life for us, and will be full-time 5th Wheeling in the not-so-distant future. We really appreciate your straight-forward no BS instructions and it is clear you are genuine folks. Thanks a ton, we have already learned so much. Safe Travels and if ever in N Idaho, you would have a place to stay!
I am a definite advocate for using a goose ball hitch. That said, I really do like this Reese hitch better than most I have seen. We use a checklist too and I highly recommend that anyone else pulling a 5th wheel have one too. It only takes a minute of distraction to get off your game and that's when something bad happens. Great instructional video!!! Thanks for sharing, Pat
I had a 20K Reese. My previous pickup had a B&W hitch. I loved that B&W! Maybe the newer style you have is better, but the older one wouldn't lock automatically. I purchased another B&W as quickly as possible. I needed the peace of mind knowing my hitch was locked. I always execute a pull check like used to do when I drove trucks. We have a checklist as well. You guys are great! Thank you for always sharing great info!
I have the Reese air sidewinder. You showed the basic one, the air is is in closed, so it does look a little different. It is a great hitch for the short box. I can do the ninety degree turn with no problem. You can adjust the air for your needs. Wasn't that expensive. Two of us installed it in about one hour. No more worries about turning. Good video. Like your check list. I have to admit, I do not use a check list. After 25 years plus of trucking, I pretty well have it down pat. But anything can happen, so probably good idea to have one. Never to cautious. Again, good video and be waiting for next one. Happy trails!!!!!!!
Great video! 5er noobie here and just starting my looking but, you 2 are a great resource for me in my searching. You answer a LOT of my questions and your explanations are clear and to the point. As a retired US Army helicopter pilot, it's "The same thing, the same way, Every single time".
XLNT hitching video for newbies to watch. Well put together. We learned alot with our old truck about hitching and unhitching. (The hard way) on some of it. We leave our tailgate on as most ppl do. 😒 One of our first trips out with "OLD YELLOW" I was not paying attention and was just a little crooked and poked the front compartment door with the tailgate and put a dent in it. With ppl watching the newbies boy was I 😳. Then another time we forgot to drop the tail gate after I dropped the dead legs down, released the hitch and started to pull out, you guessed it I hear this big bang and felt a jolt. This time a dent in the tailgate. 🙄 😀 lessons learned. 😀 Safe travels.
Thank you both for all of the extremely well done and informational videos on 5th Wheel operation. You certainly are leaders in the industry and have prepared many on how to safely operate the rig. Your way of highlighting issues that others may have had might be due to your or other RVers fubars, but your intelligent way of teaching is a plus. Take care and travel safely. Joe from Leander Texas
I had my Class A License back in the day for a number of years. The number one instruction to hook up a trailer was the pull test. The old saying in driving a tractor trailer was to test before getting underway. Apparently the pull test is the same with a fifth wheel RV. I really love you guys and seeing more and more of your video's , make my day.. THANKS FOR BEING YOU! Chad you are a great instructor & Cara, a great student.......
Hello All, Just came across your channel and you have some great info and experiences. My wife and I have both "Been There! Done That!" You cover all of what we have bestowed on our girls for traveling with their families. Safe Travels!
I dont do any 5th wheel towing but I m familiar w it. This video answered every single curiosity, how to, or what if, thought I had in my head.. ..Thank you
Been watching you guys for a couple years, so thanks for all the great informative videos. One note, I have a 2017 RAM 3500 SRW with Ram Boxes, so I was definitely challenged when buying our 2018 Montana 5th wheel. I went with the Reese 20K Titan hitch which I love as well because it is heavy. For pin box, I went with the Reese 19K Sidewinder to keep the pin box locked to straight in the bed of my truck and not potentially wiping out the insides of the Ram Boxes during tight turns. It works very well as the pivot point is back up under the nose of the 5th wheel. I have had no issues with sway, just a nice comfortable ride. I love the checklists as I use them, too. Happy RVing guys!
You have great timing. I have been RV'ing in a Motor-home for 20 years. The last 3 years I have been living five days out out of seven in the RV. Anyway my son is now getting his first RV a 5th wheel, and while I have pulled goose neck flatbed trailers with my Pickup I have not use a fifth wheel so this a great video for him and I.
This is one reason I had the Reese Goosebox installed on my 5th Wheel. For me, yes it takes a bit longer to hitch up, but I don't have a heavy hitch in the bed because I often use my truck box. I did a lot of research on hitched and when I found the switching to the Reese Goosebox will not void the trailer frame manufacturing warranty it was a no brainer.
Another good one. Thx guys. Re: the Reese 20k Goosebox... gvwr for our 5th wheel is 14500. We've been using our GB for almost 2 years. Love it... absolutely! Empty bed! Good stuff. Thx guys. Safe travels. bg
Great job 👍🏻 I really enjoy your thoroughness in your “HowTo” videos, it is simple to comprehend! Thank you for all you do to educate the masses, it is appreciated!
Great video for people new to the 5th wheel world. I have one of the coil breakaway cables but haven't used it, didn't like the hookup points. ( Dodge 3500 dually). Seeing your set up I will try it when we take off in April. The new Reese hitch looks nice. We have the B&W Companion and I leave it in the dang truck unless I need the full bed. I use the loader on the tractor to remove and install it. Thing is heavy, but I too like the weight in the bed when running less the trailer, smooths out the ride. I need to build a hitch checklist, getting older I don't want to forget anything. I usually start a week before we roll checking wheel bearings and pressures on the trailer tires, then check the lug nuts (I mark them with a Sharpie and can just look and see if they have moved) We also use radios for light check and backing in tight places. My partner's hand signals change every time and I couldn't keep up. The radios keep the hollerin' down to a minimum.LOL The more I watch you two interact the more you remind me of my and my other half, although we are a lot older. Been together since teenagers, turned 61 last fall, and she still seems to like me. Next time you come out west would love to meet up someplace, boondock a couple days and I can hook Chad on the Turbo S Rzr....:)
Great video as always guys. When we got our 5th wheel in the fall I changed out the pin box for a Reese goosebox even before we drove it off the lot. Now I haven't pulled it much yet but from the bit I have, I have no regrets. Less stuff in the bed of my truck to deal with, the fact that the ball allows for the trailer to lean left or right helps in situations where the truck and trailer might be off camber for unhooking/hooking or simply driving where a standard 5th wheel setup might cause the rear axle to unload and loose traction from one side. If Reese ever makes a higher rated one I'd highly suggest giving it a shot. It's nice to get to a site, unhook, throw the ball and safety chain holders into their case and have complete use of my bed. As always keep up the good work and look forward to the next video.
Excellent video. I love how calm you are while hooking up and unhooking. When you are that rv big it pays to have the checklist and be chilled. Ha. Our pup prefers to be in back seat of the truck while we are packing up also. Thanks for the pointers!
I use a Pull rite Super Glide with my shortbed Silverardo. It works well and I love it. Thanks for the great video, we'll adopt your great checklist. Todd in NH.
Thanks for making this video Chad and Tara! I am switching from a conventional trailer to a 5th wheel in two months and I’m a little freaked out about the hitching. I’ve watched several videos to get the skinny on how to do it and this video has been the best of them all! Love the part about the tug-test. Thanks!
@@ChangingLanes Excellent video Chad and Tara, thank you. I love the truck math and the driving tips. I bought my first truck (F150) five years ago and the dealer knew nothing about towing or truck math. My trailer exceeded my payload capacity. I have since done lots of learning how to do truck math and glad see your video confirming I’m doing it right. I also (now) have a F350 and love it! Thanks again and safe travels :)
Congratulations to you guys for being financially stable. I checked the rates for the RV parks in the Keys and they are insanely expensive. We will be parking on the peninsula and driving into the Keys. We are not broke or poor but those rates are crazy. Depending on season $350.00 a night is nuts.
Great video. We pick up our fifth wheel on Thursday. Drove Semi about 40 years ago, but I know that hooking up the fifth wheel is different. Thank you.
Great video, really enjoy you channel. I have my first fifth wheel after 4 travel trailers and the dealer talked me into the Anderson you showed on your video. So far it's been great with no problems, but time will tell. Here is a little tip from a 40 plus year truck driver. If you get a bind and can't pull the release handle, back up tight against the hitch and set the parking brake and then try to pull it. I really don't think taking the weight off the hitch has any affect on unhitching. Keep up the good work
Another great video from you guys. I really like the red/green lock indicator built into the M5 for the Talon jaw. And yes, visually double checking the jaw is a good idea. I also love your idea of the different check lists. 👍
I had the B&W companion and I loved it. It was great. Now I have the Reese Goosebox for my RV. It’s so much nicer, easier and sold with the air bag and shock absorbers inside it. Not sure if the larger 20k would work with your RV due to its weight but it’s fantastic.
"... put it in neutral to let it settle..." GREAT idea. I've got a Reese Elite 25k (single jaw) that can be a bear. Sometimes it won't let go for love nor money. Nor expletives. Super video, thank you!
I love all your vids, so informative, organized and thorough. I am a newbie and have learned a lot from your vids. So I debated on going with a 5th wheel hitch and kingpin vs a Goosebox and ball hitch. I decided going with a 20k Reese Goosebox and ball. Our rig is only 14k lbs. Advantages and disadvantages of both. I feel more confident with a Goosebox and ball. No worries about a pull test and worried about coming unhitched. Negative is it is more difficult to get lined up under the all, but it is easier with practice. I also use an Iball camera I mount on my hitch ball and that helps a lot for visibility. I have incorporated many of your steps in our check lists. Thanks for all your tips and great advice.
Good how to video. Something that people who pull all the time don't think about sharing. We have to Reese Goosebox for our Solitude and love having the extra bed space. Our rig GVWR is only around 16k and I went with the 20k for peace of mind so I understand not wanting a 20k when that is also your max gvwr.
I stumbled across you website/blog while on RVLife.com and you guys are great! We've had a fiver about three years and it was our first camper. We'd rented a couple bumper pulls and loved the trips we took with them. But found that those weren't really something my wife liked to drive...so we pulled the trigger, bought an F250 and a Jayco 31.5 BHDS. We've got a Demco autoslide since we have a shortbox truck. Man so much fun! I appreciate the guidance and info from you all...my next upgrade is a TPMS because we had a blow out on our first big vacation. We're also looking at joining the full time crew at least for a few years when I retire...so I'll be watching for that info too! Stay safe!
I agree with you on the pull test with land gears down. I like to raise it up slightly so it can catch if truck and 5th wheel not connected properly and not damage the truck.
Another great video. I concur on the pull test. I drove truck in the Army for a good many years and was prepared with CDL to do as a civilian when I retired. Did need to, but if I remember correctly that pull test was part of the CDL exam.
Hi, we love you guys and have learned a lot from your videos. I had to learn the hard way but in your walk around it would be nice to mention to make sure to double check to put down your antenna. I missed it in one trip while during my walk around because I didn't have a check list and needless to say I was replacing it. Again, we love you guys and happy camping.
Our antenna is a low profile fixed one.. So, we've never had to do that.. We do have a checklist video here if interested: ua-cam.com/video/uPXNmS0IBRQ/v-deo.html
GM, Chrysler! My take-away from this video is never get behind a 5th wheel on the highway. You both are very smart, but thinking about everyone else out there pulling one of these ... sweet, fancy Moses! I've never done a "pull test" and have never had a problem in my class-B. :)
I hook my break away cable for the brakes to the front of the truck. Because if the trailer should become disconnected the pin will pull out as soon as possible and engage the trailer brakes. I also pull the pin out and test that the trailer brakes will engage. When I drove 18 wheelers I would lower the air bags on the tractor, back under and connect to the trailer, raise the air bags which would lift the trailer jacks off the ground then pull forward to test the connection. Then get out of the tractor and connect the lights and air brakes.
Excellent video. I like your checklists so I’m going to redo mine. One of my fiver fears is a false hitch. A friend of ours dropped his at home while hitching for their 2nd trip. He had not raised his landing gear fully so the only damage was minor bedrail dents and a couple of small scratches on his camper. I saw a tractor trailer that lost his trailer in a parking lot a couple of months ago, bent his landing gear so they had to tow it with a wrecker. Thanks for the great videos😎🇺🇸
We have the same hitch we upgraded when we bought our new 2019 f350 I like the hitch but sometimes if you are parked on a angle you have to play with the hitch to disconnect. and with these new trucks you have to play around with adjusting the hitch and pin box to get your clearance. But overall great hitch we paid for ours though.( lol) bought ours from etrailer great company. hope to see you on the road.....be safe!
Having run a 40Ft gooseneck flatbed trailer, using that Reese gooseneck box would be great with one exception. That is lining up the trailer to the ball is a lot harder because you have to be almost perfectly aligned to hitch. When I was hitching alone it took several tries to get it close enough.
Awesome video. 1 suggestion would be to clip your breakaway forward of the hitch. If it comes off driving down the road, it will have the ability to pull the release. Tailgates are so strong and have locks, and its possible it won't tear it off and emergency brake will not deploy. And if by chance when it comes off either pulls the 7 pin connector out or breaks it off. Then you have no control at all. I installed a eye bolt by the handle on my tool box to attach to.
I agree with a Checklist. Last month I messed up bigtime. When I hooked up my 5th wheel and the fifth wheel locked in place, I forgot to lock the 5th wheel with the latch/pin. I drive home for 2 hours with the safety lock UNLOCKED. It can happen to anyone. Be careful & use a Checklist.
Great video guys! Always very informative as usual. Love your check lists too. Thanks for sharing and I love the new hitch. Love your channel as well. Safe Travels
We just camped at Sunshine key over the Christmas holiday, literally 6-8 sites down from there... recognized some of the long-term RVs in your background! Great campground!
Hi So nice to hear that you say about the drag test. ! Seen many a trailer go sailing on its own down the road Always do a drag test and always lift the trailer as banging under trailer , so that “ if “ king pin not locked properly, the trailer will only fall 3 or 4 inches ( commercial trailer ) it is possible to drop trailer on its nose if legs wound up fully ! Yes I did do that. 😂😂😂😂.
One thing that I’d like to mention with your light check. I travel alone more often then not. What I do is hit the emergency flashers and that turns everything on including both turn signals. Also good call on the pull test with landing gear down, I’ll be adding that step.
Great video as usual it's nice for everyone to refresh themselves on hooking up your rig it's not much different from a 5th wheel on a semi. Thanks for all the tips and tricks you put out . I'm getting ready to pick up my first solitude 5th wheel
One note on your apple notes checklists. (pun intended). I had been using apple notes up to about a year ago, and I switched to Google Keep, and this is why. You can use it on apple, android, windows, or mac. The big reason I use it is because I can share my checklists with my family, and while each of us is ticking away tasks it shows up on everyone's device as we go along. This is great for RV checklists and getting groceries as we can both be dashing about in the store, each checking off items as we get them. that way we don't duplicate shop, and don't have to find each other to see what the other person has gotten.
I personally don’t use Reese 5er hitch. After researching we decided to go with the B&W 5th wheel slider in a Ford F-250 for our 2019 Jayco NorthPoint 377 RLBH. I also like the fact that you can leave the jaws open and back under and they close. Great video with lots to keep your checks in order!
I totally agree with you Chad check lists rule my wife and i don't even go shopping for groceries with out a check list fantastic video lots of useful information thankyou 👍👍👍
PLEASE READ ME! You just ran your emergency brake cable to the rear of the truck bed. That would have to run forward for two reasons. 1) If the cable is running back 18", it would have to break loose and move 36" just to match the tension you already have. 2) If the cable hooked on something and pulled sideways or backwards, it's going to bust the plastic pin off in the hole and it will never work at all. Hook it to the front Ford takedown and that cable will only get tighter. How do you like that Ford tiedown system? If you didn't have the tie downs, are they worth picking up? (2019 F-150) Ford parts I'm sure they are big money. I actually haven't even looked at pricing. Keep up the GREAT JOBs you two👍
The only problem with HOOKING to the front...well actually 2 problems is: 1 .. when you turn it would pull out and your trailer brakes lock up and 2 . When turning, the cable could get wedged in the 5th wheel hitch and break therefore rendering it useless . 👍🏻
Thanks! The break-away connection is basically 90 degrees from the hitch. If the RV ever comes loose, it will have no problem yanking that pin out as the RV moves to the rear. We don't use the tie-downs a lot, but they are nice to have. You're right that they're likely expensive...
This is a great video. It was detailed and to the point on all that is needed to hitch and unhitch. I think the more someone watches this video the more at ease they will become in doing it themselves. Great job. I was checking out the Reese M5 27K on the Reese Website. The only one that I could pull up was denoted as for a GMC/Chevy. Would you happen to have the model number for the unit you have. Maybe I could find it with that. Thanks guys..
I would go to eTrailer.com (links in description) and use their shopping tools.. You can put in your truck, year, etc and it will get the right one for you... 👍🏼
I moved from the same old-style Reese to the B&W 25K with the new truck/5th wheel and prefer the B&W but one thing I dislike about both (puck installation) is they both give you a way to lock the handles once closed/rotated but then leave the cotter pins/bolts fully exposed so someone could still remove those and steal your hitch. Wish the rotated handles would cover those bolts to prevent removal. Purchased a couple of those breakaway cables using the link above; definitely nicer to use than the long straight cable.
Hey guys! Just assembled my Ford puck M5 yesterday, and noticed that the blue “Reese 27K” placard was on the “wrong” side as delivered according to all the photos & instructions about how to “gain 1 1/2” inches which, if followed, would have actually put the plate facing the tailgate as is shown in all the pictures. This in turn led me to really inspect how the two springs under the head are supposed to be configured/working, and I noticed in your video that one of your springs is also in the wrong place under the head (the one to the right as you face the front of the bed). The long parts of the springs both need to be pointing as far forward into the bed (towards the cab) as you can get them when you lower the head down into the body of the hitch. This will then cause the head to cleanly rest “pointing downwards” towards your tailgate, aiding proper hitch angle for the trailer and hitch head strike areas to meet as designed.
@@ChangingLanes definitely let me know what you find- I was surprised at how unclear the instructions were for it. Basically a different instruction sheet in each box, and none of them really told the whole assembly story in my opinion.
Thank you so much for this video. I will be selling my little travel trailerJune and buying my first 5th wheel.And I am a little nervous about hitching and unhitching my 5th wheel at first by my self. I will use check lists and go slow. I just got my truck and it has the same things on my dash board as You. Iused to drive 40' busses ......I believe in going slow to make sure things are done right that way no accidents
One thing I added to my checklist is to turn my airbag compressor off before I unhitch. That way when I raise the rig the truck doesn't keep coming up. I have it wired to one of my upfitter switches.
I use an Andersen gooseneck adapter. If I can align the ball under the hitch, in any truck angle, I can drop the hitch down on that ball. I really like this set up
Great video I plan on getting a new toy hauler and I have been watching your videos for quite a while I had a stroke in 2021 I plan on purchasing a trike I was riding a Indian Challenger I plan on purchasing a trike Indian pursuit thanks for your advice
Super great information! We feel like we have a wonderful check procedure, but you did give us another idea or two in that regard. We are purchasing the Anderson Ultimate Hitch this summer! Thanks for sharing this information
As a retired truck driver, your video and instructions were spot on! Great job!
From a former OTR driver and now a full timer. The best way to do a pull test is to slightly raise the landing gear, engage the trailer break and pull. There is no other way to do it! You are teaching the right method.
I was thinking that if the wheels are chocked, then the trailer should not move. But I can see the wisdom in slightly raises the front landing gear.
This is my first 5th Wheel experience and the Changing Lanes videos are truly exceptional. As a professional educator, I was about to pull out what little hair I have watching one nonsensical video after another. Then, when about to give up I saw your logo and thought, "OK, one more time!" and what a blessing. Each video is thoughtful, informative, and professional - no rattling on about unrelated nonsense, and the checklists on the blog are fantastic. I'm sure you get a lot of positive feedback, but I just wanted to add my "THANK YOU" and to encourage you to keep it up.
Thanks, Jim! 😊
I've traveled alone for work with a camper for 14 years, the last 7 in a 5th wheel. I've purchased some of the items that y'all have recommended that give me peace of mind, and will make my life easier. I can't thank you enough for sharing your knowledge of RVing. I hope to never have problems getting my RV off the hitch again. The struggle has been real. Again, thank you for sharing and showing me that there are better ways to do this RV thing.
Chad and Tara this is one of the best hookup video I’ve seen on UA-cam. Thanks for showing people the correct way to hook up.
I really enjoy following your videos very informative.
I had my 5th wheel on pull rite super slide and it locked in didnt pull test and 7000 later so i do pull test all the time
Thank you for this video. I have asked the question of how to exactly hitch and unhitch a 5th wheel with no response from other YT'ers. I use check lists on a daily basis, and for me, I print them, laminate them, then use a dry erase marker to check of the items. No batteries to go dead, no screens to break; old school
Hey guys, we decided that this is the life for us, and will be full-time 5th Wheeling in the not-so-distant future. We really appreciate your straight-forward no BS instructions and it is clear you are genuine folks. Thanks a ton, we have already learned so much. Safe Travels and if ever in N Idaho, you would have a place to stay!
Welcome to our channel! 😊
I am a definite advocate for using a goose ball hitch. That said, I really do like this Reese hitch better than most I have seen. We use a checklist too and I highly recommend that anyone else pulling a 5th wheel have one too. It only takes a minute of distraction to get off your game and that's when something bad happens. Great instructional video!!!
Thanks for sharing,
Pat
Great video. As a truck driver for 14 years, a routine is very important when hitching and unhitching.
I had a 20K Reese. My previous pickup had a B&W hitch. I loved that B&W! Maybe the newer style you have is better, but the older one wouldn't lock automatically. I purchased another B&W as quickly as possible. I needed the peace of mind knowing my hitch was locked. I always execute a pull check like used to do when I drove trucks. We have a checklist as well. You guys are great! Thank you for always sharing great info!
I have the Reese air sidewinder. You showed the basic one, the air is is in closed, so it does look a little different. It is a great hitch for the short box. I can do the ninety degree turn with no problem. You can adjust the air for your needs. Wasn't that expensive. Two of us installed it in about one hour. No more worries about turning. Good video. Like your check list. I have to admit, I do not use a check list. After 25 years plus of trucking, I pretty well have it down pat. But anything can happen, so probably good idea to have one. Never to cautious. Again, good video and be waiting for next one. Happy trails!!!!!!!
the biggest reason for a checklist in RVing is distractions... RVers are a friendly bunch and it's easy to chat for a bit and get off-game...
Great video! 5er noobie here and just starting my looking but, you 2 are a great resource for me in my searching. You answer a LOT of my questions and your explanations are clear and to the point. As a retired US Army helicopter pilot, it's "The same thing, the same way, Every single time".
Thanks! You might like this video also: ua-cam.com/video/87runDszXLQ/v-deo.html
XLNT hitching video for newbies to watch. Well put together. We learned alot with our old truck about hitching and unhitching. (The hard way) on some of it.
We leave our tailgate on as most ppl do. 😒 One of our first trips out with "OLD YELLOW" I was not paying attention and was just a little crooked and poked the front compartment door with the tailgate and put a dent in it. With ppl watching the newbies boy was I 😳.
Then another time we forgot to drop the tail gate after I dropped the dead legs down, released the hitch and started to pull out, you guessed it I hear this big bang and felt a jolt. This time a dent in the tailgate. 🙄
😀 lessons learned. 😀
Safe travels.
Thank you both for all of the extremely well done and informational videos on 5th Wheel operation. You certainly are leaders in the industry and have prepared many on how to safely operate the rig. Your way of highlighting issues that others may have had might be due to your or other RVers fubars, but your intelligent way of teaching is a plus. Take care and travel safely.
Joe from Leander Texas
I had my Class A License back in the day for a number of years. The number one instruction to hook up a trailer was the pull test. The old saying in driving a tractor trailer was to test before getting underway. Apparently the pull test is the same with a fifth wheel RV. I really love you guys and seeing more and more of your video's , make my day.. THANKS FOR BEING YOU! Chad you are a great instructor & Cara, a great student.......
How do I join your blog? And access your check lists? Thanks
Hello All,
Just came across your channel and you have some great info and experiences. My wife and I have both "Been There! Done That!" You cover all of what we have bestowed on our girls for traveling with their families. Safe Travels!
I dont do any 5th wheel towing but I m familiar w it. This video answered every single curiosity, how to, or what if, thought I had in my head.. ..Thank you
It's the middle of winter in Canada. I love your videos because it gets me hyped for camping season even when it's still months away.
Finally!!! An actual useful hitching video that's easy!!! Thank you soooo much.
Been watching you guys for a couple years, so thanks for all the great informative videos. One note, I have a 2017 RAM 3500 SRW with Ram Boxes, so I was definitely challenged when buying our 2018 Montana 5th wheel. I went with the Reese 20K Titan hitch which I love as well because it is heavy. For pin box, I went with the Reese 19K Sidewinder to keep the pin box locked to straight in the bed of my truck and not potentially wiping out the insides of the Ram Boxes during tight turns. It works very well as the pivot point is back up under the nose of the 5th wheel. I have had no issues with sway, just a nice comfortable ride. I love the checklists as I use them, too. Happy RVing guys!
You have great timing. I have been RV'ing in a Motor-home for 20 years. The last 3 years I have been living five days out out of seven in the RV. Anyway my son is now getting his first RV a 5th wheel, and while I have pulled goose neck flatbed trailers with my Pickup I have not use a fifth wheel so this a great video for him and I.
This is one reason I had the Reese Goosebox installed on my 5th Wheel. For me, yes it takes a bit longer to hitch up, but I don't have a heavy hitch in the bed because I often use my truck box. I did a lot of research on hitched and when I found the switching to the Reese Goosebox will not void the trailer frame manufacturing warranty it was a no brainer.
Another good one. Thx guys. Re: the Reese 20k Goosebox... gvwr for our 5th wheel is 14500. We've been using our GB for almost 2 years. Love it... absolutely! Empty bed! Good stuff. Thx guys. Safe travels. bg
😂 Had issues with our first tug test and knew you’d have the answer! Thanks for all the great help!
Great job 👍🏻 I really enjoy your thoroughness in your “HowTo” videos, it is simple to comprehend! Thank you for all you do to educate the masses, it is appreciated!
Great video for people new to the 5th wheel world. I have one of the coil breakaway cables but haven't used it, didn't like the hookup points. ( Dodge 3500 dually). Seeing your set up I will try it when we take off in April. The new Reese hitch looks nice. We have the B&W Companion and I leave it in the dang truck unless I need the full bed. I use the loader on the tractor to remove and install it. Thing is heavy, but I too like the weight in the bed when running less the trailer, smooths out the ride. I need to build a hitch checklist, getting older I don't want to forget anything. I usually start a week before we roll checking wheel bearings and pressures on the trailer tires, then check the lug nuts (I mark them with a Sharpie and can just look and see if they have moved)
We also use radios for light check and backing in tight places. My partner's hand signals change every time and I couldn't keep up. The radios keep the hollerin' down to a minimum.LOL
The more I watch you two interact the more you remind me of my and my other half, although we are a lot older. Been together since teenagers, turned 61 last fall, and she still seems to like me. Next time you come out west would love to meet up someplace, boondock a couple days and I can hook Chad on the Turbo S Rzr....:)
I like the lug nut sharpie idea! 👍🏼 Thanks for the invite! 😊
Take care and safe travels!
Good job guys!! After 30+ years of driving tractor trailers (Big Rigs), ALWAYS, ALWAYS ALWAYS do a pull (tug) test, no arguments just do it.
I agree
The two of you did a beautiful job.. Thanks so much.
Great video as always guys. When we got our 5th wheel in the fall I changed out the pin box for a Reese goosebox even before we drove it off the lot. Now I haven't pulled it much yet but from the bit I have, I have no regrets. Less stuff in the bed of my truck to deal with, the fact that the ball allows for the trailer to lean left or right helps in situations where the truck and trailer might be off camber for unhooking/hooking or simply driving where a standard 5th wheel setup might cause the rear axle to unload and loose traction from one side. If Reese ever makes a higher rated one I'd highly suggest giving it a shot. It's nice to get to a site, unhook, throw the ball and safety chain holders into their case and have complete use of my bed.
As always keep up the good work and look forward to the next video.
Excellent video. I love how calm you are while hooking up and unhooking. When you are that rv big it pays to have the checklist and be chilled. Ha. Our pup prefers to be in back seat of the truck while we are packing up also. Thanks for the pointers!
I don't need any help with hitching but I LOVE watching your videos! Very well done, as always!
Thank you for the very informative video. I love little Daisy. I will be using the checklists. Thanks, Kim
Very informative and helpful to us, as NEWBIE Fifth Wheel owners of a 43 foot Cyclone. Thanks for such a detailed "best on the Tube" video.
👍 congrats and welcome! make sure you check out our website, full of helpful info and product links.
changinglanesrv.com/
I use a Pull rite Super Glide with my shortbed Silverardo. It works well and I love it. Thanks for the great video, we'll adopt your great checklist. Todd in NH.
Thanks for making this video Chad and Tara! I am switching from a conventional trailer to a 5th wheel in two months and I’m a little freaked out about the hitching. I’ve watched several videos to get the skinny on how to do it and this video has been the best of them all! Love the part about the tug-test. Thanks!
Thanks for watching! 😊 You might also want to see this if you haven't already.. ua-cam.com/video/87runDszXLQ/v-deo.html
@@ChangingLanes Excellent video Chad and Tara, thank you. I love the truck math and the driving tips. I bought my first truck (F150) five years ago and the dealer knew nothing about towing or truck math. My trailer exceeded my payload capacity. I have since done lots of learning how to do truck math and glad see your video confirming I’m doing it right. I also (now) have a F350 and love it! Thanks again and safe travels :)
Congratulations to you guys for being financially stable. I checked the rates for the RV parks in the Keys and they are insanely expensive. We will be parking on the peninsula and driving into the Keys. We are not broke or poor but those rates are crazy. Depending on season $350.00 a night is nuts.
Yea.. Like everything else, prices have jumped a lot with inflation. 😞
Great video. Helpful information. Wife and I are fixing to purchase 5th wheel and fulltime. Looking forward to it. Thanks for the info.
Always use a check list... Darn right! Every time we don't use the list. We inevitably miss something.
Great video. We pick up our fifth wheel on Thursday. Drove Semi about 40 years ago, but I know that hooking up the fifth wheel is different. Thank you.
Good luck with your new RV! 👍🏼
You guys are real authentic!!! Keep it up!
Thank you for all the great information,Reese make a very good hitch.
Great video, really enjoy you channel. I have my first fifth wheel after 4 travel trailers and the dealer talked me into the Anderson you showed on your video. So far it's been great with no problems, but time will tell.
Here is a little tip from a 40 plus year truck driver. If you get a bind and can't pull the release handle, back up tight against the hitch and set the parking brake and then try to pull it.
I really don't think taking the weight off the hitch has any affect on unhitching. Keep up the good work
Another great video from you guys. I really like the red/green lock indicator built into the M5 for the Talon jaw. And yes, visually double checking the jaw is a good idea. I also love your idea of the different check lists. 👍
I had the B&W companion and I loved it. It was great. Now I have the Reese Goosebox for my RV. It’s so much nicer, easier and sold with the air bag and shock absorbers inside it. Not sure if the larger 20k would work with your RV due to its weight but it’s fantastic.
Thanks for the advice about the breakaway cable. I try to have spares and backups for most everything, but that is one I did not think about.
"... put it in neutral to let it settle..." GREAT idea. I've got a Reese Elite 25k (single jaw) that can be a bear. Sometimes it won't let go for love nor money. Nor expletives. Super video, thank you!
Great video! Thank you Chad and Tara! It looks easy but difficult to do too. Glad you showed how to it. Thank you!
Sherri
Reese makes good stuff. I love their Goosebox on our 381
I got the same thing for my momentum 350g
I love all your vids, so informative, organized and thorough. I am a newbie and have learned a lot from your vids. So I debated on going with a 5th wheel hitch and kingpin vs a Goosebox and ball hitch. I decided going with a 20k Reese Goosebox and ball. Our rig is only 14k lbs. Advantages and disadvantages of both. I feel more confident with a Goosebox and ball. No worries about a pull test and worried about coming unhitched. Negative is it is more difficult to get lined up under the all, but it is easier with practice. I also use an Iball camera I mount on my hitch ball and that helps a lot for visibility. I have incorporated many of your steps in our check lists. Thanks for all your tips and great advice.
Awesome job! If you haven't visited our website yet, please do. There is a ton of helpful info there.
changinglanesrv.com/
Good how to video. Something that people who pull all the time don't think about sharing. We have to Reese Goosebox for our Solitude and love having the extra bed space. Our rig GVWR is only around 16k and I went with the 20k for peace of mind so I understand not wanting a 20k when that is also your max gvwr.
I stumbled across you website/blog while on RVLife.com and you guys are great! We've had a fiver about three years and it was our first camper. We'd rented a couple bumper pulls and loved the trips we took with them. But found that those weren't really something my wife liked to drive...so we pulled the trigger, bought an F250 and a Jayco 31.5 BHDS. We've got a Demco autoslide since we have a shortbox truck. Man so much fun! I appreciate the guidance and info from you all...my next upgrade is a TPMS because we had a blow out on our first big vacation.
We're also looking at joining the full time crew at least for a few years when I retire...so I'll be watching for that info too! Stay safe!
Oh, and the point about a pull test...soooo true! Every time i hook up!
Welcome to our channel! 😊
Good job. Even tho our trailer is not a fifth wheel, it was a very interesting watch. Thanks
I agree with you on the pull test with land gears down. I like to raise it up slightly so it can catch if truck and 5th wheel not connected properly and not damage the truck.
Thanks for making this. We had a TT & just bought a 5er. Installed the Curt Crosswing hitch. Only pull once. I'm working on a checklist tomorrow.
Safe travels! 😊
Another great video. I concur on the pull test. I drove truck in the Army for a good many years and was prepared with CDL to do as a civilian when I retired. Did need to, but if I remember correctly that pull test was part of the CDL exam.
Hi, we love you guys and have learned a lot from your videos. I had to learn the hard way but in your walk around it would be nice to mention to make sure to double check to put down your antenna. I missed it in one trip while during my walk around because I didn't have a check list and needless to say I was replacing it. Again, we love you guys and happy camping.
Our antenna is a low profile fixed one.. So, we've never had to do that.. We do have a checklist video here if interested: ua-cam.com/video/uPXNmS0IBRQ/v-deo.html
GM, Chrysler! My take-away from this video is never get behind a 5th wheel on the highway. You both are very smart, but thinking about everyone else out there pulling one of these ... sweet, fancy Moses!
I've never done a "pull test" and have never had a problem in my class-B. :)
Amazing video! As I am leaning twards a 5th wheel.. priceless info!
Checklists are smart. good video.
Love your channel and your travels. Keep them coming!!
We have y’alls checklist as a note on our phones but lately haven’t been using it as much. Good reminder to slow down and take our time packing up 👍🏻
Great video. We appreciate the extra info on all the different items you mentioned.
I hook my break away cable for the brakes to the front of the truck. Because if the trailer should become disconnected the pin will pull out as soon as possible and engage the trailer brakes. I also pull the pin out and test that the trailer brakes will engage. When I drove 18 wheelers I would lower the air bags on the tractor, back under and connect to the trailer, raise the air bags which would lift the trailer jacks off the ground then pull forward to test the connection. Then get out of the tractor and connect the lights and air brakes.
Love the checklists. As an airline pilot, we live by checklists!
Excellent video. I like your checklists so I’m going to redo mine. One of my fiver fears is a false hitch. A friend of ours dropped his at home while hitching for their 2nd trip. He had not raised his landing gear fully so the only damage was minor bedrail dents and a couple of small scratches on his camper. I saw a tractor trailer that lost his trailer in a parking lot a couple of months ago, bent his landing gear so they had to tow it with a wrecker. Thanks for the great videos😎🇺🇸
Great video and even better for the checklists! Thank you again.
We have the same hitch we upgraded when we bought our new 2019 f350 I like the hitch but sometimes if you are parked on a angle you have to play with the hitch to disconnect. and with these new trucks you have to play around with adjusting the hitch and pin box to get your clearance. But overall great hitch we paid for ours though.( lol) bought ours from etrailer great company. hope to see you on the road.....be safe!
Having run a 40Ft gooseneck flatbed trailer, using that Reese gooseneck box would be great with one exception. That is lining up the trailer to the ball is a lot harder because you have to be almost perfectly aligned to hitch. When I was hitching alone it took several tries to get it close enough.
Awesome video. 1 suggestion would be to clip your breakaway forward of the hitch. If it comes off driving down the road, it will have the ability to pull the release. Tailgates are so strong and have locks, and its possible it won't tear it off and emergency brake will not deploy. And if by chance when it comes off either pulls the 7 pin connector out or breaks it off. Then you have no control at all. I installed a eye bolt by the handle on my tool box to attach to.
Great team work guys and very good explanation, thumbs up👍
I agree with a Checklist. Last month I messed up bigtime. When I hooked up my 5th wheel and the fifth wheel locked in place, I forgot to lock the 5th wheel with the latch/pin. I drive home for 2 hours with the safety lock UNLOCKED. It can happen to anyone. Be careful & use a Checklist.
Great video guys! Always very informative as usual. Love your check lists too. Thanks for sharing and I love the new hitch. Love your channel as well. Safe Travels
We just camped at Sunshine key over the Christmas holiday, literally 6-8 sites down from there... recognized some of the long-term RVs in your background! Great campground!
As always, very informative. Awesome video!
Hi, Dean!!! 😀
Hi
So nice to hear that you say about the drag test. ! Seen many a trailer go sailing on its own down the road
Always do a drag test and always lift the trailer as banging under trailer , so that “ if “ king pin not locked properly, the trailer will only fall 3 or 4 inches ( commercial trailer ) it is possible to drop trailer on its nose if legs wound up fully ! Yes I did do that. 😂😂😂😂.
One thing that I’d like to mention with your light check. I travel alone more often then not. What I do is hit the emergency flashers and that turns everything on including both turn signals. Also good call on the pull test with landing gear down, I’ll be adding that step.
Great video as usual it's nice for everyone to refresh themselves on hooking up your rig it's not much different from a 5th wheel on a semi. Thanks for all the tips and tricks you put out . I'm getting ready to pick up my first solitude 5th wheel
Congrats on the new Solitude! 👍🏼
awesome looking hitch
Thank you so much for the video on you hitching up. We are still up in the air on a hitch.
One note on your apple notes checklists. (pun intended). I had been using apple notes up to about a year ago, and I switched to Google Keep, and this is why. You can use it on apple, android, windows, or mac. The big reason I use it is because I can share my checklists with my family, and while each of us is ticking away tasks it shows up on everyone's device as we go along. This is great for RV checklists and getting groceries as we can both be dashing about in the store, each checking off items as we get them. that way we don't duplicate shop, and don't have to find each other to see what the other person has gotten.
Great tip! Tara and I are all apple... phones, ipads, macbooks, TV... LOL
I personally don’t use Reese 5er hitch. After researching we decided to go with the B&W 5th wheel slider in a Ford F-250 for our 2019 Jayco NorthPoint 377 RLBH. I also like the fact that you can leave the jaws open and back under and they close. Great video with lots to keep your checks in order!
B&W definitely makes good hitches.. 👍🏼
I totally agree with you Chad check lists rule my wife and i don't even go shopping for groceries with out a check list fantastic video lots of useful information thankyou 👍👍👍
Funny, repo man.. lol agree 100% on the tug test everytime. Being prior OTR driver we always tug test. Daisy so cute!
PLEASE READ ME!
You just ran your emergency brake cable to the rear of the truck bed.
That would have to run forward for two reasons.
1) If the cable is running back 18", it would have to break loose and move 36" just to match the tension you already have.
2) If the cable hooked on something and pulled sideways or backwards, it's going to bust the plastic pin off in the hole and it will never work at all.
Hook it to the front Ford takedown and that cable will only get tighter.
How do you like that Ford tiedown system?
If you didn't have the tie downs, are they worth picking up? (2019 F-150)
Ford parts I'm sure they are big money. I actually haven't even looked at pricing.
Keep up the GREAT JOBs you two👍
The only problem with HOOKING to the front...well actually 2 problems is:
1 .. when you turn it would pull out and your trailer brakes lock up and
2 . When turning, the cable could get wedged in the 5th wheel hitch and break therefore rendering it useless . 👍🏻
Thanks!
The break-away connection is basically 90 degrees from the hitch. If the RV ever comes loose, it will have no problem yanking that pin out as the RV moves to the rear.
We don't use the tie-downs a lot, but they are nice to have. You're right that they're likely expensive...
Actually no, I've hooked on something behind the hitch and it work very well, unfortunately.
This is a great video. It was detailed and to the point on all that is needed to hitch and unhitch. I think the more someone watches this video the more at ease they will become in doing it themselves. Great job. I was checking out the Reese M5 27K on the Reese Website. The only one that I could pull up was denoted as for a GMC/Chevy. Would you happen to have the model number for the unit you have. Maybe I could find it with that. Thanks guys..
I would go to eTrailer.com (links in description) and use their shopping tools.. You can put in your truck, year, etc and it will get the right one for you... 👍🏼
Great video again. You guys make a 5th wheel departure prep more complicated than a pre-flight jet checklist... (LOL)! 👍🏻😁
Checklists are a MUST! Great advice. Edit: man, I love that dually. I’ve got an f350 with a 6.7...SRW. Had s 7.3 centurion Dually 450 back in the day.
I moved from the same old-style Reese to the B&W 25K with the new truck/5th wheel and prefer the B&W but one thing I dislike about both (puck installation) is they both give you a way to lock the handles once closed/rotated but then leave the cotter pins/bolts fully exposed so someone could still remove those and steal your hitch. Wish the rotated handles would cover those bolts to prevent removal. Purchased a couple of those breakaway cables using the link above; definitely nicer to use than the long straight cable.
Great info and I'm with you about the front jacks.
Hey guys! Just assembled my Ford puck M5 yesterday, and noticed that the blue “Reese 27K” placard was on the “wrong” side as delivered according to all the photos & instructions about how to “gain 1 1/2” inches which, if followed, would have actually put the plate facing the tailgate as is shown in all the pictures. This in turn led me to really inspect how the two springs under the head are supposed to be configured/working, and I noticed in your video that one of your springs is also in the wrong place under the head (the one to the right as you face the front of the bed). The long parts of the springs both need to be pointing as far forward into the bed (towards the cab) as you can get them when you lower the head down into the body of the hitch. This will then cause the head to cleanly rest “pointing downwards” towards your tailgate, aiding proper hitch angle for the trailer and hitch head strike areas to meet as designed.
Thanks! I'll take a look.
@@ChangingLanes definitely let me know what you find- I was surprised at how unclear the instructions were for it. Basically a different instruction sheet in each box, and none of them really told the whole assembly story in my opinion.
What amazed me about Tom and Cheri's crush, was there might have been a scratch in the paint on the trailer, but no other apparent damage. Amazing.
Yea.. that was lucky for sure!
Thank you so much for this video. I will be selling my little travel trailerJune and buying my first 5th wheel.And I am a little nervous about hitching and unhitching my 5th wheel at first by my self. I will use check lists and go slow. I just got my truck and it has the same things on my dash board as You. Iused to drive 40' busses ......I believe in going slow to make sure things are done right that way no accidents
Love this video for hitching better than most.
Excellent video Tara!! 👍🏼 (Hi Chad)🙃
Hi, Tom! 👋🏼
One thing I added to my checklist is to turn my airbag compressor off before I unhitch. That way when I raise the rig the truck doesn't keep coming up. I have it wired to one of my upfitter switches.
Great information! Safe travels!
I use an Andersen gooseneck adapter. If I can align the ball under the hitch, in any truck angle, I can drop the hitch down on that ball. I really like this set up
Glad it's working for you. 👍🏼
Great video. You guys always do a great job.
Great video I plan on getting a new toy hauler and I have been watching your videos for quite a while I had a stroke in 2021 I plan on purchasing a trike I was riding a Indian Challenger I plan on purchasing a trike Indian pursuit thanks for your advice
Super great information! We feel like we have a wonderful check procedure, but you did give us another idea or two in that regard. We are purchasing the Anderson Ultimate Hitch this summer! Thanks for sharing this information