5th Wheels Just got my new toyhauler!
- Thread starter Ambros
- Start date
Cool the back room has tie downs already in place, now for a shake down cruse I suggest someplace local so you can get use to using it and see whats needed in the way of onboard supplies and trust me I have been there and done it and the first two or three times you will find a dozen or more things you will want to buy and keep in the camper preeminently like something as simple as a can-opener or short garden hose for hookup at camp grounds to truck stops.
I've got a can opener that will be going in there... I have 3 50' sections of garden hose in it right now. What else do you recommend Publius? I know the usual, toilet paper, paper towels, disposable dishes/eating utensils, RV tank treatments, the like... This is my first RV so I'm definitely looking at learning as much as possible as quick as possible!
Yeah don't forget the toilet paper and I found Scot Toilet Paper breaks down fast in the holding tank as for the chem's some camp grounds don't want you using formaldehyde tank treatments as it messes up their septic system!! The formaldehyde kills all the natural biological action and just fills up the septic system with pickled poop and toilet paper, I have used TST brand and also use it in my portable camp toilet and can be found in most Wal-Marts
Drain hose for the black and gray water holding tanks.
Need some basic hand tools like a screw driver with changeable bits (you want to cover all the bases with that screw driver), wire cutter, pliers, Vice Grips, electrical tape and duct tape, spool of 14 gage wire, spare fuses if there are any and kept in a drawer somewhere close to the door. I have also kept tubeless tire repair kit and a can fix-a-flat.
50 Ft. or more of 3/8" or 1/4" Rope or cordage has allot of uses like duct tape
.
2X6 planks and 4X4 blocks! The 2X6s for leveling side to side and say one side is lower you put them under the tires on one side (really drive up on to the planks) and if it takes more than 3, 2X6s stacked find another spot to park it.
The 4X4s blocks should be about a foot long each for the stabilizing jacks in the rear and sometimes for the front jacks if you really have to lift it high to get it level and a few foot long 2X6s can be helpful too, to mix and mach to your needs.
If this is your first camper go lightly with the rear stabilizing jacks you just want it to touch the block or plank and go a quarter or half a turn more and stop as they're not made to lift the camper and I have seen it flex the chassis and put the door on a bind and even some of the outside compartment doors too.
5th wheels have damaged many a tailgate so don't get distracted or side-tracked while hooking up and unhooking, Finnish the job/task and then deal with the wife or whoever.
Drain hose for the black and gray water holding tanks.
Need some basic hand tools like a screw driver with changeable bits (you want to cover all the bases with that screw driver), wire cutter, pliers, Vice Grips, electrical tape and duct tape, spool of 14 gage wire, spare fuses if there are any and kept in a drawer somewhere close to the door. I have also kept tubeless tire repair kit and a can fix-a-flat.
50 Ft. or more of 3/8" or 1/4" Rope or cordage has allot of uses like duct tape
.2X6 planks and 4X4 blocks! The 2X6s for leveling side to side and say one side is lower you put them under the tires on one side (really drive up on to the planks) and if it takes more than 3, 2X6s stacked find another spot to park it.
The 4X4s blocks should be about a foot long each for the stabilizing jacks in the rear and sometimes for the front jacks if you really have to lift it high to get it level and a few foot long 2X6s can be helpful too, to mix and mach to your needs.
If this is your first camper go lightly with the rear stabilizing jacks you just want it to touch the block or plank and go a quarter or half a turn more and stop as they're not made to lift the camper and I have seen it flex the chassis and put the door on a bind and even some of the outside compartment doors too.
5th wheels have damaged many a tailgate so don't get distracted or side-tracked while hooking up and unhooking, Finnish the job/task and then deal with the wife or whoever.
This one honestly doesn't seem like it will be much work once I get my mod fever taken care of... I plan on replacing both TVs with LCD units for power saving and then eventually building a cable/bracket system for the toy hauler ramp that will allow me to use it as a deck! Nothing at all really needs to be done to this thing as it's in pristine condition!
I'm sure you need to scrub the roof. (Neighbor does this all the time. LOL. Actually, I think he does it about every 6 months, but it seems like he does it all the time.)
JustCause
Inactive
The two mods I am happiest with on my trailer were the LED lights and the solar system.
One mod saves a bunch of power, the other creates a bunch of power. Silently, 7 days a week, 365 days a year without using a drop of gas.
Now me and you may use our trailers for different things, so we may have different needs. Mine gets mostly used for remote hunting trips. For me, the solar system was worth every penny as I am basically self sufficent on power generation now. I didn't spend much money on it, and did all of the work myself (which wasn't bad). But my power needs are low compared to some people. Not exactly going to be running the A/C off battery power, you know?
The LED bulb swap cut my power consumption by 75%. The LEDs are what pushed me into the "closed loop" stage. Meaning, my solar panels produce more power on a sunny day than I can use in a day, as long as I run my refrigerator on propane. It's a beautiful thing.
Don't forget the fire extinguishers! Become religious about roof maintenance, tire pressure/wear, trailer brakes and axle bearings. Winterization is vital, as well.
Actually, there is a ton to learn. And it can be a steep curve - but manageable. There is just a bunch of it.
http://www.rv.net has been the biggest help on my learning journey. Pay attention to the fifth wheel forum, because those of us with fifth wheels have our own set of challenges. Seems like 90% of fifth wheel owners drop the trailer onto the truck bed at some point, so there is a step by step process you MUST do each and every single time to make sure you don't drop yours causing $$$ damage to both truck and trailer. I haven't dropped mine, and I have no plans to. It CAN be prevented.
Anyway, I'm rambling now, good luck on your journey and enjoy your new trailer. READ everything you can get your hands and internet browser on. It can save you untold amount of money and headaches. If the trailer came with a manual, memorize it.
One mod saves a bunch of power, the other creates a bunch of power. Silently, 7 days a week, 365 days a year without using a drop of gas.
Now me and you may use our trailers for different things, so we may have different needs. Mine gets mostly used for remote hunting trips. For me, the solar system was worth every penny as I am basically self sufficent on power generation now. I didn't spend much money on it, and did all of the work myself (which wasn't bad). But my power needs are low compared to some people. Not exactly going to be running the A/C off battery power, you know?
The LED bulb swap cut my power consumption by 75%. The LEDs are what pushed me into the "closed loop" stage. Meaning, my solar panels produce more power on a sunny day than I can use in a day, as long as I run my refrigerator on propane. It's a beautiful thing.
Don't forget the fire extinguishers! Become religious about roof maintenance, tire pressure/wear, trailer brakes and axle bearings. Winterization is vital, as well.
Actually, there is a ton to learn. And it can be a steep curve - but manageable. There is just a bunch of it.
http://www.rv.net has been the biggest help on my learning journey. Pay attention to the fifth wheel forum, because those of us with fifth wheels have our own set of challenges. Seems like 90% of fifth wheel owners drop the trailer onto the truck bed at some point, so there is a step by step process you MUST do each and every single time to make sure you don't drop yours causing $$$ damage to both truck and trailer. I haven't dropped mine, and I have no plans to. It CAN be prevented.
Anyway, I'm rambling now, good luck on your journey and enjoy your new trailer. READ everything you can get your hands and internet browser on. It can save you untold amount of money and headaches. If the trailer came with a manual, memorize it.