Comments on: Fifth Wheel Trailer Checklist. RV-1 Author Lester Evans offers: http://blog.rv.net/2009/04/fifth-wheel-trailer-checklist-rv-1-author-lester-evans-offers/ RV Campground & Camping Information - RV, Motorhome, Camper, Travel Trailer & 5th Wheel Owners Sat, 21 Nov 2009 20:37:56 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Joe http://blog.rv.net/2009/04/fifth-wheel-trailer-checklist-rv-1-author-lester-evans-offers/comment-page-1/#comment-78276 Joe Sat, 02 May 2009 17:50:22 +0000 http://blog.rv.net/?p=5801#comment-78276 Okay, to some of you the extent of this checklist may seem a bit arduous but... Would you want to be in an airliner in which the pilot did not use checklists? Or how about this, how comfortable would you be driving down the interstate beside a 100 ft plus long tanker that I'm driving and just assume that I had covered all the bases in my head on my pre-trip before I went out on the public roads. I thought not. The bottom line is this: EVERYBODY should take hooking up, brake checks and the entire pre-trip VERY seriously!! This is a life and death inspection, not necessarily yours as the driver of the rig, but certainly mine as the hapless sap who happens to be driving down the same road as you. For those of you who think you're so good that you will not and can not forget something, ask yourself when the last time was that you forgot to release your parking brake, screw on a fuel cap, raise your steps, lower your antenna or remember to make sure your spouse was really in the truck with you. There are two types of 5th Wheel owners: Those that HAVE dropped their camper on their truck and those that will!! Be fair and try to help those who may be newer at this than you instead of bitching at those who try to help make our roads and lives a little safer. I shall now find my ladder and climb back down off my rather tall soap box. Joe Okay, to some of you the extent of this checklist may seem a bit arduous but… Would you want to be in an airliner in which the pilot did not use checklists? Or how about this, how comfortable would you be driving down the interstate beside a 100 ft plus long tanker that I’m driving and just assume that I had covered all the bases in my head on my pre-trip before I went out on the public roads. I thought not.

The bottom line is this: EVERYBODY should take hooking up, brake checks and the entire pre-trip VERY seriously!! This is a life and death inspection, not necessarily yours as the driver of the rig, but certainly mine as the hapless sap who happens to be driving down the same road as you.

For those of you who think you’re so good that you will not and can not forget something, ask yourself when the last time was that you forgot to release your parking brake, screw on a fuel cap, raise your steps, lower your antenna or remember to make sure your spouse was really in the truck with you.

There are two types of 5th Wheel owners: Those that HAVE dropped their camper on their truck and those that will!!

Be fair and try to help those who may be newer at this than you instead of bitching at those who try to help make our roads and lives a little safer.

I shall now find my ladder and climb back down off my rather tall soap box.

Joe

]]> By: Ray http://blog.rv.net/2009/04/fifth-wheel-trailer-checklist-rv-1-author-lester-evans-offers/comment-page-1/#comment-77982 Ray Fri, 24 Apr 2009 12:41:30 +0000 http://blog.rv.net/?p=5801#comment-77982 If you see a name in red print such as mine it means a web site so click on my name and enjoy If you see a name in red print such as mine it means a web site so click on my name and enjoy

]]> By: Ray http://blog.rv.net/2009/04/fifth-wheel-trailer-checklist-rv-1-author-lester-evans-offers/comment-page-1/#comment-77981 Ray Fri, 24 Apr 2009 12:37:11 +0000 http://blog.rv.net/?p=5801#comment-77981 Every one should make their own list as to have order in which they do things Don't forget the antenna Every one should make their own list as to have order in which they do things Don’t forget the antenna

]]> By: Stevie Duvaldadrian http://blog.rv.net/2009/04/fifth-wheel-trailer-checklist-rv-1-author-lester-evans-offers/comment-page-1/#comment-77948 Stevie Duvaldadrian Thu, 23 Apr 2009 20:10:56 +0000 http://blog.rv.net/?p=5801#comment-77948 I think that people shouldn't be so quick to judge what advice someone has to give. All the people out there who think they're so smart are usually the ones who have the accidents because they are so used to doing something over and over again. That one little slip-up can bring the whole thing tumbling down ( in this case the 5th wheel ). And for those of us out here that are perfectly capable of driving a rig once it's hocked up but don't do the hooking on a regular basis, in an emergency situation for instance, this list could make a real difference. I myself am going to print and laminate it and keep it handy for just such an emergency. Thanks for all you trouble Fred. I appreciate it! I think that people shouldn’t be so quick to judge what advice someone has to give. All the people out there who think they’re so smart are usually the ones who have the accidents because they are so used to doing something over and over again. That one little slip-up can bring the whole thing tumbling down ( in this case the 5th wheel ). And for those of us out here that are perfectly capable of driving a rig once it’s hocked up but don’t do the hooking on a regular basis, in an emergency situation for instance, this list could make a real difference. I myself am going to print and laminate it and keep it handy for just such an emergency. Thanks for all you trouble Fred. I appreciate it!

]]> By: Tommy http://blog.rv.net/2009/04/fifth-wheel-trailer-checklist-rv-1-author-lester-evans-offers/comment-page-1/#comment-77945 Tommy Thu, 23 Apr 2009 19:54:44 +0000 http://blog.rv.net/?p=5801#comment-77945 Oh, I love the banter on this one. Yes, thank you for this post. I've owned a 5th wheel for 6 months now but do not own a tow vehicle yet. Since I had it delivered and am using it for weekly work commute living quarters at same location, I have not towed it yet. I'm printing and saving this for future reference, and can't wait to join the experienced ranks such as Art! Tommy Oh, I love the banter on this one. Yes, thank you for this post. I’ve owned a 5th wheel for 6 months now but do not own a tow vehicle yet. Since I had it delivered and am using it for weekly work commute living quarters at same location, I have not towed it yet.
I’m printing and saving this for future reference, and can’t wait to join the experienced ranks such as Art!
Tommy

]]> By: Drew http://blog.rv.net/2009/04/fifth-wheel-trailer-checklist-rv-1-author-lester-evans-offers/comment-page-1/#comment-77927 Drew Thu, 23 Apr 2009 14:19:07 +0000 http://blog.rv.net/?p=5801#comment-77927 Fred, Nice post, I'll bet there are many who appreciate the time and thought that went into your checklist. Thanks again, Drew Fred,

Nice post, I’ll bet there are many who appreciate the time and thought that went into your checklist. Thanks again,

Drew

]]> By: GlenO http://blog.rv.net/2009/04/fifth-wheel-trailer-checklist-rv-1-author-lester-evans-offers/comment-page-1/#comment-77924 GlenO Thu, 23 Apr 2009 13:12:26 +0000 http://blog.rv.net/?p=5801#comment-77924 Some good added points especially about the KP. I always look and ensure the jaws are closed then place the lock in place. Had not thought of the extra thought of leaving the legs down and pull up a few inches. Good idea. Some good added points especially about the KP. I always look and ensure the jaws are closed then place the lock in place. Had not thought of the extra thought of leaving the legs down and pull up a few inches. Good idea.

]]> By: George http://blog.rv.net/2009/04/fifth-wheel-trailer-checklist-rv-1-author-lester-evans-offers/comment-page-1/#comment-77918 George Thu, 23 Apr 2009 04:34:24 +0000 http://blog.rv.net/?p=5801#comment-77918 Prior to slipping the kingpin into the 5th wheel, you should hook up your electric brakes, and apply the trailer brakes as you back into your kingpin. Then, if you don't hit the kingpin correctly you won't have your trailer roll away or your legs slip off any blocks they might be on causing the trailer to come down on the truck box. And for you folks that think this is drivel, remember there is no such thing as stupid questions only stupid mistakes. No one forced you to read the listed information. Prior to slipping the kingpin into the 5th wheel, you should hook up your electric brakes, and apply the trailer brakes as you back into your kingpin. Then, if you don’t hit the kingpin correctly you won’t have your trailer roll away or your legs slip off any blocks they might be on causing the trailer to come down on the truck box. And for you folks that think this is drivel, remember there is no such thing as stupid questions only stupid mistakes. No one forced you to read the listed information.

]]> By: Larry http://blog.rv.net/2009/04/fifth-wheel-trailer-checklist-rv-1-author-lester-evans-offers/comment-page-1/#comment-77916 Larry Thu, 23 Apr 2009 02:07:31 +0000 http://blog.rv.net/?p=5801#comment-77916 If the writer of that drivel actually uses his checklist, then they likely shouldn't even be driving. Sounds like a list made for a "mentally challenged" person. Some one not capable of making a decision on their own. Some one that needs directions for even the most simple of tasks. Get in line, get tray, get knife, fork and spoon. Allow attendant to place servings on tray, go sit down at table, ops you forgot your tray. Use a fork to eat... Larry If the writer of that drivel actually uses his checklist, then they likely shouldn’t even be driving. Sounds like a list made for a “mentally challenged” person. Some one not capable of making a decision on their own. Some one that needs directions for even the most simple of tasks.

Get in line, get tray, get knife, fork and spoon. Allow attendant to place servings on tray, go sit down at table, ops you forgot your tray. Use a fork to eat…

Larry

]]> By: Timber Tom http://blog.rv.net/2009/04/fifth-wheel-trailer-checklist-rv-1-author-lester-evans-offers/comment-page-1/#comment-77914 Timber Tom Thu, 23 Apr 2009 01:01:44 +0000 http://blog.rv.net/?p=5801#comment-77914 Right around #5 someone should verify that the batwing antenna has been lowered. saves a lot of money and embarassment. Right around #5 someone should verify that the batwing antenna has been lowered. saves a lot of money and embarassment.

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