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03-20-2019, 09:19 PM
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#21
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Calgary
Posts: 60
M.O.C. #21572
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Good to hear the range how people deal with this. There is no right or wrong answer.
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Perry & Karen, Calgary, Alberta
2017 F350 SRW CC 4X4 6.7L — 2018 Montana 3720RL
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03-20-2019, 10:55 PM
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#22
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Established Member
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: SAN PEDRO
Posts: 19
M.O.C. #23525
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buy "walkie-talkies"
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03-21-2019, 05:53 AM
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#23
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Hixson
Posts: 3,436
M.O.C. #11397
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Trucked for 20 years and been full timing for 8.5 years and don't need/want help hooking. DW finds something else to do for a few minutes and knows not to interrupt me while I take care of it. Same applies to the things that only she takes care of. I don't interrupt or interfere with her. Works for us.
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2018.5 Montana 3791RD
Full Timers 9/1/2010 through 1/16/2020.
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03-21-2019, 06:40 AM
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#24
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Aztec
Posts: 77
M.O.C. #23272
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No help needed here for hooking or unhooking.
We have 2, talk about radios we use while I back in places.
Before we start, we go over where we want the unit, then she is on the radio to give me directions.
Never a problem.
It also helps that I drive a semi !
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2016 Keystone Montana HM 374FL High Country (TRADED)
NOW
2017 Grand Design 376th
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03-21-2019, 07:37 AM
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#25
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Tupelo
Posts: 101
M.O.C. #23524
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Nothing new to add really. Certainly not a one size fits all solution. Personally, I use a reference point in the truck to line up with the pin box. She steps in, with truck in park, when I get close to make sure it's lined up. Then it's a matter of lowering/raising pin box to be slightly below the hitch. Be aware that backing up the last couple of feet can change the height of your hitch by a lot making for an unsuccessful connect.
I've hitched alone; my DW has spotted for me; she has also backed in while I spotted; and, if necessary, I think she could do it herself with a little practice and encouragement.
The key to it ... time, patience, and communication. You're retired so no more hurrying for anything. :-)
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Dave and Deb
Enjoying Retirement
2016 GMC 3500 Duramax Dually
2017 Montana 3731FL
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03-21-2019, 07:42 AM
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#26
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Established Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Williamsburg
Posts: 32
M.O.C. #21510
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DQDick
I use a pillow to sit on only for hitching while my wiife adjusts the height of the pinbox. Then and when we are parking she calls me on her cell phone and we talk back and forth thru the radio of the truck.
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Hubby generally does the backing up and I do the spotting/aligning for both backing into the spot or hooking up. We use the handheld radios, but we never thought about just using the cell phone and truck radio! That is an excellent idea. I have yet to drive the Montana more than traveling the road into our storage site and backing it in to our storage spot..but intend to go somewhere to practice with it. I was comfortable driving with our travel trailer but it was only 30' long. I feel it is important for both of us to know how because we have been in a situation with friends where due to a health emergency the wife had to drive their rig to the hospital..and leaving from there I had to drive our rig while my husband drove theirs home for them. You just never know!
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03-21-2019, 09:00 AM
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#27
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Anaheim Hills, CA
Posts: 161
M.O.C. #17873
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I always hitch up solo and I can see my hitch even over the bed locker rolled all the way up and I painted orange stripes on the hitch top and the kingpin in center to line them up as I back up.
__________________
2015 Chevy 3500 Z71 Long Bed and 2019 Montana 3120RL 20th Anniversary
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03-21-2019, 09:14 AM
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#28
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Lakewood, Wa.
Posts: 188
M.O.C. #19305
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Loneoak and about the Pullrite ball hitch. At Camping World I got a set of magnetic adjustable antennas, with a bright yellow foam ball on end. I put one just dead center in front of the bowl and the other center front of the pin. The bright yellow foam balls are extended to a height I can see in the rear view mirror. As I am backing they line up and just touch, that's when I check to see if I can lower the unit. It has simplified the mounting procedures and eliminated the need for a spotter. This is even better than the attachable magnetic camera I tried using previously.
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Henry & Lita (Scotty/Bluey Our shelties)
2022 SOB with 2015 Chevy Silverado
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03-24-2019, 06:59 AM
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#29
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Established Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Kissimmee
Posts: 48
M.O.C. #18844
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Men are from Mars
Men don't take direction very well, we plug in what we want to hear. Women don't give clear instruction but take direction much better than us men.. See the problem. My wife parks AND hooks up. Men are from Mars
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03-24-2019, 09:14 AM
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#30
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Montana Fan
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Livermore
Posts: 492
M.O.C. #17391
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I don't need help hooking up I can see my hitch in the rear view mirror. I never miss.
If I have to back into a spot only thing my wife tells me is if I am going to hit something and if I am back far enough. I just get out make a plain and let her rip. I am not a truck driver by profession. LOL
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03-24-2019, 09:20 AM
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#31
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Trinidad, TX
Posts: 506
M.O.C. #20746
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We use walkie talkies to communicate. I back the truck up and DW monitors hitch height. My only advice is to stay calm and don't yell.
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2018 Ram 3500 Laramie Longhorn 4X4 Dually Cummins Aisin CC LB / B&W Companion hitch
50 Gallon Transfer Flow in bed tank w/ Trax 3
2018 Montana 3121RL
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03-24-2019, 09:47 AM
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#32
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Charleston
Posts: 452
M.O.C. #23094
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Practice - Perform an activity or exercise (a skill) repeatedly or regularly in order to improve or maintain one's proficiency.
He will never get better without it.
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2019 Montana HC 310RE
2010 Wildcat 29RLBS
2014 Ford F-350 Lariat 6.7
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03-24-2019, 12:43 PM
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#33
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2017
Location: South East NC
Posts: 1,768
M.O.C. #19865
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Get a 5er tailgate and he can do it himself. I only need to get out once to check/adjust pin height.
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John & Patty
2022 3855 BR
2019 Lariat F350 4X4 Dually
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03-27-2019, 01:09 PM
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#34
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Summerville
Posts: 375
M.O.C. #8908
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I let DW hitch up the camper. I only watch too make sure the height is correct. I also painted a stripe on the tool box.
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Bobby . . June
2019 "3791RD" Montana - 2019 Chevy Duramax/Allison 3500 Crewcab
Summerville, South Carolina
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03-27-2019, 01:15 PM
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#35
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Gone Traveling
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: ALBUQUERQUE
Posts: 248
M.O.C. #12840
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The last time the wife helped it ended with me laughing so hard I could not see to finish the job. She intended to give me the crossed arm signal to stop but crossed her arms in such a way that it ment F.....U..... In my misspent youth it was called the Italian Salute!
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03-27-2019, 01:26 PM
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#36
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New Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Boise
Posts: 8
M.O.C. #21205
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Backing up
Great question. Wife and I have been doing this for 35 years. It’s still a little stressful to her. As others have said arm signals easier to decipher than hand signals. If you can’t see his face in mirror he may not be able to see you. I think the class is a great idea for both of you. Practice and laugh at your mistakes. Have fun at all cost!
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03-27-2019, 01:52 PM
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#37
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Established Member
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Ocala
Posts: 12
M.O.C. #18581
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You can start out with hand signals. If that does not go well you can always use finger signals.
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03-27-2019, 02:00 PM
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#38
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Established Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Livingston
Posts: 44
M.O.C. #23264
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Quote:
Originally Posted by piperterri
Hi everyone. My husband retired 2 weeks ago so now the fun really begins. We are brand new to RVing. My problem is I have trouble helping him back the truck up to hitch the 5th wheel. He has never gotten "short tempered" with me but it might only be a matter of time. HAHA. Does anyone have any helpful tips for me?? This issue is becoming very stressful for me. Thanks for all your help. Terri
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The DW (me) does it. So much easier.
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03-27-2019, 02:01 PM
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#39
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Reno
Posts: 291
M.O.C. #22620
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Practice, practice, practice!
Connecting a 5th wheel can be done without seeing the hitch or the pin. Use your mirrors to center the truck in front of the trailer. Make sure the hitch pin is about an inch below the receiver before final attachment.
Semi drivers do it every day. just takes practice.
Practice, practice, practice!
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03-27-2019, 02:10 PM
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#40
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Established Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Pace
Posts: 11
M.O.C. #651
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I use a swift hitch camera that transmits a wifi signal that you can connect your phone to. Download their app to phone and you can see the camera picture. The camera has a magnetic base so you can mount it on the pin box behind the pin sit the phone on dash behind steering wheel and watch the pin and hitch plate as you back up. Don’t forget to take camera off pin bid after hitching.
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