Input needed for ole Ozz

[zteg]

Ozz
You will find that the 5th is much easier to handle than the tt. Hookup too.

[richfaa]

Oh yes the fifth is much easier to handle and hookup that a TT once you get the hang of it and a point well added by patoDonn..that back end does swing out particularly on the longer Montana's. Those narrow intersections are throat clutchers.You just need to be all eyes and always aware of your surroundings .I have has to hold back at times to allow that car to clear my left side before making a right square turn or we would swat them like a fly.Don't forget who ever is the co pilot ..they are a great help over there. Helen and I also NEVER hookup or back up alone...never..

Rich& Helen N.Ridgeville,Ohio.

F-350SD, Lariat, V-10,4:30 Diff, tow command Long bed, Crew Cab Dually, 06 3400RL
Mor-Ryde Pin Box

[Ozz]

Rich,
Would the 5er swing much further than the TT (30') in an intersection, or turn? Is it from the wheels back?
Thanks, Ozz

'07 3400RL 2nd RTU
2 Golf Cart batteries 3,000 watt inverter, automatic transfer switch
Honda 2000 Generator, Maytag's with 220 Dryer
Stationary domed Sat. dish, LCD 12 Volt Amp gauge, LCD Tank Monitor
3 added 120 volt outlets, On Board Air; 12 Volt Viair 450C compressor
2006 Ford PSD 4x4 Off Road Lariat, Hadley Air Horns, Truck inverter with 110 volts: laptop, Color Backup camera, Firestone air bags,Husky air ride roller hitch, Awning lock

[Glenn and Lorraine]

The whole back end swing thing is based on overhang and nothing else. The distance from the rear wheels to the rear bumper is your overhang. The longer that distance the more swing you will get. Doesn't much matter whether it's a 5er or a TT, Overhang is overhang. Even the big Motor Homes have a ton of overhang.

Ozz,
We can give you all the hints and advice we have to offer but it all comes down to practical experience. Get yourself a bunch of traffic cones and find a big empty parking lot. Set up various courses for both forward driving and reverse and practice, practice, practice. After a few hours you should feel confident enough to take it on the road. Remember not one of us on here were born towing a trailer behind us. Yes there was afterbirth but that ain't no trailer.


Glenn
Montana Owners Home Page
RV Related Links

Glenn and Lorraine
M O C - 4 2 0
WE SUPPORT OUR TROOPS



Click on either of the above for a larger image
We are using a 2005 White GMC Sierra SLE 2500HD Extended Cab, Short Bed, 4X4
with the Duramax/Allison Combo and Firestone Ride-Rite air bags
to drag around our 2004 Montana 2955RL 32'
using a PullRite 16K SuperGlide Automatic Sliding Hitch

"We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned,
so as to have the life that is waiting for us!"
You know you are retired when you wake up in the morning with
nothing to do and go to bed at night with it only half done.
BUT, Keep in mind, doing nothing can be a very
tiresome job because you can't stop to rest


Click on the Flags for the Forecast

[Wrenchtraveller]

Glenn........afterbirth............LOL you got me laughing... I never saw that coming.

Don & Donna
Vancouver Island
2005 Ford F350 V10 Lariat CC 4x4 LB SRW 11200 GVWR
2006 Montana 2955RL
click on the little pic to see a big pic

[CountryGuy]

Leave it to Glenn to put this in a "outstanding" manner! ohhh, boy,

Course, he is correct, we had overhang and rear swing with the TT, and we took the same precautions then as we do now, in question, even a sniggle of a doubt, get out and look or have your co-pilot do the same.

Carol

[Ozz]

OK, wheels back, so it shouldn't be much different than the 30' TT, right?
That was my question, and, I appreciate the feedback!
I had no trouble with the TT, I was just wanting to know any differences, and I think I got it now.
Thanks,
Ozz

'07 3400RL 2nd RTU
2 Golf Cart batteries 3,000 watt inverter, automatic transfer switch
Honda 2000 Generator, Maytag's with 220 Dryer
Stationary domed Sat. dish, LCD 12 Volt Amp gauge, LCD Tank Monitor
3 added 120 volt outlets, On Board Air; 12 Volt Viair 450C compressor
2006 Ford PSD 4x4 Off Road Lariat, Hadley Air Horns, Truck inverter with 110 volts: laptop, Color Backup camera, Firestone air bags,Husky air ride roller hitch, Awning lock

[CountryGuy]

Ozz, the big difference is your pivot point. It is further up, over the axle, not behind the bumper of the truck. That is why the "square" turns.

Carol

[Glenn and Lorraine]

Carol is correct. It all comes down to the "pivot" point. Give yourself a lot more room before making any turns. Cut the corners too short and you will be up on the curb. Pulling a bit further into an intersection makes all the difference in the world. Same thing applies to backing up. You will need to pull further ahead when preparing to back into a site.
Again, the only way you can learn the difference in a 5er and a TT is to practice, practice, practice.


Glenn
Montana Owners Home Page
RV Related Links

Glenn and Lorraine
M O C - 4 2 0
WE SUPPORT OUR TROOPS



Click on either of the above for a larger image
We are using a 2005 White GMC Sierra SLE 2500HD Extended Cab, Short Bed, 4X4
with the Duramax/Allison Combo and Firestone Ride-Rite air bags
to drag around our 2004 Montana 2955RL 32'
using a PullRite 16K SuperGlide Automatic Sliding Hitch

"We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned,
so as to have the life that is waiting for us!"
You know you are retired when you wake up in the morning with
nothing to do and go to bed at night with it only half done.
BUT, Keep in mind, doing nothing can be a very
tiresome job because you can't stop to rest


Click on the Flags for the Forecast

[sreigle]

Ozz, the fifthwheel will tow so much more sweetly than your TT did. Smooth and easy. It is probably longer and will require wider turns. Backing will require some adjustment. It will not react as quicly as the TT. Find yourself a big parking lot and try backing until you see how it reacts. I always go past the site, then go a little bit farther before backing. If I go too far I can ease my turn a bit while backing. If I don't go far enough, I have to pull back out and start over. You're gonna love how this thing tows and how your Ford tows it! When we see you tomorrow let's talk about this.

See another Montana or Mountaineer on the road? Flash lights twice, it might be one of us!
Steve Reigle (pronounced Regal)
Fulltiming since 3/21/03
'07 3400RL
'05 Ford F250 SD Lariat CC SB 6.0L PSD/TS FX4 4x4

Our RV Travels (now Firefox-compatible)

[Jerzy54]

Ozz,
I had a 27 TT and than I got this monster. After I picked it up from the dealer I had to back up to my back yard thru 10 foot wide gate.
All you need is somebody to watch your blind spot when you are turning. It is not that bad. On the right turns I have my mirrors set that I can see my wheels and I can make adjustment accordingly. One thing I am watching very closely are the bridges and tree branches. My residential street has very low branches and I am on my forth vent cap on the right side of the trailer. To add to my travel excitement every trip I take has to go thru New York City from where I live. One more thing I really hate are all the road work concrete barriers especially when we are going with the hwy speeds. Your truck will pull Monty without any problem. Good luck on your travels.

Jerzy&Tricia05 Montana 3500RL05 Ford F250 Lariat 6.0L PSD SB CC FX4 4X4Reese Signature Series5TH Airborne King Pin

[sreigle]

PJ mentioned how everything behind the axles swings in the opposite direction of the turn. You also have to watch out for that when exiting a tight pullthru campsite with trees on the corners and when exiting fuel stations. In tight situations Vicki stands outside and watches to make sure we'll clear. It's usually not nearly so close as I fear it will be.

See another Montana or Mountaineer on the road? Flash lights twice, it might be one of us!
Steve Reigle (pronounced Regal)
Fulltiming since 3/21/03
'07 3400RL
'05 Ford F250 SD Lariat CC SB 6.0L PSD/TS FX4 4x4

Our RV Travels (now Firefox-compatible)

[Ozz]

Steve, That was pretty much the routine with 30' TT, so we are 'in the groove' on that.
Sue's a good navigator, I wrote a homage to the navigators, I'll put it in the sitting around the campfire section.
Ozz

'07 3400RL 2nd RTU
2 Golf Cart batteries 3,000 watt inverter, automatic transfer switch
Honda 2000 Generator, Maytag's with 220 Dryer
Stationary domed Sat. dish, LCD 12 Volt Amp gauge, LCD Tank Monitor
3 added 120 volt outlets, On Board Air; 12 Volt Viair 450C compressor
2006 Ford PSD 4x4 Off Road Lariat, Hadley Air Horns, Truck inverter with 110 volts: laptop, Color Backup camera, Firestone air bags,Husky air ride roller hitch, Awning lock

[skypilot]

Just so it doesn't get lost -- it was stated earlier in this thread but the last few pages have concentrated on the rear swing -- don't forget that your wheels will also turn inside of the curve -- forgot it myself this past weekend and 'almost' (luck was with me - I caught myself just in time) caught a curb with a light pole.

[Ozz]

Skypilot, thanks for the info, I shall file that away in my mental files!
Ozz

'07 3400RL 2nd RTU
2 Golf Cart batteries 3,000 watt inverter, automatic transfer switch
Honda 2000 Generator, Maytag's with 220 Dryer
Stationary domed Sat. dish, LCD 12 Volt Amp gauge, LCD Tank Monitor
3 added 120 volt outlets, On Board Air; 12 Volt Viair 450C compressor
2006 Ford PSD 4x4 Off Road Lariat, Hadley Air Horns, Truck inverter with 110 volts: laptop, Color Backup camera, Firestone air bags,Husky air ride roller hitch, Awning lock

[Cat320]

Ozz...have you weighed that bad boy? Be interested in what it weighs with all your goodies on it.

Bert and Betty
Fort Smith, AR
2007 Silverado Classic 3500, DRW, D/A, CC
2007 Montana 3400RL

[Ozz]

Bert, I'm afraid to weigh it!
Sue and I will go and practice moving it around, backing and so on, we will go to a truck stop and see how much hot water I've got myself into....
ozz

'07 3400RL 2nd RTU
2 Golf Cart batteries 3,000 watt inverter, automatic transfer switch
Honda 2000 Generator, Maytag's with 220 Dryer
Stationary domed Sat. dish, LCD 12 Volt Amp gauge, LCD Tank Monitor
3 added 120 volt outlets, On Board Air; 12 Volt Viair 450C compressor
2006 Ford PSD 4x4 Off Road Lariat, Hadley Air Horns, Truck inverter with 110 volts: laptop, Color Backup camera, Firestone air bags,Husky air ride roller hitch, Awning lock

[Old GI]

Ozz, get a pair of those cheap walkie talkies at Wal Mart so your navigator can help you out from behind. I have a tendency to lose site of the left side of the Monty when I'm jacknifing it through the gate on the side of my house. The communicators keep me from wondering what the heck my little bride is meaning when she is waving her arms and jumping up and down at the rear of the unit. With the 3400 coming soon I'll have five more feet in the back. They are a real dream to pull. I do have a tendency to jacknife a little too much and pull the emergency stop cable out of the hitch, so when I am putting it in at the house I let the cable hang loose. On the road I loop it over the lever on the hitch.

Pete, Waltraud (Wally), Brian(Grandson) and Hannah (Big German Shepherd).
2005 Ford F-350 Lariat DRW FX4 Crew Cab 6.0 Turbo Diesel, w/tow boss package, dual batteries and alternators. Reese 16K fifth wheel and a 2005 Montana 2955RL.
IMG]http://i4.tinypic.com/1115lk2.jpg[/IMG

[richfaa]

Oh Ozz...don't worry about it..I have never worried about these things for 25 years..AND NEVER HAD A PROBLEM

Rich& Helen N.Ridgeville,Ohio.

F-350SD, Lariat, V-10,4:30 Diff, tow command Long bed, Crew Cab Dually, 06 3400RL
Mor-Ryde Pin Box

[Ozz]

I just don't want to scratch my new baby.............
Hey, Pete, congrats on the 3400!

'07 3400RL 2nd RTU
2 Golf Cart batteries 3,000 watt inverter, automatic transfer switch
Honda 2000 Generator, Maytag's with 220 Dryer
Stationary domed Sat. dish, LCD 12 Volt Amp gauge, LCD Tank Monitor
3 added 120 volt outlets, On Board Air; 12 Volt Viair 450C compressor
2006 Ford PSD 4x4 Off Road Lariat, Hadley Air Horns, Truck inverter with 110 volts: laptop, Color Backup camera, Firestone air bags,Husky air ride roller hitch, Awning lock