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02-13-2024, 04:46 PM
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#1
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Established Member
Join Date: Jan 2024
Location: Janesville
Posts: 12
M.O.C. #33792
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First 5er pull - Gotchas?
Looks like I found our first Montana 5er (373RD)! Going 4 hours from home on Saturday to pick it up and pull it home. The seller is including a Pullrite 2900 autoslider that I'm told came from a 2020+ GMC 2500 with puck. I think it was made for an older GMC but now has the adapter rack that fits the newer puck system. We have a 2024 3500HD with puck system.
I've pulled many trailers over the years and grew up on a farm driving tractors and pulling balers and wagons. But I've never pulled a 5th wheel trailer. I don't feel like a towing newbie, but I know enough to consider things I may not think of!
Private seller, but we are exchanging at an RV dealer shop so I'm hopeful they will help me get set up safely.
Any first timer tips, tricks that you'd offer to avoid a gotcha that I might not think about? Hooking up? Braking? turning? making a tight turn into my driveway at home? Any tools, etc that I might not think to take with? etc
TIA!
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02-13-2024, 04:59 PM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Sebring
Posts: 3,662
M.O.C. #9969
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Becareful, I thing GM changed the Puck spacing on the '23s & 24s from the previous years. Good friend just sold his hitch from his '22 truck because it won't fit his '23.
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Michelle & Ann
2018 Chevy 3500HD High Country DRW 4X4 Crew Cab w/Duramax/Allison, Formally 2010 Montana 2955RL, Now Loaded 2016 SOB, Mor/ryde IS, Disc Brakes & Pin Box, Comfort Ride Hitch, Sailun 17.5 Tires.
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02-13-2024, 06:03 PM
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#3
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Dec 2022
Location: Manahawkin
Posts: 70
M.O.C. #32095
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Look at some You Tube videos, there is info on hitching etc
Best of luck with your purchase. Let us know how it goes!
Best
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2023 Keystone Montana High Country 295RL
2022 GMC Sierra Duramax 2500 Denali
S&B 62 gallon diesel fuel tank
Slide toppers
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02-13-2024, 06:24 PM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: Shingle Springs
Posts: 2,263
M.O.C. #30417
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I assume it comes with a capture plate? I have an Demco auto and love it, but I have to be dead on straight when connecting. The Pullrite is a bit more forgiving. My buddy has one and loves it. As far as towing or backing, you'll be shocked at how easy it is especially with an auto slide. Much easier then a tow behind.
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Tony & Donna
2022 Montana HC, 295RL, Solar Flex 400, Onan 3600 LPG, 2K inverter, 200AH Lithium. 2020 GMC Denali 2500 6.6 Duramax, Demco 21K Auto Slide
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02-13-2024, 06:20 PM
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#5
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Site Team
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Oro Valley
Posts: 3,949
M.O.C. #20477
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Darin,
Don't know how many of the trailers you have pulled are over 13 ft tall. If you haven't pulled many tall rigs, remember to look up.
Otherwise the 5th wheel is easier than a bumper pull.
__________________
Zack and Donna plus Millie and Ranger
2018 3160RL
"Life is too short to stay indoors, enjoy the ride!"
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02-14-2024, 06:14 AM
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#6
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Established Member
Join Date: Jan 2024
Location: Janesville
Posts: 12
M.O.C. #33792
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AZ Traveler
Darin,
Don't know how many of the trailers you have pulled are over 13 ft tall. If you haven't pulled many tall rigs, remember to look up.
Otherwise the 5th wheel is easier than a bumper pull.
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Except for a wagon full of hay, none! ;-) I had not thought about remembering the height. Thanks!!
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02-13-2024, 06:47 PM
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#7
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: new river
Posts: 415
M.O.C. #24181
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i also have a pulrite slider. make sure that capture plate is secure, the one "bolt" that holds it on came loose on mine and fell offf, it would sure put a hurt on your foot if it hit it. i also find you need to be pretty straight on when hooking up
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al meyer
3931fb
az
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02-13-2024, 08:26 PM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Mesa az
Posts: 2,960
M.O.C. #5651
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As for tight turns, my suggestion is to always pull pretty much straight as far as you can and then turn almost as tight as you can. The rigs are WAY behind you and the wheels cut the corner, so tight turns get you thru the intersection and around the corner.
I also have a Superglide Pullrite, but not the new puck system. Supposedly you can hitch up to 15 degrees off center. Also, on my style, you kind of have to block the wheels and often back up an inch or two to relieve the pressure on the latch before disconnecting.
These sliders are great. I got in to a state campground to check it out and it turned out to be a dead end with about a 40 foot circle at the end. I turned to an almost 90 degree corner and was able to just drive out.
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Tom and Gail
2013 Mountaineer 362
2012 Silverado 2500
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02-14-2024, 06:25 AM
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#9
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Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Kansas City, Missouri
Posts: 2,709
M.O.C. #7992
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Once you are hooked up, before retracting the landing legs, do a tug test to insure the 5'er is truly latched to the hitch. Beware of the tail swing on these things. There is a whole lot of trailer behind the wheels on these 5'ers. And I'll reemphasize what Zach said, "Look up". These things are tall.
Enjoy!
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2006 3000RK
2009 Ram 2500
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02-14-2024, 06:36 AM
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#10
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Sharpsburg
Posts: 203
M.O.C. #20974
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the 23 and 24 gm puck is different then older years
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2023 GMC 2500 HD AT4
2018 High Country 340BH
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02-18-2024, 04:15 PM
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#11
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: 1000 oaks
Posts: 955
M.O.C. #19630
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Skw774
the 23 and 24 gm puck is different then older years
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The B&W Companion hitch for GM OEM puck system is the same part number for 2020-2024 GM trucks. No difference.
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2011 2955RL Gen-Y Executive Kingpin
2022 GMC 2500HD Duramax/Alison
4X4 Crew Cab/Standard bed.
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02-18-2024, 05:02 PM
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#12
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New Member
Join Date: Jul 2023
Location: Nashville
Posts: 5
M.O.C. #33090
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Turning radius
I had a few years in between 5ers, my old truck had an 8 ft box. When I picked up my Montana with a 6.5 ft box it never hit me that the clearance would be an issue until I had to do a tight turn and took out the back window. 100 % my fault, I just wish the dealer selling me the hitch and hooking up the camper the first time would of mentioned it. My buddy just bought one and his dealer made him do a turn to check radius.
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02-14-2024, 08:31 AM
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#13
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: McKinney
Posts: 7,186
M.O.C. #6433
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First time I hooked up and started pulling out of the dealer lot, I looked in my mirrors and thought, my God that thing is big! What have I done! As mentioned above; height, wide turns, and tailswing.
More than once I almost got in trouble by forgetting the height. Once in a state park with narrow lanes and trees close along side. Stopped just in time to prevent hitting the roof on an overhanging limb over the road. Another time I pulled up to the rear of a Sonic drive in to get something to eat and edged up to the rearmost stall stopping just short of the overhead awning. When I got ready to leave I almost started to pull forward. Thankfully it was "almost".
Wide on the turns, especially right turns, to keep from jumping curbs or scraping something along side the road. And pulling in/out of service stations.
And tail swing. After years of pulling mine in and out of a covered storage facility with no problem, one time I got careless. Tail swing caught a steel column and nearly ripped the rear cap off. About $14,000 damage. Thankfully insurance covered all but $500 deductible.
Otherwise, just enjoy you new toy.
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Bill & Patricia
Riley, our Golden
2007 3075RL (recently sold, currently without)
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02-14-2024, 10:26 AM
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#14
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 129
M.O.C. #19318
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BB_TX
Wide on the turns, especially right turns, to keep from jumping curbs or scraping something along side the road. And pulling in/out of service stations.:
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When I was in truck-driving school getting a Class A CDL oh so many years ago, we were taught to do just this--take it wide on the turns! Just think to yourself, "As a matter of fact, I *do* own the road." I still give the same consideration to truckers and RV'ers today--for that turn, they do own the road.
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02-18-2024, 04:33 PM
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#15
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Established Member
Join Date: Oct 2023
Location: Boiling Springs
Posts: 18
M.O.C. #33461
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I admire Truckers. It's a hard job. I flash my lights to let them know they can change lanes in front of me. I give them all the considerations I can.
BUT, NO, they Don't Own the Road! A Trucker can cause Road Rage as easily as any other driver. Everyone be thoughtful of each other and all will arrive at their destination safely.
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02-19-2024, 11:29 AM
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#16
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 129
M.O.C. #19318
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ErnieSC
I admire Truckers. It's a hard job. I flash my lights to let them know they can change lanes in front of me. I give them all the considerations I can.
BUT, NO, they Don't Own the Road! A Trucker can cause Road Rage as easily as any other driver. Everyone be thoughtful of each other and all will arrive at their destination safely.
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I didn't say truckers own the road. I said specifically that when a truck is making a turn, it's best for everyone to act like that truck owns the road. I said I still give truckers and RV'ers the same consideration while they're making turns, after learning first-hand a long time ago how much space it takes for large vehicles to safely clear turns.
That means that, for instance if I'm waiting at an intersection and I see that a truck, an RV, or a schoolbus is going to make a turn and might need to temporarily use a little bit of the lane I'm in, in order to safely clear the turn, I don't pull up all the way to the traffic light or the stop sign--I hang back a bit, to give that vehicle and its driver more space.
I, too, am talking about extending common courtesy, in an effort to get everyone to where they're going, safely. It's common courtesy to act like a large vehicle's driver *does* own the road, when that driver needs to make a wide turn.
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02-14-2024, 08:44 AM
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#17
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Aug 2022
Location: southern
Posts: 62
M.O.C. #31539
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Congratulations on the new camper.
Here's my take on what's critical:
1) make sure the pin of the camper is correctly in the hitch jaws, and jaws locked.
2) Safety brake away cord attached.
3) Tires on the truck and camper are properly inflated.
4) brakes on the camper are working
After that as others have said, know what the height is and watch for low limbs. The camper will cut the corners shorter than a bumper pull so swing that turns wide.
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2011 Montana Mountaineer 295RKD
2005 Ram 3500 Dually
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02-14-2024, 09:16 AM
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#18
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Mar 2021
Location: Western NY
Posts: 496
M.O.C. #28430
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I’ll add when maneuvering in tight spaces, call your partner on the hands free device in your truck and have them outside watching and communicating. Not only looking for things on the ground to keep you informed of, but looking up for low hanging branches etc. Know simple hand signals helps for those areas we all want to be in that have no cell service.
And remember the “if you can’t see my mirrors, I can’t see you” rule.
Have fun and enjoy that new rig!
__________________
Mark & Karen
2021 3121rl - slide toppers, cottage white, TST 507 TPMS, X-Factors, disc brakes
2021 F-350, 6.7L, SRW CC LB - B&W Companion, Bakflip cover
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02-14-2024, 10:05 AM
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#19
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: Shingle Springs
Posts: 2,263
M.O.C. #30417
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I'll add one more thing regarding height. Don't rely on what Keystone says. Hook up on flat ground and measure from the ground to the roof. Then measure the front AC height. Add the 2 and there's your actual height. It may be an inch or two higher depending on how your hitch and pin box is installed.
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Tony & Donna
2022 Montana HC, 295RL, Solar Flex 400, Onan 3600 LPG, 2K inverter, 200AH Lithium. 2020 GMC Denali 2500 6.6 Duramax, Demco 21K Auto Slide
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02-14-2024, 05:19 PM
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#20
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Alton
Posts: 2,714
M.O.C. #24086
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Watch your height!!!
The brochure says you are supposed to be 13'6".
Measure it yourself, hitched, from the ground to the top of the front AC unit so you KNOW what you actually are.
We were going up US-1 on the way to Fort Belvoir Va.
At Colchester Va we saw this.
I knew we were exactly 13'4" so we proceeded down the middle of the road at walking speed.
We made it.
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