Rving 101. There's lots of things that can go wrong when you have a 5th wheel RV rig. Most frequently... Dropping the trailer on to the truck bed. Ouch! Generally when you are new to hooking up the trailer to the truck... or have done it so many times it's become second nature.... problems creep in. Careless mistakes are usually the issue. Here's a couple of simple rules that has proven to be beneficial.
1. Develop a routine... a set sequence of hooking up the rv to the truck. NEVER change that sequence. Don't get side tracked to doing anything but that sequence.
2. Double check everything in your mind. Verbally tell yourself that you have completed each step in the sequence when performing them. It's kinda like locking a door... It's so routine you do it without thinking... Then you sometimes wonder if you really locked the door. .. You think you did when you really didn't. Say it verbally to yourself, check it off, and you'll remember doing it ... and never ever change anything in the sequence.
3. Separation of duties... My wife does the inside... I do the outside... Generally if one interferes with the others sequence, generally you will get out of sequence and miss something.
4. Before starting to move the truck with the 5th wheel hooked up... Physically double check one more time that everything has been done. Hitch locked... trailer electrically hook up to truck connected... break away safety connection secure... Wheel chocks removed... tires okay... all hookups disconnected... and do a final walk around to make sure everything is okay and nothing is left behind.
Sequence... It's all about the sequence ... the verbal check off... The final walk check.
Simple mistakes can be costly. Ruin your day... ruin your trip.
