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Old 11-06-2013, 05:23 PM   #21
JRTJH
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I have always painted our king pin and the slide bar on our hitch. When we bought the Cougar, I decided to try something a bit different. Rather than paint the king pin flange, I cleaned it well with acetone and put a piece of yellow reflective tape (left over from marking the landing gear legs) on the King pin flange and a piece of red reflective tape on the hitch slide bar (or you could put it on the jaws if you have that type hitch).

Paint was relatively easy to see, but the reflective tape really stands out even in the shadows under the nose of the trailer. I didn't realize how much easier it would be to see than the paint. So far, it also seems to be more durable.

As to how I marked the landing gear: I used a 2" strip of yellow reflective tape at the top and bottom just before the maximum travel position, then I put a 1/2" piece of red reflective tape at the "DON'T GO HERE" location (at the maximum travel position). When I see the yellow, I know I'm getting close and when I see the red, I know DON'T GO ANY FURTHER!!!!! So far, I've not topped out or bottomed out the landing gear and no fuses have needed to be replaced.

The left over tape just seemed a "natural" for the king pin flange.
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Old 11-06-2013, 10:13 PM   #22
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Not sure if it was mentioned, but give yourself a lot of room for breaking. You have a big difference carrying that weight behind you. Just remember it's there. Have a great time!
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Old 11-07-2013, 04:42 AM   #23
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Originally Posted by Festus2 View Post
For those of you who have jaws on your hitch (sliding bar folks too), try painting the jaws white or some other brilliant, visible colour - yellow or ???
Since I've painted my jaws white, I no longer need a flashlight to see if they are correctly in place.

Just clean all the grease and gunk off the jaws, and put a couple of coats of exterior paints on the jaws -- it's as simple as that! Easy to see in the dim light.
Nice suggestion!
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Old 11-08-2013, 06:54 PM   #24
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Practice

Not sure if you are proficient at pulling such a long trailer, grab some cones and find a empty parking lot and practice backing up and maneuvering around. It will save you some grief later on.
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Old 11-08-2013, 07:26 PM   #25
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new to 5th wheel.

All good sound advice from everyone. One thing you should want to memorize is the height of your trailer. I was surprised when I asked a couple of friends who have a 5th wheel and they didnt know what the height of their trailers were. Maybe they guess when they get off the interstate and have to go under a low bridge and hope for the best.
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Old 11-09-2013, 10:33 AM   #26
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Height

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All good sound advice from everyone. One thing you should want to memorize is the height of your trailer. I was surprised when I asked a couple of friends who have a 5th wheel and they didnt know what the height of their trailers were. Maybe they guess when they get off the interstate and have to go under a low bridge and hope for the best.
Always interesting for rainy day to watch the youtube video's of those that don't know the height of their unit or are just plain ignorant of the fact that they are towing a huge box behind them that is sticking up in the air around 12'.... My favorites are the one that takes the Bank drive thru structure down and the one that cleaned off the top of his Fifth Wheel 'slick as a whistle'..... Now I don't enjoy seeing people almost get killed nor anyone losing their hard earned gear... However... why isn't common sense very ... 'common'...
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Old 11-09-2013, 10:55 AM   #27
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Always fun for rainy day to watch the youtube video's of those that don't know the height of their unit or are just plain ignorant of the fact that they are towing a huge box behind them that is sticking up in the air around 12'.... My favorites are the one that takes the Bank drive through structure down and the one that cleaned off the top of his Fifth Wheel 'slick as a whistle'..... Now I don't enjoy seeing people almost get killed nor anyone losing their hard earned gear... However... why isn't common sense very ... 'common'...
I think its because it is so easy to pull these things, one gets complacent, and forgets the constant vigilance required.

I punctured holes in the roof, 3 days after getting the trailer, because I didn't STOP and look, when I couldn't tell if there was enough clearance 1/4 mile from home in my own sub. Once I saw the tree debris in the rearview mirror it was too late. I let my expectation overrule my caution.
(the county still hasn't trimmed the trees. 3 ways to my house, 2 are blocked by low trees at ~10ft)
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Old 11-10-2013, 06:09 AM   #28
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Trees

I hear you with those trees! I as well was attacked by a killer tree a few years ago.... Saddest part, I had a backup guide that was supposed to keep a lookout for them!!!!
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Old 11-10-2013, 08:50 AM   #29
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Just remember even if you have someone helping you back up and you end up hitting something, or damaging something it's still the drivers responsibility not the person directing you. Good rule of thumb is, if your backing into a place even with help get out of your truck and check the area yourself it will save you headaches later and only takes a few min.
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Old 11-13-2013, 03:28 PM   #30
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My biggest concern before we began traveling with our Montana was being able to stop it with my 2500 Dodge. However, once I got the brake control properly adjusted, so that the trailer brakes do their share of the braking, it was no longer a concern. If you are unsure of how to do the adjustment, read the directions that came with the control or ask someone with experience. DON'T start out with out making sure the control is properly adjusted.
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Old 11-18-2013, 06:28 PM   #31
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welcome

I have driven a truck off and on for 20 years so it is natural for me . advice wise look up. in turns if in doubt take it ALL, lanes that is. try to go into unknown areas in the daytime when possible what you cant see can hurt you/ your rv. check fifth wheel at every hook up. check the pin box bolts periodically. if you stop kick those tires and feel of the wheel for excessive heat unless you have a tire/ temp monitoring system. I would say tires and suspension checks are as important as watching out for trees. note the tires,tires,tires section. have fun
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Old 11-19-2013, 05:38 AM   #32
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Hi one thing i did to help withe the on how high! I put the height in sticker form and put it on my mirror.
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