Festus2
05-16-2013, 06:32 PM
Camping friends of ours are feeling very down after having suffered a major ooops and ouch on their brand new 5th wheel. :(
They had noticed that the 5th wheel was sitting a bit high so they lowered the hitch in the truck - also brand new. Both are sitting in their driveway which has a slight tilt towards the road at the front of their house.
After the hitch was lowered, they decided to pull the 5th wheel onto the street, which BTW, is quite level, to get a better look at the two units to see how they are now sitting.
Driver hops into the truck and starts moving forward out of the driveway onto the street when suddenly everything comes to grinding halt. At the same time, a very loud "thunk" is heard.
No, the truck and 5th wheel did not separate. It was hitched properly. What happened? They pulled ahead but forgot to put the large slide in on the passenger side and it smashed into a metal light standard at the edge of their property and the road.
Apparently, the slide is a write-off - almost totally destroyed and will have to be rebuilt from almost from scratch. They were told that they are probably looking at something over $10000. And they haven't been told yet how much $$$$ will be involved with the bent light standard.
Needless to say, they are sick. A brand new unit which has been out once for a short shakedown trip. Hopefully, their insurance will cover the costs but it just leaves a bad feeling in your stomach.
They had noticed that the 5th wheel was sitting a bit high so they lowered the hitch in the truck - also brand new. Both are sitting in their driveway which has a slight tilt towards the road at the front of their house.
After the hitch was lowered, they decided to pull the 5th wheel onto the street, which BTW, is quite level, to get a better look at the two units to see how they are now sitting.
Driver hops into the truck and starts moving forward out of the driveway onto the street when suddenly everything comes to grinding halt. At the same time, a very loud "thunk" is heard.
No, the truck and 5th wheel did not separate. It was hitched properly. What happened? They pulled ahead but forgot to put the large slide in on the passenger side and it smashed into a metal light standard at the edge of their property and the road.
Apparently, the slide is a write-off - almost totally destroyed and will have to be rebuilt from almost from scratch. They were told that they are probably looking at something over $10000. And they haven't been told yet how much $$$$ will be involved with the bent light standard.
Needless to say, they are sick. A brand new unit which has been out once for a short shakedown trip. Hopefully, their insurance will cover the costs but it just leaves a bad feeling in your stomach.