RWI005 It is time to put Jack and Diane together
Checklist
Gas tank full…Check
Hitch is installed…Check
Money in the checking account…Check
Road Warrior ready for pickup…Check
That ride up 281 North to pick up “Diane” was both exciting and scary. It would mark the first time I would back up to a 5th wheel trailer, first time to pull it, first time to drive it on a highway, into town and first time to back it in a driveway.
I went through every scenario I could think of in my head, what would be the obstacles, pitfalls, issues and difficulties. I put on my brave face and acted like it was no big deal.
Knowledge begets wisdom, Experience begets Knowledge
…That was until as we pulled into the dealership, I had put away the thought – back to the furthest depths of my mind – that the first mile of Highway I was to encounter fully loaded, had a construction barrier on each side. This barrier reduced the width of the highway to the point where all I could envision was scraping both side mirrors during my maiden journey.
After a few failed attempts to back in straight to align the trailer’s kingpin with the newly installed hitch, I made contact. We had help from the team to make sure the hitch was connected properly, the brake line set and the wiring connected.
Taking My First Pull
After making the final payment, all we had left to do was raise the trailer jacks and pull her on out. But, one of the jacks refused to retract. The day was getting long, and I did not want to have to embarrass myself with another attempt to connect again. We waited anxiously as the jack was replaced. Now all I had to do is get this thing out of the cramped area that it was stuffed, make a left turn without hitting the fence or rolling into the ditch.
Out like a champ…. No problem. Now I just have to take on the gauntlet and I will be home free. As I started to make my entrance to highway 281 South back to San Antonio, our salesman Ed comes running to the window. He explained that I needed to back up, exit the parking lot from the left lane or I would not make it without hitting the barriers that I was about to enter.
Backed up, repositioned and waiting for that break in traffic so I can cross the highway and enter the Gauntlet. The moment of truth arrived, I pulled out, swung wide and aimed the RAM right down the middle of the construction zone. The mirrors didn’t scrape. Neither did the Road Warrior. I made it through without a scratch. Now I must stop for the red light.
Look Ma, No Brakes
I look at the trailer brake indicator and it shows that I have no trailer brakes. What??? How was I going to stop not only the truck but 45’ of house behind me. I made the decision to move forward – on to San Antonio – I would just keep my distance, use both my gears and truck brakes to slow to a stop.
I was not going to turn around and face the gauntlet again. All was well, except that every time I put 4-5 vehicle distance between us and the vehicle in front, a car would pull in right in front of us just to test my braking skills and my patience.
Jackknife?
I quickly got used to the highway driving. I was soon forgetting that I had 45 foot of house behind me. We made it into San Antonio without a hitch, pulled into the neighborhood and took position in the middle of the street as I prepared for the backup.
Julie got out and on her phone, I got on mine and she gave me the directions. First backup into the side road went pretty well, but I still needed to do a 90-degree backup into the driveway and then another 90 degree turn to set it in the correct spot.
After a few attempts and driving onto my neighbor’s lawn, I got her in place. The truck was parked at a 90-degree angle, I didn’t care, I decided it was going to stay connected like that until we moved it again.
The next day was fast and furious as we packed everything into “Diane” and headed out for our Shake Down…
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