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07-11-2022, 02:52 PM
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#1
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New Member
Join Date: Jun 2022
Location: Troutdale
Posts: 8
M.O.C. #31148
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The Learning Curve
Well.. we took our New Montana out for trip #2.. a week at the Wonderful Oregon Coast.
We got over easy the first trip with an 80 ft Pull Through site with no obstructions.
Trip number 2.. not as easy.. and now we understand a bit more about the learning curve on backing a 5th wheel compared to the Travel Trailer and getting 41 feet of 5th wheel into a tight spot.
The Good news is no damage and we are still married.
The Better news is getting out was so much easier.
The Learning Curve.. shortened and we feel so much better have gone through this challenge.
The obstructions were three Douglas Fir trees.. one was MASSIVE! The other was a road the bent the wrong way and a grey water sump on the blind side.
I know I sound like such a rookie here.. but it was pretty tough, but became a learning experience and nothing got hurt except my ego.
__________________
Jerry & Teresa Schleining
Happy Place Diaries- YouTube and Instagram
2022 Montana 3761 FL, Keystone Brand Ambassadors
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07-11-2022, 02:55 PM
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#2
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Dec 2021
Location: Schertz, TX
Posts: 153
M.O.C. #30294
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Congrats and good job! Gotta love the tight spots. And once you are in, you can reward yourself with a cold adult beverage!!
__________________
Clark & Peggy
2022 Montana 3791RD, 800i solar, 2x100ah Battleborn
2017 Ford F350, CC, LB, 6.7, 4x4
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07-11-2022, 03:05 PM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Anderson
Posts: 2,585
M.O.C. #22835
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Yep, yep, yep! I certainly understand!
__________________
Who you are right now is a sum total off all you use to be.
2019 Montana High Country 375FL
2014 Chevy Silverado Duramax, 6.6L Dually
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07-11-2022, 03:20 PM
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#4
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New Member
Join Date: Jun 2022
Location: Troutdale
Posts: 8
M.O.C. #31148
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That is soooo true. I think I may have had two after this one.. haha
Thanks
__________________
Jerry & Teresa Schleining
Happy Place Diaries- YouTube and Instagram
2022 Montana 3761 FL, Keystone Brand Ambassadors
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07-11-2022, 03:43 PM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: Shingle Springs
Posts: 2,225
M.O.C. #30417
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I can relate! My first 90 deg back in was trip number 2 just a few months back. There were some oh @*^% moments. 6 months and 9 trips later I feel comfortable backing in and I'm still married! Well done!
__________________
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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07-11-2022, 03:54 PM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Milwaukie, OR
Posts: 1,469
M.O.C. #23668
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Nice job! Even experienced 5th wheel owners sometimes have to slow down, take their time, and carefully thread the needle. We've all had to do it. Experience will build confidence...just don't get cocky. And sometimes even the best need a spotter. DW is pretty good at being another set of eyes. I'm just never in a hurry when it comes to preventing expensive damage.
__________________
Jeff & Sandi (and Teddy - 7lb Schnorkie)
2018 Montana HC 305RL / HW Progressive EMS
2015 RAM 3500 Laramie Longhorn Crew Cab 4x4 DRW / Demco Recon Hitch on RAM Puck Ball
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07-11-2022, 06:15 PM
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#7
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: POINTBLANK
Posts: 1,888
M.O.C. #19944
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My first 90 degree was first trip in a small, crowded KOA ... fortunately there were some guys hanging around. I rolled down the window and asked if they were taking bets. One guy asked if I wanted help. Fortunately, he spoke a language I understood. He got me right in. There have been many interesting opportunities since. My wife is joyous when it is a pull thru. But pull thru does not always mean NO PAIN - a few COE arched spaces, ugh.
__________________
RAM 22' DRW 3500 Crew LB 40 gal reserve tank / RETRAX Bed Cover / 2020 373RD HC / IS / MOPEKA Tank Monitor / Furrion Side&Rear Cameras
Slide Toppers / EMS-HW50C / Sailun 85's
3rd AC / Dometic 320
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07-11-2022, 07:07 PM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: Shingle Springs
Posts: 2,225
M.O.C. #30417
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jsb5717
Nice job! Even experienced 5th wheel owners sometimes have to slow down, take their time, and carefully thread the needle. We've all had to do it. Experience will build confidence...just don't get cocky. And sometimes even the best need a spotter. DW is pretty good at being another set of eyes. I'm just never in a hurry when it comes to preventing expensive damage.
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I learned the hard way with my 30' cougar. I was SOOO confident that I backed into the house and had to replace the rear wall of the trailer! Yes I'm still married.....slow small moves!
__________________
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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07-11-2022, 10:07 PM
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#9
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Mesa
Posts: 279
M.O.C. #24588
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Foldbak
I learned the hard way with my 30' cougar. I was SOOO confident that I backed into the house and had to replace the rear wall of the trailer! Yes I'm still married.....slow small moves!
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I takes 3 persons to safely back a trailer......1 to drive the truck, 1 to spot for the driver, and lastly, 1 who wields a club to administer punishment to either the driver and or spotter, whichever screws up.
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07-12-2022, 07:28 AM
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#10
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: San Antonio
Posts: 1,298
M.O.C. #5165
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On our 1st trip in 2006, an "experienced RV Neighbor" gave me this simple advice for backing a 5th wheel. Place your hand on the bottom of the steering wheel, turn the steering wheel in the direction you want the back end of the RV to go. I still say this to myself everytime I back up. I bet lots of Monty folks have passed this along.
Yes, pull thrus sound great but often they are only marginally better than a back-in---at least from my experience. Happy Travels
__________________
F-250 King Ranch Crew Cab 2012, Single Wheel, 6.7 L Diesel, Transfer Flow Internal 50 Gallon Fuel Tank, Upgraded Ford Software for 50 Gallon tank, 2006 3475Rl with Mor-ryde King Pin, 2nd AC, 2nd Battery, Pressure Pro TPMS, Wet Bolt Shackle Kit
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07-17-2022, 03:00 PM
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#11
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Qualicum Beach
Posts: 665
M.O.C. #26399
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jerry Schleining
Well.. we took our New Montana out for trip #2.. a week at the Wonderful Oregon Coast.
We got over easy the first trip with an 80 ft Pull Through site with no obstructions.
Trip number 2.. not as easy.. and now we understand a bit more about the learning curve on backing a 5th wheel compared to the Travel Trailer and getting 41 feet of 5th wheel into a tight spot.
The Good news is no damage and we are still married.
The Better news is getting out was so much easier.
The Learning Curve.. shortened and we feel so much better have gone through this challenge.
The obstructions were three Douglas Fir trees.. one was MASSIVE! The other was a road the bent the wrong way and a grey water sump on the blind side.
I know I sound like such a rookie here.. but it was pretty tough, but became a learning experience and nothing got hurt except my ego.
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I hope I don't scare you, but that looks like the spot I want, lot's of clearance on passenger side, paved, great visibility on drivers side and long. I used to have a house with a very long curving the wrong way driveway and uphill etc etc. Some days it was an hour some not so bad.
__________________
2018 Keystone Montana 3811MS
2017 Ford F450 diesel dually
600AH Battle Born Lithium Batteries, 1,080 watts solar
3,000 watt hybrid inverter with 120A charger
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07-17-2022, 04:26 PM
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#12
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: STAYTON
Posts: 1,118
M.O.C. #18157
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I have her call me, and talk over the Bluetooth while backing into a tough spot. She possesses some hand signals that are pretty vague except ONE LOL
__________________
“Hard times create strong men, strong men create good times, good times create weak men, and weak men create hard times.”
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07-17-2022, 04:58 PM
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#13
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Keller
Posts: 501
M.O.C. #26851
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jerry Schleining
Well.. we took our New Montana out for trip #2.. a week at the Wonderful Oregon Coast.
We got over easy the first trip with an 80 ft Pull Through site with no obstructions.
Trip number 2.. not as easy.. and now we understand a bit more about the learning curve on backing a 5th wheel compared to the Travel Trailer and getting 41 feet of 5th wheel into a tight spot.
The Good news is no damage and we are still married.
The Better news is getting out was so much easier.
The Learning Curve.. shortened and we feel so much better have gone through this challenge.
The obstructions were three Douglas Fir trees.. one was MASSIVE! The other was a road the bent the wrong way and a grey water sump on the blind side.
I know I sound like such a rookie here.. but it was pretty tough, but became a learning experience and nothing got hurt except my ego.
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Most of us have a similar experience. Those tree branches look a bit low so watch out for those. Its amazing how small branches, let alone big ones, can mess up your roof! Just had mine repaired while doing regular roof inspection. A little Dicore and I’m ready to go.
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07-17-2022, 06:37 PM
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#14
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Mountain Home
Posts: 121
M.O.C. #22661
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My first trip out pulling my new Montana HC was to a large parking lot at our school. I put out some milk jugs and orange cones and practiced backing in, 90 turns and what ever else I could think of….
__________________
Idaho, 2017 Montana HC 380, Cummins Onan Gen,Step Above Morey steps, Progressive 50 amp surge protector
Winegards Playmaker Satellite Dish,Anderson Hitch, Solara Slide-out Toppers
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07-17-2022, 06:43 PM
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#15
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: woodstock
Posts: 542
M.O.C. #8174
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Looks like you did great
__________________
Ed
Montana Master
Woodstock Ga
2020 3931 FB Legacy
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07-17-2022, 10:03 PM
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#16
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Edinburg
Posts: 88
M.O.C. #26856
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To park my 37' 5ver at home, I have to pull up a very steep hill and back into a more than 90 degree angle down the hill and back uphill a bit. Also, we slide some backing down and into the turn. I have gotten pretty good at it over the years.
One time I was late for an appointment and back it in first try, but was over a bit too far and decided to leave it till later. Dh decided he was going to do it for me. He pulled down the driveway l little too far and couldn't get the truck to back it up. He ended up taking it back out the driveway, turning it around, pulling it back up to the top of the hill and then decided h3ll no on backing the turn and just left it there. I came home to the truck and trailer sitting at the top of the driveway blocking everything and I had to start over.
I thanked him for trying to be helpful and for stopping when he knew he was in over his head, but next time please just leave it alone.
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