Charles Skinner Posted May 1, 2015 Report Share Posted May 1, 2015 I am trying to make our RV trips less "taxing" on my "old body," and have made up my mind to have shorter days, perhaps no more that 150 miles, at the most. Then I realized that "setting up" the 5th wheel ---- and doing all that has to be done ---- and "taking down," takes a lot of time and energy which can really be a problem in hot weather. So, I am thinking about just leaving the 5th wheel connected to the truck and doing whatever has to be done to level the trailer, and just leaving it that way until the next morning. I guess I need to say that my trailer sits on an air ride hitch with four air bags. What are your thoughgts. Thanks, C. Skinner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtgeodog Posted May 1, 2015 Report Share Posted May 1, 2015 I very seldom disconnect my 5er on overnight stops. I just try to get it as level as possible then enjoy the evening. I never travel more than 325 miles in a day. Just my $0.02 worth ShortyO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranger Smith Posted May 1, 2015 Report Share Posted May 1, 2015 I have never disconnected any fifth wheel I had when just staying overnight. I just disconnect the cord from the truck to the trailer so no battery drain to truck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlennWest Posted May 1, 2015 Report Share Posted May 1, 2015 Same here. I won't even hook up sewer for overnights. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richfaa Posted May 1, 2015 Report Share Posted May 1, 2015 Do it all the time.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rdickinson Posted May 1, 2015 Report Share Posted May 1, 2015 I have airbags and air hitch so the air would probably leak out. Does it cause a problem if the pin sits on deflated air hitch overnight? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark and Dale Bruss Posted May 1, 2015 Report Share Posted May 1, 2015 I have airbags and air hitch so the air would probably leak out. Does it cause a problem if the pin sits on deflated air hitch overnight? If you put the jacks down on the trailer, then you could wind up hanging the truck from the pin when the air springs deflate. We level the trailer on the Big Foot Leveling system so we always unhook. We unhook the trailer and move a couple of feet forward. We leave the trailer umbilical cable attached Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rdickinson Posted May 1, 2015 Report Share Posted May 1, 2015 If you put the jacks down on the trailer, then you could wind up hanging the truck from the pin when the air springs deflate. We level the trailer on the Big Foot Leveling system so we always unhook. We unhook the trailer and move a couple of feet forward. We leave the trailer umbilical cable attached To clarify, I was more concerned whether 5-6k pin wt on a deflated Trailsaver or suspension would be a problem. This being done without lowering landing gear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark and Dale Bruss Posted May 1, 2015 Report Share Posted May 1, 2015 If the truck suspension or the hitch deflates, then you will wake up at a tilt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rynosback Posted May 1, 2015 Report Share Posted May 1, 2015 I have never disconnected any fifth wheel I had when just staying overnight. I just disconnect the cord from the truck to the trailer so no battery drain to truck. I agree. Disconnect the cord when staying the night. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlennWest Posted May 1, 2015 Report Share Posted May 1, 2015 My hitch won't leak down. Has it's own compressor and level switch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hdonlybob Posted May 2, 2015 Report Share Posted May 2, 2015 I never disconnected overnight when I had my HDT.. Dropped the rear air, and leveled other ways. As long as the fifth wheel is not holding up the air hitch...no problem... Cheers, Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWharton Posted May 2, 2015 Report Share Posted May 2, 2015 We always stay connected in travel mode. Drop the air from the hitch, Do a reasonable level, plug in the electricity and that is it. I really don't understand why people feel they need to unhook and hook up water, sewer and electricity every night. This is why RVs have tanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark and Dale Bruss Posted May 2, 2015 Report Share Posted May 2, 2015 We drop the trailer so we can level it with the Big Foot system. We can't level with the Big Foot with the truck hanging on. We level so there is no skew in the trailer for the slides to go out or in without possibly binding. We only use water and electricity for most overnights. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twotoes Posted May 3, 2015 Report Share Posted May 3, 2015 When I travel on longer trips where it will take several days to get to my destination I usually stop for the night at a truck stop. I just stop leaving the trailer hitched and get in the trailer for the night. I never unhitch, hookup anything or even unplug the cord to the truck. I never lower the jacks. I just park next to the semi's and get some sleep. My rig is ready to go when I get up in the morning. Sometimes I may put my slides out to make dinner but I always move them back in for the night. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nolan Posted May 3, 2015 Report Share Posted May 3, 2015 We can leave the truck hooked up to the trailer up to three days before the air bags lose air and drop. Unless we have dumped the air to get the trailer level. Have dropped the air in the hitch sometimes too get the trailer level. So far haven't had any problems. Sometimes I remember to unhook the cord from the truck, other times not. Haven't had any problem when I haven't either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chirakawa Posted May 3, 2015 Report Share Posted May 3, 2015 Sometimes I remember to unhook the cord from the truck, other times not. Haven't had any problem when I haven't either. Actually, if you're on shore power, the trailer will keep the truck's battery charged. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oscarvan Posted May 4, 2015 Report Share Posted May 4, 2015 Bags shouldn't leak down. We're in the:"Set the parking brake and don't touch anything" camp. Try to find a place with enough room for the slides (need them out to use the galley) but can nap if they are in. Most rest areas/truck stops are level enough. And, for one night a little tilt won't hurt me. (Or the fridge). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Cochran Posted May 5, 2015 Report Share Posted May 5, 2015 I have left hooked and unhooked over the years with different 5er's and tow vehicles. With the HDT if the 5er is not level enough to sleep comfortably I will disconnect the 5er from HDT and pull forward just enough so the pin and box clears the hitch not even disconnect umbilical. I don't want to take the chance of the HDT hanging from pin should I lose air. Now normally I won't lose air in hitch or HDT air springs but things happen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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