Our rig, RAM 3500 Laramie 6.7L Cummins Diesel, Keystone Alpine 3495FL 5th Wheel Trailer
Our rig, RAM 3500 Laramie 6.7L Cummins Diesel, Keystone Alpine 3495FL 5th Wheel Trailer

If after mid-February ’15 you should be driving the highways of the United States and meet or pass a truck and trailer which looks something like the one above give it a wave (and plenty of room)…it might be us.

We took procession of the trailer yesterday morning and after a little time on the dealers grounds learning how the trailer tracks in a turn and how quickly it reacts when changing direction in backing we took to the Interstate and local highways to deliver it to a nearby storage location. Getting use to it was a much easier transition then I had expected and the experience of years of growing up backing farm trailers and wagons came flooding back.  Heck, at 16 during drivers education my instructor once told me I backed up better then I drove forward — I’m still not sure if that was a compliment but I’ll take it as one.

Once we arrived at the storage location it took a tricky two turn backing maneuver to get it into its designated parking spot.  Good thing I’m not superstitious about the storage location number being 911. It did take a while to get it maneuvered into place but it went well and I’m feeling confident about handling it in the future.

The truck is a perfect match, capability wise, for the 6-7 ton trailer — very steady with the dual rear wheels and has plenty of pulling and stopping power. It didn’t even sit down that much in the back with the extra 2800lbs of pin weight.  I’ll post more details and photos of the trailer a little later on.  Just now both Bonnie and I are trying to recover from a couple of very nasty colds.  We were feeling so poorly yesterday we almost canceled picking the trailer up.

 

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Tom Dills
9 years ago

There’s definitely a lot of that cold stuff going around, but I’m sure it would take a lot to dampen your excitement.

I’ve never towed a trailer forward let alone backward, but I do know that it takes some practice and experience in either direction.

I’m glad to see that your plans are shaping up well and look forward to catching up with you and Bonnie in person to hear more about your adventures!

Paul Maxim
Paul Maxim
9 years ago

So that’s the new home, huh? Impressive. And exciting-looking. The world at your doorstep – literally.

Sounds like we’ll be hitting the road again about a month after you do. You’ll have to give me an idea of where you’re heading so I can look for this monster. We’ll be heading cross=country on I-40 toward Death Valley (with a few stops along the way). I just hope gas prices don’t decide to spike upward again before March!

pj
pj
9 years ago

Looks like a great rig. It’s smart to start off slow like you’re planning to do. Here’s wishing you all the best on your exciting and interesting new life, and Happy Holidays