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Full time wheeling & Travel
- Thread starter TaltonOffRoad
- Start date
white-rhino
Older than dirt
Having a wife who will pull a trailer is a god send. Years ago we did a lot of boating and I got tired of doing everything. I told her she needed to either drive the boat on/off the trailer or do the trailer. She chose trailer. She got really good. Now she will drive our double tow 5th wheel with buggy behind without much issue. She still hesitates to drive around town though. On our trip to Utah she probably drove 20% of the highway miles.
This past summer she took our 5th wheel camping with her mom and sisters all by herself. Hookup to truck, drive to campground, handle all water/electric/sewer, drive dually sight seeing, dump tanks and hook up to come home. When I got home from work she had backed in the driveway on her own.
This past summer she took our 5th wheel camping with her mom and sisters all by herself. Hookup to truck, drive to campground, handle all water/electric/sewer, drive dually sight seeing, dump tanks and hook up to come home. When I got home from work she had backed in the driveway on her own.
ridered3
Low Talent Wheelin
That’s awesome and 100% agree on even having a break for 20% of a road trip.Having a wife who will pull a trailer is a god send. Years ago we did a lot of boating and I got tired of doing everything. I told her she needed to either drive the boat on/off the trailer or do the trailer. She chose trailer. She got really good. Now she will drive our double tow 5th wheel with buggy behind without much issue. She still hesitates to drive around town though. On our trip to Utah she probably drove 20% of the highway miles.
This past summer she took our 5th wheel camping with her mom and sisters all by herself. Hookup to truck, drive to campground, handle all water/electric/sewer, drive dually sight seeing, dump tanks and hook up to come home. When I got home from work she had backed in the driveway on her own.
TaltonOffRoad
Full time traveler
Having a wife who will pull a trailer is a god send. Years ago we did a lot of boating and I got tired of doing everything. I told her she needed to either drive the boat on/off the trailer or do the trailer. She chose trailer. She got really good. Now she will drive our double tow 5th wheel with buggy behind without much issue. She still hesitates to drive around town though. On our trip to Utah she probably drove 20% of the highway miles.
This past summer she took our 5th wheel camping with her mom and sisters all by herself. Hookup to truck, drive to campground, handle all water/electric/sewer, drive dually sight seeing, dump tanks and hook up to come home. When I got home from work she had backed in the driveway on her own.
You are 100% right.
I like your setup. Couple questions, how long is it over all? Did you have to do any special reinforcement to the rear of the camper?
I love my 5500 but honestly what you have pictured here would suit my full time needs much better and is something I would seriously consider. I’m 63’ as it is now.
white-rhino
Older than dirt
73' overall so not legal in many states. However, you will search pretty hard to find anyone who has ever been stopped for being over length. I've been in 14 or 15 states so far without issue. Michigan also require a double tow certificate but it's a simple multiple choice test. (stupid simple)
Yes, I reinforced the rear of the camper. I haven't seen any 5th wheel hitches rated for more than 3,000# max wt/ 300# tongue weight. Even with my aluminum trailer I'm just under 6,000# and about 600# tongue weight. I also added wiring back for electric brakes on the back trailer. A rear camera on the 5th wheel makes lane changes pretty easy.
It works great for destination traveling but is a PITA if you want to sight see along the way. We find ourselves skipping places because maneuverability can be a nuisance. Pulling into a parking lot and realizing you will need to back up sucks. We have a diesel fleet card so we can fuel up at the major truck stops.
ridered3
Low Talent Wheelin
Slight derail, but do you have a single brake controller for both trailers or two separate brake controllers for each trailer?
white-rhino
Older than dirt
I just use the OEM truck controller for both set at 7. Seems to work good.
ridered3
Low Talent Wheelin
Cool deal and was just curious.
TaltonOffRoad
Full time traveler
Agreed. We intend to include the kids. We just kinda rushed to get the explanation video out since so many people were asking for it.
I’m having my buggy redone currently and will make a video for the buggy, a video for the truck, and I’m heading to Ivy Branch in a few weeks, so they’ll be some content from that as well. Might setup a tri pod and do a sped up V roll of me setting up my camp.
TaltonOffRoad
Full time traveler
I took the buggy to a buddy of mine who has worked on the lake bed with folks like Phil Licciardi and Chris Weygandt. It was quickly determined that the coil springs rates were ridiculously stiff, like 250 over 350 in the front, with even stiffer springs on the rear! Also the rear sway bar was far too stiff.
When I got there we could take a fork lift and pick the front tire up 28” before the rear picked up, and the front would not compress the springs all the way or get into the bumps at all. When I left there we could pick it up 43” and fully stuff the bump.
He had a rock garden, whoops and wash out area the mimicked nuisance rock on the trails and I could go over those quite comfy at the end of the day.
Also if you noticed, the skins are all off the buggy, and this is why. I picked these up today and am super stoked! Our first YouTube video went well, I already have the 2nd one of the spring tuning edited roughly, with the next one being the reveal of the new color with the new seats.
When I got there we could take a fork lift and pick the front tire up 28” before the rear picked up, and the front would not compress the springs all the way or get into the bumps at all. When I left there we could pick it up 43” and fully stuff the bump.
He had a rock garden, whoops and wash out area the mimicked nuisance rock on the trails and I could go over those quite comfy at the end of the day.
Also if you noticed, the skins are all off the buggy, and this is why. I picked these up today and am super stoked! Our first YouTube video went well, I already have the 2nd one of the spring tuning edited roughly, with the next one being the reveal of the new color with the new seats.
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ridered3
Low Talent Wheelin
That’s great on getting the suspension worked out and that blue really pops.
TaltonOffRoad
Full time traveler
My trip to Ivy Branch fell apart the night before I was supposed to leave. The few guys I was supposed to go with backed out, and then the last one left had to cancel also. I had literally just finished loading the buggy and hooking up to the camper when he canceled.
We decided to go to Good Evening Ranch instead since I know the owners well and it’s small enough to wheel alone without issue.
We had a blast, and I’m incredibly happy with the buggy. It works amazing and is everything I wanted it to be. The new seats fit well and the seat heaters will run you out!
I’m currently working on 2 more videos for the YT channel, one which will cover GER and what to expect for people who haven’t been. Not much wheeling action, but hopefully an enjoyable video for those interested.
Here’s some pics for now.
We decided to go to Good Evening Ranch instead since I know the owners well and it’s small enough to wheel alone without issue.
We had a blast, and I’m incredibly happy with the buggy. It works amazing and is everything I wanted it to be. The new seats fit well and the seat heaters will run you out!
I’m currently working on 2 more videos for the YT channel, one which will cover GER and what to expect for people who haven’t been. Not much wheeling action, but hopefully an enjoyable video for those interested.
Here’s some pics for now.
ridered3
Low Talent Wheelin
Looks like a fun time despite others backing out. How long does it take you to load/unload everything for a trip like that?
TaltonOffRoad
Full time traveler
About 40 minutes to get into “Road Mode” as we call it. Wife handles most of the inside stuff while I take care of the outside stuff. It’s honestly 1000 times easier than loading for a wheeling trip when I lived in a house.
Also, we decided to stay an extra day just because. Easy to do when we have everything we own with us all the time lol.
ridered3
Low Talent Wheelin
Very cool on being able to “divide and conquer” on inside/outside tasks certainly helps.
TaltonOffRoad
Full time traveler
2 new videos up on the YouTube!
Countdown to Windrock is on now. Would like to wheel New Years somewhere close. AOP is most likely out of the question but not entirely.
Countdown to Windrock is on now. Would like to wheel New Years somewhere close. AOP is most likely out of the question but not entirely.
Nice setup and good luck with your travels. West coast wheeling and open public lands is where it's at.
TaltonOffRoad
Full time traveler
Yes it is! I cannot wait to get back to Utah! I am going to be out there for a while next year, 2 months booked near Sand Hollow.
WaterH
Well-known member
Sub’d
ridered3
Low Talent Wheelin
TaltonOffRoad
Full time traveler
I’ve debated going to AOP for New Years, but it’s in the air. Place is expensive for a family of 4 and the lady up there has rubbed me the wrong way several times now. I was actually hoping to stay there for a couple weeks cause there’s a lot to do in that area but they blew me off and didn’t seem to want my money. It’s a long story.
Windrock will be the 2nd week of February, there for a week, then off to Chocco from there.
Windrock was a bust the first and only time I’ve went. Rode nothing but lame boring trails, hoping to see some good stuff this time and hoping the weather holds out.
ridered3
Low Talent Wheelin
Sucks on AOP lack of communication. Tons to do relatively close to there for sure.
For Windrock, I’ve got a buddy that could tell you where to go or possibly meet up with you to ride while you are there.
TaltonOffRoad
Full time traveler
I flew out for vacation, rented a couple Turbo Rs and rode at Sand Hollow and did several other things. Loved it so much I booked 2 months there for this journey.
TaltonOffRoad
Full time traveler
Little update. It’s now been 3 months in the camper, and we still love it. I know overall this isn’t a lot of time, but we are not burnt out or ready to kill each other. Actually, we spend more time as a family than ever. I also have a lot more alone time with the wife cause the kids have other full time friends they spend a lot of time with.
We are fixing to get some very cold weather, down in the teens. I am doing some preparations tomorrow and hope for the best. I was supposed to wheel at Good Evening Ranch for New Years with my friends one last time before we leave but it’s supposed to be single digits there and my camper just can’t take that. I’m watching the weather close.
Right after Christmas we are heading out. We are about to start recording a YT video about how we plan routes and stuff. I’ve gotten a lot of messages on FB and some comments on YouTube where people are genuinely interested in what we are doing, many have offered a place to camp for a few days and use of their shop along the way and that’s just awesome. That’s exactly the kind of community I’d hoped to start building.
It looks like I’ll be wheeling my way from here to Sand Hollow, hitting Windrock, Chocco, SMORR, Green Acres, and RMR along the way. By the time I get to Sand Hollow I’ll probably be looking for a place to throw my junk on a lift and give it some love lol.
Overall this local trial run has been going great. The real journey is about to start!
Pics just because.
We are fixing to get some very cold weather, down in the teens. I am doing some preparations tomorrow and hope for the best. I was supposed to wheel at Good Evening Ranch for New Years with my friends one last time before we leave but it’s supposed to be single digits there and my camper just can’t take that. I’m watching the weather close.
Right after Christmas we are heading out. We are about to start recording a YT video about how we plan routes and stuff. I’ve gotten a lot of messages on FB and some comments on YouTube where people are genuinely interested in what we are doing, many have offered a place to camp for a few days and use of their shop along the way and that’s just awesome. That’s exactly the kind of community I’d hoped to start building.
It looks like I’ll be wheeling my way from here to Sand Hollow, hitting Windrock, Chocco, SMORR, Green Acres, and RMR along the way. By the time I get to Sand Hollow I’ll probably be looking for a place to throw my junk on a lift and give it some love lol.
Overall this local trial run has been going great. The real journey is about to start!
Pics just because.
ridered3
Low Talent Wheelin
Glad y’all are enjoying it so far and would offer you a place to stay in middle Tennessee for a few days if I had camper parking at home.
Personally I’d be interested in seeing some of your cold weather preparations for the camper whether mentioned on here or in a video.
Personally I’d be interested in seeing some of your cold weather preparations for the camper whether mentioned on here or in a video.
Honky Lips
Welcome to the shit show.
Any idea on when you plan on wheeling Smorr?
Good luck. I hope you guys don't get hammered with the storm.
TaltonOffRoad
Full time traveler
Early to mid April. The problem is my travel will put me at some of these places during the week. So I’m probably going to have to see about finding people with a flexible schedule that might can wheel with me, or just pass those places up till I can get back thru on a weekend.
Honky Lips
Welcome to the shit show.
I have a flexible schedule. Lemme know and I’ll keep following this thread