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Topic ClosedSetting up trailer alone

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David D View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Topic: Setting up trailer alone
    Posted: 20 May 2016 at 11:03am
As was mentioned earlier, backing up might be the toughest when on your own.  In cases like this, I've adopted a method which is tedious but works.... back up the trailer a few feet, get out of truck walk to back to study progress, get back in truck, and repeat process over and over until your good.  I actually learned this the hard way.... backed up into a tree once... embarassing!  ;-)   And, if you have to unhitch and still need to move your trailer, another item which has been super helpful is the Trailer Valet.  I absolutely love this product.  https://www.trailervalet.com/5x
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 May 2016 at 9:59am
I have a back up camera which makes it much easier. With a little practice you wont have any problem, just go slow and easy when backing up. Unhooking is easy.
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CharlieM View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 May 2016 at 9:32am
It's fine to connect water and shore power while connected to the BMW. I would add only one caution. Tow vehicles are generally wired to charge the trailer battery while traveling, but electrically disconnect when the engine is off. I say generally, but stuff happens and mistakes are made. The consequences are possible discharge of the BMW battery if shore power is not used. This can really ruin your morning. It's worth checking out. There are ways to check using a voltmeter, and even a way to check without a meter if you don't mind disconnecting the trailer battery. Let me know and I can talk you through it. Have fun and enjoy your camper and dogs Smile .

  
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 May 2016 at 8:14am
Originally posted by techntrek

If you don't need to drive anywhere you can leave it hitched up, which saves some aggravation.  You may find you can deal with it being somewhat out-of-level, so there will be times you can just back it in and put it in park.  This is often the case for us at truck stops.  I might crank up the tongue jack some to level it front-to-back a bit.

I was wondering if this would be ok...leaving it hitched?  Can you still hook to water and electricity safely?  the type of sites at shows are very level.  I'm super excited.  I pick it up on Monday.  I was supposed to get it yesterday but we had horrible rain in the area and I didn't want to start my first time on the road with it in horrible weather.  Had a huge box from Camping World arrive and another from Amazon.  I think I have all the necessities (leveling blocks, chocks, stabilizer pads and all the stuff for the inside to make it functional).
 


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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 May 2016 at 7:44am
Originally posted by techntrek

If you don't need to drive anywhere you can leave it hitched up, which saves some aggravation.  You may find you can deal with it being somewhat out-of-level, so there will be times you can just back it in and put it in park.  This is often the case for us at truck stops.  I might crank up the tongue jack some to level it front-to-back a bit.


+1
I do this most anytime that I don't need to use the truck to run around and the campsite is close to level.

It sounds like you'll have a nice setup. I'll add, if you are not familiar with backing a trailer, you might want to find an empty parking lot to practice backing up. Again, this is something that gets easier with time/practice.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 May 2016 at 5:30am
Thanks for asking the questions about single person setup. My wife and I just bought a Rpod 171. But my first trip will be solo, going to the Golden State Star Party by myself. So the answers to your questions have been most useful. Later my wife will be with me for other camping trips this summer. I hope you and your four-legged companions enjoy the trips.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 May 2016 at 2:28am
to hook up.... buy a pvc pipe to fit over the crank.... glue an elbow on it and then glue another pipe at length to just touch the middle of your back window....  it will help you line up.. they sell metal ones that stay on the hitch with magnets....... google hitch alignments..... https://www.bing.com/search?q=hitch%20alinements&pc=cosp&ptag=C1AE89FD93123&form=CONBDF&conlogo=CT3210127
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 May 2016 at 8:26pm
If you don't need to drive anywhere you can leave it hitched up, which saves some aggravation.  You may find you can deal with it being somewhat out-of-level, so there will be times you can just back it in and put it in park.  This is often the case for us at truck stops.  I might crank up the tongue jack some to level it front-to-back a bit.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 May 2016 at 7:53pm
......I'll worry about the r-dome on my second trip (great shaded space for the dogs so I had to have it)
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 May 2016 at 7:49pm
Originally posted by David


Congratulations and welcome to the group!

You should do just fine. I travel alone with my dog 100% of the time. The worst part is lining up the tow vehicle and trailer. This gets easier with time/practice. Some purchase a camera (but not me).

Most everything else doesn't require super-human strength, or a genius IQ (thank goodness). Level your trailer, side to side, with leveling blocks before unhitching - just back up onto them and then "chock" the wheels. Level front/back using the tongue jack when you unhitch. The stabilizers are not difficult, just a lot of turning the crank. There is an attachment for cordless drills that can be used, if desired.

So, can you do it alone....YES! If you have any particular questions, just ask!

Thanks for the words of support.  I consider myself capable (LOL, we'll see).  I have a BMW X3, I went with the tow package from BMW although it cost a lot more than I had hoped (comes with integrated brake control, all parts, and a reprogramming of the back up and parking sensors on the vehicle).  I'm told once the trailef is hitched, the back-up cam has been programmed to allow you to hitch with guidelines projected to the back-up cam screen....like docking the space station).  I am sure hoping this is the case!  
 


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