Question about moving fifth wheel

[importman]

Hello Everyone, I have a rather unusual question. My 06 Montana 336rlt has been parked on a permanent site for about six months. But now due to repeated problems with leaks around some of the slides I’ve decided to put one of those metal carport style sheds over it. My problem is I need to move it about 3 feet in the curbside direction. There’s not enough room on the backside for the frame of the shed because of the location of the service pole and the pole can’t be moved due to a hill right behind it. Two things that are problems in moving it are that I don’t have a truck with a fifth wheel hitch and I don’t want to pull the slides in if I can help it. (I have new carpet with thicker padding that the slides snag on). So what I’m considering and I need opinions on is this. If I take it off the blocks and pump the tires up tight, how hard would it be to slide it about 3 feet. I would pull one end at a time using a winch or a come-along and some luckily well placed trees. I should add that the surface it’s on is dirt and some gravel and it’s hard enough that the tires haven’t sunk in. So what do you guys think? Will this work and if so how difficult will it be. Thanks in advance for any help you can give.

[MFL]

Thanks for letting us know that you got it moved, with no known issues! It is always nice to hear back from OP. I am a bit over cautious, concerning slides, moving RV, lifting/lowering, with them extended.

Jerry

[ScottG]

No way I would do that.
OTOH there is really no need to move it. I have seen them built over existing structures and even had one built on my own lot. While I did move my trailer out during the construction of my roof, it would not have been in the way if I had left it.
If the company doing the work is OK with it, just leave it in place.

EDIT, sorry - didn't see your update. Glad it worked out.

[importman]

Thought I'd give a final update on this. The man came and moved it for me with no damage or major issues. One small problem we had though was that the streetside rear slide didn't want to pass by the service pole. Originally I told you all that I didn't want to pull in the slides because of the carpet but before the man came to move it I had sealed around the leaking slide with a high grade duck tape to try to stop the leaking until my carport/shed arrives, so I really, really didn't want to pull them in. I also didn't know if there was a way to bring in just the one slide that was in the way. Anyway,after about 20 attempts pulling forward and backing up, (there was very little room to back up), we were getting closer but it was obvious that we either would never clear it or it would take all day. So we actually hooked a chain to the top of the service pole and I pulled it back about 6-8 inches with my truck and we were able to just barely get by it. After that the rest was easy. I got it setup again on blocks and it's all straight now. I actually took more time on my setup this time and made absolutely sure it was level in every direction and double blocked it so it's nice and stable. I really just wanted to thank everyone who replied. I can't tell you how much it means to have people so willing to offer advice when you really need it.

[ghooos]

JMO, but that is not something I would do, especially with the slides extended. You can always find someone with a FW hitch to move it, even if you have to pay someone.

[importman]

Thanks again for the advice. I’ve spoken to a man who’s going to move it for me the conventional way. Better safe than sorry.

[Me_Again]

Sounds to me that OP just needs to get someone to hitch up and move it. Chris

[ScottG]

opnspaces wrote:
4X4ord is suggesting leaving the slides out because of the thick carpet. If it was my trailer and the ground was really level I would try it. As long as you ease the trailer gently into motion I would think it will work without damage. Maybe a 4x4 in low range and let it idle back then put it in neutral and let it coast to a stop.

Thx - I miss-read.

[opnspaces]

4X4ord is suggesting leaving the slides out because of the thick carpet. If it was my trailer and the ground was really level I would try it. As long as you ease the trailer gently into motion I would think it will work without damage. Maybe a 4x4 in low range and let it idle back then put it in neutral and let it coast to a stop.

[ScottG]

4x4ord wrote:
If you get someone with a truck to move it for you is there a reason the slides would need to be pulled in? Why not leave them out?

The OP explained in his first post that the new carpet is too thick.

[midnightsadie]

KSBOWMAN has your cheapest and a very good way to do it, with the right tools it,ll move with ease.

[4x4ord]

If you get someone with a truck to move it for you is there a reason the slides would need to be pulled in? Why not leave them out?

[ksbowman]

Any company that sells double wide mobile homes will have a set of beams and dollies that are made to move the halves sideways into places they can't back the halves into. They are competent and insured incase there is a problem. May cost a few bucks but, in the end you are insured and it is people who do it everyday. It will only take a few hours for two men.

[noteven]

The tires can be set on something slippery and soap or whatever used to reduce friction to winch it sideways. See “freezing rain” videos for tires with no traction 🙂

Supporting the front will need some figuring out.

[wanderingaimles]

Ed9824v wrote:
I guess if you put some skates under the wheels you can move. Those cheap ones from Harbor Freight. Need help with blocking so doesn’t get away.

My thought as well, put a sheet of plywood under each sides wheels with a pair of auto dollies under the tires. You may have to add a pair in the front if you cant find someone with a hitch to support the pin and its weight.
dollies