HOW TO TOW A CAMPER WITH A WRECKER!!! THIS ONE TESTED MY DRIVING SKILLS!!
Hello Ladies & Gentlemen and as always, thank you for watching!!! Today, I take a nice little drive into southern Illinois to help a customer move a fifth wheel camper. A simply enough task, so it would seem. The camper needed to be relocated for repairs to the roof and the jacks didn't work, so they wanted a tow truck that could lift the front, rather than a pickup truck that could not. Again, no big deal. We have the perfect set up for this type of job and this versatile little Peterbilt 337 with a Miller Industries Century 4024, 20 ton towing and recovery unit is just the right machine, I hope. The only problem (problems) are the locations and the roads. I didn't know what, or where, I was getting into when I took on this job. However, challenge accepted!!! Watch and see!!! This could be fun!!! I hope you enjoy this video!!!
We have a difficult and dangerous job and we take it very seriously, that doesn't mean we can't have fun and enjoy our work. We strive to be polite, professional, efficient, and safe...and still can have fun. I hope you all enjoy this video!!! Thanks for watching and God bless!!!
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Пікірлер: 328
There's lots of good people in this world, but if we were all a little more like Ron the world would be a better place. 110% in skill, class, professionalism, caring and friendliness to everyone he meets and completes a job for.
@michaelrobbins9679
7 ай бұрын
His frustration levels come out only when other people suggest he does it differently. He is a master at his craft!
@Javier-wf5pq
7 ай бұрын
100% agree
As usual, nicely done. There are no bad dogs, just bad owners.
@phytonso9877
7 ай бұрын
With Pitt bulls I just assume both are bad. Safest option.
A job well done, Ron. Like docking an aircraft carrier in a marina. Had I been the owner, I would have turned those 2 concrete blocks the other way, with holes facing up, and covered each of them with a 10" piece of pressure-treated 2x6, before setting the jacks. More stable that way.
@spudgamer6049
7 ай бұрын
Blocks are aslo stronger with the holes facing the direction the load is as well.
@chris76-01
7 ай бұрын
I agree, it looks kind of sketchy the way those blocks are. They are kind of brittle and can only hold so much weight. So I'd rather see them with the holes facing up with a block of wood between the blocks and rv legs. 😊
One of the best dogs I ever had was a Pitty. He loved to jump on the trampoline with my grandkids. He was the next best thing to a gun for protection. He passed away from old age and I miss him still.
The I-55 Angel completes another mission. I drove medium to large trucks for over 35 years so I have seen some tight places. When asked why I would use a certain truck for a particular job I would tell them that it is because I use what gets the job done in the safest manor, the least wear and tear on the equipment and whatever the customer requests. I smart man knows how, when and where to pick his battles. I applaud you Mr. Pratt. Confidence in ones abilities and the intelligence to know what is beyond those abilities is rare. What is rarer still is being able to see the possibilities and to learn and grow. GOD bless kind Sir.😄
Ron, I hope you checked the tire pressure and wheel lugs on the 5th wheel before towing. My parents had an RV dealership here in MI. When Dad would pick up a new trailer from the factory, he would stop after about 20 miles to check for both hot brakes and wheel bearings. Dad told his customers to always check both before towing. Wheel lugs on RVs have a nasty habit of coming loose. Very good job on backing the 5th wheel up. Thankfully it was a longer one. The longer the unit the easier it is to backup. Another successful tow job in the bank!
Excellent driving skills, Ron! Having you move it had to be much easier than trying to hook it up to a pick up.
As a 2.5 million mile retired OTR trucker & an avid RVer for 50+ years & a Charter Life time Good Sammer…. I’m going to say that’s the first I’ve seen of a large tow truck pulling a camper….. Ron, you do what you do so well that you don’t need my advice…. But…. U might have had your customer don headset 4 easy communication I carry walkie talkies in case cell phones have no signal for copilot…. Happy New Years to U & your entire team 🙏
Proof the customer is not always right. A 1 ton wrecker or a pickup would have made the parts you showed much easier. Great job Ron.
@m9ovich785
7 ай бұрын
The key is in Rons Description. A pickup can not lift it Like the Tow truck did.
@agentcrm
7 ай бұрын
@@m9ovich785 The lack of working landing legs could have easily been deal with, with a couple of bottle jacks and some timber. This is one of those jobs where you need a truck smaller and more compact than you have. Edit, I presume one of the other reasons to call fo a tow truck is Ron will be able to tow unregistered trailers, where they would need a permit otherwise.
@benmac940
7 ай бұрын
And I'm not sure if it's an issue here but would his company insurance cover the use of another vehicle doing it the same as that wrecker as I don't think he has a pickup with a 5th wheel in the company as such
@Kevin12484
7 ай бұрын
the main problem is the jacks didn't work. So a pickup might not have worked.
Another fantastic demonstration of what predicaments customers put you in, and the way you took the challenge and succeeded!
Ron, I don't know how you thread the needle on that one but I sure am proud of you. "Challenge Accepted, Challenge Met. Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes them meaningful. Great job Ron. This video should definitely be a training tool for those apprentice's in your business. Great job Ron and GREAT example.
I so love how professional you are. No no matter the job you are a class act.
Back 10 years ago a fellow tow operator and I had to move 22 campers and RVs off Forest Service property here in Wyoming. These were abandoned units scattered all over the mountains and it took us awhile but between his equipment and mine we got it done.. several of those 5th wheel campers were real headscratchers how they got em where they had em.. especially one where it was a mile from the nearest actual road 🙄🙄🙄
Bless you Ron! I seriously doubt many could do that! Your skills as always are amazing!
Extreme backing challenge: tow edition
An interesting job and change from the ordinary. All in a days work. People safe. Equipment not damaged. Customer satisfied and happy for the job satisfactorily complete. With some driving practice for good measure. Practice makes perfect. God bless. Stay safe.
Ron, I love the videos. I am always referencing your videos as an example of safety to my friends that are in the towing and construction business. RV's can be tough. Living in West Texas I have moved my fair share of them into or out of some of the worst spots. Thank you for your videos.
My son rescued a pit a friend was surrendering to the Shelter. Shelter was going to put it down - because the dog was a pit. History was a little light on the dog who had a head like a bowling ball, muscles which'd put the Hulk to shame, and numerous scars. Son promised the dog would be a sweetheart, and he was. 100% We had a little black cat who weighed maybe 8 lbs, and that dog was absolutely terrified of her. Actually he was afraid of most things - lol. There's nothing quite like having 90 lbs cannonball into your lap because of thunder. What a test of your skills, Ron!!! We bought a travel trailer and placed it on a private lake for a week-end getaway. But we had help from a friend with a tractor who zipped it right into our chosen spot like he was parallel parking a kid's wagon.
Good job demonstrating your driving skills! I've been OTR driver for over 32 years, I've been in places just as tight in a truck! Hauling cattle I've been in extremely tight places. Of course doing flatbed I've hauled into New York City, extremely tight!
Loved the music intro for this video. Wasn’t sure why your dialogue was missing but printed words are sufficient and music paired nicely with the video. The breadth of your content is terrific. Nice seeing another non-accident event. Wishing you and your family a blessed new year. Peace brother
Ahhh! Your music that shows me I have Ron. Thank you.
I love pitbulls. Had a family dog who was a mixed pit and retriever. Sweetest dog you could ever meet. ALL dogs are good, period. It's the owners that aren't always good. I speak from experience with backing trailers, that is not an easy job Ron! Pivot point being well behind the truck and a short trailer to boot. I've backed a 20 footer sea can with a yard spotter - took me a good 5 minutes to get it done. I love backing 53' as the longer it is, the less steering inputs needed. Well done!
I don't do towing nor recovery, but do get into a ton of non truck friendly areas for my special products work.... like figuratively striking matches off the back of the truck type stuff. So I'm aware of the technical aspects of something like this. Well done, expected no less of you! It's just underrated by most 'civilians'
Thanks for your videos, I like the content. And thank you for allowing us to see some of the landscape too. Stay safe, greetings from southern Germany
Ron, As A retired Trucker 15 yrs OTR, 15 yrs Local in STL area. I an Fortunate to Never have needed A tow. But let me say You Sir are a true Professional!!! Now days the only towing I do is my little camper trailer. I do live down in Mississippi, But Travel through your area When I go to visit my Daughter and Grandkids in Lebanon, MO. If I ever need my truck and Camper towed in that area I know who to call.
Mader would be jealous of that backwards driving!
Returning after a couple of months. I can officially say how much i missed the channel. Stay safe out there.
Thank you for pointing out that pitties are misunderstood. I got hooked on them volunteering for a rescue organization about 10 years ago when I found out what they're really like. And I will never own any other breed ever again - I love them!!!
Glad it's you and not me, I hate, hate, hate backing trailers, I've done it as I used to drive wreckers with a sling and cable with hooks in the days before roll backs. Did I mention I hate backing trailers.
Nice scenery. At least the trailer was long. Short trailers can be challenging to back up any distance. great job Ron.
Another awesome performance 🤓🙋♂️👍
Had yourself a good one there Ron!!! Thanks for sharing one of the more unseen day to day jobs you do
Ron your are one hell of a driver. Any less of a driver wouldn't have been able to make it. I have my own pit bull (well out boxer mix) she's do sweet she loves EVERYONE
Honestly I believe the Lil Pete was the best truck for the job versus a regular pickup truck, well, the most safest truck . Awesome driving skills Mr.Ron.
U got this Ron ,I got faith in u my friend.Been following u for some time now.
Once again, making it look easy.
This a job nobody else would do? Ron's the man who will try anything once!
After watching the video, l'm glad it was you instead of me. Reminded me of a store l used to deliver to. With the doors open on the trailer l had 2 inches clearance on either side of the trailer. One side the building, the other side a church fence. Almost every driver hit the fence. They sent me, as a rookie driver, to this store knowing they would be buying a fence. Looked over the situation, opened the doors and backed her in. Unloaded and when l got back to the yard, the first question was: "How much fence did we have to buy?" Told them they did not have to buy any, they were skeptical. Told them to call the store manager and he would confirm. Got that run every week after that. Never hit the fence. That guy knew you could do the job, just like we knew you could get 'er done. Very good job in a lot of very tight places. You needed a shanty shakers short truck to get that in there.
Ok admitted,,,@10:00 I tilted my head to watch the turn lol...but that was some fine reversing skills considering your space allowment...impressed as always,,, well done Ron..
That was a challenge Ron and you got it done Happy New Year everyone at Midwest truck stay safe my fellow tow brothers 27:26
Hola Ron, Muy buenas habilidades y tremendo servicio el que ofreces. Saludos desde Puerto Rico.
Ron, someone is always looking over you. Driving skills are a must for your business. Youre the best. God bless
Its good that you can test your driving skill more so that if this happens again you know what to do!
You really shined on that one Mr. Ron. Great Job !
I really like how Ron looks out for the small thing with his customers. Offering several times to do what is needed to get things just right is a mark of a service oriented business. Putting a big RV on cinder blocks? I hope those don't shatter one day.
@sladestone795
7 ай бұрын
Grew up moving mobile homes. That’s how they are set up. On concrete blocks as well. A concrete block is considerably stronger than you expect when it comes to weight being applied!
What you said about the best job because everyday is different is absolutely true. The first nine months of my 43 year driving career was with 20-30 ton wreckers. It was lousy pay, lousy hours and still the most fun because everyday was different. I had nowhere near the skills that you have in that 9 month period and it was still great considering the difference in the equipment 40 yrs ago till now. No rotators or hydraulics, wheel and axle lifts like you have now. Keep on towing/trucking
That's some beautiful country, Ron!
I love doing those jobs like that it shows what we can do as tow operators!
Excellent good maneuver.
What a job! Did great! Really like the way you treat everyone with respect!
Fine job backing at both locations. I drive a semi and I use the G.O.A.L method often and there is no shame for using caution. I call the small adjustments you made to get it into position "finessing" it. Outstanding job by a true professional.
thank you Pratt that you do so wonderful and educating videos! keepongoing with the good spirit and thought! Be safe and love all you coworkers! I wish you and all you family a happy new year 2024! Best regards Kai from Gothenburg Sweden take care 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻👍👍👍👋👋👋🥰🥰🥰
That old motor home is a mid 60s to early 70s Dodge made by Travco in Brown City Michigan about an hour north of Detroit. That was the first mass produced motor home in the country. This is in a small farming community of about 1200 people. Famous celebrities flew in and landed on an airstrip on the grounds of the factory and drove their brand new shiny motor home back home, many to the west coast. Some days in school all the buzz was about who was seen in town. John Wayne had everybody talking. Seems to me Elvis bought one too. Don't quote me on that. That was over half a century ago and I was pretty young back then. Just FYI.
Nerves of Steele, lol😊 I remember my first attempt at trying to back a tiny trailer. 😂
Older campers such as that, don’t always fare well when taken any long trips, but the newer campers built in the last couple of years are built to allow for bigger trucks. As always Ron, a job very well done
Nicely done! I am so glad I didn't have to watch the kids trying to do this same mission.
There is never a better feeling in life as when you really like your job
This reminded me of a small job I did with a flat bed about 19 years ago. I had a regular who asked a favor. He was moving and wanted me to have his gun safe! That was about the biggest safe I had ever seen! It was in the garage of his house. I had to put a chain around it and run the winch to pull it out and up on the bed!! It sat in our impound yard for a few years, until someone wanted to buy it. And yes I delivered it!!! LOL!!!
Wow, I have trouble backing my car up! You did an amazing job.
U r the best Ron u can tow anything with the rotator cuff
Great video as always, we recently took delivery of our 4024 and more then pleased with it. Great truck for getting into areas.
Thank you for taking us with you. I felt like a passenger on a lovely ride.
ive had a few tractor supply stores that were almost that tight to deliver to as well as a few warehouses in Laredo TX key thing was to know anything forward of your trailer tandems on the inside will swing away from the object you are hugging just GOAL and know where that tail is gonna swing no doubt you did an amazing job little pete is a wonderful tool in the hands of a skilled driver
I kind like these "trips". The scenery really flies by when youu speed things up and I click 2X. LOL (I dont leave it at 2x) More serious comment. My hat is off to you about backing that far!!!!!!!
Great driving. Way to sneak around those corners!
A difficult job that was well done!
This reminds me when I had to blind side a 53ft trailer with a sleeper cab into a dock for several times when delivering to a military commissary which not much room for clearance and with another trailer in the dock.
Usually skills needed to drive forward is fairly instinctive once you have been driving for a while. Backing up is where skill levels take over. I was commenting on another youtube towing company Trail Mater. A lot of times he has to back up over and around different path heights (mountainous terrain) and he manages to get the job done. Not for the weak minded.
Nothing like a good challenge to keep your driving skills sharp. Thanks for sharing.
Not bad! I used to drive semi truck, that was a long back, but as long as you keep it in the right spot on the road in back of you, it works out in the end. Having to pull up a few times is to be expected because of the distance covered. I like your videos because I have that trucking experience and I have always respected those who do the towing and rigging.
Good job Ron, except I was expecting you to correct his placement of those cinder blocks...I've even seen other Videos of you commenting on the proper way to place them, and it's not this way. The way I'd do it is to place a 2x8 on the bottom and top especially on grass or soft surface. And of course with the block in he proper way, holes facing up. Those are not gonna be there for long, I guess. The weight will crush them eventually. And then they can call you back 👍
Backing up a fifth wheel camper is easier than regular trailers but because you were on your lift it was like a regular trailer. Your pivot point was all the way behind truck instead of on it. That was well done considering your length.
Ron , another excellent job by you and crew.. I know weather there wii continue to worsen so you folks take care ....GOD BLESS ALL !!!!! .
A wireless reversing camera would perhaps help a little when reversing slightly longer distances.
GoPro tip: Using the GoPro app on your phone, you can place a GoPro on the back of whatever you're towing and watch it live, like a backup camera.
Fantastic job and always respectful. Only thing on owners fault is using cement blocks where they can absorb water and freeze and break.
Another award winning job! Stay safe and healthy.
I enjoy watching these videos. Too bad more people aren't more like Ron. Very professional, kind, etc.
Ron, that looked like it was a real challenge…glad you got it done.. great work…
22:30- hollow core concrete blocks aren't meant to support weight by laying on their side like that. Should be flipped so the cores are oriented up and down.
@JohnHallgren
7 ай бұрын
But the center divider is where the leg was placed and that’s essentially a square piece of concrete so why would it matter which side it’s laying on?
Well that was a challenge, nice driving!
You do good word Ron, good job.
Thank you so much for the video please post more videos a week God bless
I remember the first camper i moved from campground to there home they were very impressed with my driving skills they gave me a $50 tip i was like u i like a challenge nice job Ron 🇺🇸 😎
Good job well done. ❤ Looks like your off to a good start. 2024 🎉❤
The job's a good 'un!!! As usual, completed without incident and the usual level of expertise. Not that anything less is to be expected!! Greetings and best wishes for 2024 from the UK. God bless.
Your backup skills are second to none! 🇨🇦
I work for a road works company, and our trucks are about the same size as what you've got there. We have to take those trucks into some pretty tight spots, because all roads need repair eventually, so we get pretty good at driving in tight spaces like what you've shown here. I've never had to take a trailer into some of those roads though. That was some seriously impressive driving.
You get into situations because you accept jobs that others won't. You take those challenging jobs and do them well. Using the big truck did seem to have an advantage of better visibility. I was eyeballing that old abandoned motorhome as soon as I saw it. 1970's Travco. Stay safe, and God bless.
Another great video Ron being a otr truck driver I definitely know some of the weirdest and difficult backings we have to do
Really enjoy your inclusion of clear beautiful scenery .
An excellent job!
Handled like a true professional. Nice work!
Install a Reese type hitch on front of truck with adaptors for ball and 5th wheel. Then instead of backing your driving forward. We launch fire boats using this method. A lot easier when you see where you're going. Nice job regardless!!
I'm no mason but I know those blocks are not meant to carry loads on their side like that. Not your problem but one day they will crumble and that trailer is going to end up doing a nose dive... Keep up the good work and awesome driving, that coming from a truck driver!!!
I enjoy watching your video,s Ron
Awesome sauce. Good job
Excellent work moving that fifth wheel camper Ron as always
My hats off to you on this... That looked fun haha
9:00 am great job backing up