hooking up a 5th wheel with broken arm

**jdux999** · 03-04-2021, 05:50 PM

Hello All. Our Reflection 260XD comes in next week and last week I slipped on the ice and broke my left wrist (I'm right handed). Do you think it's possible to hook up - at the dealer and at a campground - with one good / one bad hand? We had a class C for 3 years and I think I could have managed even with a toad but have no idea about a 5er. The dealer will let me keep it on their lot for a few weeks if I have to. Thanks for the help.

**FT4NOW** · 03-04-2021, 06:11 PM

I think the hard part would, depending on type of hitch, would be engaging the locking mechanism/pin and attaching the break away wire. I know on my 399, I would stand on my tires to do that. Havent hooked up my 311 yet, and this time I'm using a Goose Box, so I'm not sure what my preferred method will be.

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**SGT ROC** · 03-04-2021, 06:12 PM

Personally I think you would be OK. You can only reach one hand in to the release lever anyway. Just bring something to stand on to reach the hitch release lever. I have a wheel step that I use to reach the hitch release. Makes it a lot easier when reaching into the bed of the truck. https://amazon.com/Powerbuilt-Foldin...xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

**SolarPoweredRV** · 03-04-2021, 08:24 PM

Originally Posted by SGT ROC

Personally I think you would be OK. You can only reach one hand in to the release lever anyway. Just bring something to stand on to reach the hitch release lever. I have a wheel step that I use to reach the hitch release. Makes it a lot easier when reaching into the bed of the truck. https://amazon.com/Powerbuilt-Foldin...xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

I agree with the above, We use one of those folding plastic steps to reach into the truckbed.

Here is the step we use: https://www.amazon.com/Plastics-101-...914587&sr=8-40

**boyscout** · 03-05-2021, 08:14 AM

Originally Posted by jdux999

Hello All. Our Reflection 260XD comes in next week and last week I slipped on the ice and broke my left wrist (I'm right handed). Do you think it's possible to hook up - at the dealer and at a campground - with one good / one bad hand? We had a class C for 3 years and I think I could have managed even with a toad but have no idea about a 5er. The dealer will let me keep it on their lot for a few weeks if I have to. Thanks for the help.

You broke the correct wrist... good planning.

As other's have noted, managing the hitch lock and brake cable are the toughest things. The release lever on the truck's hitch and the trailer's emergency brake cable are both typically on the driver's side; I reach mine with my right hand.

Most of the rest of setup and takedown should be doable with one hand. If you have solid-step stairs that fold out of the doorway, those might be your only other challenge; awkward but not impossible.

I wouldn't give up weeks of camping for your broken left wrist. Have a good trip.

**Jerryr** · 03-05-2021, 08:37 AM

Slightly off subject but with a broken wrist seriously consider a bidet seat for your house. https://www.amazon.com/s?k=bidet+sea...as-iss-sm_1_10

Once you own one you will never be without one.

**FT4NOW** · 03-05-2021, 09:04 AM

Originally Posted by Jerryr

Slightly off subject but with a broken wrist seriously consider a bidet seat for your house. https://www.amazon.com/s?k=bidet+sea...as-iss-sm_1_10

Once you own one you will never be without one.

I think this would be true BEFORE you had a broken wrist. I couldn't imagine trying to install that with one hand. They have RV toilet versions as well, or you could get a hand sprayer for home/RV.

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**powerscol** · 03-05-2021, 10:21 AM

Originally Posted by jdux999

Hello All. Our Reflection 260XD comes in next week and last week I slipped on the ice and broke my left wrist (I'm right handed). Do you think it's possible to hook up - at the dealer and at a campground - with one good / one bad hand? We had a class C for 3 years and I think I could have managed even with a toad but have no idea about a 5er. The dealer will let me keep it on their lot for a few weeks if I have to. Thanks for the help.

Been there with you except mine was the right wrist (two pins) and I am right handed. I still drove my stick shift truck too. As other have said take a good step stool with you to stand on. You should be fine. Are you in a full arm cast or just forearm and sling? I used my elbow a lot for balance. And in a campground lots of folks will help a person with a broken flipper.

Hope you heal well.

By the way - PT stands for pain and torture. Be sure to follow the exercises they give you and go slow. I wont kid you getting the wrist to move at first is going to hurt. You will do fine. Go for it and have fun.

**jdux999** · 03-06-2021, 08:22 AM

Thanks All for the info. It's only a wrist cast, up to just below my elbow. It's amazing how fast you learn to adapt. It's basically 1 good hand and a club. Definitely don't want to miss any camping, just don't want to get stuck somewhere and be incapacitated.