Backing up a 5th wheel

zuley · 09-19-2018, 06:09 AM

Considering trading in the 25 foot Passport for a 32 foot 5th wheel and a new Cummings puller. For those of you who have made the move please give me some insight in regards to pulling a 5th wheel and getting it into the camp site in comparrison to a bumper pull.

Snoking · 09-19-2018, 06:14 AM

The first thing to learn is that a 5th wheel reacts much slower when backing. So pull forward 1.5 times forward then you think you need to before starting to back into a site. Chris

66joej · 09-19-2018, 06:25 AM

Don't have a 5er now but had 3 over the years and found they are much easier to back up than a bumper pull TT.

Thomasbeau · 09-19-2018, 06:54 AM

I have been pulling a 5th wheel since 2005 and absolutely love it. Before the 5th wheel we had a TT and a couple pop-ups. The shorter the unit the faster the turn. Our new 33ft Hideout is the easiest I have ever backed up. Once you figure out where to start your turns it's a breeze.

**chuckster57** · 09-19-2018, 06:45 AM

Fifth wheels tow a whole lot better than bumper pulls. More stable, less chance of sway. Once you practice backing a couple of times, I found it easier to back than a bumper pull.

Think about your TV purchase BEFORE you buy the trailer. Get more truck than you need because once you see how nice it is you’ll want bigger. BTDT. Wheel base of truck will have some effect on chucking/bounce and short vs standard/long bed will dictate the need for sliding hitch.

IMO DRW is the only way to go when your towing a fifth wheel. So nice to have 6 Toes on the ground in windy conditions and if you get a flat on the rear axle, been there done both.

roadglide · 09-19-2018, 07:35 AM

Look at the tires and place them close to that area pull forward as many times as you like getting the rigwhere you want it to be , go slow and turn the wheel slow try not to over correct do a walk around and have a good ground guide . Most parks don't don't have the room to pull stright and back , it's all the same as I mentioned above take your time . I have found that if I pull in I can back out I don't like that .

Howie · 09-19-2018, 08:02 AM

Zuley, I traded our 28' trailer for a 34' 5er this year and have found it to be no more difficult to manage than the trailer, it just takes a little practice to figure out the minor difference as to how it reacts and you will find it tows a lot better. I went with a short bed diesel as it is a little easier to wheel it around than the long bed. I had a long bed I had pulled the trailer with and have found the SB to be just fine. There is no need for a dualie unless you really want one or you plan on getting a much heavier 5er.

travelin texans · 09-19-2018, 08:03 AM

As mentioned pull forward farther than you think you need, they do react a bit slower. Also try to always back in from the drivers side, much easier to see. And as close to the curb on the drivers side, if backing for that side, or you'll run out of road for the truck as it swings around.
Take your time, go slow & have a good spotter, which means get some hand signals that both of you understand, some times I think my spotter is back there swatting at flies, no clue what she wants me to do.

Blucaddy71 · 09-27-2018, 10:58 AM

you and I have the same spotter

wiredgeorge · 09-19-2018, 08:09 AM

My secret is to ROLL THE WINDOWS down and have my wife scream at me before I run over anything backing up. She also makes strange arm waving signals that I have not yet been able to interpret but DO roll the windows down if someone is spotting you behind the trailer...

Thomasbeau · 09-19-2018, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wiredgeorge

My secret is to ROLL THE WINDOWS down and have my wife scream at me before I run over anything backing up. She also makes strange arm waving signals that I have not yet been able to interpret but DO roll the windows down if someone is spotting you behind the trailer...

My wife and I used this same method but a cheap set of walkie talkies has brought peace to our marriage, lol.

captjimmy · 09-27-2018, 07:32 AM

What works best for us, is using our cell phones. Mine is linked by bluetooth to our truck (2016 GMC Denali DRW). Whomever is doing the backing will call the others cell. That way, we're not screaming so that the other person (and other camper

) can hear us.

gerytb · 09-27-2018, 07:56 AM

My wife and I use cell phones to talk through backing. Works great in my truck with hands free

Crookedread · 09-27-2018, 03:06 PM

My wife used to flap her arms like she was taking off so I would get out and mimic her directions and ask her what it meant. We would both laugh and then we would do it again and again. I bought two walkie-talkies and now I hear “move the trailer 12.5 inches to the drivers side”. Now I get out and ask who took the radio away from my wife. It’s crazy how she becomes an air traffic controller when I put a radio in her hands. Problem solved!!

md_procouple · 09-27-2018, 08:11 AM

Oh so my wife isn't the only one with strange hand / arm signals !!! and mine normally waits till I am just about on top of something before she starts screaming lol !!

Snoking · 09-19-2018, 08:19 AM

Cell phone for DW and hands free it TV works well. Getting out and looking when in doubt. Chris

**sourdough** · 09-19-2018, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snoking

Cell phone for DW and hands free it TV works well. Getting out and looking when in doubt. Chris

^^^Same for us. Phone on hands free so I can hear what she is saying and just figure the flailing of the arms sending unintelligible messages is just for amusement

roadglide · 09-19-2018, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sourdough

^^^Same for us. Phone on hands free so I can hear what she is saying and just figure the flailing of the arms sending unintelligible messages is just for amusement

TRUE where going to try the hands free cell experance . Will the garage door open to get the bike out , I'll still have to make the walk back and say stop me right here .

K_N_L · 09-19-2018, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snoking

Cell phone for DW and hands free it TV works well. Getting out and looking when in doubt. Chris

What he said ^^ - Backup camera's can help with alignment and let you know whats directly behind the trailer.

AbHDToyHauler · 09-19-2018, 08:40 AM

We bought our first fifth wheel last year and it's a 38 footer. They back up great but you will have to practice a bit in a large parking lot to get a feel for it. As stated they turn slower but with my slider I can do a 90 deg turn with a standard bed truck and no hitting or issues. Also as stated I like to turn to drivers side so I can see what's going during turn. We also bought the low cost walkie talkies from Costco so now we can yell at each other from farther away. Hhahahaha (Dw hates when I say that to people). Also watch for tail swing when moving.

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