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07-14-2015, 09:31 PM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Modesto
Posts: 42
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Backing your 5th wheel.
I am a new owner of a 39 foot 5th wheel, we move up from a 21ftTT. How long it did it take you to become proficient at backing your 5the wheel. I'm practicing but still struggling to get use to it, especially in tight spots. Any advice?
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07-15-2015, 02:06 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Nevada
Posts: 2,695
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Watch where the 5ers wheels are going (instead of the rear of the trailer) and practice a lot.
__________________
Desert185 🇺🇸 (Retired Chemtrail vendor)
-Ram 2500 QC, LB, 4x4, Cummins HO/exhaust brake, 6-speed stick.
-Andersen Ultimate 24K 5er Hitch.
-2014 Cougar 326SRX, Maxxis tires w/TPMS, wet bolts, two 6v batts.
-Four Wheel 8' Popup Camper.
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07-15-2015, 02:43 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: PA
Posts: 620
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Takes a while. Moved up from a 32 ft TT to a 41.5 ft 5er. Im getting better but getting there. Have had it since April and haved used it often.
Definitely takes more space to pivot and that can be a challenge sometimes.
I think I am learning that the trick is getting it going in the right direction with an opposite turn of the truck wheels but I can straighten out much sooner than I did with the TT.
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Chris and Patty
2015 Keystone Montana 3791RD Legacy Edition, MorRyde 4000, Dual pane windows, Goodyear G rated tires.
2013 GMC Sierra 3500HD, Duramax, SLE, SRW, Crew, Hensley Trailer Saver hitch, Blue Ox BedSaver.
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07-15-2015, 02:55 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Southeastern Connectiut
Posts: 1,306
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Don't be afraid to pull forward to straighten it out if you get in trouble. Professional drivers do it all of the time.
Mostly just take it to an open area, and practice, practice, practice. Pastic milk jugs make good pylons, and no harm, no foul if you run one over.
Good Luck... and enjoy the new rig!
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Pull Toy
Steve & Jan, Ava & Emma (Mini Schnauzers):
2016 F350 Lariat 4X4 Powerstroke CC/SB "PULLTOY V"
2013 Alpine 3535RE "MAGIC CARPET IV"
Proud Navy Vet!
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07-15-2015, 03:00 AM
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#5
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Member
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Florida
Posts: 59
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bbacking your fifth wheel
Quote:
Originally Posted by skydiverchuck
I am a new owner of a 39 foot 5th wheel, Any advice?
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Go to www.loveyourrv.com menu item rv tips archive and you will find one titled 'How I back---", also a very good one on lubricating your unit in particular.You will also find a lot more interesting items by this full timer.Good Luck.
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07-15-2015, 05:40 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Las Cruces
Posts: 4,665
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I can't really say how long it took since I've been backing trailers since I was a kid, but each time I stepped to a larger trailer it took a few attempts to learn the new characteristics. the biggest thing I've learned is to be sure to give the front of your TV plenty of room to swing. As already mentioned, watch the tires, I always find it easier to place the trailer if I'm backing onto boards.
Finally, and probably most important, don't forget about the swing on the longer trailer. That back end will go out a lot more than you expect. It doesn't hurt to go into a parking lot somewhere, line up with lines, do a tight turn, stop half way through and go look at how much the rear end has swung out just to give you a visual reference.
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Brent
2013 Alpine 3500RE
2019 Silverado 2500HD Duramax
U.S. Air Force Retired (25 yrs)
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07-15-2015, 11:29 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 101
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This is my 7th season with a fiver. Everytime I think I'm getting good I end up looking like an idiot. Just take your time.
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2016 Chevy 3500hd 6.6l
2013 Keystone Avalanche 345TG
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07-15-2015, 02:18 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: NJ
Posts: 311
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Take it slow and easy. As they have said in the previous post watch your wheels not the rear it's much easier to visualize where it's going. Also don't try to over compensate turning into the turn. Again slow and easy. I've been pulling a TT for 25 yrs and the fiver for the last 5. It did take some time to get used to! Have fun! Happy Camping
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2014 F250 SWD 6.7 CC
2014 Alpine 3500RE
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07-15-2015, 06:43 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Green Valley, AZ
Posts: 782
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I had a professional driver help me into a space and I learned a lot. When you get your fiver lined up, then crank the steering wheel hard. Start backing in, then stop. Straighten your wheels on the truck, pull forward a little bit, then crank hard and go back, then straighten and pull forward a little. Works every time. Just take your time and work you way in. This guy got me in a space over 90 degrees. Never thought I could do it.
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Earl
2007 33.5' Arctic Fox Fifth Wheel used for full-timing for several years--now sold
2011 Hideout 23RKSWE that we now use for poking around local parks
2007 Chevy 3/4 ton diesel with Prodigy Brake Control
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07-15-2015, 10:45 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 4,222
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Well the best advice i can give you is to steer from the bottom of the steering wheel, and push the direction you want the rear of the 5er to go.
I pull close to the side I want to back into, then pull forward a bit more than I expect.
Once the 5er starts going the way you want start returning the wheel to straight ahead. You don't wand the 5er to get too far into the turn before you start to straighten out.
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Russ & Paula and Belle the Beagle.
2016 Ram Laramie 3500 DRW 14,000# GVWR (New TV)
2005 Copper Canyon 293 FWSLS 32’ GVWR 12,360
Visit and enjoy Oregon State Parks
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07-16-2015, 03:16 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Haymarket, VA
Posts: 382
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Went from a 28' and short bed truck to our 38' Monty with long bed, full crew cab truck. I've found the 5er is much easier to back up, but it still is more a function of how much you've been doing it. We go on a short trip each spring and it usually takes me three or so tries to get backed into our narrow driveway (off a narrow street!). Last year after coming back from our 9 week trip to the southwest, I backed it right in on the first try.
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'06 F350 Lariat turbo diesel dually, Curt 20k, Softopper, Aerosheld, coolant filter, air bags
'10 3665RE Hickory, wet bolts, Trimetric battery monitor, 4 100w panels & Morningstar TS-45, still tweeking!
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08-04-2015, 06:29 PM
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#12
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Vilonia, AR
Posts: 37
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I used to think I was good at backing trailers until I got my current setup. I'm constantly having to pull forward and straighten out. I can't get this thing to swing to save my life. Maybe because I'm in a short wheel base truck. I used to have a 40ft Triple Axle 5'er that I pulled with a long bed dually and I could put that rig where ever I wanted it to go no problems. I now have a short bed 3/4 ton and 36ft 5er and I look like an idiot every time. I have tried practicing from my street into my driveway and changing the starting angles, and the unit never seems to respond the same way everytime. I'm into my 3rd year with this rig and have not gotten any better. I hope you have better luck than I am with your rig!
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08-05-2015, 07:15 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Lockport, Louisiana
Posts: 438
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What seems like in a previous life (43) yrs ago I started driving tanker trucks hauling fuel in the New Orleans area. Lots of tight locations to get into on a daily basis so backing up a 5th wheel is almost a piece of cake. When I first started driving it took me a while to get use to backing up a trailer. Take it slow when backing...always try to back in from the drivers side and practice as often as possible. Axles on campers are set towards the center so watch out for the rear swinging wide. Always check and double check your connections before hitting the road and limit your road speed in case of having to make an emergency move.
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2021 Ford Expedition FX4 with max towing. 33" BFG KO2's 4 point Equalizer hitch.
2022 Cougar 25RDS
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