5th wheel backing

[Washalaskan]

This month will be picking up my first 5th wheel. 32' king pin to bumper. any tips on learning backing as compared to bumper pull trailers?

[SteveC7010]

Originally Posted by Washalaskan

This month will be picking up my first 5th wheel. 32' king pin to bumper. any tips on learning backing as compared to bumper pull trailers?

Practice in a vacant parking lot.

[therink]

It definitely takes some practice and getting used to. When backing and turning, the arc starts out slow, then before you know it the back end of the trailer is turned too far. It if much different that backing a bumper pull due to the pivot point being over the axle. When making right hand turns in forward motion, you have to make wide turns to avoid jumping curbs, hitting overhead obstacles, etc. It has taken me about 2 years to get the hang of it.

[SAD]

Practice backing the 90 degree turn into your home's driveway!

[Jim W]

Have a spotter checking your corners on the rear of the 5er as you backup into your parking spot.
When in the camp ground they should also look for overhead obstacles like low hanging limbs and branches. I have found that 5er's are a little bit taller than a TT.
Jim W.

[smiller]

After you enter the turn unwind the steering wheel to keep the rear of the truck under the hitch, else you will continually jackknife.

[rhagfo]

Originally Posted by Washalaskan

This month will be picking up my first 5th wheel. 32' king pin to bumper. any tips on learning backing as compared to bumper pull trailers?

Piece of cake!
32' will be a little slow to react, but you will find that a 5er is somewhat easy to back up.
Something I learned years ago, read in some magazine, when backing a trailer place hand at bottom of steering wheel. Then push the wheel in the direction you want the back of the trailer to go, simple trick that you may be aware of, but many don't seem to be. Don't wait until it is lined up while turning to straighten out start early otherwise you will be parked sideways in the space.

The other thing is that I do my own spotting! If necessary I will get out and walk the pad and look for branches and obstacles. DW never comes to storage yard, so I just have learned to do it myself, also fewer arguments that way.

DW watches for any small children.

[hankaye]

Washalaskan, Howdy;

Take it to your local Mall, find the loneliest corner,
and start trying to put it into a parking space...
Buy t of those small rubber cones and put them on
the front corners approach as you would a camp site
or your 'at home' space. Have however is going to be
assisting you accompany you. That way you can 'practice'
your communication skills as well...
Remember, Perfect practice makes for perfect performance.

hankaye

[tileman]

I have only had ours for a few months.

I take all corners as wide as I can go and slow.
Backing up I do the had at the bottom of the wheel works good for me.

We went on a trip to GA a few days ago and stoped to get fuel well I pull into the rv pump lane and the lane next to me the poor guy was broke down.
Well As I was waiting a guy pulls in next to me and I told him the guy in front of him was broke down he then ask me to back up so he can cut across in front of me cause he had a car in tow.

Well I was like But was able to back around the curb and pull back up.

As everybody says takes time.
Ron.

[Hansel]

Well I don't have a fifth wheel yet, but all i can say is practice, practice, practice. For me with years of driving Fire Engine's, Rescue trucks, ambulance's, even a few years driving a tow truck part time, it's all about time behind the wheel. The one tip that always stuck for me is whatever direction you want the trailer to go is the same direction as the way the bottom of your steering wheel move's if that makes sense. But the parking lot with street cones is a great way too practice, running one of those over is better than clipping a tree or other object.

[msp2jxr]

I have been pulling 5th wheels since 2009. The best advice I received backing a 5th wheel came from this site so I am merely passing it on. When you are stopped with your 5th wheel and ready to back into your camp site pull ahead another 20 feet. It rings in my head every time I have to back up. It has been a big help for me to do that. As stated previously the trailer starts to turn in slow so the extra few feet helps you line up and plan your turn and give you time before you get into trouble. I always try and back using the tires as my focal point and not so much the end of the trailer to point the direction I want to go. It seems to work for me.

[randy69]

1st day I brought it home to put in the driveway. Wife and friend help me back it in. 1 hour of that and a argument with wife. Took it to work to show off. Made too sharp of a turn, Took out the stop sighn. and rammed a screw in the side of my tire. (now Flat). Yes had to go around the block to put it back in my driveway. Kids were at school, Had to use wife to back me in, another argument and 1 hour. Now need to go to american tire to buy a new tire. Don't think keystone will cover that one. After couple of years of hauling this thing around. I now use. my sons to back me in where ever we go, and Wife is happier. By the way for newbees at camp grounds backing in with your wife guiding you. All I got to say it's fun to watch.

[rhagfo]

Originally Posted by randy69

.......... I now use. my sons to back me in where ever we go, and Wife is happier. By the way for newbees at camp grounds backing in with your wife guiding you. All I got to say it's fun to watch.

My advice learn to place it without help!

In some sites this may require getting out and doing a walk about the space to check for low hanging branches, etc.

Only job for my DW is watching out for children! No arguments that way. You don't need to see both sides of the trailer to place it just know how wide it is. Learn to use those mirrors.
If it is tight, no embarrassment in getting out and having a look!

I would say "Man Up" but last trip out all our neighbors it was DW doing the driving!!

[michael]

when in doubt get out and look before backing