I observed, when doing a terrible job backing into my driveway with our new 5th wheel (Gulf Stream Prarie Schooner 2007) that the first set of wheels on the camper did not stay straight up and down. I haven't seen many 5th wheelers park, and maybe I was cutting it too much, but should the front set of tires (2 axles) be angled as I turn? They came back to up and down at the end, but is this something to worry about - is it something that will break the axle or limit the life?I'm pretty much a worrier, as you can see.

andybal1 wrote:I observed, when doing a terrible job backing into my driveway with our new 5th wheel (Gulf Stream Prarie Schooner 2007) that the first set of wheels on the camper did not stay straight up and down. I haven't seen many 5th wheelers park, and maybe I was cutting it too much, but should the front set of tires (2 axles) be angled as I turn? They came back to up and down at the end, but is this something to worry about - is it something that will break the axle or limit the life?I'm pretty much a worrier, as you can see.It's normal. It looks even worse when you have the wide track axle spacing. My TT tires had close to 1' between them as opposed to my 5er tires which are only 2-1/2" apart. Both look wacked out when turning. But the TT looked worse.

Yeah, worried me too the first time I saw it. But after you get the trailer straightened up and move another foot or so, the wheels will straighten also. If you need to, you can pull forward a couple feet and backup a couple feet for further straightening.

I've seen a couple guys carry a bucket of sand that they'll toss under the tires when making very tight turns into a spot. Just helps the tires skid a little easier.Lyle

The wheels shouldn't have moved much, but the tires do.

Yes, as noted by others, take the torque of the tires by pulling forward then backing a little to straighten them out, once in your spot.

Backing up for a new RV driver | Good Sam Community

13 Replies

laknox
Nomad
Mar 02, 2015
I've seen a couple guys carry a bucket of sand that they'll toss under the tires when making very tight turns into a spot. Just helps the tires skid a little easier.

Lyle
BB_TX
Nomad
Mar 02, 2015
Yeah, worried me too the first time I saw it. But after you get the trailer straightened up and move another foot or so, the wheels will straighten also. If you need to, you can pull forward a couple feet and backup a couple feet for further straightening.
goducks10
Explorer
Mar 02, 2015
andybal1 wrote:
I observed, when doing a terrible job backing into my driveway with our new 5th wheel (Gulf Stream Prarie Schooner 2007) that the first set of wheels on the camper did not stay straight up and down.

I haven't seen many 5th wheelers park, and maybe I was cutting it too much, but should the front set of tires (2 axles) be angled as I turn? They came back to up and down at the end, but is this something to worry about - is it something that will break the axle or limit the life?

I'm pretty much a worrier, as you can see.

It's normal. It looks even worse when you have the wide track axle spacing. My TT tires had close to 1' between them as opposed to my 5er tires which are only 2-1/2" apart. Both look wacked out when turning. But the TT looked worse.

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Backing up for a new RV driver

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