Backing up your rig.

ORbiker wrote:

Dirtclods wrote:
I've found that a 5th wheel is lot easier to back up then a bumper pull.

Find a lot bring some cones and practice, practice!

Definitely

I practiced for maybe a hour at the RV lot before I even left the lot. I watched this youtube video before picked up the rig.

Backing up
It helped a bunch.

How close should the the approach be to the site?

Are you asking where should your truck and 5th wheel be in relation to you camping spot. Because that all depends on where the spot is located. Left, right which direction of travel and how wide your path is as well.

Dirtclods wrote:
I've found that a 5th wheel is lot easier to back up then a bumper pull.

Find a lot bring some cones and practice, practice!

Definitely

I practiced for maybe a hour at the RV lot before I even left the lot. I watched this youtube video before picked up the rig.

Backing up
It helped a bunch.

How close should the the approach be to the site?

I've found that a 5th wheel is lot easier to back up then a bumper pull.

Find a lot bring some cones and practice, practice!

Do any of you experienced backer-upper's have any tips on backing up a fifth-wheel. I am very new to the fifth-wheel scene.
I practiced a bit at the RV dealership in the lot. I backed up here and there in the lot. I got the feel on how far it will turn going forward and backwards. Then I took the 42 footer home to my 44 foot driveway. I didn't hit the house either. I put some railroad ties at the limit line to help find the rear limit.

Thanks, KEN

Muddydogs wrote:

Dirtclods wrote:
So how many of you count on you mirrors backing up, or are you old school and turn your head back 180 to look or both?

Hate to tell ya but old school is not turning your head old school is using mirrors. Ever wonder why old trucks have nice big mirrors on them?

??

Having been a truck driver for years, I depend on my mirrors, and getting out once in a while when I need to visually see whats going on, and what I need to do to avoid making contact with any thing in the site I am backing in to. I also use my wife when there is tight maneuvering and locating the slides around the pedestals.
Mirrors----

Dirtclods wrote:
So how many of you count on you mirrors backing up, or are you old school and turn your head back 180 to look or both?

Hate to tell ya but old school is not turning your head old school is using mirrors. Ever wonder why old trucks have nice big mirrors on them?

DW & I use walkie talkies. Her SINGLE role is to spot me and say every 3-4 seconds: "OK - OK - OK". If I don't gear "OK" I get out and look. Sometimes I get out and look even if I hear "OK". Final positioning is on me, not her.

Mirrors and backup camera's for me most of the time. Occasionally look over shoulder on drivers side when backing that direction. The camera on the back of the TH lets me get very close when backing up the 72ft long rig. :)

2oldman wrote:
I am so used to mirrors that I'm almost incapable of backing without them. And I never turn my head to see traffic in a merging lane either.

And I never turn my head to see traffic in a merging lane either.

Like that!

My blinkers are not just a indicators, I'm moving over. I, I'm!