Can't get used to it!

ependydad wrote:
The dealership that I bought from took me on a test drive in my truck + camper in tow. The tech told me to watch the tires of the fifth wheel- when they pass the obstruction (sign, curb, whatever) you can then turn as sharply as you need to make the turn. That way, you're guaranteed to not hit it.

That is exactly the proper way to turn, in addition Have the presence of mind where your rig is on the road and for a right turn, especially in towns and making right turns, stay to the middle of the road or hog the center line to allow a wider turn radius. Trust me, I've done this with oversize loads on a 5 axle trailer in Chicago, Milwaukee WI and Minneapolis MN and other places that you learn by the seat of your pants. As for backing it up, same technique you were told. Practice. You can be assured, there are people who cannot, develop the skills to back up a vehicle much less a trailer. My brother is one, but he does not drive anymore. I have seen others that cannot get the hang of a reverse move. Something does not click for them.

lazydays wrote:
Been practicing for over 5 years now and I still have days that it looks like I have no clue what I'm doing.

X2

Pulling a fifth wheel is night and day different than pulling a bumper pull. I have to remind myself I have a forty foot fifth wheel behind me as it tracks perfect and no sway while going down the interstate. Backing up to me is fun, I love a good challenge, especially when someones says that you will never get that trailer into that spot. My 14 year old son is my spotter and he has gotten me into many a tight spots on the first try, seems second nature to him. As others have said, practice, practice and more practice. I took ours out several times into large parking lots and we practiced for hours, we use radios and hand signals. Now, if I can just get my wife to learn to spot me life will be great. Good luck, have fun and just relax, eventually it will become second nature.

Going into our second year with the 5er and still struggle a little bit on backing up... The back into the drive is on a pull thru and then back in between house, fence, telephone pole and rock wall on different sides and areas. I have not yet backed rig in with less than 3 tries... but that is the fun.... try, try and try again.

I hope it helps that you are not alone on this one! We have owned TT's for 35 years. We bought our 29' 5th wheel last Jan. and we have taken it out a few times. But man what a difference it is! I have only done the parking lot drives so far, but my husband is working on learning the 5th wheel. We have gone on you-tube and watched a couple of video's and that has helped somewhat. We plan to retire and live full time in ours in a few months, so we must get better at it! I wish you luck, keep practicing! :)

Found this on a forum years ago, I've lost the info for original attribution:


Backing a 5er
There are a few tips that make it easier.

Tip 1: Do everything possible to insure that you will be turning on the driver side. Even if it means driving around the campground and up/down a few roads to get yourself turned around. Passenger is your blind side and should be last resort.

Tip 2: You have to learn how long the reaction time is for your trailer to react. Go to a parking lot and practice. Always use your trailers rear axle as the reference point. The reaction time is the time it takes from the time you turn the tow vehicle steering wheel until the time the trailer starts turning.

Tip 3: There are two terms you need to know. Neutral, Jack and Chase. Neutral position is when the tow vehicle steering wheel is at the position where the truck is going in a straight line. When you Jack the trailer you are causing it to turn the opposite direction that the truck is turning. Such as in jack-knife. Chase is when you are trying to straighten out the truck and trailer, thus the term chasing the trailer.

Tip 4: Get out and survey the parking area (with your spotter) for obstructions. Determine where you want the trailer to end up and pick a reference point, which will act as the "edge of the parking area".

Tip 5: Start with the truck and trailer traveling straight. You want the side you are turning into to be about 4' off the curb or edge of the road. When the tow vehicles rear axle is at the far edge of the parking space, cut your truck wheel hard away from the curb. When the truck is about a 45-degree angle to the curb (or as close as you can get given the space you have to use) straighten the wheel back to the neutral position. As soon as the truck has begun going straight, cut the wheel hard in the opposite direction until the truck is again parallel to the curb. STOP. Your trailer is now at a good angle to start backing up.

Tip 6: Jack the trailer until it get to about 15-20 degree angle of the space you are going to park it then start chasing it.

Tip 7: If your running out of space to get the truck & trailer running straight, don't be afraid to pull forward to help straighten it out.

Tip 8: PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE and never backup with out a spotter.

Other than the above the best I can offer is always use the same spotter. I watch the DW no matter who else if waving their arms at me!

Pipeman wrote:
Drive it like a tractor trailer combo. Swing wide when making right turns when traffic allows or wait until traffic clears to turn.Same when turning left. ...

Bad advice. Do that on a drivers test and you will fail. The following is from the IL CDL Study Guide ( the diagrams did not come through, but they show staying your lane and going deeper into the intersection before turning right, even if you enter the lane for oncoming traffic from the right.):

"Space for Turns
The space around a truck or bus is important in turns. Because of wide turning and off-tracking, large vehicles can hit other vehicles or objects during turns.
Right Turns – Following are rules to help prevent right-turn crashes:
• Turn slowly to give yourself and others more time to avoid
problems.
• If you are driving a truck or bus that cannot make the right turn without swinging into another lane, turn wide as you complete the turn, as shown in Figure 2-11. Keep the rear of your vehicle close to the curb. This will stop other drivers from passing you on the right.
• Do not turn wide to the left as you start the turn, as shown in Figure 2-12. A following driver may think you are turning left and try to pass you on the right. You may crash into the other vehicle as you complete your turn.
• If you must cross into the oncoming lane to make a turn, watch out for vehicles coming toward you. Give them room to go by or to stop. However, do not back up for them, because you might hit someone behind you."

Backing up a 5er is really the only thing I can think of that is worse about a 5er compared to a TT.

I tend to continue into the intersection farther than normal then crank it around the corner.

lazydays wrote:
Been practicing for over 5 years now and I still have days that it looks like I have no clue what I'm doing.

x10. Nice to know I'm in good company.

Bowti I have not seen this comment yet so I'll offer up my advice that my retired trucker FIL gave me.
When turning right move as far left in the lane you are turning from as safe to do and go deep into the corner remaining straight until your trailers wheels are passing the object then turn hard fast right making a "square" turn.
Follow the same process for left hand turns except bear as far right as safe to do before starting your turn in the same manner.


As far as backing up try, try , try again. Practice makes perfect. Well, Not every time even after you have done it for years I still got all muddled up once and a while.
I have a bootleg in my 100ft driveway that I have to back into. Sometimes first try is golden, other time it takes 3 or 4 attempts.