Forum Discussion
- mrw8iExplorer^^ This ^^
- IHnutzExplorerA lot depends on how short the tow vehicle will turn. My former Dodge Quad-Cab 4x4 short bed would turn much shorter than the Ford Crew-Cab 4X4 long bed i have now. It has been quite a learning curve learning to back with the Ford. Best advice is practice, practice and more practice!
- RCMAN46ExplorerI have also found watching the wheels on a 5th wheel makes it easier to back.
When I back into a rv spot I set a leveling block where I want my 5th wheel wheels to be.
Then I watch the 5th wheel wheels relative to the leveling block. Most of the time it only takes one try.
But I do have the DW watch that the trailer and the truck do not hit any obstructions that I can not always see. - phillygExplorer IIDayle1 is correct. It's not so much the fiver as it is whether or not the TV has enough room to maneuver after putting the fiver on course. So, no one can determine for you if you have enough room. I've found it's best to start reversing in the middle of a narrow road rather than the sides.
- pennysmom09ExplorerMy DH backs our fiver into our fenced and gated backyard down the 100 ft. Driveway, 10' wide and through the gate. He has to bring in the mirrors to fit through the gate. The slide covers have barely an inch going by the house gutters. He goes very, very slowly, I watch jthe house side, he watches the drivers side. The starting point is our narrow two lane street. We use the backup camera only so I can tell him if he is too close to the house. Takes practice!
- PipemanExplorerWhen backing my 35 ft 5er, I look at the wheels not the rear end of the 5er.I'm on a residential street and sometimes I have cars parked on either side of my driveway. I just put it into the driveway in one shot the other day. Some days its' a **** shoot to get it where I want it in less than two or three tries. I've had both BPs and 5ers and have put the 5ers into some very tight places as we dry camp most of the time in the bush. I prefer the 5er myself.
- valhalla360NavigatorBasically a 5th wheel is slower to start turning but you can turn sharper once it starts to come around.
There are always exceptions but generally, I would say a 5th wheel will get into places a TT may have trouble with. - rhagfoExplorer IIII believe the issue those use to backing a TT switching to a 5er there is a difference in the way they react. With a 5er one needs to anticipate and start to straighten out before the 5er gets ahead of you. One just need to understand the differences between the two.
Personally I don't have an issue with backing our 5er, the TV never needs to get too far out of line with 5er or road. Done correctly you don't need to use any more than one lane. - Dayle1Explorer IIGuess I'll be the opposite view. A fiver is slower to react due to the pivot point. The tow vehicle has to move further to get the trailer turning and sometimes that extra space is not available. Like trying to back off a 2 lane road with no shoulders and deep ditches. Course the single driveway had the same deep ditches then a tree lined road. Finally, a mailbox opposite the driveway wouldn't even allow the bumper to overhang the ditch. 30 ft TT no problem but it took me a dozen attempts to get a 30 ft fiver backed into the driveway (even had to trim a few tree branches). True, you can jack-knife a fiver sharper than a TT, if you have the extra space. But there are no absolutes when it comes to what will work best.
- F-TROUPExplorerJust pull a little further past the point your used to with your BP, it takes a little longer for the 5er to start cutting.
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19,006 PostsLatest Activity: Jan 23, 2025