Super Duty Backup Assist - Fifth Wheel

Ford employee here... I trialed this system on a trailer before it was ever offered to customers. I struggled to make it work, and they asked I back up through a slalom course without it and I nailed it.

Fast forward, I ordered it on my F350, and still can't make it work :) I also struggled a bit moving from TT to 5th wheel, but pretty much have it down after a few times backing up. I'm going to let my wife try it without my commentary, to see if it helps her.

I'm sure it works great, but with my experience, don't really need it.

^^^^ Seems as though for a lot of guys using a back up nanny is kind of like asking for directions.

valhalla360 wrote:

4x4ord wrote:
Many RVers are able to back up a trailer half decent. The first time or two a person uses the Pro Trailer Backup assist he's probably not going to do any better than he could manually, but, with a bit of practice using the system my guess is most drivers would get to the point of being excellent at backing up a trailer (if not excellent at least better than they could manually).

My guess is it will be more useful for the guy who backs a trailer 3-4 times per year.

For those who back regularly, I'm sure most could learn to use the system but they also have learned to back a trailer manually. It's just a different way.

When we are on the move and backing regularly, I get pretty darn good. It's when I haven't backed for a few months, that I have to slow down and think...I expect this system will present the same issue.

From the sounds of it my son will never use it , but as said he's good enough does not need any assist .

4x4ord wrote:
Many RVers are able to back up a trailer half decent. The first time or two a person uses the Pro Trailer Backup assist he's probably not going to do any better than he could manually, but, with a bit of practice using the system my guess is most drivers would get to the point of being excellent at backing up a trailer (if not excellent at least better than they could manually).

My guess is it will be more useful for the guy who backs a trailer 3-4 times per year.

For those who back regularly, I'm sure most could learn to use the system but they also have learned to back a trailer manually. It's just a different way.

When we are on the move and backing regularly, I get pretty darn good. It's when I haven't backed for a few months, that I have to slow down and think...I expect this system will present the same issue.

Many RVers are able to back up a trailer half decent. The first time or two a person uses the Pro Trailer Backup assist he's probably not going to do any better than he could manually, but, with a bit of practice using the system my guess is most drivers would get to the point of being excellent at backing up a trailer (if not excellent at least better than they could manually).

4x4ord wrote:

cummins2014 wrote:

FishOnOne wrote:

cummins2014 wrote:

FishOnOne wrote:
In the video they show a device that is bolted to the fifth wheel and plugs into a receptacle in the bed.

My son has this setup on his 2022 Superduty , not sure if he's used it on his new fifth wheel, he will be here in Montana with us tomorrow , will have to see if he's used it .

Report back if he tried it and if he like's it or not.

Doesn't care for it at all, tried it once ,something about it doesn't see all the fifth wheel. Prefers just backing it like most of us do .

???! I think he must be talking about watching the camera display as opposed to using his mirrors? The pro trailer back up assist with the angle sensor on the fifth wheel doesn’t really have anything to do with cameras or the display. He should use the mirrors.

Not sure what he meant ,he left Montana this morning for home . Just sounded more like he liked his mirrors ,and backing it the conventional way . This is his first fifth wheel ,but he's has boats ,and trailers ,and he does a good job . I was with him when he brought it home ,and its a tight fit between fence ,and house on his RV pad .

Here is how this is going to work: Within like 5 years or so this and more features are going to a subscription service. Many car makers are already starting pay to play and this will be one of them.

cummins2014 wrote:

FishOnOne wrote:

cummins2014 wrote:

FishOnOne wrote:
In the video they show a device that is bolted to the fifth wheel and plugs into a receptacle in the bed.

My son has this setup on his 2022 Superduty , not sure if he's used it on his new fifth wheel, he will be here in Montana with us tomorrow , will have to see if he's used it .

Report back if he tried it and if he like's it or not.

Doesn't care for it at all, tried it once ,something about it doesn't see all the fifth wheel. Prefers just backing it like most of us do .

Hey cummins2014... Thanks for the feedback

cummins2014 wrote:

FishOnOne wrote:

cummins2014 wrote:

FishOnOne wrote:
In the video they show a device that is bolted to the fifth wheel and plugs into a receptacle in the bed.

My son has this setup on his 2022 Superduty , not sure if he's used it on his new fifth wheel, he will be here in Montana with us tomorrow , will have to see if he's used it .

Report back if he tried it and if he like's it or not.

Doesn't care for it at all, tried it once ,something about it doesn't see all the fifth wheel. Prefers just backing it like most of us do .

???! I think he must be talking about watching the camera display as opposed to using his mirrors? The pro trailer back up assist with the angle sensor on the fifth wheel doesn’t really have anything to do with cameras or the display. He should use the mirrors.

ford truck guy wrote:
well, just my $0.02

IF I grew up playing video games instead of driving a big rig up and down the East Coast, perhaps I would want to try it. It does seam to me that it is geared more towards the folks who are NEW at RV'ing, then old crusty guys like some of US here.

Now, my son in law on the other hand will use it if he ever sets his up... Right now he is backing up using his trailer mounted back up camera and staring at his phone 6" from his face ... totally oblivious to his trucks surroundings... :E

I look at it to be like everything else RV related... either YOU like it you YOU do not.... kind of like slide toppers, dual pane windows, tilt down steps, ect..............

Well he grew up with all that stuff , neither one of my sons were gamers now 45 , and 50 they seem old school to me as far as a lot of this stuff goes .,They both do a good job of backing old school :)