Super Duty Backup Assist - Fifth Wheel
Found this interesting a Super Duty utilizing the Back Up assist feature on a fifth wheel. There's a couple in a camping group that use this feature and swear by it. Go to 7:35 for the action. En...
Forum Discussion
I purchased a 2022 F350 earlier this year including all the bells and whistles. I installed the rear camera, and the yaw sensor etc. I’ve pulled RV trailers for 20yrs, including close to 100k miles with 5ers over the last 8yrs. I won’t say that I’m an expert backing, but am comfortable backing even if I pull forward a little often.
The calibration of the Ford system is trivial. I’ve been traveling the last two months (about 5k miles) after installing it. During that time I think I’ve used the backup system 4 times: first to calibrate it; next to try it on a real camping spot; two other times partially, wanting to like it but abandoning it part way through. I’ve found it more cumbersome than just backing like I’m already familiar with.
With that said, I do think there are two things that it might have to offer if I can learn to integrate them with my normal backing routine and get used to them. 1) the yaw sensor provides an indication for the angle of 5er to truck, and when this angle exceeds where you’ll be able to ‘follow’ the 5er. 2) when you get the 5er straight how you want it, the backup system will automatically ‘follow’ if you just take your hands off of everything (I think this might be useful backing into something tight at an angle, I think…)
Still, over the last couple months I find I have to force myself to try and use it, and then abandon it and back in like I already know how anyway. I do like all of the cameras though and find myself pushing buttons to see what’s behind the 5er, as well as what’s all around the truck (360 view showing front wheel cut by trees and rocks) as I back it.
Bottom line: love the cameras, think the backup system might have some promise in incremental ways (IF I can force myself past the learning curve to get used to it…)
The calibration of the Ford system is trivial. I’ve been traveling the last two months (about 5k miles) after installing it. During that time I think I’ve used the backup system 4 times: first to calibrate it; next to try it on a real camping spot; two other times partially, wanting to like it but abandoning it part way through. I’ve found it more cumbersome than just backing like I’m already familiar with.
With that said, I do think there are two things that it might have to offer if I can learn to integrate them with my normal backing routine and get used to them. 1) the yaw sensor provides an indication for the angle of 5er to truck, and when this angle exceeds where you’ll be able to ‘follow’ the 5er. 2) when you get the 5er straight how you want it, the backup system will automatically ‘follow’ if you just take your hands off of everything (I think this might be useful backing into something tight at an angle, I think…)
Still, over the last couple months I find I have to force myself to try and use it, and then abandon it and back in like I already know how anyway. I do like all of the cameras though and find myself pushing buttons to see what’s behind the 5er, as well as what’s all around the truck (360 view showing front wheel cut by trees and rocks) as I back it.
Bottom line: love the cameras, think the backup system might have some promise in incremental ways (IF I can force myself past the learning curve to get used to it…)
