Super Duty Backup Assist - Fifth Wheel

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..............

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 .

Me Again wrote:
I find the system a little to sensitive and it spends a lot of time spinning the steering wheel around like a top. I have not dug into it to see if it can be calmed down a little. It was on the lot truck I purchased. If ordering a new truck I do not think I would spend the extra for it.

I do really like the 360 cameras, adaptive cruise, 12" center stack screen, "take me to XYZ Nav" and other Ford features.

Wish it had power fold mirrors.

It’s a matter of getting use to it ….. you don’t turn the little knob as though it’s a steering wheel. Instead you turn the knob to tell the computer where you want the trailer to go. So if I’m wanting to back the trailer off to the right I’ll turn the nob to the right and hold it there ….. the truck wheels will turn left then straighten out then turn right …. while I hold the knob to the right. If I try steering with the knob the computer thinks I’m confused and starts spinning the steering wheel all over the place.

I find the system a little to sensitive and it spends a lot of time spinning the steering wheel around like a top. I have not dug into it to see if it can be calmed down a little. It was on the lot truck I purchased. If ordering a new truck I do not think I would spend the extra for it.

I do really like the 360 cameras, adaptive cruise, 12" center stack screen, "take me to XYZ Nav" and other Ford features.

Wish it had power fold mirrors.

fail

Using the old system with the stickers placed on the hitch has its limitations. Half way through the turn the system starts dinging and I had to take over control. I pulled out and tried again and the same thing happened. On level ground this seldom happens but it seems as though on uneven ground the sticker must get too far out of a programmed range of view. This doesn’t happen with the new angle sensor on the fifth wheel.

^^^ Sorry, I read the “no expert” and “pulling ahead a little often” in your post and thought you might want to get a little better. I’m pretty sure if you took the time to practice a bit with the PTBA you’d appreciate it.

4x4ord - thanks, I’m plenty happy with my backing abilities

^^^ If after 20 years of towing you’re still having to “pull ahead a little often” I would say you’re not going to get proficient at backing without either getting some instruction or possibly giving up on manually backing your trailer and start using your Pro Trailer Backup Assist. 15 or 20 minutes of practicing with PTBA should be enough to get you backing like a pro.

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…)

wrogers wrote:
The backup assist harness and sensor came with my 2021 F450. I installed it to my 5th wheel but did not use it. It has to be calibrated to your particular trailer and is done by going to an open area and driving and turning with it when it says to do so. The issue I found is locating an area that is open enough to be able go straight, turn and so on when it says to do so without parking stops or other vehicles in the way.
I have actually removed it and just back up the old fashioned way and don't have any problems. But then again I used to drive a tractor trailer and have had plenty of practice.
Perhaps if I can locate an area suitable for calibration I may try it just to see how it is. I think it would take a bit of getting used to using a small knob to steer rather than the steering wheel.

Calibrating doesn’t require much space …. a quiet street provides ample room. Calibrating it takes about 10 seconds.