Backing up for a new RV driver

[andybal1]

I observed, when doing a terrible job backing into my driveway with our new 5th wheel (Gulf Stream Prarie Schooner 2007) that the first set of wheels on the camper did not stay straight up and down.

I haven't seen many 5th wheelers park, and maybe I was cutting it too much, but should the front set of tires (2 axles) be angled as I turn? They came back to up and down at the end, but is this something to worry about - is it something that will break the axle or limit the life?

I'm pretty much a worrier, as you can see.

[Oaklevel]

As others had noted make sure that the plug is all the way in and that the spring on the plug outlet cover door is working to keep it closed & against the plug "latch".

Also if you are using the plug on the bumper make sure that there is no hitch in the receiver (if you have one). The pigtail / cord of the fifth wheel can catch on a trailer ball hitch if left in... esp. when backing and pull out. Had that problem on my last truck..

All comes with practice..............

[JohnG3]

katmann343 wrote:
Always use a ball bunge on the light hook up and when the fiver is hooked the hitch leaver is padlocked...

X2 on the hitch lever lock. That and a visual check when returning as a learned habit. Some of us even look at the pins holding the hitch to the bed rails as I found one out of it's home one time first stop on a trip and neither of us had been more than a few feet away from the truck/trailer on that stop (just to give you something else to check).

[rhagfo]

RustyJC wrote:

andybal1 wrote:
I'll worry more that my brake connector disconnected from my 7-way near the end of my test drive.

The flip-up lid on your Pollak-type 7-way receptacle should have a lip on it that engages a tab on the plug on your trailer's umbilical. Be sure the plug is pushed in far enough for the lip to slip over the tab. If these are engaged, the plug shouldn't come out under anything approaching normal circumstances.

Rusty

That cover should be spring loaded to shut, if not replace the housing and cover.

[katmann343]

Always use a ball bunge on the light hook up and when the fiver is hooked the hitch leaver is padlocked...

[Halmfamily]

RustyJC wrote:

andybal1 wrote:
I'll worry more that my brake connector disconnected from my 7-way near the end of my test drive.

The flip-up lid on your Pollak-type 7-way receptacle should have a lip on it that engages a tab on the plug on your trailer's umbilical. Be sure the plug is pushed in far enough for the lip to slip over the tab. If these are engaged, the plug shouldn't come out under anything approaching normal circumstances.

Rusty

That's not a good feeling, going to stop and tbe trailer pushes you. I was hauling my tractor in December and I apparently did not seat the plug fully. Went to stop at a red light and hello , the trailer pushed me into the intersection. Luckily nobody was coming and short of needing to change my shorts all was good. Pulled over and the cord was barely plugged in. Lesson learned.

[FiverBob]

andybal1 wrote:
I'll worry more that my brake connector disconnected from my 7-way near the end of my test drive.

I have always checked my cap carefully to make sure it hooked. The second time I had no brakes and found the cap had popped up, I figured I needed to do something. From that time on I have always anchored by lid down with a bungy cord. I carry a short bungy - - the kind with a marble on it - - and go around the plug and lid with the bungy. Never has come off since. It also is quite obvious when you peak over the side of the bed if someone has played tricks on you by pulling your plug while you were in having lunch. The other fun one is when they release your lever on your hitch - -ggggrrrrrr.

Bob

[RustyJC]

andybal1 wrote:
I'll worry more that my brake connector disconnected from my 7-way near the end of my test drive.

The flip-up lid on your Pollak-type 7-way receptacle should have a lip on it that engages a tab on the plug on your trailer's umbilical. Be sure the plug is pushed in far enough for the lip to slip over the tab. If these are engaged, the plug shouldn't come out under anything approaching normal circumstances.

Rusty

[andybal1]

Thanks - it looked freakish. I still assume that tire wear will be greater, especially since it slides one or the other set, but I'll worry less about it.

I'll worry more that my brake connector disconnected from my 7-way near the end of my test drive.

[ReneeG]

Yes, as noted by others, take the torque of the tires by pulling forward then backing a little to straighten them out, once in your spot.

[waltbennett]

The wheels shouldn't have moved much, but the tires do.

[laknox]

I've seen a couple guys carry a bucket of sand that they'll toss under the tires when making very tight turns into a spot. Just helps the tires skid a little easier.

Lyle

[BB_TX]

Yeah, worried me too the first time I saw it. But after you get the trailer straightened up and move another foot or so, the wheels will straighten also. If you need to, you can pull forward a couple feet and backup a couple feet for further straightening.

[goducks10]

andybal1 wrote:
I observed, when doing a terrible job backing into my driveway with our new 5th wheel (Gulf Stream Prarie Schooner 2007) that the first set of wheels on the camper did not stay straight up and down.

I haven't seen many 5th wheelers park, and maybe I was cutting it too much, but should the front set of tires (2 axles) be angled as I turn? They came back to up and down at the end, but is this something to worry about - is it something that will break the axle or limit the life?

I'm pretty much a worrier, as you can see.

It's normal. It looks even worse when you have the wide track axle spacing. My TT tires had close to 1' between them as opposed to my 5er tires which are only 2-1/2" apart. Both look wacked out when turning. But the TT looked worse.