Backing up your rig.

[Dirtclods]

So how many of you count on you mirrors backing up, or are you old school and turn your head back 180 to look or both?

[jackxclan]

Point it and go.

[jayw900]

I usually use the mirrors while towing though i'll look back if it's needed. I'll also have the lady watch if it's particularly sketchy like an angled parking spot.

[Dirtclods]

Well I've always have found it interesting I can go camp in the middle of the dez and some yahoo wants to camp within a hundred yards from me so I'll walk over and tell them we're shooting they'll move!

[Strabo]

I cant remember the last time i backed into a numbered campsite, we never camp like that. The way we camp with our friends is first one there gets the best spot, the rest sort of make a circle off that rig. May not always look pretty but it works.

[krobbe]

We use sophisticated verbal and hand signals. I yell out the window "I can't see you anymore!". Then DW appears in the mirror and gives me the finger. Works for us!

[slapshot12]

schlep1967 wrote:
Depends on how sharp of a turn I am making when backing. Once you get the trailer turned so far the back end is no longer in view of the mirror. Turning your head at this point is required so you can see where your trailer is headed.

I guess the answer is both.

What he said. The mirrors don't always show what you need to see. Sometimes it's mirrors, turn the head, and have someone behind for the blind spots.

[Dirtclods]

Well said!!

[just_me]

Dirtclods wrote:
So I'd stay within two to four feet close to the side you going to back into. There's a lot of times your going have one small lane and campers on either side so the closer the better.

So far you have a lot of instructional help here. Here's the way I do it. I approach the spot I'm going to back into, overshoot it a few feet, make a quick turn to the right, to other side of the road, and then a hard left, putting the rear of the trailer close to heading into the parking spot. You should be in a part-jackknife position at this point. This way you are already half way towards the opening that you want to back into. This is all with the idea that your spot is on the driver side of the road. This way you can visually see where you are going. But it takes a bit of practice and you need to find the way its easiest for you to make your maneuver.
I always take a few extra feet to execute any maneuver, alot of drivers don't take any extra space, maybe thy are afraid to.

[Dirtclods]

So I'd stay within two to four feet close to the side you going to back into. There's a lot of times your going have one small lane and campers on either side so the closer the better.

[ORbiker]

Dirtclods wrote:

ORbiker wrote:

Dirtclods wrote:
I've found that a 5th wheel is lot easier to back up then a bumper pull.

Find a lot bring some cones and practice, practice!

Definitely

I practiced for maybe a hour at the RV lot before I even left the lot. I watched this youtube video before picked up the rig.

Backing up
It helped a bunch.

How close should the the approach be to the site?

Are you asking where should your truck and 5th wheel be in relation to you camping spot. Because that all depends on where the spot is located. Left, right which direction of travel and how wide your path is as well.

Yes
Say the camping spot is on driver's side and the spot is 90 degrees off of the road. The road is 2 lanes wide.

[Dirtclods]

ORbiker wrote:

Dirtclods wrote:
I've found that a 5th wheel is lot easier to back up then a bumper pull.

Find a lot bring some cones and practice, practice!

Definitely

I practiced for maybe a hour at the RV lot before I even left the lot. I watched this youtube video before picked up the rig.

Backing up
It helped a bunch.

How close should the the approach be to the site?

Are you asking where should your truck and 5th wheel be in relation to you camping spot. Because that all depends on where the spot is located. Left, right which direction of travel and how wide your path is as well.

[ORbiker]

Dirtclods wrote:
I've found that a 5th wheel is lot easier to back up then a bumper pull.

Find a lot bring some cones and practice, practice!

Definitely

I practiced for maybe a hour at the RV lot before I even left the lot. I watched this youtube video before picked up the rig.

Backing up
It helped a bunch.

How close should the the approach be to the site?

[Dirtclods]

I've found that a 5th wheel is lot easier to back up then a bumper pull.

Find a lot bring some cones and practice, practice!

[ORbiker]

Do any of you experienced backer-upper's have any tips on backing up a fifth-wheel. I am very new to the fifth-wheel scene.
I practiced a bit at the RV dealership in the lot. I backed up here and there in the lot. I got the feel on how far it will turn going forward and backwards. Then I took the 42 footer home to my 44 foot driveway. I didn't hit the house either. I put some railroad ties at the limit line to help find the rear limit.

Thanks, KEN