fifth wheel backing

[travelingcat]

Consider the following. You have two identical trucks and two identical parking sites but two different fifth wheels. What characteristic will cause one of these fifth wheels to be easier to back into it's site?

[stetwood]

john&bet wrote:
A longer trailer will be easier to back than a shorter one. Just ask any semi driver.

And the rear wheels are at the end of the box instead of somewhere in the middle which makes it easier.

[neal10a]

I found that rear view camera is helpful for my 40ft 5th wheel. It too took some practice to deal with, but my backing became more accurate-- especially when backing with the blind side. BTY I was a prime mover driver in the Army pulling howitzers and I thought I was a fantastic backer until I backed my first 5th wheel. The Army gave me plenty of practice to get a howitzers into firing position as quick as possible, but I am glad they were not 5th wheel 😉

[Rancher_Will]

Practice make perfect. I agree with one of the comments above. It is not bragging to say that I can easily back our 38 ft Monty (onto your toe if you stand still".

We have owned 5 RV's, 4 have been 5th Wheel models, over the past 50 years. I also regularly back ranch trailers, horse, stock, flatbed, etc., plus our semi trucks with 53 ft trailers.

I also agree that it is easier to back a 5th Wheel (or goose neck hitch) trailer than a bumper pull, although we have both types on the ranch. I just have to be a little more careful when backing a bumper pull.

Practice over time and you will become proficient.

[Bar-OneRanch]

This is the only time I don't love my crew cab long box, I seem to run out of room to make corrections while backing in with a long truck. I watch semi drivers that can get almost 90 to the trailer when backing in, but my turning radius just isn't there.
Chris

[wntrtxn]

If you have a slider hitch, slide it to the rear position. That will give you better steering response. At least that's been my experience. Makes it respond more like a bumper-pull trailer.

[valhalla360]

rhagfo wrote:

valhalla360 wrote:

Paul Clancy wrote:
The one backing on the drivers side will beat the one backing on the blind side every time.

We don't find a bit of difference with either but we always use a spotter who does the directing.

You always have a blind side, the side on the outside you can't see the back of the trailer in the mirror.
You do backup using your mirrors don't you??

Nope, my spotter can always see what is going on.

Yes, I use the mirrors to watch my spotter who is in charge.

If I can't see her and her hand signals, I don't move. Period. My only authority while backing is I can hit the brakes if I'm not comfortable with something.

[bstark]

I'm going to jump on to state that having backed all types of trailers up to 53', even some hay wagons with steerable axles the absolute worst to back with any ease is the old narrow, single snow-mobile trailer where you couldn't see the damnn thing in either mirror until it had already gotten sideways, taken out one of your taillights or punched a hole in your bumper.

[Willcamp4]

A beer, a comfortable chair, and a good view while watching someone else do it.

[Beaker]

Most people over steer to start and then fail to correct in time.

I think that comes from not pulling far enough ahead.

My 28 foot fifth wheel is much easier backing up than my 10 foot utility trailer.

[rhagfo]

valhalla360 wrote:

Paul Clancy wrote:
The one backing on the drivers side will beat the one backing on the blind side every time.

We don't find a bit of difference with either but we always use a spotter who does the directing.

You always have a blind side, the side on the outside you can't see the back of the trailer in the mirror.
You do backup using your mirrors don't you??

[valhalla360]

Paul Clancy wrote:
The one backing on the drivers side will beat the one backing on the blind side every time.

We don't find a bit of difference with either but we always use a spotter who does the directing.

[Campinfan]

wilber1 wrote:
Distance between pin and tires will dictate how tight it can turn. Distance between tires and rear of trailer will dictate what you might whack with it.

How true!

[The_Mad_Norsky]

I'd agree with the "drivers ability part" being the only difference between the two fifth wheels.

Some good suggestions here.

I can only add watch the tires when backing, NOT the rear of the fifth wheel. Get those tires to follow an imaginary line you have picked out for them so the fifth wheel ends up where you want it to be.

Shoot, I've even read on here where folks have laid out a garden hose to act as a line and followed the hose in with the wheels of the backing trailer to guide them in.

[Paul_Clancy]

The one backing on the drivers side will beat the one backing on the blind side every time.