Fifth wheel backing

[clev]

First, I've been towing for 45 years, but it's always been a travel trailer. And, I was good, no brag, just fact. I remember parallel parking my van and 37 foot trailer at a parking area in Deadwood, SD quite a few years back. I got my first five in November and tow it with an F350 long bed SuperDuty and I can't make it do anything; I've tried until I'm exasperated. I know which way to cut it, but it seems like it takes forever for the input to, well, input. I have a 60 ft long garage with 12 ft wide door that I back it into, and this last time, it took an hour, plus divorce threats from my wife. I've always been told how easy it is to back up a five, so what am I doing wrong?

[ejulson]

All of this backing advice is great, but get yourself a wireless backup camera. I have one from TADI Brothers that gives me a 120 degree view, with no fisheye effect. And it color hi-res with night vision. It just mounts to the license plate frame and has backup lines on the monitor, just like my F250.

The added benefit is that you can leave it on when your rolling down the road to see what's going on behind you. Helps a lot to determine safe lane changes. Yeah, it's a few hundred bucks, but worth every penny.

Also reduces the "pissed of" mood and shattering of the marital bliss that comes with a painful backing experience.

[tdsxt51]

clev wrote:
First, I've been towing for 45 years, but it's always been a travel trailer. And, I was good, no brag, just fact. I remember parallel parking my van and 37 foot trailer at a parking area in Deadwood, SD quite a few years back. I got my first five in November and tow it with an F350 long bed SuperDuty and I can't make it do anything; I've tried until I'm exasperated. I know which way to cut it, but it seems like it takes forever for the input to, well, input. I have a 60 ft long garage with 12 ft wide door that I back it into, and this last time, it took an hour, plus divorce threats from my wife. I've always been told how easy it is to back up a five, so what am I doing wrong?

Don't feel bad; same with me. Give me one half of an inch on either side, and no problem backing in, first time every time. Til I bought a fifth wheeler. Have a heck of a time backing in, mainly because I usually can't see the drivers side when backing. If I can see, it only takes an hour or so to back in. Kidding. Just kidding! But I am getting better...

Just bought a new rear observation camera yesterday; don't know if it will help or not, but by God I'll be able to see behind me! :B

[Twain]

I feel the pain as I moved from a TT to a 5er last summer. The first two times backing in were brutal. The nest 3 times were a bit better. Slowly getting the hang of it and hoping this info will speed up my training.

[ford_truck_guy]

mileshuff wrote:
I've always used the scoop method for backing in. Similar to the Z method but starts on the far right. Really helps to get the TV and 5'er aligned with the spot prior to backing up. We fought backing in until we found this method. Now we're in our tight storage spot often on very first try. We're inexperienced rookies at this too!

Biggest mistake I learned was to straighten the tow vehicle much earlier with a 5'er than when backing a trailer.

http://littleguy.vanillaforums.com/discussion/2896/how-to-back-up-a-trailer-easily-the-scoop-method-...

I never knew it had a name ?? Been doing that for as long as I was driving big rigs .. . great tip

[BarneyS]

mileshuff wrote:
I've always used the scoop method for backing in. Similar to the Z method but starts on the far right. Really helps to get the TV and 5'er aligned with the spot prior to backing up. We fought backing in until we found this method. Now we're in our tight storage spot often on very first try. We're inexperienced rookies at this too!

Biggest mistake I learned was to straighten the tow vehicle much earlier with a 5'er than when backing a trailer.

http://littleguy.vanillaforums.com/discussion/2896/how-to-back-up-a-trailer-easily-the-scoop-method-...

mileshuff,
Excellent photo of the swoop method! I have used that for the past 30 years every time for backing the trailer.

Thank you for the link to the photo. I downloaded it to post here. Hope you don't mind. If you do, send me a PM and I will delete it from this post.
Barney

[mileshuff]

I've always used the scoop method for backing in. Similar to the Z method but starts on the far right. Really helps to get the TV and 5'er aligned with the spot prior to backing up. We fought backing in until we found this method. Now we're in our tight storage spot often on very first try. We're inexperienced rookies at this too!

Biggest mistake I learned was to straighten the tow vehicle much earlier with a 5'er than when backing a trailer.

http://littleguy.vanillaforums.com/discussion/2896/how-to-back-up-a-trailer-easily-the-scoop-method-...

[IBcarguy]

It's definitely harder. I've found that if I pull forward a few times to straighten up the rig it's easier.

[Veebyes]

The DW has only tried backing into a site a couple of times. Hopped out of the drivers seat next to a large open backin & told her go at it. It was entertaining. The good thing is that she has an idea of what the difficulties are.

We use the radios. She talks. I do what she says. I seldom need to answer. For exact placement she stands where she wants a back corner needs to be. Gives me a 'target'.

I like to think that we are very boring to watch. There is no shouting, no standing in blind spots, no flaying of arms or jumping up & down.

[Dave_H_M]

I noticed the reference to two way radios for comms a few times.

We use the two cell phones with both put on speaker. I put the cell on the console and then communicate as necessary without messing with a radio.

[Me_Again]

Common mistake with 5th wheel is not pulling ahead far enough. I always say pull 1.5 times what you think is enough. Chris

[Winnipeg]

Its fun to tease about our partners (DW) and their tendencies to be of limited help in backing up. Some have found (including me) that females are often better at finesse tasks such as backing up a trailer than their male partners--assuming you haven't repeatedly told them that it is something they cannot do.

Remember, some day you will be too old to do the driving. Your options may be to either quit camping or to rely on her to handle it. If the latter is preferred, you may want to make sure she has the confidence and skills that YOU are going to need her to have.

Keep camping.

[rhagfo]

one_strange_texan wrote:
I have seen a lot of perspectives on this thread. It is surprising to me that more drivers are not receptive to advice from their spouses and insist on seeing it all themselves and getting out and looking. We use walkie-talkies. My wife knows she is steering the wheels of the trailer and I have taught her to keep her commands simple as in "back end to the left," "back end to the right," "straight back," and "stop" if I am about to hit something. I am the one who has to anticipate the delayed reaction of the fifth wheel trailer and the need to correct to follow it into the target area. It took some training to clue her into the need to avoid the editorial comments such as "You seem to be having a lot of trouble" and "I don't like this spot, it is hard to back into."

My question to these team backers is what do you do if the spotter is not available??
I use to return the 5er to the storage yard without the DW, and place it into the spot without too much trouble.
I have learned to use the mirrors and will get out and look as necessary, I love my DW, but to me backing into a space is a one person task. During the busy seasons DW only watches for kids and keeps them from going behind the 5er.

[Strabo]

Tips to keep you sane,

Before you begin, tell her no fighting, were a team

2 way radio
Deep breath
Don't rush
Get out and look, see the situation from a perspective you will see in your mind when back in the truck.
Slow and easy, again get out and look.


Now after your done, to make a drink.

[sele]

one_strange_texan wrote:
I have seen a lot of perspectives on this thread. It is surprising to me that more drivers are not receptive to advice from their spouses and insist on seeing it all themselves and getting out and looking. We use walkie-talkies. My wife knows she is steering the wheels of the trailer and I have taught her to keep her commands simple as in "back end to the left," "back end to the right," "straight back," and "stop" if I am about to hit something. I am the one who has to anticipate the delayed reaction of the fifth wheel trailer and the need to correct to follow it into the target area. It took some training to clue her into the need to avoid the editorial comments such as "You seem to be having a lot of trouble" and "I don't like this spot, it is hard to back into."

could I send my friends wife to you for training, lol they always seem to argue about backing in. She has even tried to get in the middle of us backing in.