First Fifth-Wheel

[lancekeys]

Well, I just purchased my first fifth-wheel. After a few camping trips with my wife in our small (very small) pop up, we decided to move up. Well we found a great deal on a fifth wheel.

I did a lot of camping as a kid, but this is my first real trailer of my own. To say the least, I have a lot to learn. Backing it up my driveway was a nightmare! I did get it there at the expense of some of the life of my clutch.

I have read a lot on this forum over the past few days and thought I would go ahead and join so that I could join in on the discussion.

[Artemus_Gordon]

lancekeys wrote:
Well, I just purchased my first fifth-wheel. After a few camping trips with my wife in our small (very small) pop up, we decided to move up. Well we found a great deal on a fifth wheel.

I did a lot of camping as a kid, but this is my first real trailer of my own. To say the least, I have a lot to learn. Backing it up my driveway was a nightmare! I did get it there at the expense of some of the life of my clutch.

I have read a lot on this forum over the past few days and thought I would go ahead and join so that I could join in on the discussion.

I learned a secret from someone that's really helped. They explained that backing up requires fluid movement. Don't turn wheel and keep it there. When trailer starts moving in direction you like, begin turning the other direction. I found teaching my wife was easy once we found a vacant, street and we practiced backing up in straight line! You must correct back and forth. Go find a Industrial park, weekend less or no traffic! I say if you can back up straight, you can learn to back into any spot! Anyone agree?

Worst space I found. Note: only 15 ft in front of truck were parked cars!

[ReneeG]

It does my heart good to read that we are not alone, that others still struggle with it and it takes practice, practice.

[SuperDutyMan]

Congrats on the new rig,if you have a 4X4,stick it in low range backing up,that's what I do if it's a real steep climb,also,always try to back to you left so you can see where the trailer is going until you get familiar with backing....

[RonWSl]

I also just purchased my first 5th wheel, having owner a Class A. The first trip out with it was an "experience" but after a good bit of practice on a large church parking lot we ventured out. It was not as bad as I thought it would be and I hardly felt it behind me towing forward. I was concerend about the backing up on the return trip as my driveway is only wide enough for one car. Back to the same lot for some reverse practice. Backing into my drive and beside my home went better then I expected it would as it only took 2 tries to get it in the driveway and back beyond the house.

You will like this forum - it has saved be a good bit of money in fixing things and making my own repairs over the years.

Ron S

[RonWSl]

I also just purchased my first 5th wheel, having owner a Class A. The first trip out with it was an "experience" but after a good bit of practice on a large church parking lot we ventured out. It was not as bad as I thought it would be and I hardly felt it behind me towing forward. I was concerend about the backing up on the return trip as my driveway is only wide enough for one car. Back to the same lot for some reverse practice. Backing into my drive and beside my home went better then I expected it would as it only took 2 tries to get it in the driveway and back beyond the house.

You will like this forum - it has saved be a good bit of money in fixing things and making my own repairs over the years.

Ron S

[sk734]

Welcome to the forum-it will get better with time and practice. Pull throughs are nice.

[Paul_Clancy]

Yep. Backing will age you quick. Hand on bottom of wheel and move it in the direction you want the back end of the trailer to move. Pull ahead to straighten up as needed. Work with spotter and hop out to see your clearances as needed. Finish. Setup. Brew times.

[deleted-2]

lancekeys wrote:
I have a lot to learn. Backing it up my driveway was a nightmare! I did get it there at the expense of some of the life of my clutch.

I have read a lot on this forum over the past few days and thought I would go ahead and join so that I could join in on the discussion.

Howdy!
Haven't been on RV.NET long myself.
I need more practice driving backwards too...
Never have gotten very good at it after 27 years of trailer pulling :h

Here's to lots of great times in the new fiver!
:C

[stro1965]

To get mine into its parking spot beside the house I have about 4" leeway on each side. There is a gate on the passenger side and the house gutter on the driver side. I'm getting better! The troubles that I've had have been pulling it out, not backing it in!

[0rion]

I also went from a pop up to a 5er. My feeling was you had to initially cut the wheel harder to get the 5er started turning and then back the wheel off once it starts to turn and gradually get it to where you want it. It's always better to pull a little too far forward initially than to not pull forward far enough. My drive is gravel and where I park it the passenger side is ~2" lower ( need to add gravel over there) and I have a 2x12 on that side to make the 2" up. I can hit it first try even with it being on my blind side. Took quite a bit of practice and using other points on the drivers side to get my bearings but I got it and can back that thing up like a boss now.
Our first try into the driveway was an experience though the day I brought it home. We're on a busy road with a 55mph speed limit. I had hazards on and pulled up to start my approach and cars backed up behind me. I had to wait a few seconds for the cars coming towards me and have enough gap between cars to start. The cars behind me were getting impatient and my wife waved one around....right in front of a car coming towards us. No wreck but I'm sure both cars had some choice words for her....and me. Now I do it without a spotter. What I have to watch for is when I pull into the other lane and then swing back out to start my angle cars will pass me on the right from time to time. I hate that. I've almost pulled into a couple doing that. People are in too much of a hurry. If no cars are coming towards me I can literally have it in the drive in 10-15 seconds.

[ReneeG]

Welcome. Yes, it's different backing up a fifth wheel. It's much more responsive. After having ours since August of 2010, we still take it slow in backing up. We back up, stop, check the position, pull forward if we have to, then back up again, slowly and this is with a back up camera and DW spotting with a walkie talkie. Best thing to do is to go to a parking lot and practice. That's what we are going to do . . . again.