New fifth wheel driver.

Thanks everyone! Great advice. Wisdom wins out again.

I always try to approach a back-in site with it on my left. It is just easier to crank it back that way and see out of the driver's side mirror. But don't freak out if you have to back into a site on your right, you just may have to adjust that right mirror out more.

I stop, get out, and walk around the site prior to backing in. The DW spots for me with hand signals. I back in extremely slow at campgrounds, a little faster if I am backing in a space at a truck stop.

Why is it that what should be the easiest sites to back into i.e. the widest site accessed from the widest road are more likely to give problems than the more difficult ones?

Presently have our near 36' selves sitting in a site really best suited for a <25' trailer or a class B. Paved access road is only 10' wide & has a bank on one side & drop off on the other. The site also has a bank on one side, a drop off on the right & drop off at the back with a severe downhill slope front to back as well as side to side. We are hanging off the back of the site to the tune of of 6' from trailer bumper to ground. I kid you not. I can stand under my stabilizers.

It only took 2 tries to get in thanks in no small part to my DW director.

Last week we went into a pull through, something we rarely get. You would have thought it was the first time parking with all of the jostling to get it 'just so'.

Veebyes wrote:
Don't ever get overconfident. Even after hundreds of backins it still knows how to make an idiot of you every once inawhile.

agreed with this

Veebyes wrote:
Don't ever get overconfident. Even after hundreds of backins it still knows how to make an idiot of you every once inawhile.

X2 just about the time you think you got this you don't start to straighten out quick enough.

Several great suggestions so far!
When backing steer from bottom of the wheel, push the direction you want the back of the 5er to go. I prefer to Palm the wheel and use the mirrors, I avoid turning my head and looking back, mirrors, mirrors, mirrors learn to use them. I also "palm" the wheel when backing, makes for smoother control. Also DW only watches for the idiots that would walk behind a backing trailer. There are many times at the storage yard where I am by myself

Start to straighten out as soon as the rear starts to turn, it will keep turning for a while.

Turning do as truck drivers are instructed go deeper before turning either left or right, don't drift into the next lane. Keep in mind also that a 5er tows about 4' to 6' shorter than a TT.

Always turn from the most outside turn lane, this applies to both left and right turns.

Remember you are likely 13'+ tall, watch for low overhead.

Veebyes wrote:
Don't ever get overconfident. Even after hundreds of backins it still knows how to make an idiot of you every once inawhile.

The company I retied from had a "smart" acronym to go by, GOAL ---- Get Out And Look! When in doubt stop and check it out. Like the earlier poster stated, don't get over confident, once over confidence starts happening trouble soon follows. Practice, practice practice.

Good luck with your RV adventures.

Don't ever get overconfident. Even after hundreds of backins it still knows how to make an idiot of you every once inawhile.

I agree with everything you just read. I want to stress watch your heights on bridges, trees or any low overhangs. Many years ago with my first trip with my new fiver I wasn't careful and found a low hanging branch that ripped the edge of my rubber roof. Found out about earthbound tape and patched it just before the rain hit. Good luck and enjoy.

If you back into site an you cant see the edge of concrete measure tt wheel width That will be no wider than 102 inches Than measure from concrete an put something you can see that distance plus 2-3 inches wider .Aim for your left wheel on tt to just slide by your guide .Take time an this will protect your tires from hitting concrete.Also everyone in park will try to guide you so use good manners an only let trusted person guide you.

Thanks Old Biscuit. I need to get better at pulling into sites and I understand how your advice should help me.

And 'X2' on his comments about wheel chocks !

FWIW I bought 4 big rubber wheel chocks thru Amazon. They weigh 8 pounds apiece but they sure inspire confidence on any kind of unlevel surface. They have an eye bolt sticking out the side so I tied a short loop of 3/8 line onto it. I just throw them in the back of my truck so they are handy.

Tim


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