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Newby to towing Fifth Wheel

sstephen
Explorer
Explorer
We go pick up our new fifth wheel today and we are a bit nervous. Our RV days have always been with a travel trailer, and we are not sure how complicated living with a fifth wheel is going to be versus the trailer. But we sold the old one in the fall and decide to buy a brand new Wildcat Fifth.

Basic questions we have are around unhooking and leveling and what is best practice. Hope this doesn't sound like we are idiots... but don't want to make an expensive mistake either.

Anyone have a link in this forum that maybe walks through this, it would be most appreciated.
25 REPLIES 25

sonny_mensies
Explorer
Explorer
Hi something to think about is if the trailer is over 10,000 LBS you will need to upgrade your drivers license to have a heavy RV trailer endorsement on it to legally drive. I am not positive on regulations in Alberta but it is this way in B.C.

sdetweil
Explorer
Explorer
TrooperTaylor wrote:


Very good advice here!!!!! I went from a TT to a 5er and the first thing I did was tear the roof off on a low overpass on my way home from the dealer :S:o:M:(

$7,802.72 total for repairs


Ouch!.. I know your pain! I hit low trees 1/4 mile from home after driving 1400 miles without issue.. $6400 repair. took the county 95 days to trim the trees.
2012 Ford F350 DRW, 6.7 diesel.
2013 Keystone Alpine 3720FB

TrooperTaylor
Explorer
Explorer
CANAMKID wrote:
Don't forget to look up also, as you are going to be tall also. We are
at 13'3". The Federal limit is 13'6". low over hangs, short bridges etc.
:B


Very good advice here!!!!! I went from a TT to a 5er and the first thing I did was tear the roof off on a low overpass on my way home from the dealer :S:o:M:(

$7,802.72 total for repairs
2012 Ram 2500 4X2 6.7 CTD
2014 Keystone Cougar 330RBK

rhagfo
Explorer III
Explorer III
To the OP how did it go??
Russ & Paula the Beagle Belle.
2016 Ram Laramie 3500 Aisin DRW 4X4 Long bed.
2005 Copper Canyon 293 FWSLS, 32' GVWR 12,360#

"Visit and Enjoy Oregon State Parks"

taybrynn
Explorer
Explorer
I also am a new fifth wheel owner and trying to learn the skills of backing a 39' rig up. I did find this trucker video on backing up interesting, but was wondering how applicable it is to a fifth wheel. It looks like the same principles would apply. I liked the whole concept of setting things up, and the S turn is mentioned ... it got me thinking a lot more about how I "wasn't" doing any of these things. The process seemed similar to that described by valhalla360 previously

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1J0FH4CeaY

ol_Bombero-JC
Explorer
Explorer
sstephen wrote:
We go pick up our new fifth wheel today and we are a bit nervous. Our RV days have always been with a travel trailer, and we are not sure how complicated living with a fifth wheel is going to be versus the trailer. But we sold the old one in the fall and decide to buy a brand new Wildcat Fifth.

Basic questions we have are around unhooking and leveling and what is best practice. Hope this doesn't sound like we are idiots... but don't want to make an expensive mistake either.

Anyone have a link in this forum that maybe walks through this, it would be most appreciated.


Go to YouTube.

Guaranteed there's a video on there for just about everything and anything.

Be creative with some title names - and you're bound to find several.

~

CANAMKID
Explorer
Explorer
Don't forget to look up also, as you are going to be tall also. We are
at 13'3". The Federal limit is 13'6". low over hangs, short bridges etc.
:B
CanAmKid

cruz-in
Explorer
Explorer
An auto-slider hitch seems to make backing a bit more interesting as the center of rotation moves aft as the angle between truck and trailer increases....
2011 Monaco Vesta
Interesting Coach
This particular one was the prototype.

sidney
Explorer
Explorer
MichiganTraveler wrote:
Check out this blog post for backing your fifth wheel -
http://michigantraveler.org/2013/01/22/z-method-for-backing-a-5th-wheel/


Per the diagram in the link:

When I have tried to use the Z method... If there are trees or other obstructions on the right hand side of the road... I have found I do not have enough room to swing the front end of the TV around when backing in without hitting obstructions that line the right hand side of the road. I have had better luck starting and staying on the left side of the road when baking in our 5th.

MichiganTravele
Explorer
Explorer
Check out this blog post for backing your fifth wheel -
http://michigantraveler.org/2013/01/22/z-method-for-backing-a-5th-wheel/
Bob Wangen
Not all those who wander are lost!

txdutt
Explorer
Explorer
Whatever hitch you put in the bed of your truck makes a difference as well. On my Curt hitch, you know 100% for certain if you're locked on the pin or not when you're hooking up. Great advice from everyone else, I've had 2 TT's & Class A before the current rig over the years & the 5'er is my favorite....
2011 Ford F250 Lariat C/C 6.7 PSD w/Curt 20K Lb Hitch & rear Timbrens
2013 Chevy Tahoe LT 4x4
2013 Infinity 3860MS 5'er/15.5K GVW/41'
U.S. Navy 1978-1986

kellertx5er
Explorer
Explorer
Best tip I ever read for backing up ANY trailer- Watch the wheels, the trailer won't go anywhere the wheels don't. You obviously need a spotter to watch the trailer itself to avoid structures, trees, etc.
Keller TX
'19 Chevy 2500HD 6.0L
'09 Outback Sydney 321FRL 5er
SUPPORT TEXAS STATE PARKS

valhalla360
Nomad III
Nomad III
The only real difference is when backing into a spot, it's slower to start turning but you can turn much sharper (kind of a wash in terms of manuverability).

The way to mitigate the slow to start is use an S-curve approach:
- I could care less which side I'm backing into, the geometry is no different and you guide is doing the directing.
- Approach the site, drive on the side of the road as close to the site as possible.
- As your rear truck tires pass the site (you may need to adjust the starting point depending on your rig dimensions), turn hard away from the site and continue forward.
- When you run out of room, turn hard back toward the site and continue forward until the rear of the trailer is just past the site.
- If you've done it right, the rear of the trailer is turned toward the site by 20-30 degrees and the truck is at a 20-30 degree angle to the trailer.
- Since there is already an angle between the truck and trailer, you have gotten past the worst of the slow to start turning issue.
- Back it up the same as a bumper pull.
Tammy & Mike
Ford F250 V10
2021 Gray Wolf
Gemini Catamaran 34'
Full Time spliting time between boat and RV

laknox
Nomad
Nomad
proptwister wrote:
bobcouch wrote:
One other thing to consider.
The 5er will act different from your old trailer when cornering. Always pull a little further into the intersection and turn sharper than you did with your bumper pull - especially on right-hand turns. Otherwise you may find yourself jumping a curb.
You'll get used to this very quickly, but it is something you will have to learn.


That is one of the bigger thing you will notice right away. Your 5th wheel will track much shorter on the inside of the turns. Where a bumper pull will follow the track of your truck fairly close, the 5th wheel trailer will have you jumping curbs, or worse. Swing considerably further into the turn to keep this from happening.

Its sounds worse than it really is. You'll get the hang of it fairly quick.

Matt


Also, you're bigger than most of the rest of traffic, so don't be afraid to take a lane-and-a-half to make a turn, if you need to. Let the plebes go around =you=, or stop behind you. Just watch for the a-holes on bikes (both kinds), SMART cars, Fiat 500's and Minis, who might try to sneak by on the inside.

Lyle
2022 GMC Sierra 3500 HD Denali Crew Cab 4x4 Duramax
B&W OEM Companion & Gooseneck Kit
2017 KZ Durango 1500 D277RLT
1936 John Deere Model A
International Flying Farmers 64 Year Member