omg!!!!!!!!

[caysea7254]

So we picked up our 2015 Grand Design Reflection last night and hubby had a very hard time backing into our driveway and told him he was too close to the mail box but of course he was at wits end by now cause that was about his 5th try backing up and guess what he scraped the side of our trailer with the mail box!!!!!!! Now we have to get it fixed!!!! He was very upset, but he thinks it is much harder to back 5th wheel than our trailer. But it is tight squeeze for him to get in driveway. Anyway that is our happy little story bringing home the new 5th!!!! Lol it is what it is:)

[2hams]

Ouch! We had a run in between the underside of the nose and the truck bed on a very steep hill and turn.

You will love your Reflection.

[rhagfo]

Jetstreamer wrote:
Gotta have a spotter!

Can't count the times I have backed up the 5er without a spotter. Most at the storage yard, but also at a park during the off season, (no hordes of kids).
Three things I try to always do.

#1 Steer from the bottom of the wheel so you know which way the trailer should go.

#2. Make small inputs, and start to com back to neutral soon.

#3. Always use the mirrors avoid looking over your shoulder.

[0rion]

caysea7254 wrote:
Jet streamer I was the spotter! I told him he was going to scrape but at that point he was so frustrated he said I will handle this! I know when I'm too close! So when he scraped all I said was yep you handled that real well! 🙂

as a husband myself I can't tell you how happy we are when you wives say things like this. After we mess up it's always nice to have someone there to remind us that we just messed up. 😄

[BillB3857]

One other thing to watch for when backing is the crown of the road. While backing into a campsite with a large tree at the entrance, I was sure I had cleared the tree but didn't allow for the side to side tip of the trailer due to the crown. A long scape of an upper limb of the tree tore the rubber roof right at the edge of the trailer. I, nor my spotter, realized we had hit until the next day. She says to me, "What's that on top of the trailer?" After an emergency patch of about 6 feet of rubber roof, all was secure until we got a new roof installed. Surprisingly, there was no frame or plywood damage: just a long tear in the rubber.

[caysea7254]

And a big thanks to all of you with your great advise! Both of us appreciate your kindness!:)

[caysea7254]

Jet streamer I was the spotter! I told him he was going to scrape but at that point he was so frustrated he said I will handle this! I know when I'm too close! So when he scraped all I said was yep you handled that real well! 🙂

[laknox]

Tara, until you get it fixed, find some pinstriping tape and make "stitches" over the "wound". Might add a touch of humor to the situation. 🙂

Lyle

[Jetstreamer]

Gotta have a spotter!

[Water-Bug]

The only thing more entertaining than watching a novice back up a 5er is an afternoon observing at a busy boat ramp, especially if it starts to rain.

[musicman54]

we have had ours almost 2 years and still haveing a hard time sometimes he will get it there are videos on the web congrats on your new home

[blofgren]

Oh, that really sucks! Good on you for taking it in stride, though.

Fifth wheels are definitely more difficult to back up than travel trailers. They are very slow to react but when they do they go quickly and you must quickly turn the steering wheel in the opposite direction to begin to follow them around to avoid getting caught in the turn and being unable to straighten out. If you do get caught in the turn, stop and pull forward to straighten out because it will not get any better by continuing to reverse! Visibility in the mirrors is also very limited once they start to turn. One thing that I see a lot of people doing (and I used to do often) is not pulling far enough forward prior to attempting to back in. You need to ensure that the trailer is well past the intended target prior to try to back it in, like a previous poster suggested.

Other than that I agree that the fifth wheel is far superior to a travel trailer. Practice up and it will soon be second nature to you.

By the way, congratulations on the unit! The Grand Design units are very beautiful.

[MFinCA]

06Fargo wrote:
We always use a Monback when backing in blind.

I do 99% of the towing. Once we get to the site, I become the Monback and my wife drives it into the spot. 😄

[noteven]

We always use a Monback when backing in blind.

[caysea7254]

NC Hauler you hit it on the nail. That is what that phrase means. I just assumed most knew 🙂 and coach-man I wish we could just rub it out but the mail box is metal and it went clear to the fiberglass. And thanks everyone for giving suggestions on what might help him.:)

[Paul_Clancy]

Why we buy insurance. I find the worst backing when I'm tired. Had a little kid on a bike one time offer to help. God I laughed. I should of handed him the keys.