We keep our FW in a storage area about 5 mi from our house. It's not terrible, but loading for trips, water etc, gets to be a bit of a pain. It would certainly be easier to bring to the house to load. We live in a gated community, and getting through the gate, while tight, is manageable. But we live at the end of a cul-de-sac. In order to back into my driveway I will have to circumnavigate the cul-de-sac. I used to do it with our 30' MH but that's completely different. Our FW is 30'. My truck is long with the 8' bed and I can make the trip around it, so my thinking is I should be able to do with the FW in tow. I've had it near 90 degrees before so that isn't really an issue. But I certainly don't want to jackknife it. Any thoughts on this? The alternative is to make a right hand turn on the main street across from ours and back the whole way down the road - about 1/8 mi. Less risk with this approach and do-able, but my backing up skills are still intermediate at best. Thinking that would be a long process.

Usually it is easier to turn and maneuver a fiver than a TT. You can make sharper turns for one thing and the mount is over the rear axle not hanging off the rear bumper.Maybe practice in a parking lot on a Sunday when it's empty. Use empty boxes to set up a space about the same size as the cul-de-sac

One of my main concerns I meant to mention is, even if I can do it, should I? Making tight turns on our FW the tires start to drag and move sideways a bit. Our Culdesac is paved and I am afraid doing this could separate the belts, stress the axles etc. Maybe I am borrowing trouble, but that's a lot of stress on the tires and axles as at some point they would basically be moving sideways.

If you can get the truck 90 degrees to the trailer without hitting the cab, should be no problem swinging a U-turn in the cul-de-sac. Your other option, is quite viable also. I assume it's low volume so traffic shouldn't be a problem to back down the road. Just take your time. Since 5th wheels are slow to start turning when backing, you generally have plenty of time to correct. 660ft isn't far. Worst case if it starts to get away from you, pull forward 20-30ft to get it in line and start backing again.Do it a few times and your skills will improve.

way2roll wrote:One of my main concerns I meant to mention is, even if I can do it, should I? Making tight turns on our FW the tires start to drag and move sideways a bit. Our Culdesac is paved and I am afraid doing this could separate the belts, stress the axles etc. Maybe I am borrowing trouble, but that's a lot of stress on the tires and axles as at some point they would basically be moving sideways.One of the differences between passenger tires and ST tires are that ST sidewall construction is designed to tolerate scrubbing. It shouldn't be an issue, especially if you're running load range G or H with steel belts.As far as the axles, I'd be more worried about the leaf hangers. Most fifth wheels I've seen have simple brackets hanging off the frame without any cross bracing.Where we used to store our fifth wheel when we had a sticks and bricks, I had to jack knife it to get it into the space. I never had an issue, repeating this probably over a hundred times.Once we went FT, I added Mor/ryde X-factor Crossmembers because I was concerned about the longevity of the spring hangers with how they were attached. We scrub regularly getting into tight spots and have never had anything related to the axles, suspension, or tires fail. *knock on wood*

Turning a FW around in a Culdesac | Good Sam Community

4x4ord
Explorer III
Jun 25, 2021
I probably don’t worry enough about things but why not just pull in frontwards and try going around the cul-de-sac. If you don’t like the way the tires are scrubbing simply back out … turn into the cross street and back up your street.

I once was travelling down the highway with a 90 foot long 14 foot wide piece of equipment in tow when I thought a coke and burger would taste pretty good. I drove into the next town going right through their downtown area and found a McDonalds. I pulled into the parking lot and low and behold there was a place just right for me to pull into. The hardest part was constantly ignoring the voice of reason that kept nagging me from the front passenger seat.
Dtank
Explorer
Jun 17, 2021
Cummins12V98 wrote:
Big Firetruck can do it you can also.

What's "big"?

100" aerial w/tiller = yes...piece of cake! (Tractor/trailer with steered rear wheels).
The steered rears make the/a big difference between him & them.

The 85' Snorkel (48' 6" long) I drove, would not.

Among other reasons, that's why FDs in communities with PRD (private residential developments - narrow streets & cul-de-sacs) go to aerial apparatus with tillers for their Truck Companies.

OP - save your equipment! Practice making "adjustments" as/if needed.

:W

.
Veebyes
Explorer II
Jun 16, 2021
Got a neighbours driveway that can be put to use in breaking down that 180' turn?
Njmurvin
Explorer
Jun 14, 2021
I have a similar setup as described. I can manage the turn if no one is parked on the loop I have to make. Last time I attempted this, there were two cars parked and I gave it a shot anyway. Big mistake. I got it around. But it tested my nerves and skills to the hilt. Next time that happens, I'll be trying the back-in method.
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Jun 14, 2021
BarneyS wrote:
Cummins12V98 wrote:
snip... When I was part way out I looked at the second trailer hop up and over the curb that it was 8" from when parked. Glad I had my Motorcycle secured well.

That is because of the long extension of just about all trailers behind the axles. For the newbees, that is called "tail swing" and if you are not careful it can get you in trouble.
Barney

It was a real eye opener for sure. Nice to pass that info along.
BarneyS
Explorer III
Jun 14, 2021
Cummins12V98 wrote:
snip... When I was part way out I looked at the second trailer hop up and over the curb that it was 8" from when parked. Glad I had my Motorcycle secured well.

That is because of the long extension of just about all trailers behind the axles. For the newbees, that is called "tail swing" and if you are not careful it can get you in trouble.
Barney
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Jun 14, 2021
"I always go by, if I can drive the truck and turn it around with out having to back up I can do it with the 5th wheel as the 5th wheel tracks narrower"

Good point!

On another note if double towing the back trailer rides outside the RV. I was parked along a curb double towing. I cranked hard left to cross traffic and head the other direction. When I was part way out I looked at the second trailer hop up and over the curb that it was 8" from when parked. Glad I had my Motorcycle secured well.
pyoung47
Explorer
Jun 13, 2021
It is stressful on tires and wheels. Spread some sand on the street before your maneuver.
StirCrazy
Moderator
Jun 13, 2021
I always go by, if I can drive the truck and turn it around with out having to back up I can do it with the 5th wheel as the 5th wheel tracks narrower. so if you want to know if you can do somthing try it with out the 5th first and see how much room you have.

Steve
SweetLou
Explorer
Jun 13, 2021
valhalla360 wrote:
If you can get the truck 90 degrees to the trailer without hitting the cab, should be no problem swinging a U-turn in the cul-de-sac.

Your other option, is quite viable also. I assume it's low volume so traffic shouldn't be a problem to back down the road. Just take your time. Since 5th wheels are slow to start turning when backing, you generally have plenty of time to correct. 660ft isn't far. Worst case if it starts to get away from you, pull forward 20-30ft to get it in line and start backing again.

Do it a few times and your skills will improve.

With out reading all this stuff you don't need to know, just back it down as Valhalla says. It's not rocket science here and have a spotter as you back so you don't hit a parked car. I do it all the time and I am good enough to not really need the spotter. I use one just in case a neighbor pulls out of driveway. Easy. If you can't back this down with any kind of trailer, I would rethink Why I have one.