Well, that went as expected

[beelbill]

I have been pulling and backing trailers for 40 years. But never tried a 5th wheel until today. Brought our new 5th wheel to the mobile home court we will be living in. It pulled much better than a travel trailer. But I can't back it into a site worth crap. When you are backing into a site that is on the driver's side, the 5th wheel is so close and big you can't see squat on the passenger side. My wife was supposed to be back there watching for me, but she was busy throwing twigs in front of my tires to give me better traction. After I hit the tree, I pulled forward and got stuck in the mud. On the bright side, we met all the neighbors who came to watch the show. I now know who the subdivision big mouth is. He was overheard loudly informing each new arrival that I was an unteachable idiot. Once I got towed out of the site, I just left it on the road next to the site to try another more dry day. Should have bought a backup camera but didn't think it was worth it for one vacation a year. Actually, starting to think should have bought a travel trailer. But, everyone said it would be sooooo much easier. They didn't realize I was an unteachable idiot.

[Bar-OneRanch]

I could drop a quarter on my driveway and put a bumper pull tire on it usually in one shot, nice to see I'm not the only who has trouble backing a 5th wheel. I think part of my issue is a crew cab long bed make adjustments quite a task. I'm also surprised to hear I do the hard side backing all the time. I live on a busy highway and have to back in on the passenger side, sometimes I have people that just can't give me a minute to get in the driveway and cut around me. Last summer a guy was waiting while I was having a tough time getting in, I waved him by but he said "No I have to see you finish this, everyone else can wait" thinking was probably a camper too.
Chris

[JourneymanPlumb]

My husband has always pretty much gotten ours in with no trouble, then we bought a new tow truck and all of the sudden it became painful. I do get out to "help", usually by making obscene gestures or basically pretending that I know what to do in front of the neighbors. I'll have to remember the twig excuse next time, that's a good one! Seriously though, some of the campgrounds are ridiculously tight, trees and light poles interfering not to mention where your neighbors have their vehicles and golf carts parked... one time we made two complete rounds for him to decided how he wanted to pull in, then the campground helper came to back us in and suggested the opposite of what we had decided on, hubby decided to try helpers way and it was a nightmare, should have used his own instinct. My biggest tip: I tell him he gets a "special reward" if he gets it in on the first try....we both win!

[gtsum]

gtsum wrote:
I am picking up our first fifth wheel toy hauler today and this thread gives me hope that I wouldnt be one of the few that has issues backing it in:) I have towed trailers and boats quite often and can back most any trailer into any spot the first try, but this thread is suggesting I will have quite the learning curve with the new fifth! Not to mention I will need to be at almost 90 degrees to get it into the driveway...we will see how it goes in a few hours!

Well got the new Fuzion 345 home and in the driveway (uphill driveway to level spot up top) with a 90 degree entrance to the drive. I was surprised it only took 2 tries...maybe having a sidewinder pin box made it easier?

[Old-Biscuit]

Thanks to my GrandPa!

He threw me on a tractor when I was 7 and said see "ya for super".

Since then backing up TTs, FWs, GNs etc. are just second nature.....as is parallel parking.

Backing from drivers side is preferable.
Don't over think it.......that will get you crossed up faster than anything.
Look at where you want rig to end up.....visualize a curved line to get there then 'just do it'

[fred3]

Also look up "the Z method of backing a fifth wheel". Its a pretty good explanation of backing into a slot. And as an added bonus it connects you to lots of pro videos on youtube

[byrdr1]

there is learning curve after backing a TT.
I have learned after 4 years of doing ti to talk to mayself..
I say slow and easy and keep repeting it over and over.. the reason is the 5er reacts quicker and and little movement makes for large tail movement on the 5er.
So slow and easy gets it right. all the other hints helped from most anyone but for me personally. just doing ti "slow and easy" works everytime.
Someone said back from drivers side, which is prefered but to get into my driveway at home I back from the passenger(blind) side and I am backing into a RVPort too. SLOW and easy gets me there each time. I did Sunday with only one major correction and it rolled right where I wanted it.
Take care and remember You are NOT unteachable..
IF that was me, He might have heard me being unthinkable....
randy

[Sport45]

Let us know!

[gtsum]

I am picking up our first fifth wheel toy hauler today and this thread gives me hope that I wouldnt be one of the few that has issues backing it in:) I have towed trailers and boats quite often and can back most any trailer into any spot the first try, but this thread is suggesting I will have quite the learning curve with the new fifth! Not to mention I will need to be at almost 90 degrees to get it into the driveway...we will see how it goes in a few hours!

[lazydays]

Been pulling a 5ver for 7 years now and I still stress about backing into sites. I just keep reminding myself to take it slow. I grew up on a farm also and watched my Dad back in a many pieces of machinery. Last year was his first Gooseneck Cattle trailer. He couldn't believe the difference.

[Stranger]

+I know this won't help you but, once we went to a site at e Casino in Pahrump. We checked in and were told what our site number was. Had a 36' fiver. Got to the site and across the way, there were about 4 or 5 guys sitting in lawn chairs just BSsing. I started to back into the site and lo and behold, their ears perked up and were going to watch "the show".

It was a tough site to get into. Lana said, "Do you want me to spot you?" I said, "No, just keep reading your magazine, I HAVE to do this".

I probably took about 5K miles off the front tires "wiggling" it into the spot but, I did it in one shot!

Even to the point of getting the space between the slides to match the power pole. It was a good day. I was impressed.

Later, at the restaurant, we met one of the guys across from us. "Where, ya staying?" I said, "Right across from you". He said, "You got the grey Dodge?" "Yes, I do." He said, "Dang, you can back! No one EVER gets in these spots in one shot!"

It was a good day, indeed.

With practice, you WILL get good, also!

Practice, practice. practice.

Oh, yeah, tell the wife, not to worry about traction. That's not really under your control. Her job is to stay where YOU can see her, and watch what's above. You worry about where the wheels go. The rest will take care of itself.

Another time, we were backing into a spot and I couldn't see her. I waited and waited.

She struck up a conversation with the guy next to us. She knows, if I can't see her, I don't move. Truck was straight piped. Things get loud when it's impatient. After a couple of raps on the smoke pedal, she got the hint and got to where she could see me and I could see her. Parking proceeded. DO NOT MOVE IF YOU CANNOT SEE HER!

[J-mans_Dad]

Went from a tent to a 32' 5er. First time parking behind the house took 40 minutes, now we're down to 10 min tops from the time we open the gate to time we close it. have to jackknife it 90^ then thru a 12 foot gate. Watch the wheels for where they track, don't be afraid to pull forward to straighten up. I've learned to pick a spot for the wheels to track through. If they don't hit the spot, I pull forward and try again.
Oh and I'm a glutton for punishment, I back in on the blind side using the mirrors only :E

[Cummins12V98]

There is ONE good thing about a TT that it's easier to backup than a 5er.

[Lar_s]

For me it's the length of my truck plus the 5ver. I know where I want it to go, and am headed there, but then the truck either won't turn short enough, or wants to hit something on the other side of the road. I too have backed many, many trailer, but this combination makes it tougher. With my MH I could unhook the toad and just park the buggr... even though it was 40'.

Guess practice makes perfect.

[partsman01]

Yep, lots of fun, I have had to back in all by myself, just means lots of getting out to check progress.
I only tow once a year so will never be that good, but I have fun.