WHOA! What I surprise!

[CurtisFamily]

I have always prided myself with my trailer backing skills. My brother in law used to tell me that I could put the trailer on top of the barn if I needed. Tight spot backing in? No Problem! I've never hesitated backing a trailer in any spot. Then yesterday, I backed my first fifth wheel. WOW! Talk about an ego deflator. How do you do it? I now have a new found appreciation for all you guys towing fifth wheels. How could it be that much different from a bumper pull? Luckily, no one was watching, but I felt sooooo inadequate. I can only imagine how much more frustrated I would have been if I had been holding up traffic or actually had anyone watching me. My father taught me to just follow the trailer, but man I could not get the hang of following the fifth wheel. Any tricks?

[CurtisFamily]

Jack_Diane_Freedom wrote:
To me the big difference is that when backing the 5er I back in the 'wheels' and with a TT I back in the 'back' of the trailer. Made a big difference for me.

Spent a couple hours in the parking lot today, and I think this was the key. I stopped looking at the trailer, and pointed my mirrors at the trailer tires, and it was easier to get the hang of when to expect them to start to turn after turning the truck, then I could just drive the tires right down the edge of the cones. Thanks Jack

[Winged_One]

I would add the scoop. It helps not having to try and turn 90 degrees.

The Scoop

[JamesBr]

nole_trainer wrote:
Oh great, as a newbie looking to move to a FW this is not the post I wanted to read!

Its the exact post styles you want to read. Gives you an idea of how different people found ways to be somewhat proficient with backing up the trailer. I too am starting to learn to watch the wheels and check for clearances vs watching the trailer which is how you handle an open or enclosed race trailer.

Beyond that the manuvering ability of the 5th wheel is fine, once you find the best way to stay "on track" and remember that the initial reaction to your steering input is delayed compared to a tag.

[partsman01]

All I can say is there is some good advice here, I have had three fifth wheels since 2005, an 18.5 then a 22 foot now a 24.5 and I have never practised, it has always been hook up go on holidays, get to site back in, then go home at end of holiday and back in to a very tight driveway in our narrow alley with hedges in the way, then repeat the next year, so I learn each time basically two times a year, not the best way as I will never be good at it, but at least I have learned to be calmer about it.
We actually had almost two years during this time where it never moved, so all advice here is good, but yes if you can get in practise I would.

[Tin_Pusher]

If I've learned anything, it's when to stop and take another cut 🙂

[Pinikki36]

Not sure if anyone else has suggested this youtube video by 'Love Your RV'. My husband and I watched it and learned a lot.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZQYgJl-uEE

[CurtisFamily]

Thanks for all the pointers. I'll be out practicing in our empty parking lot. Maybe if I move the fifth wheel all the way to the rear of the bed, it will be like a bumper pull. 🙂

[ol_Bombero-JC]

Hand on the bottom of the wheel - or hand at the top of the wheel?

The "pro" site prefers the top.

Here's a post from 2008 by "ChainReaction" who trained new drivers.

Good stuff, however.......
Scroll down to the *LAST* post on the page in the link.
It's impossible to go direct to (or find via search) "ChainReaction's" post. (maybe because it was moved from one forum to another?)

Top of the Wheel preference - how & why!


.

[Ric_Flair]

The "swing thought" that's helped me the most is that "I'm pushing the nose of the trailer" were I want it to go, and the truck is my hand.

[ol_Bombero-JC]

Two VERY helpful links.

For #2 in above post -

"Backing a 5er" - Dennis M M from 2007

And from a "professional" site, with diagrams, etc.....Newbie Driver - "Backing...Is it really that hard?"

See 45 Degree "Alley Dock"

Really important statement and diagram there for item "C" (error) & reaction time:
"Once you turn the steering wheel in one direction or the other, the trailer does not immediately respond. It takes 6-8 feet before it does, minimum. This back cannot be fixed going backwards....
it must be fixed by a pull up."..;)


~

[ol_Bombero-JC]

crickeydog wrote:
We've had our 5'er just over 10 years now. And I STILL can't back that sucker as accurate as the way I can back a bumper pull.

Happy camping!!! See y'all down the road!!!:)

I have to agree with CD.
Unfortunately, most of us "unlearn" what we learned if it's not a regular occurrence.

Truckers back long trailers on a daily basis. Most of "us" don't.

So, for most/some of us, the real world of backing turns into another practice session whether we thought we needed it or not.

~

Over the years, "Backing" has been a regular topic on this forum.
So - try a search on that term, for some ideas and recommendations from the past - it's one thing that is *always* current.

Here is two versions (of the same thing) found on/in several of those threads:

1. Something you may want to try is driving past the driveway (or space you want to back into) with the driver side as close to the driveway as possible - basically driving 'against' traffic.

Once your kingpin is about to pass the driveway, make a hard right and drive toward the other side of the street. When you are about to run out of room, drive hard left for a few more feet.
You should make a Z on the street with your truck.
This should put the rear of your trailer in line with your driveway.

2. Longer version of #1, see link in post below from 2007.

Happy backing!..;)

~

[greende]

nole_trainer wrote:
Oh great, as a newbie looking to move to a FW this is not the post I wanted to read!

Don't let this thread scare you off. If you own a TT now, did you have to practice some to learn to back it? The big thing about the switch is that with the way the 5er articulates compared to the TT takes some practice. Best advice I'v seen is here on this thread. Turn sooner, Don't turn as far and stop & pull forward to correct (most important one).

[nole_trainer]

Oh great, as a newbie looking to move to a FW this is not the post I wanted to read!

[fireman93514]

Hang in there Randy. It will get better. I had the same problem switching from a TT to a 5er. Had three 5ers before going to the MH. We are thinking of going back to a 5er now.