fifth wheel backing up

mwgus · 09-30-2018, 02:54 PM

hello thanks for letting me joining this forum. I have had a travel trailer for 15 years. we just purchased a 5th wheel. I have never had a problem backing up. but seem to have a problem backing up our 5thwheel. does any one have any suggestions, or tricks for backing up. thanks Gus

Stripit · 09-30-2018, 04:52 PM

Practice, practice, that is how most of us gained the expertise in our backing skills. I found a large vacant parking lot and placed cones out and tried to get the trailer in between the cones. At first it was not pretty, squashed a few cones and felt this was a lot harder that I had ever thought. But after more practice and a few new unsquashed cones, I got it. I also found going the extra 50 to 100 feet beyond where I wanted to back in gave me some room to adjust easier than trying to back in into a site if I was just a bit beyond the site. 5th wheels and travel trailers back different because of the hitch placement.

mwgus · 09-30-2018, 07:33 PM

thank for your reply, I tried the extra distance and it worked it made it possible to get it in first shot.

elliott-maine · 10-08-2018, 04:33 PM

The easiest way to back a 5th wheel is to look where you want the tires to go, and have a safty person to watch the rear of the trailer. I've even heard of people who laid out their extension cord along the path they want their wheels to go.

hotpepperkid · 10-08-2018, 04:53 PM

Just remember a 5th wheel doesnt cheat as quick as a trailer but when it starts it goes big time, so most of us over steer

grafton guns · 10-08-2018, 06:03 PM

Definitely use a spotter. Give yourself plenty of room. Back up slowly. Try and give yourself as much room to back up straight and then Gently steer the ass end towards your spotter. I use the wife as a spotter on my driver side.

SrFox · 10-08-2018, 10:53 PM

I remember when I went from bumper pull to 5th wheel. It just takes a bit of practice. There is good advice above about giving yourself more room and watch where your trailer tires go. Good luck.

Canuck_Dave · 10-11-2018, 08:01 AM

Best clue I heard about backing up a 5th ( our first summer after years of bumper tow) was GOAL , Get Out And Look as often as needed. Go slow and practice lots.