5th wheel noob

[JabbaLB]

Still looking for a few tips and tricks for backing into the site and set up! Thanks guys

[BamaBob]

Welcome to the Forums from Huntsville, AL!

Here are a few tips from my 5er backing files

• Turn the steering wheel in the opposite direction that you want the trailer to go. Some folks like to place a hand at the bottom of the steering wheel and move it in the direction they want the trailer to turn towards.
• Practice, Practice, Practice! There is no substitute for it. To learn how your particular truck and rig move together you have to get out there and do it. This way you will develop a feel for how the rig reacts.
• Take your time. Get out and survey the situation. Plan how you want to back the trailer in. Look for obstacles and move anything that is in the way. Don’t forget to look up. Tree branches can ruin your day.
• Have a good spotter. My wife spots me and we have a simple but very clear set of hand signals. We discuss our tactics so both know how we want to perform the backing maneuvers. Also if I can’t see her I don’t back up.
• Have clean and properly adjusted mirrors and use them. Make sure you can see your spotter in your mirrors and monitor them every few seconds.
• Pay attention to the front. It’s very easy to get all caught up in backing and forget what is right in front of the truck. While the trailer turns into the RV site your truck front end will be heading away from it at the same time until you pass the middle point in the turn.
• Ignore all the helpful bystanders they will usually only cause confusion. Have one spotter you can trust. Folks are very well meaning but too many cooks ruin the meal.
• Try to always back into spots on the driver’s side. Backing into a spot on the passenger side is called a blind back in and is more difficult, due to limited visibility with the trailer blocking your vision.
• Push the fifth wheel. I find it helpful to think about backing the trailer as pushing it with the truck. Like taking a fully loaded shopping cart and pushing it around from the front end.
• Write this down and stick it on the dash – (GOAL) It stands for Get Out And Look and is used by professional truck drivers. Never keep backing up if you’re unsure about something. I sometimes stop 3 or 4 times to look if it’s a difficult spot or a blind side back in.

[pacin]

goal--I like that very much.

[Scubaboy323]

Hey BamaBob,

Not to hijack the post, but what is the Revolution 1" mod? I have the F150 Ecoboost and reese revolution as well. Actually just got it.

[JabbaLB]

Thanks for the advice our first back in will be 4th of July weekend!

[Oakman]

Originally Posted by JabbaLB

Thanks for the advice our first back in will be 4th of July weekend!

If you have the chance take your rig to an empty parking lot and lay out a campsite using clothesline and practice backing in. Church parking lots are usually empty except for Sundays.

[elind]

A new trick I started to do is to use our cell phones with the spotter. My truck has Bluetooth hook up that gives me hand free talking to the spotter. OR just walkie talkies when they are in a blind spot.

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by Oakman

If you have the chance take your rig to an empty parking lot and lay out a campsite using clothesline and practice backing in. Church parking lots are usually empty except for Sundays.

You can also use red solo cups filled with water for a little better visibility. Cheap and don't cost much of anything when you run over a few.

Originally Posted by elind

A new trick I started to do is to use our cell phones with the spotter. My truck has Bluetooth hook up that gives me hand free talking to the spotter. OR just walkie talkies when they are in a blind spot.

Agreed- wife and I use cell phones. The nice side effect is that the men who would previously come over to help (ironically, friends and family were the worst with this) get the point that I'm only hearing and listening to her without us having to say anything. If they still stick around, they get put at strategic points and are told to shout if I'm going to hit something. That's the only input I take from anyone but my wife when backing in.

[QCCowboy]

As you are practicing, also pay attention to the distance between the trailer and cab of your truck. If you have a short bed this is even more critical. You will want to know how tight of a turn you can make without damaging the TV.

[mjones12]

All good advice. Especially Bama Bob's comment on watching where your truck is. I was once so focused on where my trailer was going that I failed to see a tree until I noticed it was about two inches from my drivers-side mirror. Didn't hit it, but learned a lesson about backing. My spotter, with walkie-talkie, was also focused on the trailer and not the truck.

[Radio]

I have a huge dent in the back of my cab because of my laziness and complacency. I have a 6.5ft bed on a F150 and a slider hitch.

I found out one day that the trailer WILL clear the cab without moving the slider. (at least in my case) Oh joy!!

And THEN I found that is true ONLY on FLAT, LEVEL ground. If the site/driveway is even the slightest bit uphill, CRUNCH!!

Dammit.

And I found out there's not a lot of noise while the damage is being done, just a little rubber-squeaking-on-metal sound. And then the rear window explodes. Fortunately I didn't get that far.

Take your time and be aware.

[Scubaboy323]

I've backed into my driveway 3 times now with no incident. The cellphone and Bluetooth that Elind mentioned is excellent. We are going to use this method all the time. Just got to remember that even though my ladder isn't hitting the house climbing it puts my head into the eaves trough. I'm 1" shorter now.

[BamaBob]

Originally Posted by Scubaboy323

I've backed into my driveway 3 times now with no incident. The cellphone and Bluetooth that Elind mentioned is excellent. We are going to use this method all the time. Just got to remember that even though my ladder isn't hitting the house climbing it puts my head into the eaves trough. I'm 1" shorter now.

OUCH! I've done that myself

X1000 on the Bluetooth in the cab & spouse on the Cell! And it DOES discourage "helpers"

Originally Posted by Radio

I have a huge dent in the back of my cab because of my laziness and complacency. I have a 6.5ft bed on a F150 and a slider hitch.

I found out one day that the trailer WILL clear the cab without moving the slider. (at least in my case) Oh joy!!

And THEN I found that is true ONLY on FLAT, LEVEL ground. If the site/driveway is even the slightest bit uphill, CRUNCH!!

Dammit.

Sorry about your mishap Radio

I think this is where the Reese Revolution comes in handy (it moves the pivot point back 22") so redless of angle, the 5er can never hit the Cab (we have a 6.5' bed as well)

[Weezer]

DH and I use the Bluetooth/cell phone method, along with certain signals such as if I yell STOP and slap the side of the rig that means stop RIGHT NOW, STAND on that brake pedal! Used that signal the day before we acquired the yellow power chord of shame. Unfortunately it was *after* the loud pop...damage was done at that point.

Over the past year we really haven't had the helper/volunteers, just looky loos.

Maybe the Weezer Scowl keeps 'em at bay. /snark

Seriously though, when the two of you have worked out your system, additional directions can distract and throw a monkey wrench into it with bad results.