Backing into a 5th wheel

[pwb01]

I'm new to the 5th wheel world and have had trouble lining up the pin. I can't see it from my seat and take several tries to line it up.

I found a rechargerable battery operated camera with a magnetic base and monitor. I put the camera on the roof of the cab and the monitor on a suction cup on the windshield..... back right in every time now. It has only 2 hour battery life but works great later on the camper bumber as I back into the campsite. Includes a 120v and 12v charger and has a 300' range.

It's by "Mobile Awareness" and cost around $220. The infrared lights are quite effective in the dark too.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by pwb01

I'm new to the 5th wheel world and have had trouble lining up the pin. I can't see it from my seat and take several tries to line it up.

I found a rechargerable battery operated camera with a magnetic base and monitor. I put the camera on the roof of the cab and the monitor on a suction cup on the windshield..... back right in every time now. It has only 2 hour battery life but works great later on the camper bumber as I back into the campsite. Includes a 120v and 12v charger and has a 300' range.

It's by "Mobile Awareness" and cost around $220. The infrared lights are quite effective in the dark too.

Couldn't see mine either especially with half of a tonneau cover so I made this.

[pwb01]

I have a tonneau cover rolled up in the way too. You must have a mag base on that mirror. Good idea!

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by pwb01

I have a tonneau cover rolled up in the way too. You must have a mag base on that mirror. Good idea!

My tonneau cover is a full hard Undercover that I modified. The mirror hooks into the 2 holes in the pin box and comes off and stows in the bed of the truck.

[SteveBingham52]

OldCoot you need to start selling some of these things. I do thank you for the several great tips I have copied for free I use the little balls on magnetic base but seeing will be much better.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by SteveBingham52

OldCoot you need to start selling some of these things. I do thank you for the several great tips I have copied for free I use the little balls on magnetic base but seeing will be much better.

Originally Posted by pwb01

I have a tonneau cover rolled up in the way too. You must have a mag base on that mirror. Good idea!

If either of you are going to Goshen, I will bring it and the first one over to the camper can have it. You might have to modify as it has 2 hooks that fit into the holes in the hitchbox. I don't use it anymore now that I figured out how to back in with 1/2 of the tonneau cover off.

[wneise]

I have a small tab on the top of the back seat and line it up with the light on the pin box through the rear view mirror. Works every time.

[rockport]

My center headrest lines up perfect with pin. Nothing fancy here.

[Windywest]

If you need a camera for either 5th wheel or bumper hitch use, Costco has a Uniden Baby Monitor camera and receiver for $99. Works like a charm, has night vision, over 100' range, record function, battery on both sender and receiver is good for hours, plus has an AC adapter for both, plus and place for an additional SD card. I used mine for a couple trys, but now have my 5th wheel figured out.. height and center. You can't go too wrong for $99 and it's great for watching the outside of the camper at night (or inside if you have kids or pets) for all sorts of human or animal wildlife.

[BarryD0706]

A 100 foot range is insufficient for most uses.

See this: http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ply-33506.html

[Windywest]

It all depends on how you use it. I had the monitor inside the cab, the camera on the back on the box about 8' away. 100' IMO is lots of distance, even to set the camera up behind the trailer as a guide... or have the wife hold it instead of giving finger directions.

[pappcam]

Originally Posted by BarryD0706

A 100 foot range is insufficient for most uses.

See this: http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ply-33506.html

Can you be more specific?

[BarryD0706]

Originally Posted by pappcam

Can you be more specific?

I guess I'd have to ask you the same.;-)

Either you mean about why 100' isn't enough (because that's thru clear air, and you'll be trying to use it thru RV walls and truck walls...450 is barely enough) ...

or you mean about specific posts in that long thread (the meat of it starts at post #1).

[Jctoona]

Hi everyone, I have been reading all the posts since I joined a couple of months ago. Just waiting for my new 8282ws. It has only been 15weeks. After 12 weeks I find out the dealer and the FR rep. Forgot to order my new unit.

How's that for customer service!!

Anyway, most people now days each have a cell phone. Just have your wife, girl friend or trained dog, call you on your cell and back you in without yelling at each other.

[JoeMazz]

Ordered my 8282ws April 9th and still haven't taken delivery. Arrived at the dealer July 9th and the missing pieces have been trickling in since. Still waiting ona fireplace and countertop.

[Windywest]

We only have one cell phone that we use just for emergencies, so we'd still be yelling at each other. We actually do have a couple of those 2-way walkie talkie things, but keep forgetting to get them out. I'd get along fine with my wife directing me if she would stay in my line of mirror sight. I don't know how many times I've had to get out of the truck and tell her to move from standing directly behind the trailer giving me hand directions . Besides other uses, I have used my backup camera at our trailer storage site so I know how far back I can go to the fence line.

[pwb01]

Originally Posted by pwb01

I'm new to the 5th wheel world and have had trouble lining up the pin. I can't see it from my seat and take several tries to line it up.

I found a rechargerable battery operated camera with a magnetic base and monitor. I put the camera on the roof of the cab and the monitor on a suction cup on the windshield..... back right in every time now. It has only 2 hour battery life but works great later on the camper bumber as I back into the campsite. Includes a 120v and 12v charger and has a 300' range.

It's by "Mobile Awareness" and cost around $220. The infrared lights are quite effective in the dark too.

The original comment here is about backing into the pin. After 1 year now I find that the real problem is that with a short bed pickup, the pin box pivots at the top not the pin. With the steel bar that locks the pinbox behind the pin there's no room for error on hookup. I have to be exactly lined up to both hook up and release the pin or it jams. Knowing this now it's a little easier.

[Herk7769]

I use a very "non-technical" solution.

I used an arrow shaped post-it note and taped it to the rear window of the truck. I stuck it using the following technique.

I disconnected and pulled forward just enough for the pin to clear the hitch; then raised it till I could see the pin in the rear view mirror.

Then had the DW stick the post-it to the window in a location that was centered in my rear view mirror and aligned with the pin.

Now I hook up by myself and have a 90% 1 pass hitch rate. Usually the failures are "not level" hitch head to pin box issues (side to side).

[pwb01]

Originally Posted by herk7769

I use a very "non-technical" solution.

I used an arrow shaped post-it note and taped it to the rear window of the truck. I stuck it using the following technique.

I disconnected and pulled forward just enough for the pin to clear the hitch; then raised it till I could see the pin in the rear view mirror.

Then had the DW stick the post-it to the window in a location that was centered in my rear view mirror and aligned with the pin.

Now I hook up by myself and have a 90% 1 pass hitch rate. Usually the failures are "not level" hitch head to pin box issues (side to side).

I can't see the 5th wheel at all having a back seat in the truck but I do something similar. I back up linging up my rear middle headrest on the pin box and fine tune with the camera.

I also had trouble backing it into the driveway and ending up straight so I could pull straight away. One time while leaving I had my wife spray paint white dots along the wheels on the driveway. Now I have an arc of several white dots and a landing pattern to follow.

Good idea Lou, thanks.

[Jjsav]

With a Crew Max style truck it is definitely harder. I take out my rear center head rest and I put a blue line on the front of my hitch (that I can see from the cab), that lines up with the center of the pin slot on the hitch. That gives me a reference point. Now I can do it pretty easy, plus lots of practice.

I also find that if I am alone it goes well. If I have an audience, I seem to have problems and have to take a second crack at it....