Backing up a 5th wheel..

[tucsonrv]

I've drove a tractor all my growing days pulling a trailer, had 4 TT, and on my 3rd 5er. A 5er is very sensitive in backing, get the back of the trailer started going where you want it and start the truck following then don't wait or you will be pulling forward again and again.

[bucsfan116]

I found a gadget that has a 1x2 magnet on it, about an 18" rod with yellow tennis balls on top. Package comes with 2 of them. Place one on 5th wheel and the other on receiver hitch and line them up while backing. While backing have someone watch your hangover and you watch the tire. Watch just where the tire is going and follow it. I'm new to RVing but retired with 36 yrs of Tractor Trailer cross country, that is how I taught backing to new drivers. Watch where the tire goes and trailer will follow.

[Dasmoeturhead]

Originally Posted by tucsonrv

I've drove a tractor all my growing days pulling a trailer, had 4 TT, and on my 3rd 5er. A 5er is very sensitive in backing, get the back of the trailer started going where you want it and start the truck following then don't wait or you will be pulling forward again and again.

Yup! And of course practice.

[grassy]

This may sound stupid but what made my backing up go from really difficult to easy peasy was changing the tires on the rig..

I moved from STs to LTs and it was like the whole environment changed..

I now whip up to my driveway like I used to in my old TT..cut across the road, and then steer the rig into the driveway...

Even my son is blown away..

Another reason for moving to LTs..

Go figure..

Grassy

[Cummins12V98]

Originally Posted by grassy

This may sound stupid but what made my backing up go from really difficult to easy peasy was changing the tires on the rig..

I moved from STs to LTs and it was like the whole environment changed..

I now whip up to my driveway like I used to in my old TT..cut across the road, and then steer the rig into the driveway...

Even my son is blown away..

Another reason for moving to LTs..

Go figure..

Grassy

THAT, I just don't understand!

[grassy]

One think my son mentioned was that with the STs...they were warping or distorting on the rims as I backed up...with the STs...nada.. Perhaps less rolling resistance..

Weird but true...I am a happy camper... one less thing off my mind..

[birddog2you]

I drove semi's for 32 years and backing came very easy for me. With NO power steering on my first truck you learn very quickly which way to turn the wheel and how much. Most importantly is to not over steer and jackknife the rig while backing. Take your time go slow and if you turn the steering wheel more than a full turn while backing you are turning too much. You can complete a 90 degree angle while backing with ONLY one quarter turn on the steering wheel. If you don't believe me try it yourself. Just my .02 cents worth.

[caissiel]

I watch my trailer tires and imagine that the rear TV axle is the trailer steering axle. My wife just makes sure to tell me when to stop. Sometimes she to busy looking that she forgets to stop me.