Picked up 5th wheel, ???Backing up

[DaveK98]

Well, we picked up our 30' 01 Mobile Scout 5th wheel yesterday.



CTD pulled it easily, going down the freeway at 65 or so I didn't even notice it was there except my computer was telling me I was only getting about 12-13 mpg vs the 17-18 like normal.



The spot where I have to park it doesn't allow me to back up straight.



Anyone got any tips / tricks to help me learn how to backup better?



Thanks!

 

[testraub]

Buy some cheap traffic cones. Find a nice empty parking lot. Try not to run the cones over. Start a bit wider then work the cones closer together. Don't forget to have some out in front of you too.

 

[B.G. Smith]

When possible, have the parking spot to your left so you can see the trailer in drivers side mirror. A pair of hand held radios will sometimes prevent a divorce. bg

 

[JPudenz]

Practice

I have pulled trailers all my life, first experience with a five'r was not until last December. It just takes practice. And I second the motion for a good set of handheld radios and a spotter.



JJ

 

[CCutshaw]

I third the radios. When backing up hold your hand at the bottom of the steering wheel. Looking out your mirrors move the wheel the way you want the trailer to go. Also make small corrections, remember you can always pull up and start over. Stop when the spotter is out of your mirror, turn off the stereo and roll down the windows, if you don't have any radios.

Good luck.

Calvin



I wish I had a video cam when I used to go to the boat ramp, funny stuff.

 

[Soelch]

As a newby to backing 5'vers I have also come to notice that you make small corrections in the direction you want the trailer to go and then center the wheel to see what the outcome was. Radios and a spotter are a must just to keep everyone's sanity. If I do not get it on the first try, I have learned to start over. Practice, practice, practice! Working with cones on a empty parking lot is a great idea. I, unfortunately, started to learn how to back a 5'ver into the rv park on the side of my friends house that is not only up hill but you are not able to get a straight shot it through a 10' wide gate. That is not the smartest way to start.

 

[Bandit2]

Lots of good advice. Mine is, when backing, put your hand on the BOTTEM 0f the wheel, move your hand in the direction you want the trailer to go. Works!

 

[nps]

DON'T RUN INTO ANYTHING. :-laf



(I like the part about radios preventing divorce. Also, try to get anyone OTHER THAN your spouse to be the spotter )

 

[klenger]

Another tip is to limit the spotter's responsiblity to keeping you from trying to hit anything, but not give directions. My biggest problem with using my wife as a spotter is that she stands behing the 5er where I can't see her. Duh!

 

[CCutshaw]

Maybe I should let her back it up once.

Calvin

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

This is all great advice. I've never used radios, but I've seen alot of people using them. One of the best things I read on here is practice backing in an empty lot. You don't want to be the guy trying to back up into your space at a park while everyone is laughing at you. I've actually had people ask me to back their trailer for them. Once you get the hang of backing during the day, practice backing at night, all whole new ball game. If you don't already have them, purchase a set of towing mirrors, not the clip on type!

 

[GerryDrake]

More...

I'm still learning, but as the location we store our 5'er in is very narrow to get into, once I had it there, the next time out, I had the wife make chalk marks on the ground every 3' or so as I slowly pulled out in an arc, with the marks at the edge of the wheels. I practiced several times backing the trailer along these marks and it really helped. Emphasize to your spotter that if they can't see you, you can't see them, and that is why you just STOPPED ! When first deviating from a straight back up, you start the bend, then reverse the wheel to have the truck follow the trailer. Keep the angle between the truck and the trailer as mellow as you can, because once it gets very sharp (over 15° or so) is takes a lot to get back to or even toward straight. One more technique we tried, with limited success, was to have her drive while I hold onto the mirror on the driver's side, walking along (keeps me from getting run over without having to watch it) and telling her which way to move the wheel and how much. You learn a lot from that viewpoint, as does she...

I used to think the quickest way to a divorce was to back a trailer... Now I think it involves hooking up the satellite dish. .

 

[testraub]

DO NOT repeat DO NOT start me on the Sat Dish :-{} :{



Her without TV is like me without coffee :-laf

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

I feel your pain on the dish hookup. Try doing it with her and a three year old in the trailer while you're on the roof trying to hear the signal meter. Got so mad once, I left her without tv for four days.

 

[Dieselnerd]

Regarding the dish, get one of those cheap meters at Radio Shack and set it up without an inside "spotter".

 

[RKaniefski]

Dish meter

Don't go to rat shack for a meter. They are $40. 00 there. I got mine on e-bay for $4. 00 plus $7. 00 shipping.

 

[DaveK98]

Above post by Gerry is just too funny.



Well on Sunday I got her out to clean up the awning and practice a little. I got it in much easier.



My wife's job is only to tell me if I'm about to run into something (ie the neighbors 100k rig). I think I'm better just doing it on my own and not getting confused with someone telling me what to do.



The small pullups as recommended really help! Think I got it in there in like 3-5 pullups or so. Also helped not to be dark and raining.



Thanks again!

 

[JasonCzerak]

My first 5er backup experience was on a freightliner with a 53' box and a second tractor with a 53' flat bed. I don't have a CDL, I just used to work a company on the road and got to drive the big trucks in a parking lot alot... .



Backup a light duty 5er was to much easier and quicker after that learning experience



Tho, first time in a bigrig driving + trailer, in a tight parking lot going forward!!! That was crazy. I followed other trucks' tire marks over some curbs. These were a tight fit, even for the pros. I had a flat bed loaded with 2000 pound blocks. I rolled up a 8" curb with half the trailer and didn't even feel the tractor flintch. Put togheter the weigh of what I was halling at 5mph + the curb === respect for the truck real quick.

 

[McCRam]

I didn't see it mentioned yet. DO NOT let the spotter out of your sight. If they move out of your feild of vision stop. If they were to trip or fall down, you could run them over and not know it. You probably won't even hear them scream over your motor. I learned this from someone elses unfortunate experience.

 

[jnelson]

1. Have equeal amounts of trailer in each mirror while straight

2. Trailer posistion is the most important factor before backing

3. Turn towards trouble when backing. This will help keep you straight.

4 Tell your spotter "If you cant see my mirrors, I cant see you"

5. You cant change the direction a trailer is moving until you get straight behind it.

6. Its always easier to start over than to pull out a dent.