ffpm
Boonies
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Joined: 11/23/2011
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Never backed a 5th wheel. I understand the pivot point of a tow behind is at the trailers axles. Where is it on a 5th wheel? I need to crank a 5th wheel around my eaves and dont want to push the back/side of the trailer into the eaves. With a tow behind we wait until the trailer axles are at the eaves then pivot it around, any earlier and it will push the trailer into the eaves.
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mpfireman
Cook County Il
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Joined: 12/26/2003
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Hard question to answer, I would go to an open parking lot, place a safety cone out there, and practice backing around the cone. Do not forget about your trailers height as it might contact the building overhang.
Practice is the only way you will know and learn your trailers traits.
1998.5 Dodge Ram Quad Cab Cummins
1998 Sunnybrook 27RKFS Fiver
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skylos
Columbus, OH
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Joined: 06/10/2009
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The pivot point is still at the trailer's axle, but the pivot point on the truck is less complex - whatever direction the rear wheels are pointing, the pin moves.
This means you'll probably need to start turning the truck between 4 and 6 feet before you would with the bumper hitched trailer.
Anyway, take your time. Move slowly and get the feel for how the trailer moves when hitched so much further forward on the truck. A bit of trial and error, and you'll have it figured out.
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stro1965
Nebraska
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Joined: 08/22/2011
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I'm still learning on my first 5ver...and have my first ding in it, as of yesterday, due to scraping the rain gutter. Ouch. It didn't even happen backing it in, I was pulling it out! Dammit!
2012 Ford F250 PSD
2012 KZ Stoneridge 35RE
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RCMAN46
NorthWest
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There is no substitute for practice. Take a couple hours and a large empty parking lot and a couple traffic cones and practice. You will be glad you did the next time you are in a crowded RV park. Traffic cones are much cheaper than repairing a rubber roof.
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elkhorn98
Santa Rosa, California
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Best Advice heard for a fw is to turn before you think you should and straighten out before you think you should . Overall it is slower to react to your turns.
Elkhorn98
2010 GMC Sierra 2500HD 4x4 Duramax/Allison w/45 gal Transfer Flow Tank
RBW X16 Slider, Yamaha EF 2400iS
2007 Springdale 245 5th Wheel - E-Z Flex HD Suspension & Mobile Outfitters Shock Kit Upgrades
with Firestone Transforce Ht Lt 2357515 C tires
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rseymour21
Dallas
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My DW tells me I'm getting worse during the past 3 years instead of better backing into our driveway.
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korbe
Northern California
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rseymour21 wrote:My DW tells me I'm getting worse during the past 3 years instead of better backing into our driveway.
Well I'm sure that didn't help your confidence. 
2004 F250 SD PSD
2004 Crossroads Cruiser CF25RS
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rhingst
Livingston, Texas USA
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If you have a short bed truck the pivot point on the truck will be right over the rear axle. If you have a long bed truck the pivot point should be 3 inches in front of the rear axle of the truck. That is what makes the reaction much slower than with a travel trailer.
2008 Ford F350 Lariat Crew Cab Powerstroke SRW
2007 Hitchhiker Discover America 339RSB
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belairbrian
Alabama
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You didn't mention if you had a slider type hitch, and if so were you moving it back to the "manuvering" position. This can move the pivot point aft of the axle.
TV 2003 Chevy 3500 Crew Cab Dually w Duramax/Allison
2005 Keystone Cougar 314 EFS
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