GlenO
Terry, MS
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Joined: 05/08/2008
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As noted before, Practice, Practice, Practice. As I was told in the Army in my younger days if you want to know how to do more Push-Ups, Do More Push-Ups!
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RRUGG
Newaygo, MI,USA
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Joined: 08/08/2003
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Good Sam RV Club
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We had two 5ers over a period of several years. I never could learn how to back without just about blowing my stack in frustration. No issues with the TTs we've owned unless I got too impatient to get it done. Slow & easy works for me. Also, no more 5ers for us. Backing is not the only reason but is one of them.
RRUGG
2008 Dodge 2500 QC 4x4 SB Cummins 6 speed auto 3.73
1997 Holiday Rambler 29FK travel trailer
2009 Hyundai GLS
Bob & Grace professional retirees
Good Sam life members
Camped in 49 states. Missing Hawaii.
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lawnboy1
Palmyra,Pa
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Joined: 12/27/2007
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the tt has pivot point at end of truck... the 5th wheel has the same point in the truck bed over top the axle. that is the reason the back different.
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BCTrucker
Chilliwack, BC
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Joined: 07/29/2009
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I can fit my 30' 5er easily into the same spots as I did with my 18' TT, and as I drive transport truck for a living, I find the bumper pull TT's are a pain to try and back up. I much prefer to maneuver the 5er, and am able to put it in spots the 18'TT would never fit. As a professional driver I promise you a fifth wheel is far safer, more maneuverable, and rides better, and can be far easier to back up than the comparable sized bumper pull ever could.
The hitch and tongue alone add ten feet minimum to the overall length of a TT over a 5er. measure from the center of the rear axle to the front of the TT and that is at least how much bigger a 5er you could haul and fit into the same spots you used to put your TT into.
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Jesse624
Baton Rouge, LA
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Joined: 06/20/2004
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For me the TT was easier to back into the camp sites. The 5er is more difficult for me, but it's very workable. With the turning pivot point is right over the axel so it takes alot more travel to get the pivot pt moving in the direction you want to go. The TT back-up turns are more responsive because the hitch pt is much further away from the axel and swings quicker, making for better turning response.
Skip & Susie
06 Challenger 5er, 32 ft, 29RLS
03 Silverado, 2500HD, Duramax/Allison, lg bed, crew cab, 4x4
Yamaha 2400SEi gen
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BCTrucker
Chilliwack, BC
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Jesse624 wrote: With the turning pivot point is right over the axel so it takes alot more travel to get the pivot pt moving in the direction you want to go.
Try adjusting your pickup prior to reverse, then you will have a head start on the trailer going the way you want it too. Also you could go to a commercial warehouse, park on the road and watch how truckers back into loading docks, also, when possible back in on drivers side that way it's easier to see the trailer and where it's going. If you go to a warehouse and watch truckers you will notice that 90% of the time they will back in on the drivers side. Also commonly referred to as the good side the passenger side known as the blind side, in any drivers manual they will tell you to avoid backing in on the 'blind side'.
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DKean
Mays Landing NJ.
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Joined: 06/17/2003
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I drove an 18 wheeler for over 28 years. It was easier to back a 53' trailer with the tandems all the to the rear ( AKA west coast set up ) then a fifth wheel rv. Not that the fiver is hard to back up,just different.
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BCTrucker
Chilliwack, BC
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DKean wrote:It was easier to back a 53' trailer with the tandems all the to the rear ( AKA west coast set up ) then a fifth wheel rv.
I agree the further towards the rear the tires are the easier it becomes, that being said the characteristics of a 5er are easier and closer to a semi, than a TT
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RaceFan43
Ontario, Canada
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Joined: 06/15/2006
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dbbls wrote:If you are competent at backing it doesn't make any difference if it is a TT or 5er. They are just different, not harder. I can back a 5er and a boat trailer with equal ease.
I also agree backed a 20ft TT off a main road and 100ft down a drive 1st shot. I now have a 28ft 5ver and a 14ft flat deck car hauler. I put the 5ver in the drive beside my other cars with only 2ft of clearance......it gets better the more you tow
06 Silverado 2500HD Ext Cab Long Box Duramax/Allison
06 Keystone Cougar 276EFS
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husker 2
Sequim WA
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Joined: 02/05/2005
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Yes it's much easier to back a TT than a 5ver. We have had boat trailers, TTs, and now a 4ver. All back up differently due to tonge length versus trailer wheel placement. I could back our TT into almost any space. I still have trouble with the 5ver but practice is making it easier each trip we take
2004 GMC 2500 6.0L CC SB Reese 16K Slider Prodigy BC Jayco 24 ft 237a Quest 5er
A decrepid old driver a foxy navigator and one cranky Griff puppy named Bandit. Look for a "Big Red" license NEBR 1
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