Tips on backing a 5er

[Fishing Junky]

Hey guys. Picked up a new fifth wheel yesterday. Upgraded from a travel trailer. The trailer was only 21 ft from hitch tip to back bumper. This new 5th wheel is only 26 ft long. so not much longer. I'm towing with a 2003 chev 2500HD long box. I've only owned the truck for 4 months, and this was the first time towing with it. Backing in the 5th wheel seemed harder to me than backing in the trailer. Any secrets to fifth wheel backing would be great. I sure do hate hitting curbs when backing. Thanks alot. Junky...

[tip-up king]

Practice and make sure you have some sort of extended mirrors. tuk

[Powerstroke]

Its going to require some practice and relearning. Your pivot point has changed from the rear bumper or even further back on the hitch, to the hitch in the bed. Also depending on your travel trailer, if your new 5'er has tandems or larger diamter tires they have a habit of "pivoting" instead of rolling through your turns in reverse.

[cold one sd]

The best advice I can give you is to start your turns in reverse before you would start turning a travel trailer and go slow.

[Fishing Junky]

Thanks for the help guys. I'm gettin' the hang of it a little more each time I take 'er out. Junky....

[Zarkohl]

How do difficult is it to tow a boat behind the 5th wheel? I have a Lance Squire pickup camper and thinking about selling it and getting a 5th wheel. Just wondering what others thought have done and/or thought. Jim