azandy70
Green Bay WI
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Joined: 01/02/2010
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I pull different trailers most days of a week for work. I thought when I bought our fiver. No biggie, just another trailer. Well, after struggling the first couple of times, I no longer felt like a hero but maybe a zero. After a little practice and a trip to the body shop to fix a little damage, I got used to it. TAKE YOUR TIME. Best advice. I do feel now that I can tow and back up this unit much easier than our old TT or any work trailers we have. When backing in a site. If unsure, stop. Get out and look. Making someone wait a minute or two is better than damage to your fiver.
Sometimes if someone in front of me is struggling and I have to wait for them to get through, I'll get out and help them. Makes it easier for all.
2006 Chev 3500 DRW 4x4
Duramax
2006 Wildcat 29BHBP
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FormerHR
Inez, Texas
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Joined: 05/26/2006
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I agree with what the others have said regarding the 5er takes a little longer to react and to practice. A few times and you'll be an ol' pro like you were with your TT.
Regarding the wife directing you back, mine drives me nuts. She can't seem to grasp the concept of "if you can't see my mirrors I can't see you!". I think I need one those stickers on the back of the 5er like the 18 wheelers have that say that... or get some 3 foot extensions on my tow mirrors.
Ryan and Persephone (Seph)+ a boy (9) and girl (7)
2005 Cummins Quad Cab 2wd
2008 Terry 295BHDS
Prodigy Brake Controller
Pullrite Superglide
Dual Honda EU2000i's
2007 EZ-GO ST Custom Cart
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retired4fun
Colo
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Joined: 03/22/2002
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Best advise I can have is get you and your wife walkie talkies. Drop her off at the lounge for a bloody mary and call her when your backed into the site.
AKA ChopperBill
"11" 3610RE
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Ponderosa
Arizona
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Joined: 06/24/2003
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Pay attention to the TIRES and where they are going. You still have to watch out for that tree, of course. The fifth wheel seems to react slowly and it can be hard to notice until things are out of line. It seems you have to turn harder and then correct sooner. I find that backing-by-tire helps me a lot.
Tom
Goodyear/Happy Jack, AZ
2004 DRW Dodge Cummins
2006 Cougar 281EFS
2007 Lance 1055
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Jonny B
Sacramento
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Joined: 07/06/2009
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Just switched my self this last summer. everything is a bit different especially with my long bed. wife has her walkie talkie and watches my blind side and I guide the other and we always get it in one or two tries. take your time it isnt going anywhere.
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Skip N Barb Team
Dickinson, Texas
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Joined: 09/11/2007
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Two shots of Jack Daniel's, and a pull thru site..... 
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SpoiledRotten
Central Mississippi
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Joined: 06/14/2004
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My wife watches for obstacles, but her main job is to stand where she can see the truck cab and the front of the 5er. If I start to get close to making contact, she let me know. Other than that, I prefer to handle everything myself. If you can't back a trailer, you don't need to be giving directions. Again, my wife doesn't give directions, just let's me know if I'm getting too close to something.
Just the 3 of us...SpoiledRotten, TotallyRotten, and ALittleRotten
2000 F-250 Lariat, CC
7.3 PSTD-Superchipped
2005 33RL2 New Vision - AKA "SpoiledRotten"
2000 Jeep Wrangler Sahara Edition
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Zomar
TEXAS
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Joined: 12/09/2008
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Close your eyes and use "the force" No, dont, you'll get it with just a little practice. I learned to use my slider before backing just to take that one worry off my mind then all i had to worry about was which way it was going.
Me, DW, & Pogo the bouncing Rat Terrier
'99 F250 7.3 Super Duty ext. cab Firestone air bags, Bilstien shocks
2003 Artic Fox 24-5 5th wheel
http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=3076&pictureid=24396
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Martyn
Bennett, Colorado, USA
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Joined: 09/27/2004
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DCNKY wrote:Seriously though. thanks a lot for the advice, especially concerning the part about being nice to the wife. I've had some pretty stressful times trying to back this thing up.
When backing into a space I tell my wife that I will not move the trailer unless I can see her in a mirror. That helps a lot. She learned pretty quickly to move to a point where I could see her and then could better give her directions! 
2004.5 Dodge Ram 2500 QC CTD 4x4 SLT; 2007 Coachmen Chaparral 267RLS;
Reese 15K Slider;Prodigy;JT Stabilizers;2 Honda EU2000i's;
2006 Glastron MX175;
2009 Subaru Tribeca for the DW
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fishbarned
NY USA
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Joined: 02/07/2004
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Long and slow is the best way to describe backing a 5ver. as for towing you will not believe how easy it is. The first time i towed mine i pulled off into a rest stop and went to park with the cars. true story. towing is like night and day but backing up is a little different. long and slow. pull much farther then normal when setting up to backup and pic your path. I would say the 5ver reacts about 50% less then a TT when backing up. so long and slow.
2001 Sunnybrook BWFS/ 2005 Montana 3400 RL
2010 Ford F-350 XLT,CC,DRW, 4x4,PSD,Tow command, 8'bed
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