Fifth Wheel Trailer Towing Tips for Newbies

Comments · 123

• LO

  @LoveYourRV · 7 years ago · pinned

  See towing tips full blog post - <a href="https://www.loveyourrv.com/fifth-wheel-travel-trailer-towing-tips/">https://www.loveyourrv.com/fifth-wheel-travel-trailer-towing-tips/</a>

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• BO

  @bobmartens1089 · 2 years ago

  Yup agree with everything you said! &nbsp; I retired winter 19/20 and bought a used TT and headed out to AZ from manitoba canada! Partly due to your videos. &nbsp; &nbsp;If i may add, plan your gas stops with Google Maps sattalight &nbsp;view to find and mark ones that have room!!! &nbsp; Also carry a large road atlas, good for large perspective and never totaly trust on line &nbsp;maps. And give yourselves lots of time, never be rushed towing and hooking up. &nbsp; Good luck to all its a great adventure!!

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• WO

  @Workenallthetime · 5 years ago

  I’ve been a class A tractor trailer driver in Boston for 30 years. Just bought my first 5th wheel and it’s 38 feet long. All your tips are spot on, great description on your tips. The only thing I could add is when hooking and dropping your 5th wheel do it the same exact way every time, so when you get interrupted you can get back on track. And always remember that everyone starts with no experience, so take your time, practice and don’t let anyone intimidate you. And most important when backing, when you can’t see your spotter stop backing until you see them.

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• 3_

  @3_Gold_Coins · 3 weeks ago

  Thank you for providing this great information. I’m about to get started in this great adventure of RV and fifth wheel.

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• NO

  @northerniltree · 6 years ago

  I discovered that that bumper towing is nothing like 5th wheel towing. Considering myself a pro at the former, &nbsp;the first attempt at backing my new 5th wheel was a moment of reckoning. The trailer does have a delayed turning reaction due to the pivot point being over the center of the slower responding rear axle. It took me several attempts to back into my driveway correctly. Practice in an empty parking lot is a great idea. I started out with a one ton SRW truck, then went to a F450 dually diesel. The extra load capacity, braking, stability, as well as the tighter turn radius of the F450 will help me handle my 40 foot toy hauler. With practice and use my skills will grow. Excellent points on daily distance, wind, tires, trailer swing while turning, etc. &nbsp;Great post, thanks!

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• DI

  @dirtroadsailing6418 · 7 years ago

  You covered everything and more than I could think of. I&apos;ll add my 2 cents worth on backing up in a straight line which a lot of people have trouble with. The key is to steer towards the error, so if you see the left side start to go too far left then steer about a quarter of a turn left, same thing for the right side. Once I learned this trick I can back up a mile if I need to.

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• JO

  @jontaylor6068 · 5 years ago

  My grandfather was a truck driver and he loved his fifth wheel. He taught me all the trucker tricks to maneuver.

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• BR

  @brighton_dude · 7 years ago

  Here in Europe reversing a travel trailer (we call them &quot;caravans&quot; and we don&apos;t have fifth wheels) is the ultimate spectator sport. If you are having to reverse the trailer into a tight space or in any other difficult situation people just appear from nowhere to gawp.

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• IR

  @Ireland831 · 2 years ago

  Great tips. &nbsp;I am under the gun a bit...my father in law is now in assisted living and my wife has sold the house. &nbsp;He has a 33ft Alpine Lite 5th wheel and F350 Super Duty diesel truck. &nbsp;We are in a pinch to tow it to a friends property, (thank you Laughlin&apos;s!!) &nbsp;My brother in law was going to drive it, as he has experience. &nbsp;they backed out and now I may be stuck doing it. &nbsp;Learning online as fast as I can, but I am not happy about doing it. &nbsp;I have towed small trailers with loads of wood, but not a 5th wheel. &nbsp;We got the truck all set up, but we will travel down to check out the trailer. &nbsp;Will have to move in the sliders and charge the batteries. &nbsp;With my father in law&apos;s memory issues, I can&apos;t ask him anything about it. &nbsp;He has a Tekonsha Prodigy P2 brake controller. &nbsp;I will have no time to &quot;practice&quot; before it needs to be moved. &nbsp;I think I am clear on how to dock it into the Curt E16 hitch. &nbsp;Any tips? &nbsp;This vid gave me a lot to consider. &nbsp;I feel like paying someone to do drive it as there are so many unknowns for me. &nbsp;Am I nuts for attempting this move?

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• 46

  @46fd04 · 5 years ago

  Thanks Ray. Great info.<br>The BEST tip you gave is about fuelling your truck. If you are LOW on fuel, and can&apos;t seem to find a large enough gas station, drop the trailer! Fill the truck up with fuel WITHOUT the trailer. I&apos;ve done this a couple of times.

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• HE

  @heyeverybody5616 · 7 years ago

  Good info.. Ive towed 15 years, or more. Im glad I watched this video, everythig is spot on! Thanks Ray..

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• DO

  @DownsizingMakesCents · 7 years ago

  Hey Ray, i have watched this video several times, &nbsp;I always pickup another good nugget of information that I missed from the last viewing. &nbsp;A must watch for all new 5vers

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