trailer hauling

Knowing already how to back a trailer in general is a good thing. However, there will be some habits you may need to break yourself of. With a fifth wheel, your pivot point is going to be over your axles, rather than behind them. But a little practice, and you should be able to adjust to it alright.
You will need to keep the length of the trailer in mind and adjust accordingly, which I don't think will be a problem for you.

 

its not exactly the same but its pretty much the same haha. I'm sure you'll pick it up real easy, might take you a few minutes to adjust but you shouldnt have any problems.

The longer the trailer the easyer it will be to back up.




American Trucker

 

Space constrictions notwithstanding. I'd dare say there's been more than a couple customers where I'd have had a much easier time backing with a short trailer.

 

i was refering to more the the reaction time and control aspect. But yea short trailers are nice in tight spots.



American Trucker

 

not trying to be smart aleck..but.

The best advice i ever got about backing was:Stop.just before you hear the "crunch"
and if for any reason you feel your rearward momentum stop..get out and look.cuzz.you hitten something back there.
Good luck.

 

You have the fundamentals down,so it shouldn't be hard to translate it to a fifth wheel.

 

yup, and the longer the trailer, the easier it is to manuever while backing....but with a longer trailer you generally have less space to manuever

you are also going to back a semi trailer into much tighter spaces then you would any other type of trailer in my opinion

also with a 5th wheel you can cut it much sharper then a regular ball hitch or pintle hook