We are looking to buy a 35' 5th wheel but I want to make sure we can park it along side the house before we buy it. The pinch point is going to be between the gate post and the roof line of the garage.
Right now we are looking at only having 3" of clearance (each side) when backing through the gate.

How much room is not enough room (width) to back in a 5th wheel ?

I've heard that a 5th wheel is easier to tow/back and control than a bumper pull, but I have no personal experience with a 5th wheel.

 

All depends on your backing skill. A 5er backs different than a hitch pull, I have backed a 5er before (was used to wagons on the farm and my bumper pull TT) took a bit to get it where I wanted it. I would look for a place to practice using cones before I tried with that close of clearance.

 

I doubt if the width of a fiver is any different than the width of any other towable.

Is it the width or height you are worried about? If your present trailer goes in there, a fiver should also go in there.....but I would surely measure it!

 

Takes some practice. I have put a few in some tight places. Be sure you know the height of the unit as well.

 

My thought is I could do it, but 3 inches is mighty tight and I would want a spotter and would have to go slowly. The biggest problem is move the wheels on the font of the truck 1/4" might move the back of fiver 4 inches.

Steve

 

I concur with everything stated here. If you measured the area, height and width, and you don't exceed the 5er's dimensions, you SHOULD have enough room. How much room do you have to line-up before backing. Three inches is not much "wiggle" room so practice, practice, practice.

If the dealer location is close enough, maybe they'll let you take a test drive with the unit and you can see for yourself how much room you have and how difficult it might be to fit the 5er into the place you want to park.

Measure, measure, measure, then practice, practice, practice. You have too much money tied up in home and 5er to say, "Gee, I think it'll fit in there" and find out after you bought it that you're wrong. OUCH! That could get expensive quickly.

 

If you have enough driveway in front of the gate to get the rig lined up perfectly, you have a chance. If not, you probably cannot do it. I find the fiver more difficult to get on a straight line backing up. But once you get the truck and trailer aligned straight, it is easier to keep it on the alignment.

You can move a gate post, right? Because even if you can make it, you won't want to do this every time you take a trip.

 

If you haven't bought your trailer yet watch out you don't get a wide body trailer. They are 6" wider than standard. 102 inches wide and that doesn' count the awning and anything else that hangs out on the sides.

 

I'm new to 5ers, haven't had mine a year yet.

Some things I learned:

1. Backing it is different, way different, from a TT. Take it slow and easy with a good spotter and be patient ! Practice, practice and practice !

2. If you think there isn't room for it, then there probably isn't ! More room is better and there is no such thing as too much room !

3. Don't park it in a place that can get slick or muddy when wet. It will rain every time you need to move in or out of that place !

4. If you are tired from camping and pulling the rig home, land where ever you can and wait until you are rested to do any precision backing and fancy parking. Your spotter will appreciate it !

5. Make a check list for your rig and use it before hooking and unhooking. Take your time and enjoy the trip. Remember, fifth wheels corner differently and it'll take a few turns to get the "feel" of it.

Most of the above was learned the "hard way" but with minimum damage !

 

Personally, I wouldn't want to chance a 3" margin. THREE FEET would still make me nervous when backing that large rig. The only two options that make sense imho are.....move the gate post or look for a smaller fifth wheel. As Bob mentioned, you don't wanna be manuevering that thing around in such a tight spot when tired altho it might seem tempting just to get her parked. It will be costly.
Mike

 

Thank you for all the info !

I picked out a parking lot last night where it is always wide open but has parking lines painted. I think that would be good place to give me some wide open area with some markings on the ground as guides. The last thing I need or want to do is damage the trailer or the house.

The 5th wheel toyhauler we are getting is 102" wide and 35' long.... not sure if that includes anything attached to the outside. I need to get some more info on that.
Nothing overhead in the area to watch for but it is 13' tall at the tallest spot.

I have concrete on the side of the house where I want to park it and the driveway into the parking spot. I will have to position it some to get it lined up but it is going to be almost a straight shot backing it in.... that is if I can back it in straight.

The gate post is set right next to the block wall that is on the property line so no moving the post.
The other side is the house roof. It has an overhang so I will consider it must be trimmed back to gain some more room. I should be able to trim 10" off the roof and get another 5" each side. So sounds like the more room the better, so 8" would be alot better than 3" of clearance.
Once I get past the gate post I would have an additional 6" on that side. The gate post and overhang of the roof just create a small pinch point right in that one spot.

 

If you can get more space, by all means do it!

Steve

 

It doesn't. If it is a wide body, that 102" is only the body. Doesn't include the awning, clearance lamps, seal molding, etc. Which means you just lost the clearance you need.

 

I think the only way to know for sure in this situation is to actually measure the hauler. I was assuming that was done. With so small a clearance, nothing should be left to chance.

Steve

 

Also consider the ground and how it will affect the slant of the unit side to side. A small step up or down will have a much bigger affect at the top.