Pro Trailer Backup Assist
More Turbo
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 618
Likes: 257
From: Stow, MA
More Turbo
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 659
Likes: 312
From: Fort Worth
I would like to try it once to see how or if it works. I have a 40’ 5thwheel I pull with a gooseneck hitch . I think I remember reading that there is a maximum length that it will work with . I believe it was 35’ but it’s been awhile since I checked.
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 351
Likes: 181
From: Dayton, Montana
And mine won't work. I tried 7 times before giving up. Followed the directions to a T with my boat trailer. In the end, it says "Trailer not found" even though it "red" circles the sticker.
POS technology I have no use for.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 1,617
Likes: 568
From: Black Hills of SD
I use to work for a timber contractor on a chip crew. We had very old and unique pull trucks. One was an old skidder that we made into a pull truck. It had a skidder front end with tractor tires and a semi rear end with standard 22" wheels. They had to hand make a transfer case to accomadate the difference in wheel heights. Also, this thing articulated in the middle. My job was to backup semi trailers on a portable scale while the wood chipper loaded the trailer. It took me over a month to learn how to backup trailers with this thing we called a "Skittle".
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Moderator
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 6,518
Likes: 917
From: Home Base Nebraska
I just purchased a new 2020 F250 diesel and 5th wheel rv trailer. I am trying to figure out if I can use the trailer backup assist. I have the 360 camera system but it is not the Ultimate System. Can I add the 7/12 connector and wiring harness and then add either the trailer camera or the 5th wheel sensor to my system?
Denny
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 979
Likes: 585
From: Middle TN
Denny, since this thread just got revived I thought I'd chime in on your comment. When we bought our truck and fifth wheel last year my only towing experience was with motorcycle trailers, so I figured I was going to need all the help I could get. The PTBA advertising looked really slick, so I went for it with my truck order. Now that I've got a few miles under my belt I can say that I totally agree with you. When I first went out to practice backing up, I found myself constantly getting into trouble with the ****. For me at least, the steering wheel and mirrors are actually easier and more intuitive. I'm still no pro, still have a lot to learn, so any of you thinking about this should take my comments with a grain of salt. I really do love my 360 overhead view though, and I think that was bundled with PTBA, so no regrets on the money spent.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 8,653
Likes: 4,740
From: Itinerant
Backing isn't hard with long trailers. Hold the bottom of the steering and turn the way you want the trailer to go.
Out of habit most people hold the steering wheel like they drive and can't get their brain to think opposite then end up chasing the trailer. If you have a passenger use them for eyeballs in the back of trailer, remind them that if they cant see you in the mirror you can't see them. Most important both need to be on the same page for what hand signals mean or you're just great entertainment for the lookie lues.
Out of habit most people hold the steering wheel like they drive and can't get their brain to think opposite then end up chasing the trailer. If you have a passenger use them for eyeballs in the back of trailer, remind them that if they cant see you in the mirror you can't see them. Most important both need to be on the same page for what hand signals mean or you're just great entertainment for the lookie lues.
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,250
Likes: 7,678
From: Chino Valley, Arizona
Backing isn't hard with long trailers. Hold the bottom of the steering and turn the way you want the trailer to go.
Out of habit most people hold the steering wheel like they drive and can't get their brain to think opposite then end up chasing the trailer. If you have a passenger use them for eyeballs in the back of trailer, remind them that if they cant see you in the mirror you can't see them. Most important both need to be on the same page for what hand signals mean or you're just great entertainment for the lookie lues.
Out of habit most people hold the steering wheel like they drive and can't get their brain to think opposite then end up chasing the trailer. If you have a passenger use them for eyeballs in the back of trailer, remind them that if they cant see you in the mirror you can't see them. Most important both need to be on the same page for what hand signals mean or you're just great entertainment for the lookie lues.
when I am backing our 5th wheel in to a blind spot my wife gets out puts on her blue tooth Bose ear buds and call me. my hearing aids are blue tooth and I don't have to see her or move my mirrors to watch tree limbs.
she stays far enough back to see the whole picture and can perfectly guide me around stuff.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 1,617
Likes: 568
From: Black Hills of SD
The biggest reason I opted for the PTBA was to monitor trailer TPMS. You need the PTBA to do this with the factory trailer TPMS. It has already paid for itself. When we were on our way back from Glacier, I had a tire go flat pretty quick and I received a warning of low tire pressure. Then within 15-20 seconds, I was down to 15 psi and was able to get to the shoulder of the road before it came apart and killed the side of our 5er. I can tell ya'll this, I was glad I had that monitoring system. Next step was to get the traffic to slow down while we changed the tire. Had to call the sheriff to assist in getting traffic to move over. Not fun changing tired on the drivers side with traffic wizzin by you at 80+ mph. Some people are idiots....
3rd Gear
Joined: Nov 2023
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Backup Assist with Sliding 5th wheel puck?
Has anyone used the PTBA (Pro Trailer Backup Assist) with a 5th wheel sliding hitch (a.k.a. puck) in a short-bed (i.e. 6.5' i.e. 160" wheelbase)? The concern/wondering is how well the software works when the pivot point changes while turning.