Fifth wheels are a great RV option for camping, fishing, off-roading experiences, and even some work situations.
Because fifth wheels are towable RVs, you’ll need to connect your camper to your tow vehicle before you hit the road. Keep the following fifth wheel towing tips in mind for a great road trip experience.
Don’t Go Over Your Weight Limit
Many fifth-wheel hitches are capable of handling a weight limit of around 24,000 pounds, but don’t assume that yours can without checking!
It’s important to know how much your fifth wheel weighs when it’s empty compared to how much it weighs when it’s full and hitched up to your truck.
Your owner’s manual can provide the empty weights for your truck and fifth wheel, but you’ll need to locate a dump or quarry scale or rent a CAT scale to measure your fifth wheel and truck setup.
Hitching Your Fifth Wheel
A fifth wheel has a few requirements. It needs to be towed by another vehicle, and it also needs to be attached to that vehicle’s truck bed. You’ll need to buy a camper coupling for this.
Most truck brands sell couplings specially tailored to their trucks, making it easy to find an ideal fit. Many people opt for letting a professional install the hitch. That way, there’s no worry about incorrect installation or damage to your truck.
However, if you do decide to try it yourself, the process looks a bit like this:
Hitching Your Fifth Wheel: Step-by-Step
When you are ready to hitch, position both vehicles on as flat of ground as possible. Next:
- Raise your camper to the height of your truck bed using your jacks.
- Put your truck in reverse.
- Stop once the camper’s tongue hits the coupling in your truck.
- Use the cotter or kingpin to secure it.
- You’ll know it’s secure when you see them fit each other and hear a click.
Keep in mind — this is a delicate process, and you should reference your owner’s manual and installation guide before attempting to hitch your fifth wheel for the first time.
Are you still looking to buy a fifth wheel? Make sure to stop into Superior RV. We are conveniently located nearby in Conway, AR!
