5th wheel rv
Popular Choice for RVers
It has its own perks
Towing - 5th Wheel
The unique 5th wheel trailer is a popular choice for RVers who want to live in it full-time or use it for occasional camping trips a few times a year. It has its own perks with extra storage and living space best suited for families and couples. With its unique shape it has an upper bulkhead that sticks out and rests on the truck bed for towing. The longer the RV, the more features it will have, from kitchen islands to living spaces with fireplaces, washing machines, and bedrooms with king-sized beds and a full-sized closet. But each of these features comes with extra length.
A 5th wheel RV needs to be connected to the back of truck with in-bed 5th wheel or a gooseneck hitch. There are few factors that needed to be accounted for before towing your RV.
Selecting 5th Wheel Hitch
A 5th wheel hitch is a vital piece of equipment. It will help keep your RV attached and make it easier to drive with. There are two main types of hitches, 5th wheel and a Gooseneck hitch. The 5th wheel hitch is more common than a gooseneck hitch. These hitches are easy to connect and allow the 5th wheel to pivot around a fix point and they are highly maneuverable, sturdy and distribute the weight evenly adding to the ease with which an RV can be towed, and making them quite safe as well.
Matching a Tow Vehicle
Before towing your 5th wheel, it is very important that you know the specific size and weight measurements for your truck and your RV. For a good Tow Vehicle and 5th wheel pairing, it’s important to compare the 5th wheel’s GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) to the truck’s maximum Tow Capacity. If the 5th wheel is heavier than the truck can handle, it won’t be a good match.
Bed Length of Truck
Towing a 5th wheel RV with a pickup truck having a longer bed length is always a smart choice. Most drivers believe that a long-bed vehicle outperforms a short-bed truck. A long bed gives best turning clearance, reduces sway, convenient towing and a cost-effective setup. Another benefit is the hitch type — short-bed trucks require a sliding hitch which will manually or automatically slide to avoid impact during a sharp turn, while the longer bed provides more clearance during sharp turns and can utilize a simple, fixed-hitch setup.
For a majority of 5th wheel trailers, a light-duty pickup truck, or a bed that measures 5.5-feet or less, won’t have the capabilities you need to properly install a fifth-wheel trailer. You should choose a pickup truck with an 8-foot bed to get the best towing experience when on the road.
Payload Capacity
A general rule of thumb when you are deciding if you need a ½ ton, ¾ ton or 1-ton:
- Fifth-wheel RV under 30 ft long = ½-ton truck
- Fifth-wheel RV 30-ft to 39-ft long = ¾-ton truck
- Fifth-wheel RV 40+ feet = 1-ton truck
Single (SRW) vs Dually
It depends on how often and how far you need to tow your 5th wheel RV. However, a dually is not a must to tow your RV though it helps stabilize the truck and therefore reduces sway while towing.