How To Choose A Fifth Wheel Hitch
Fifth wheels are one of the largest and most feature-laden models of RVs. These towable campers are great for those who have large families, enjoy a lot of space, or spend a lot of time in their vehicles. What sets fifth wheels apart from other towable RVs is how they‘re anchored to their tow vehicles.
Instead of the traditional bumper-pull style which allows a trailer to tag along behind your vehicle, the fifth wheel has a coupling system installed into a truck bed that the hitch locks into from above by extending over the rear axle of the tow vehicle. This system increases stability while driving and makes it possible to carry more weight behind you.
Before you select your fifth wheel, you need to consider the kind of hitch you’ll be using. Different types of tow vehicles will require different styles, and you may want to think about features that matter to you. When you want to check out fifth wheels for sale in Indianola, Iowa, visit Herold Trailer Sales for a tour of our inventory. We’re also the preferred fifth wheel dealer for our friends from Des Moines, Iowa, and Omaha, Nebraska.
Your Tow Vehicle
Your tow vehicle, which is invariably a truck when talking about fifth wheels, may only suit certain types of hitches. You should know how much weight your vehicle can tow. To do that, you’ll need to know your truck’s maximum towing capacity, found in the owner’s manual, as well as the gross trailer weight (GTW) of your fifth wheel, which is how much it weighs when it’s all loaded up with cargo.
Once you have that information, you need to shop for a hitch that ideally meets or preferably exceeds the weight of your trailer when it’s loaded up without going over the tow vehicle’s rating. If your truck already has metal rails or pucks, then you’ll need to find a fifth wheel that can fit into those pre-built anchorings. If your truck has a plastic liner, then you’ll have to cut a hole in it to accommodate the coupler and you won’t be able to use a slider hitch.
Sometimes trucks can have holes drilled to help them accommodate custom rails, usually obtained from the manufacturer. These are simple and quick to install. However, other trucks won’t have rails designed for them, so universal rails are necessary to attach the coupling to the truck bed. These can be more difficult to install since they require drilling through the truck frame, but they do accommodate a larger range of vehicles than custom rails.
Collisions between trucks and fifth wheels when you’re taking turns are more common in short-bed trucks. An extended pin box can help you improve your turn radius. If you keep these things in mind before you purchase a fifth wheel, it’ll save you some time and money. You won’t have to add on multiple aftermarket parts to make the entire coupling system work properly.
Choosing A Hitch
You’ll have to choose between two primary types of hitches: traditional and slider. Both types can pivot forward and aft, allowing the truck to ascend or descend a hill without stressing the connection between the coupler and kingpin.Your final choice of hitch will depend on what type of truck you have and what type of coupler you can install in it. Higher-end styles, called 4-way pivots, can pivot from side to side to reduce chucking and bumpiness.
If you have a short-bed truck that’s less than 8 inches in length, a slider hitch will work best for you. It’s named because of its ability to slide to the rear of the truck, which makes more room for the trailer. This lets you make 90° turns without banging the corners of your truck against your fifth wheel. They come in manual and automatic styles.
If you choose a manual hitch, it’ll be less spendy, lighter, and easier to get ahold of. However, to make a tight turn, you’ll have to get out of your truck and secure the hitch into place and then again readjust them after you take the turn before you continue driving on. You’ll have plenty of styles to choose from.
A lot of frequent RVers prefer to use automatic hitches. These are, however, more costly, heavier, and harder to find, with much less variety of styles to choose from. They do save you a lot of time so you can focus on driving, and they’re safer in that they automatically adjust so you don’t have to remember to adjust them each time.
Things To Consider
A big part of choosing a hitch is deciding if you want one you can instal yourself or if you’d like one that has to be fixed professionally. If you’re new to hitches, you might want to get one that’s easier for you to handle. It’s also good to think about your experience with towing in general and fifth wheels specifically. You may wish to get a simpler hitch that’s easier to use over one that’s extremely complex, for example.
Another important point to keep in mind when selecting a fifth wheel hitch is your budget. Don’t skimp too much and get something that won’t be able to handle your trailer, but do make your purchase worthwhile. There’s no point in overspending and getting a hitch that has features you won’t ever need or use.
We hope our guide helps you make the best hitch choice for your lifestyle. For additional help or to check out fifth wheels for sale in Indianola, IA, visit Herold Trailer Sales. We have a wide selection for you to choose from and our helpful staff will happily guide you towards the best models for your needs. If you’re looking for fifth wheels for sale near Des Moines, IA, or Omaha, NE, contact our sales department today.