Safe Towing Tips for Fifth Wheels
As some of the most luxurious and spacious recreational vehicles on the market, fifth wheels are incredibly popular among a wide variety of campers, from those who live on the road full-time to large families and groups of friends who want to adventure together. However, due to their size, it’s important to follow good safety practices when towing a fifth wheel to prevent dangerous situations from developing on the highway.
Herold Trailer Sales is your Iowa fifth wheel dealer in Indianola, serving Omaha, NE, and Des Moines, IA. Read on to learn what you can do to keep yourself, your passengers and the motorists around you safe while you’re towing a fifth wheel.
Keep Your Weight Down
Sure, fifth wheels can handle a lot of cargo, but that doesn’t mean you should pack them to the brim with every possible item you can. Pack as judiciously as possible and find lightweight versions of everyday items to reduce weight even further. Your fifth wheel does have a weight limit on it, as does your towing vehicle, so check these numbers in your owner’s manuals and be sure not to exceed them.
If you’re concerned about whether or not your fifth wheel is too heavy, visit a weigh station on the highway as close to the start of your trip as possible so they can help you gauge your trailer’s weight.
Get Ready for Mountains
Hills and mountains also present a challenge when towing a heavy trailer like a fifth wheel. You need to be careful on sloping roads, because it can be harder to bring your fifth wheel to a complete stop. Watch for runaway-truck exits on especially perilous peaks so you can use them if needed.
Bear in mind that your truck will probably lose about 4% of its power for every 1,000 feet in elevation that you climb, too. Lower your truck’s gears and take hills slowly. Also, don’t use the overdrive feature to compensate for the extra weight, as this can put a real strain on your transmission and cause your truck to overheat.
Check Your Tires
The tires on both your truck and your fifth wheel need to be in excellent condition, so give them a good check-up before every trip. Look for cracks in the sidewall, balding treads or embedded objects and use a tire-pressure gauge to check the pressure and air up tires according to the psi levels specified in your owner’s manual. You can install a tire-pressure monitoring system on your fifth wheel to help you keep even closer tabs on your tires.
Think you’re ready to get a fifth wheel? Stop by to see us at our dealership in Indianola, IA, to take a look at our wide stock of new and used fifth wheels for sale. We can also assist you with financing options. Herold Trailer Sales proudly serves Des Moines, IA, and Omaha, NE.