Before hitting the road with your fifth wheel, make sure that you've installed the right hitch with this guide from your friends at White Sands RV.
As exciting as it is to get closer to finding the perfect fifth wheel for your next camping trip, you’ll want to keep in mind that your work isn’t done when you buy the camper. There are some other important steps to take before you can hit the road and one of those steps is getting the right hitch for your fifth wheel. We have provided some basic tips to make this part easier for you.
The Basics
Fifth wheels are often the biggest and heaviest towable RVs on the market and a simple, bumper-pull hitch just won’t work. You’ll notice that fifth wheel hitches swoop up and connect to a receiver in an open truck bed. This creates an overlap between the two towing unit parts, which provides more stability and control, especially on windy, uneven roads. The unique coupling and hitching system also results in easier reversing, tighter turns, and a higher towing capacity compared to a typical bumper-pull hitch.
Types of 5th Wheel Hitches
Not all hitches are built the same, so you’ll need to figure out the right one for your 5th wheel. There are some basic features you’ll want to understand, such as the differences between a 2-way and a 4-way pivot head. The pivoting head affects how smoothly and easily your camper handles. When you start looking at various options, you’ll find that 2-way models are often the standard options and come with forward and aft pivots. The 4-way pivot head is the same as the 2-way, but with the ability to pivot from one side to another as well as back and forth, allowing for easier traveling over rough surfaces.
Next, you’ll need to choose between universal and custom rails. The benefit of custom rails is that they’ll be easier to fit with your particular fifth wheel model. However, universal rails are more versatile as they can be used with other campers and you won’t have to drill holes in the truck bed.
Finally, there are single and double jaw hitches. The single grab jaw facilitates an easy connection and utilizes a design that makes towing easy. It's also the safest of all the fifth wheel hitches. There's also a double jaw option, which offers twice the strength of the single jaw style.
What to Consider?
There are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind while you’re determining the right hitch for your needs. Not all tow vehicles can handle all types of hitches. That's why it's important to consider the tow vehicle's capabilities and restrictions early on in your search. Otherwise, you may waste time researching options that wouldn't be compatible with the tow vehicle.
You’ll also want to consider how you plan to install the hitch. If you’ll be going the self-install route, you’ll want something that’s intuitive to use and comes with a DIY kit. However, if you’re fine with hiring a professional to do the installation, your options are much broader.
Be realistic about your options and don’t consider anything well beyond your budget. At the same time, you also don’t want to buy something so cheap that it will break down in the middle of the highway. The hitch is one of the most important parts of the towing unit, so buy the best one you possibly can within your price range.
We hope you found this guide helpful! For more information or to explore fifth wheels for sale, visit White Sands RV in Summerdale, Alabama. We welcome all our patrons visiting us from Mobile, AL, and Pensacola, FL.