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Top Fifth Wheel Towing Tips for Newbies

Published on April 30th, 2018 by Nicole Malczan
This post was updated on October 29th, 2021

fifth wheel towing tips
Here’s a better way to tow fifth wheels safely.

The ease of fifth-wheel towing is a big reason why so many RVs love them. Don’t be intimidated by the bi-level design, either. Even newbies will find these towable RVs easy to pull if you follow our best fifth wheel towing tips.

Go Places with Our Best Fifth Wheel Towing Tips

They’re called fifth-wheel trailers because of the type of hitch required to attach them to a pickup truck. The fifth-wheel hitch is sometimes called a “heavy-duty hitch.” You’ll find it in the truck bed, near the rear axle. That’s why you have to use a pickup truck. Some semi-trucks tow fifth wheels too. But these are the only kind that can move it.

The coupling device is separate from the trailer itself and is attached to the hitch. That makes fifth-wheel hitches a little different than the average trailer hitch you may have used in the past. Due to this configuration, there’s a jaw mechanism within the hitch that holds the trailer’s king pin.

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Many fifth-wheel trailer hitches can pull vehicles that are 24,000 pounds and up. Of course, this weight total does vary by manufacturer and hitch brand. All fifth-wheel hitches can pivot, so they can adjust to changing road conditions such as bumps, curves, and potholes.

Fifth wheel owners quickly learn that hitching the trailer to your pickup truck takes practice. If you’re a fifth wheel newbie, these nine handy fifth wheel towing tips can help hitch your trailer with ease and confidence.

Don’t Exceed the Fifth Wheel Weight Limit

Many fifth-wheel hitches can tow vehicles at a weight limit of 24,000 pounds and more. But don’t just assume your fifth-wheel trailer is within the weight limit. Many RVers quickly learn their tow vehicle’s limit the hard way. Usually when the pickup truck transmission goes out on a steep hill.

That’s why you must know the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of your fifth wheel before you buy one. You can obtain this number by pinpointing:

  • The weight of your empty trailer
  • Plus, the tow rating of your tow vehicle. This tells much weight it can safely pull.
  • And, the combined weight of the RV and truck

Your truck manual will have the tow rating. The dry (unloaded) weight of your empty trailer will also be in the owner’s manual. Both figures are also usually listed on a metal engraved plate on the outer left side of your fifth wheel. It’s known as the Federal Certification / VIN ID tag.

RV travel trailer sticker with gross vehicle weight rating information

When the fifth wheel is loaded, many RVers visit an RV weigh scale. Only this type of scale gives a 100% accurate weight of a fully loaded RV. This is the final say to reveal if your tow truck is capable of pulling the fifth wheel.

Don’t Stress Your Transmission

Do you enjoy taking trips out to the mountains? If so, then you should be aware of how the altitude can impact your fifth-wheel trailer experience. The higher the altitude you drive, the more stress on your engine and transmission.

The formula goes like this: every time you gain 1,000 feet, your truck’s engine power drops three to four percent. The less engine, the more stress on your truck transmission. The more stress, the faster it needs replacing.

How do you avoid such a situation? The fastest, cheapest thing to do is ditch extra fresh water. You also need to know how to downshift on extreme mountain grades.

If you are a diesel truck owner, the smartest thing is to invest in a new turbo and exhaust manifold. The ATS Diesel Turbo is a good one to consider. They’re not cheap, but your truck performance and fuel mileage dramatically improves because of it. As a result, your truck transmission will enjoy a longer, happier life.

ATS Diesel Turbo Charger and Manifold

Always Use Your Mirrors

Your truck has side mirrors and a rearview mirror that you probably rely on pretty often, right? When towing fifth-wheels, you’re only using your side mirrors to see what’s happening at sides and back of your truck. You have to account for your trailer, too. Make sure you have enough distance to turn and do other maneuvers.

Relying solely on your side and rearview mirror to get the job done when towing a trailer is not smart or safe. These mirrors aren’t designed to encompass the length and width of a trailer in addition to your pickup truck.

If your truck didn’t come with towing mirrors, buy them. You can permanently install them, or just attach them to your existing mirrors for short trips. Of course, you can still use these side mirrors even if you’re not towing a trailer.

Don’t Fight the Wind

You’ve just set off on your first trip towing a fifth-wheel trailer. Outside, it’s a little windy, but you don’t think this should deter you. After all, it’s not raining or snowing, so what’s the harm in setting off, right?

You’d be surprised. Depending on the intensity of the wind, you might have more trouble on the road than you had anticipated. Strong winds can threaten the stability of your fifth-wheel trailer setup. You will find your gas mileage tanks. In high winds, your truck strains and works harder to move forward.

So how windy is too windy? Many experts recommend taking a break if the winds are at least 30 miles per hour and up.

If you absolutely must be on the road when it’s that windy, be prepared to make more fuel stops. High winds equals more money to get you to a destination.

Practice Makes Perfect

You may know your pickup truck inside and out. But it’s hard to anticipate what driving will be like once you hitch several thousand pounds of RV to your vehicle.

Make it a point to practice fifth wheel towing long before you embark. You’ll be so much happier practicing in an empty parking lot than in a tight, four-lane highway with other motorists. Consider enrolling in an RV driving school too.

Repeatedly practice all the basic fifth wheel towing maneuvers. These include turns, braking, parallel parking, K-turns, and backing up. Not only do you have extra weight now, but you have extra length, too. Make sure you can drive safely with out having a collision. It’s in your best interest to practice, and in the best interest of other drivers around you.

Conclusion

A fifth-wheel trailer attaches to a pickup truck via a fifth-wheel hitch. Pickup trucks are the only vehicle compatible with this hitch. Even the most experienced drivers will find that everything feels different when fifth-wheel towing, The heavy weight of one of these trailers changes everything about RV driving.

Owning a fifth-wheel trailer is fun. Take these precautions and you’ll be ready to hit the road with less risk and more reward.

4 thoughts on “Top Fifth Wheel Towing Tips for Newbies”

  1. Hey Nicole, thanks for this article. I’m actually a towing company owner, but I just wanted to find an article to refer my visitors to who don’t want to pay for professional towing, and I think this is the perfect fit. Thanks!

    Reply
  2. Hi Nicole , your comment concerning loss power in the higher altitudes apparently are not totally correct according to a “FORD” service managers explanation to me. I currently drive a 2015 F250 Diesel. While on vacation in Colorado pulling my 5th toy hauler my turbo wasn’t working at different times several in fact. I videoed the situation showing my speed, rpm’s and zero reading on my turbo boost gauge was on zero. Was told it was normal and if it happened I was to pull over on the side of the road,cut the motor off and it would reset it self. Well after several miles not having a safe place to pull off the road I did cut the motor off. It apparently reset its self and the turbo and the gauge was working. I was told it was because of the altitude. Couldn’t duplicate the loss of boost when I got back to a lower altitude. So no action was taken by “FORD” “THAT IS THE WAY IT IS.” So I’m thinking I can’t go on vacation to Colorado or other higher altitude locations because of # one a safety factor trying to find a place to pull off to turn off the motor. Let it reset and continue on. Now, my word and my video apparently wasn’t enough information for “FORD” to investigate further because the dealer doesn’t get reimbursed for labor IF they can’t diagnose the problem. Thank you .

    Reply
  3. Hello Nicole,

    Very informative post and thanks for sharing valuable information here. Performing a successful towing operation always need proper care and attention at our side. Paying less attention especially in carrying towing tools and equipment can result in a failed towing operation. Checking the health of vehicle tires and knowing the capacity of towing vehicle can save you from many problems. You cannot tow a trailer with the car:) So, figure out everything before going for a safe towing operation.

    Thanks,

    Reply

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