Tow & Fifth Wheels

The fifth wheel hitch provides the link between the trailer and the towing truck. The “fifth wheel” in the name refers to the U-shaped coupling mounted onto the cargo bed of the tow truck. It's similar to the equipment found on over-the-road tractors hauling commercial semi-trailers.

The thought of towing a fifth wheel camping trailer can seem daunting. Some of the bigger models can weigh over six tons empty, stand 13-feet tall, and stretch over 40-feet in length. But don’t let the size deter you. A fifth wheel offers benefits galore, not the least of which is unsurpassed towability. Experienced RVers will tell you that they would prefer to tow a fifth wheel compared to a conventional travel trailer.

“From a towability standpoint, there is nothing better than a fifth wheel,” says RV Enthusiast Technical Editor Chris Dougherty. “What makes a fifth wheel extraordinarily stable is the hitch location. Unlike a conventional travel trailer where the hitch is at the back end of your tow vehicle, the hitch-point on a fifth wheel trailer is positioned directly above your tow truck’s rear axle.

“The result is an extremely stable platform that virtually eliminates trailer sway and dramatically reduces the effects of crosswinds and buffeting. Another advantage of a fifth wheel is that you can have a longer trailer with an overall shorter vehicle and trailer length because part of the trailer is above the bed of the truck.”

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