Essential Tips for Choosing a Fifth Wheel Hitch
A fifth wheel hitch is carefully crafted to help accommodate the size and weight of a fifth wheel, but you might be surprised to learn that not all hitches are built the same. Depending on your driving style and the kind of camper you’re getting, there might be some hitches better suited for you than others. That’s why Sumner RV has provided some tips to help you choose the right hitch for your fifth wheel. You can also contact our locations in Sumner and Bremerton, Washington with any additional questions you might have. We proudly serve Seattle and Silverdale, so let us know how we can make your ownership experience easier!
The Basics
Right away, you’ll notice the fifth wheel hitch looks a little different from the hitches you might be used to, also known as bumper pull hitches. They swoop up and into the back of an open bed where they attach to the hitch receiver. The overlap between the two parts of the towing unit can create more stability, which makes it easier to navigate with an RV that’s bigger and heavier.
Know Your Truck
As you may have guessed, this means that your tow vehicle is going to have some more specific guidelines. It needs to have an open bed, like you might find on a pickup truck, where the receiver will be installed.
It’s also going to need to safely tow the extra weight. The bigger the fifth wheel is, the bigger the tow vehicle needs to be. Check out key specs, like the gross combined weight rating (GCWR), which tells you the maximum amount of weight your towing unit should be given a particular truck—including tow vehicle, towed vehicle, cargo, and passengers. The combined weight of your truck and fifth wheel should comfortably fit well below this limit, or else you might need to consider alternative tow vehicle options.
It’s also important to note that not all trucks are built the same. Short-bed trucks are a little more difficult to use when it comes to fifth wheels, and there’s a higher risk for a collision between the RV and the back of the cab. If you’re using a short-bed truck, you might need to get an extended pin box for a better turn radius.
Rails
You’ll also need rails installed in your truck, in order to secure the receiver. There are universal rails, which are the standard option for a wide range of trucks. They’re a little more involved when it comes to installing them, but they’re more adaptable to a wide range of makes and models.
Some vehicle manufacturers provide the option of custom rails, so everything can be all ready to go for when your fifth wheel is ready to hit the road. Just make sure the hitch you get fits with these custom rails.
Choosing a Type
Now to get into the nitty-gritty. You’ll essentially be choosing between two types of hitches: traditional and slider. Both are designed to pivot forward and back again, which allows the towing unit to go up and down hills without adding more stress to the vehicle or RV. You can also opt for a four-way pivot, which allows for movement from side to side, which can help on bumpy roads.
Traditional fifth wheel hitches are a great choice for many owners, but if you’re working with a short-bed truck, you’ll probably need a slider hitch. Manual sliders are less expensive and lighter, but they often require you to get out to secure them periodically, especially on tight turns. If you’re willing to pay a little more money, an automatic slider will make the adjustment for you so you don’t pop out your back window.
Additional Considerations
There are some other influencing factors that you may need to be thinking about when looking for the right fifth wheel hitch. Consider whether you’ll be installing it, or if you’ll want to get a professional to install the hitch. If you’re doing it yourself, then you’ll probably want to find something that isn’t too complicated.
A simpler hitch can also be good for new owners who are still figuring out how to manage a fifth wheel. And, of course, you’ll want to budget for the right hitch. Don’t buy something efficient just because it’s cheaper, but make sure you understand what’s realistic for your financial situation.
When you have your fifth wheel all hitched up, you can start hitting the road to enjoy all sorts of fantastic adventures in a comfortable way. If you’re still looking for the right fifth wheel for your family, consider checking out our inventory of models for sale. You can also contact us about getting your hands on the perfect RV for you and your family. We proudly serve all those from Seattle and Silverdale, WA, so let us know how we can assist you!