Fifth Wheel Towing Tips

When you’ve finally picked out a fifth wheel you know you and your family are going to love camping in, your next big hurdle is going to be hauling it from one place to the next--starting with getting it home from the dealership! You might be thinking the bigger size of the fifth wheel means it’s going to be harder to tow around, but you’ll probably be surprised by just how easy it is. Just make sure you’re not making things harder for yourself by ignoring some basic fifth wheel towing tips. 

So Cal RV Rentals & Sales has provided them here if you’re a little hazy on the details so you can tow your rig safely and efficiently. If you need help, stop by our fifth wheel dealership in Corona, California, near Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, Riverside, and Chino, proudly serving all of Southern California. 

Using the Correct Vehicle to Tow

Before we get to the fifth wheel, you’ll want to make sure you’re using the right tow vehicle to haul it around. Unlike other towable RVs, there are more specific requirements for a fifth wheel tow vehicle. They’re designed so there’s overlap between the two parts of the unit, which means your tow vehicle needs to have an open bed or flatbed. In other words, a truck. 

This truck then needs to meet the weight requirements of your fifth wheel. You’ll probably be looking at a model that’s at least half a ton, but as the RV gets bigger, the truck needs to be stronger. Compare the towing weight limits of your intended tow vehicle with the size of the rig and make sure you’re not going to be overloading any part of your unit (even your hitch has weight limits). Exceeding these limits is not only dangerous, it’s illegal, so avoid the trouble altogether by doing the right amount of work ahead of time.

Hitching and Unhitching

Once you’ve found the right truck, make sure you’ve got the right hitch. Luckily, most vehicle manufacturers make hitches that are specifically designed to fit their models, so the installation process is smoother and less invasive than it would be with an external hitch provider. Plus, you can hire a professional to install it if you don’t want to mess with the project or are worried you’d do it incorrectly.

When it’s time to actually hitch the two vehicles, the first time around you might want a spotter to guide you, but you’ll probably find after a while you won’t need the extra help because it’s so simple. Start by lining up the two vehicles and then backing up the truck toward the fifth wheel. As you close the gap, adjust the hitch height using the jack and make sure the jaws of the hitch are open. Continue backing up until you hear a “click” that indicates the two parts (the hitch and the kingpin) are connected. Finally, secure the connection using the cotter pin and you’re good to go.

Practice Makes Perfect

The best way to learn how to tow a fifth wheel is to simply start towing it. No amount of readable tips are going to take the place of old fashioned experience, so find a big, empty parking lot and relearn some of the basics, like turning, braking, parking, and reversing. Think of this as relearning to drive all over again. Repeat all the steps you took when you were younger to figure out how to tow a fifth wheel. This should also include taking your rig on the freeway. Between merging and high speeds, freeway driving can present some unique challenges, so find a low traffic time of day to reduce the amount of stress you might feel while still figuring things out. 

While many fifth wheels are pretty big, you’ll probably find that the overlap between the two units provides more stability and control for you, so with the right mindset and a little practice, you may never want to tow any other kind of RV again. If you’re still looking for fifth wheels for sale, stop by So Cal RV Rentals & Sales and we’ll help you find the perfect model for you and your family. We welcome current and future RV owners from all over Southern California, including Corona, Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, Riverside, and Chino.