Ready to hit the road for a whole summer of camping adventures with your fifth-wheel RV all hitched up? Before you embark on that journey to the campground, it’s a good idea to brush up on your towing skills.
Whether you’ve been hauling your fifth-wheel across state lines for years now or are a relative newcomer to all things RV-ing and camper towing, it’s always a smart move to keep your skills sharp, fresh and ready for anything you might encounter while on the road.
The truth is, towing a sizable fifth-wheel can be challenging regardless of your experience level. From weight distribution and hitching up, to navigating unpredictable roads or weather conditions and performing regular maintenance, there’s a lot to keep in mind.
Equip Yourself with the Right Towing Hardware
You likely (hopefully) already have a pickup with the right towing capacity, but how’s your towing hardware looking? Your towing hitch is the link that connects your truck to your camper, and it provides the security you need to move that weighty vehicle smoothly on the road.
So, what kind of a hitch do you need? All fifth-wheels are towed with a “fifth wheel” hitch, which refers to the U-shaped coupling that’s mounted in the truck bed. There’s also a pin-box located on the front of your fifth-wheel, which locks onto that aforementioned coupling.
However, there is variety in fifth-wheel hitches. While most setups attach to rails that are mounted in the truck bed, some hitches use fixed legs while others feature a roller/slider option for more clearance on tight turns. Still, others simply drop into OEM pre-drilled holes via a “puck system” towing package.
There are hundreds of different models to choose from, which can make the selection process daunting. Just keep in mind that you’ll need to select a hitch that’s properly sized for your fifth-wheel camper. (That means your hitch should suit your RV’s weight, your truck’s specs and the length of your pickup bed.)
Additionally, it’s wise to start your search by looking at reputable names in the towing industry, with reliable experience in fifth-wheel hitches, like Husky Towing, CURT, Reese, B&W Hitches and PullRite, just to name a few.
Be Mindful of Your Fifth-Wheel’s Weight Limit
Speaking of RV weight, knowing your fifth-wheel’s weight limit and making sure you don’t exceed it is absolutely critical when it comes to towing. Going over your truck’s towing capacity and adding too much weight to your RV can put you in grave danger while you’re on the road, so you’ll always want to keep weight in mind as you’re packing your camper, loading your truck and hitching up for any camping trip.
What, exactly, can happen if you’re towing too much weight? Disasters like transmission failure, broken hitches and lost campers can all be a consequence of carrying more than your hitch, truck and RV can handle.
It’s typical for most fifth-wheel hitches to be able to tow up to 24,000 pounds or more. But you don’t want to assume that your camper is within that weight limit.
Look at your owner’s manual to determine how much your empty fifth-wheel weighs. Then, take a look at your vehicle’s tow rating (which is how much weight it’s safely able to pull). You’ll also want to factor in added weight – like the weight of any cargo you’re carrying inside your RV and your truck, as well as any passengers riding inside.
If you’re approaching a weight that’s too high for your truck and your hitch, you’ll want to make adjustments before you head out to a campground. You may need to reduce the amount of cargo or divide passengers between multiple vehicles to reduce overall weight.
Pay Close Attention to Tire Pressure
You already know you need to keep an eye on your tire pressure when you’re not towing a fifth-wheel – so make sure you’re doing the same when you are towing! Tire pressure is key to keeping your truck and your camper stable on the road, especially with their extra-heavy weights.
While pickups and fifth-wheels alike tend to have heavier-duty tires, they see a whole lot of wear. Make sure to regularly test your tire pressure on both vehicles before heading out on any trip.
A loss of pressure, even in just a single tire on your fifth-wheel or truck, can potentially lead to an accident once you’re cruising. It can throw off your entire balance, making for a dangerous situation at both high and low speeds.
Avoid Towing in High Winds
Wind can make any road trip challenging, even if you’re just hitting the highway in your everyday vehicle. Add in a fifth-wheel that you’re trying to tow safely, and gusty conditions can lead to a whole lot of swaying, decreased control and difficulty on the road. That’s why it’s always a smart idea to check weather conditions – and the wind speed – along your planned route before you start towing your fifth-wheel.
Even mild windy conditions can put increased strain on your truck, RV and hitch. How much wind is too much? You’ll want to take a break or stay off the road if you’re seeing 30 mile-per-hour winds.
Don’t Overlook Altitude
If you’re headed to a campsite high in the mountains, do a little extra planning before you hitch up your fifth-wheel and head out. Climbing to higher altitudes while towing your fifth-wheel can alter the way you drive, and it can also affect your truck’s performance on the road.
Towing at higher altitudes can put increased stress on your engine and transmission. That’s because your engine starts to slowly lose power as you climb increasingly higher. For every 1,000 feet of altitude you climb, your truck’s engine loses between 2-4% of its power. This, in turn, puts more strain on the transmission – and makes it tougher for your truck to tow your fifth-wheel.
To alleviate some of this added stress, keep these towing tips in mind:
- Put your truck into a lower gear as you gain altitude
- Keep your truck and fifth-wheel as lightweight as possible
- Avoid using overdrive, which can lead to overheating and mechanical issues
Take your time rather than rushing up the mountain. It could help keep both your truck and your fifth-wheel RV in their best shape, in addition to making towing safer.