Fifth Wheel Hitching Guide

If you’re going to hitch up your fifth wheel and set out on the road, you need to make sure you’re prepared. Check out some of these tips to make sure that you’re ready for the journey ahead:

Loading Your Camper

A fifth wheel is large enough to bring along plenty of items, but as you pack, be mindful of your Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR). This number relates to how much weight your tow vehicle can handle.  If you overload your camper, multiple issues may arise. Overloading can put excess strain on your tow vehicle's brakes and make driving more unpredictable, as well as lead to dangerous situations like a tire blowing out. You can also get hit with a huge fine if you get caught towing too much. These are all easily avoidable by simply sticking within your vehicle's weight limits, so if you aren't sure where you stand, double-check your weight at a weigh station. 

Check Your Tires

The tires of your truck and your fifth wheel need to be in peak condition before every trip. Use a tire-pressure gauge to check all your tires before departure, ensuring that they are aired up to the recommended psi levels in your owner’s manuals. Examine each tire to make sure it has sufficient tread depth and that there are no cracks in the sidewall or embedded objects in the tread. One way you can simplify tire maintenance is to install a tire-pressure measuring device that can keep tabs on your tires for you.

Get Some Practice

If you’re new to hauling a fifth wheel, it pays to put in some practice time with your truck and your fifth wheel hitched up together. Take the setup to an empty parking lot to try turning, reversing, braking, and parking. You need to get yourself comfortable with the extra weight and length of your fifth wheel when it’s attached to your truck, and practice is the best way to do this.

Ready to purchase your own fifth-wheel and start your new adventure? Visit Mann's RV in Rutland, Massachusetts, and we’ll help you find the perfect fifth-wheel!