Towing A Fifth Wheel Camper: A Comprehensive Guide

Towing a fifth-wheel camper can be a daunting task, especially for those new to the process. However, with the right tools, preparation, and practice, it can be a safe and enjoyable experience. Fifth-wheel campers are popular for their spacious and comfortable interiors, ample storage, and variety of floor plans. To tow one, a pickup truck with a specialised hitch installed in the bed of the truck is required. This provides improved stability and manoeuvrability compared to traditional travel trailers. Before embarking on a trip, it is crucial to verify the tow vehicle's capability, ensure proper weight and load distribution, and familiarise oneself with the hitching and towing process.

Know the weight of your empty trailer and the weight of the vehicle when connected to the truck

Knowing the weight of your empty fifth-wheel camper trailer and the weight of the vehicle when connected to the truck is essential for safe towing. Here are some detailed instructions and considerations to help you determine these weights:

Weighing Your Empty Trailer:

• Check the owner's manual for the dry or unloaded weight of your specific trailer model. This information is typically provided by the manufacturer and can be found in the manual or on a metal engraved plate on the outer left side of the trailer, known as the Federal Certification/VIN ID tag.
• Understand the different weight terms:
• Empty Weight/Dry Weight/Unloaded Weight: The weight of the trailer without any cargo, fluids, or personal items.
• Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR): The maximum weight the trailer is rated to weigh, including all cargo, fluids, and accessories.
• Load Capacity/Cargo Capacity: The total weight of the cargo the trailer is designed to carry safely.
• Consider the impact of accessories and add-ons: Items such as air conditioners, solar panels, and roof-mounted accessories increase the overall weight and height of your trailer.

Weighing Your Vehicle and Trailer Combination:

• Determine your truck's towing capacity: Start with the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of your truck, which represents the maximum loaded weight as specified by the manufacturer. You can find this information in your truck's owner's manual or by searching for your specific model online.
• Calculate the combined weight: Add the weight of your empty trailer (unloaded weight) to the weight of your truck (GVWR) to determine the combined weight of the two. Ensure that this combined weight does not exceed the towing capacity of your truck.
• Visit an RV weigh scale: Once your fifth-wheel camper is loaded for your trip, visit an RV weigh scale to get an accurate weight of your fully loaded setup. This will help you confirm that your tow truck can handle the weight of the loaded trailer.
• Consider weight distribution: Proper weight distribution is crucial for safe towing. Keep the loaded tongue weight or pin weight (the downward force of the trailer tongue on the hitch) between 15% and 25% of the total weight.
• Be mindful of weight limits: When planning your route, be aware of weight restrictions on roads, bridges, and campsites. Some areas, especially rural locations, may have weight limits that could impact your travel plans.

Verify your tow vehicle's capability

When towing a fifth-wheel camper, it is crucial to verify your tow vehicle's capability to ensure a safe and comfortable journey. Here are some detailed instructions to help you prepare:

Know Your Vehicle's Towing Capacity:

Before hitching a fifth-wheel camper to your truck, ensure that your vehicle is capable of handling the trailer's weight. Check your truck's towing capacity, which is typically specified in the owner's manual or the manufacturer's website. This information might also be available on a metal engraved plate on the outer left side of your vehicle, known as the Federal Certification/VIN ID tag.

Understand Weight Ratings:

There are several weight ratings you need to consider when towing a fifth-wheel camper. These include:

• Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR): This is the maximum loaded weight of your vehicle, including the trailer and cargo. Ensure that your truck's GVWR can handle the weight of the fifth-wheel camper.
• Cargo or Payload Capacity: This is the remaining weight capacity after subtracting the weight of the empty truck from the GVWR. The weight of the trailer and cargo must fall within this range.
• Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR): This is the maximum total weight of the loaded tow vehicle and trailer, as specified by the tow vehicle manufacturer. Ensure your GCWR rating can accommodate the combined weight of your truck and trailer.

Match Your Truck to the Trailer:

It is essential to match your truck's power and size to the trailer's weight and dimensions. Ensure that your truck has enough power to handle the trailer, typically requiring a three-quarter-ton truck or higher for larger trailers. Additionally, make sure there is sufficient room in the truck bed to accommodate the turning radius of the fifth-wheel camper.

Install the Right Hitch:

Select a hitch that is appropriately sized and compatible with your truck and trailer. Refer to the manufacturer's guidelines for the correct hitch size and follow the installation instructions carefully. Some trucks may have a factory-installed "puck" mounting system, which simplifies the hitch installation process.

Practice Makes Perfect:

Before embarking on your journey, practice towing your fifth-wheel camper in a safe, open space, such as an empty parking lot. Get a feel for the extra weight and length of the trailer by practicing turns, backing up, and other manoeuvres. The more familiar you are with the dynamics of towing, the safer and more confident you will be on the road.

Understand weight ratings

Understanding weight ratings is essential when towing a fifth-wheel camper. Here are some key points to consider:

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)

The GVWR is the maximum loaded weight of your vehicle, including the weight of the vehicle itself and the weight of any cargo or passengers. It is determined by the manufacturer and can be found on the door sticker of your tow vehicle. Knowing the GVWR for both the tow vehicle and the trailer is crucial, as 20-25% of the weight of the loaded trailer will be transferred to the truck when hitched.

Cargo or Payload Capacity

The cargo or payload capacity is the GVWR minus the weight of the empty truck. In other words, it represents how much additional weight the trailer can add without exceeding the GVWR.

Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR)

The GCWR is the maximum total weight of a loaded tow vehicle and trailer, as determined by the tow vehicle manufacturer. This rating takes into account the combined weight of the tow vehicle, trailer, and any cargo or passengers.

Tow Rating

In addition to the weight ratings above, it is important to understand the tow rating of your vehicle. This tells you how much weight your vehicle can safely pull. You can find the tow rating in your truck manual or on the Federal Certification/VIN ID tag, typically located on the outer left side of your fifth wheel.

Matching Truck and Trailer Weights

When towing a fifth-wheel camper, it is crucial to match your truck's towing capacity to the weight of the trailer. This includes the weight of the empty trailer as well as the weight of any cargo, fluids, or passengers. You can find the weight of your empty trailer in the owner's manual or on the manufacturer's website. If you're unsure, you can always use an industrial scale to get an accurate measurement.

Hitch Weight Ratings

When selecting a hitch, ensure it is rated to handle the weight of your trailer. One-size-fits-all hitches may require adjustments to ensure a proper fit, so it is generally better to get a hitch that is specifically sized for your trailer.

By understanding and respecting these weight ratings, you can help ensure a safe and enjoyable towing experience with your fifth-wheel camper.

Hitching and unhitching

Hitching

• Ensure your truck is compatible with the camper. Verify that your truck has a heavy-duty towing package and a towing capacity that meets or exceeds the weight of the fifth-wheel trailer, including cargo and fluids.
• Install the correct hitch. Seek out a manufacturer's guidelines for the right-size hitch. One-size-fits-all hitches may require extra work to ensure a proper fit. Install the hitch following the manufacturer's instructions.
• Match your truck to the trailer. Check the weight of your empty trailer and the vehicle's weight once it's connected to the truck. Ensure you never exceed the weight limit.
• Raise or lower the trailer. Using the front trailer jacks, adjust the trailer to be at or slightly below the height of the hitch.
• Back up the truck slowly. Continue until the kingpin on the trailer pin-box slides into the horseshoe-shaped coupling.
• Secure the hitch. Visually verify that the hitch pin is fastened securely by the hitch jaws, then lock the hitch handle with a pin or padlock.
• Attach the emergency breakaway cable. This gives the hitch added braking power in the event of an emergency.
• Raise the trailer jacks. Once the hitch is secure, raise the trailer jacks so that the trailer is now supported by the truck.

Unhitching

• Park on a level surface. When you are ready to unhitch, make sure you are parked on level ground to ensure stability.
• Lower the trailer jacks. Lower the trailer jacks so that they are supporting the weight of the trailer, not the truck.
• Unlock the hitch. Release the locking mechanism on the hitch and slowly pull the truck away from the trailer until the kingpin slides out of the coupling.
• Secure the trailer. Once the trailer is no longer attached to the truck, chock the trailer wheels and consider using wheel stops or blocks to keep it in place.

Remember to always practice good communication and teamwork when hitching and unhitching. It's not uncommon for experienced RVers to use walkie-talkies to coordinate during this process.

Practice driving with the fifth wheel attached

Once you've hitched your fifth-wheel trailer to your pickup truck, it's time to practice driving. Even the most experienced drivers will find that everything feels different when towing a heavy trailer. It is highly recommended to practice driving with the fifth wheel attached long before embarking on your trip. Empty parking lots are ideal for this. You might also consider enrolling in an RV driving school.

• Practice all the basic towing manoeuvres: turns, braking, parallel parking, K-turns, and backing up.
• Remember that you now have extra weight and length, so make sure you can drive safely and avoid collisions.
• Your truck will accelerate slower than you're used to, so compensate accordingly.
• Watch your speed and be conscious of how the vehicle's momentum changes.
• Brake more consciously and avoid sudden stops. Keep your eyes on the road.
• When turning, the trailer will go in the opposite direction of your steering wheel. Practice turning in an open space and visualise where the trailer is headed as you adjust the wheel.
• When approaching an intersection or turning into a parking lot, drive as deep/straight as possible before making the turn. This gives the trailer more room to manoeuvre.
• In multi-lane highways, stay in the middle lanes, favouring the middle-left. Avoid the fast-moving far-left lanes and the right lanes, which often disappear with exits and on-ramps.
• When backing into a campsite, your starting position is key. Pull past the site and align your truck and trailer to be on the same side of the road as the campsite. You'll need room for the truck's nose to swing around as it backs in.
• When backing up, give yourself some manoeuvring space and be realistic about where you can fit.
• Use a spotter or a set of towing mirrors to help guide you into place.

Frequently asked questions