Choosing the Perfect 5th Wheel Hitch

As you might already be aware, one of the defining factors of a 5th (fifth) wheel trailer is its hitch. Because these RVs are so big, they need a special kind of towing mechanism to make things easier and safer. What you may not know is that the hitch that comes with the 5th wheel doesn’t have to be the hitch you use. There are plenty of options you can choose from to make your towing experience better suited to your driving skills. We’ve provided some important information on what’s available to you so you can approach this decision more confidently. If you have any more questions, simply contact The Outpost RV in Middlebury, Indiana and we’ll help you with all your RV-related questions and concerns. We also serve those from Kalamazoo, Michigan.

How a 5th Wheel Hitch Works

Many towable RVs are hauled around using a bumper pull hitch, which creates a little bit of a gap between the tow vehicle and the RV. However, 5th wheels are much bigger. Too big for a bumper pull. That’s why they come with their own specialized hitch, which swoops up and into the bed of the tow vehicle where the receiving end is installed. This creates an overlap between the two parts of the unit, which provides the driver with more control and stability, even on windy roads. It’s also because all the tongue weight is resting over the tow vehicle’s axle, rather than hovering between the two halves.

5th Wheel Hitch Parts

When you start looking at your options, you’ll need to know the different parts you’ll be looking at and what kinds of decisions you might want to be making. Firstly, there’s the pivot head. This is where your 5th wheel gets a lot of its mobility on the road. There’s the 2-way pivot head, which moves forward and back, and there’s the 4-way pivot, which can also move side to side. The first gives you great mobility and control on inclines, while the latter is a favorite choice among RVers who spend a lot of time driving on uneven roads.

You’ll also want to think about the rails. These are the parts that get drilled into your truck so you can install the hitch. Universal rails are more flexible with varying types of trucks and other hitches that are similar to 5th wheel hitches. You can also get custom rails that are specifically made for your truck, which can be easier to install.

Finally, you’ll want to think about the jaws, which is what holds the two parts of the hitch in place. There’s the more secure single jaw option and the quieter double jaw option, although both are excellent choices. Some choices will greatly affect your traveling experience while others might just boil down to personal preference. As long as you’re giving it some thought, there are no wrong answers here.

What to Consider

There are other factors you’ll want to consider when you’re looking at your options, such as the weight of your 5th wheel. The hitch needs to be able to accommodate whatever size RV you have, otherwise you’ll be creating a driving hazard for yourself or risk damaging some part of your towing unit.

You might also want to think about the installation process. If you’re hiring a professional to do this for you, then choose whichever hitch you like, but if you’d like to do it yourself, you probably won’t want to buy something that’s too complicated for you.

Finally, if you do intend to switch out your 5th wheel hitch, don’t forget to include that in your budget. It might affect how much you have to spend on the RV itself.

At this point, you should have your foot in the door of knowledge leading to the right 5th wheel hitch. This should help you make the right choice for you or your primary driver. But if you still need the 5th wheel to go with it, stop by The Outpost RV and let one of our experienced staff know which models you’d like to look at first. We welcome all current and future RV owners from Middlebury, Indiana and Kalamazoo, Michigan.