Forum Discussion

jerem0621's avatar
jerem0621
Explorer II
Nov 22, 2014

Is Hitching a Fiver Easier?

Okay, I've got a ton of experience towing a TT and using half ton and my previous dually truck. Zero experience with a fiver though.

For those of you who went from a TT to a fiver.. did you find the fiver more confidence inspiring? Ball vs Kingpin.. etc..

Is the fiver easier to hitch than a TT? Seemed like I always got a work out hitching the TT.

If we go HD truck and fiver will I have an Ah-Ha moment as it relates to hitching and say.. why didn't I do this earlier?

No chains, no guessing where the ball is in relation to the TT when hitching.

This all started when I got to looking at the jaws on a Reese hitch the other day at camping world.. Here is the pic



And I can't get the thought out of my mind about this 2 inch round hunk of steel (the pin) gripped solidly, 360 degrees around the pin by massive steel jaws...

my mind keeps comparing this huge pin vs a small latch on the TT... is it just an illusion or is the fiver more secure? B&W has even thicker jaws than the Reese!!

So in summary,

Is the fiver easier to hitch up than a TT and is the fiver actually more secure than a TT?

Thanks!

Jeremiah

38 Replies

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  • Pipeman's avatar
    Pipeman
    Explorer
    Nov 22, 2014
    I have a dually with a tonneau cover in the rolled up position when I'm towing the 5er. I can't see my hitch when backing up to the kingpin. Like Hone Eagle, I just line the sides of the truck up with the front of the 5er and back into the kingpin. I do get out and make sure the kingpin is high enough. Back in slowly and voila you're hooked up when you hear the latching mechanism close or the truck comes to a stop. I usually don't hit the kingpin with a thud, nice and slow does the trick. You get used to seeing where the truck and trailer line up and it becomes second nature to just use the mirrors when backing into the kingpin.
  • MFL's avatar
    MFL
    Nomad II
    Nov 22, 2014
    Jeremiah, you just need to hook up with a friends rig to compare.

    No chains, no heavy bars, one person job (no camera needed), but a little step stool can come in handy.

    The no chains required, answers the secure question.

    Getting a good hitch, makes an easy job, easier!!

    Jerry
  • hone_eagle's avatar
    hone_eagle
    Explorer
    Nov 22, 2014
    I hook mine up to a semi with a full condo sleeper -without a camera- and no spotter most of the time.
    easy peasy
    no worries ,get the hight correct (not too high) and click click you are in.
    remember -easy is no excuse for skipping the "get out and look step".
  • valhalla360's avatar
    valhalla360
    Navigator
    Nov 22, 2014
    Definitely easier to line up.
    - Travel trailer: You need to get a ball you can't see lined up to within an inch both left/right and fore/aft.
    - 5th Wheel: You can watch them come together and only need to get the left/right lined up. It will stop by itself when you get far enough back.

    Of course this is a minor issue. The ease of pulling and negligible sway when big trucks pass, is much nicer.
  • amandasgramma's avatar
    amandasgramma
    Explorer
    Nov 22, 2014
    DH says it is. Think about it....the hitch is in the bed of the truck where you can see it lining up. The TT has the hitch down behind the tailgate where you have to guess where it is. :) :)

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