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 picAnd 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

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. :) :)

I think it is much easier. You do need to ensure its properly latched.

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.

I hook mine up to a semi with a full condo sleeper -without a camera- and no spotter most of the time.easy peasyno 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".

Is Hitching a Fiver Easier? | Good Sam Community

38 Replies

Veebyes
Explorer II
Nov 23, 2014
valhalla360 wrote:
rhagfo wrote:
marspec wrote:
Just remember -- tailgate DOWN when hitching and unhitching.

That or get a louvered "V" notched 5er Tailgate, no up or down.

Yes much easier, secure, and stable.

Except, we never had an issue with the standard tailgate on the old truck remembering to raise and lower it.

The new (to us) truck had a damaged tailgate and we got a v-gate for $60 off craigslist. First time we used it the pin was slightly low and hit it. Luckily, the gate just flexed and popped out with no damage.

Don't count on the v-gate being automatic.

Been there. Mashed that. Just cause it is a "V" tailgate don't assume that it does not need opening.

Fixed mine to usable condition myself by employing boatstands, blocks of wood, a bottle jack & the weight of the trailer itself to bend the tailgate back to near original shape without removing it from the truck.
valhalla360
Navigator
Nov 23, 2014
rhagfo wrote:
marspec wrote:
Just remember -- tailgate DOWN when hitching and unhitching.

That or get a louvered "V" notched 5er Tailgate, no up or down.

Yes much easier, secure, and stable.

Except, we never had an issue with the standard tailgate on the old truck remembering to raise and lower it.

The new (to us) truck had a damaged tailgate and we got a v-gate for $60 off craigslist. First time we used it the pin was slightly low and hit it. Luckily, the gate just flexed and popped out with no damage.

Don't count on the v-gate being automatic.
shadows4
Nomad
Nov 23, 2014
Jeremiah, in my opinion yes it is easier all the way around. I can't see the jaws of my hitch because of the tonneau cover. But I have solved that issue with some simple tape on the tonneau and the hitch. Just line the two up and stop when the hitch latches around the king pin. Easy, peasy!!

I also use a Hoppy Level Plus to mark the height of the pin when hooked up, here.

It works very well. But what really sealed the deal for me is this.

A couple of months after we bought the fifth wheel, we were driving down the highway towing the fiver. I noticed my wife watching me and smiling. I asked her what she was smiling at. She said she was smiling at how relaxed I was. She said when we towed the TT that I was always tense and nervous. And I now looked so relaxed and stress free.

It was like pulling teeth to convince her to trade up to a fifth wheel. For her to say that really made it worth while. And I do feel much more relaxed and in control. Hope that helps, John
BB_TX
Nomad
Nov 23, 2014
marspec wrote:
BB_TX wrote:
snip

And some people have claimed that they cannot see their 5th wheel hitch from their truck's driver seat. Crew cab, short bed, and shorter people maybe?

The center headrest of the rear seat of my Ford crew cab blocked my view of the hitch. Removed head rest. Problem solved.

Same for me. I could see the hitch, but removing the head rest made it much easier. And have never had a passenger in that center seat anyway.
marspec
Explorer
Nov 23, 2014
BB_TX wrote:
snip

And some people have claimed that they cannot see their 5th wheel hitch from their truck's driver seat. Crew cab, short bed, and shorter people maybe?

The center headrest of the rear seat of my Ford crew cab blocked my view of the hitch. Removed head rest. Problem solved.
Baybum10
Explorer
Nov 23, 2014
Definitely an ah-ha moment. Much easier to hook up and tow
ventrman
Explorer
Nov 22, 2014
I find it much easier. I always do a Trial to see if it will start pulling the Trailer before releasing the Landing Gear. Also do not forget to attach the Breakaway Cable. I attach mine with a small Padlock.
mpfireman
Explorer
Nov 22, 2014
One thing that you will not see when towing a TT, is that OOPS moment when your fiver slips and drops down on your truck rails. Did that tailgate thing one time as i was distracted by my grand kids. No real damage, i caught it in time. But an eye opener.
It all boils down to a steadier tow platform, those 18 wheelers have no effect on the trailer.
BB_TX
Nomad
Nov 22, 2014
My truck has a tailgate mounted rear view camera. It has an alignment line displayed on the large display screen that makes it simple to align and back under a trailer hitch. And the display is clear enough to see exactly when the ball is under the hitch. So, with that feature, hooking up to a TT is no harder than hitching up to our 5er.

And some people have claimed that they cannot see their 5th wheel hitch from their truck's driver seat. Crew cab, short bed, and shorter people maybe?
Jandsa
Explorer
Nov 22, 2014
YES! What a difference in hitching up to 5ver! And feel more secure hauling the 5ver down the highway. With a TT, I felt a tug every now and then....and there is not this tugging with a 5ver. I am guessing cause the hitch is in the bed of the truck and not this drag from the wind.

Forum Discussion

Is Hitching a Fiver Easier?

38 Replies

About Fifth Wheel Group

Related Content

Suggestions for Fiver Hitch

Fiver Pin Separated From Hitch on Interstate

Travelling is not getting easier

New, Easier Pet Iimportation Regulations

It's getting easier