new to fifth wheel towing

[pipers_family]

We are about to become fifth wheel campers. Have always towed a bumper pull complete with the equalizer hitches and all the fun that goes with that style of hooking up. We are hoping that this will be quicker and easier? We have upgraded our truck from a 3/4 ton gas short bed to a 1 ton, diesel, dually in hopes we will be able to tow up and down mountain roads. The trailers we are looking at are around 16500 pounds. Would love to hear any and all suggestions on this new venture. We had a 26000 hitch installed today, so first time towing is coming soon.

[ependydad]

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Backing 5vr doesn't respond as quickly as bumper pull....at first but when 5vr starts to respond it does so faster.

Also 5vr wheels will track inside of trucks wheels when making turns.

Hooking up.....
King pin plate should be lower than hitch plate so when you back in the king pin rides up hitch plate. This prevents 'high hitching' which is where king pin is not captured by hitch jaws which can happen it king pin plate is higher than hitch plate and lowered into hitch.

After hooking up....
Visually verify hitch jaw(s) have closed around king pin and then do a 'pull test'

Pull Test.....
5vr hitched, umbilical cord plugged in, emergency brake cable attached....raise 5vr front landing gear legs until they just lift off ground (5vr full supported by truck)
Then start truck, engage brake controller manual lever fully (wheel chocks should still be in place), place truck in 'drive' and give the 5vr a good tug.
This checks that hitch jaw(s) are locked.

Go to a large parking lot and practice.......backing into parking spots, maneuvering thru turns (right/left), pulling into parking spots 'straight' (no cutting corners-cause those could be curbs or other vehicles)

Have fun!

Which 5vr are you looking at??????

Step-by-steps are posted here:
Hitching and Un-hitching fifth wheel

You need to see the manual for your actual fifth wheel, but they'll be quite similar.

[schlep1967]

I'd follow what old biscuit said with one exception. Only follow his hookup suggestions after you read the instructions that come with your hitch and verify they are the same as his suggestions. Not all hitches follow the same rules.

[pipers_family]

Thanks so much. We have the hitch, which was part of negotiations in dually purchase. We have not purchased our trailer yet, but have certainly been given a lot to think about. Y'all are terriffic. Will let you know when we finish negotiations and try our first hitching.

[Jandsa]

Water-Bug wrote:
I personally avoid hitching and unhitching on a hill. Slight incline of a driveway maybe, but NEVER on a hill.

Maybe I should clarify here:R...."hilly areas" as in where there is an incline. Not all campsites are perfectly level.

[Water-Bug]

I personally avoid hitching and unhitching on a hill. Slight incline of a driveway maybe, but NEVER on a hill.

[Jandsa]

Congratulations, Pipers

We just jumped in and bought another 5th wheel after having owned a small TT and years ago, a 5th wheel. Even after having the best hitch there is with an equalizer, he felt that a TT was more difficult to hitch and unhitch and felt the wind shear of the big rigs more on the interstate.

I don't know the name of the hitch, but we bought a hitch (upon the advice of the dealership service dept.), a hitch that makes it easier to hook up on hilly areas. Noting that you mentioned hills, you may want to look into this hitch.

Enjoy

[thomas201]

I would suggest, from the Dowell Schlumberger driving school, before you dolly up, use a flashlight and make double darn sure the jaws are closed around, or the bar is behind the pin. If not you can travel farther than you would think with the kingpin not locked, or engaged over the top of the fifth wheel. This then allows the trailer to ride up into the cab and/or fall onto the bed and the ground. I have seen it and helped recover two trailers where the driver dropped them. A very bad day for all concerned.

[C_Schomer]

I used to have a small lightweight chain with a hook on one end so I could hook it on the kingpin. I cut the length so when the end was touching the ground, that was the perfect height for hitching to the truck. I lost the chain but I always carry a small tape measure in the truck to set the pin height for hitching. Craig

[Sturgeon-Phish]

Sounds like you've done some planning! Good for you.
Easier and quicker to hook up and unhook. As said always do a pull test with wheels chocked and front legs just barely off the ground to avoid hitting the bed if the coupler is not latched.
Know you rigs height as 5th are usually taller that tow behinds, so tree limbs and overheads are mmore of an issue.
Jim

[C-Bears]

Print what Old-Biscuit wrote and memorize it! Get in the habit of hooking up and unhooking the same way each and every time. Do not let anyone distract you.

If you are shopping for new fivers, do yourself a favor and get one equipped with the 6-point leveling system. You will be glad you did later.

You are sure starting off with enough truck to pull about anything. But don't expect to be able to park it in every small congested parking lot when using it as your daily driver while traveling.

[Blackcell]

Don't know about quicker but easier, Yes. You should have no issues with the weight.

I have an SRW but much lighter fiver (around 14K loaded) and was able to climb a few 14% grades down in Utah albeit with white knuckles :-).

Just take your time and don't allow ANYONE to talk or distract you during hitching and unhitching. So, easy to forget one step and very unforgiving if you do. Couldn't of said it better than Old-Biscuit.

One of the best examples I've seen for backing a fiver is http://michigantraveler.org/2013/01/22/z-method-for-backing-a-5th-wheel/

[Old-Biscuit]

Backing 5vr doesn't respond as quickly as bumper pull....at first but when 5vr starts to respond it does so faster.

Also 5vr wheels will track inside of trucks wheels when making turns.

Hooking up.....
King pin plate should be lower than hitch plate so when you back in the king pin rides up hitch plate. This prevents 'high hitching' which is where king pin is not captured by hitch jaws which can happen it king pin plate is higher than hitch plate and lowered into hitch.

After hooking up....
Visually verify hitch jaw(s) have closed around king pin and then do a 'pull test'

Pull Test.....
5vr hitched, umbilical cord plugged in, emergency brake cable attached....raise 5vr front landing gear legs until they just lift off ground (5vr full supported by truck)
Then start truck, engage brake controller manual lever fully (wheel chocks should still be in place), place truck in 'drive' and give the 5vr a good tug.
This checks that hitch jaw(s) are locked.

Go to a large parking lot and practice.......backing into parking spots, maneuvering thru turns (right/left), pulling into parking spots 'straight' (no cutting corners-cause those could be curbs or other vehicles)

Have fun!

Which 5vr are you looking at??????

[Peg_Leg]

Just take your time hitching, your gonna love it. Yeah backing is different, easier in my opinion, just a bit of a adjustment period.

[jmtandem]

Thanks so much. The combined dry weight and capacity is 16500. We've heard that there is a distinct difference in the way you back between the TT and 5th wheel. I guess that skill will need to be worked on. We have also never had a dually, and I've already heard that curbs have been know to jump out and grab that outer wheel.

After 130,000 miles with a dually I can tell you with certainty that they are not a big deal. Go drive it 300 miles and in some traffic and you will be a pro. The truck is no longer than any non dually truck and no wider than the mirrors. Just be a little careful if you like 'drive throughs' or parking garages. Otherwise the stability is absolutely noticable over a single rear wheel truck especially towing. As to the fifth just remember that once it starts to turn in a backing situation it will turn faster than a travel trailer. Be ready for it, a big parking lot and an hour will get you familiar with it's characteristics.

On another subject I would invest in a bed saver (I think Blue Ox sell them) to keep the truck bed from damage should you have a senior moment and forget to hitch something. Saves lots of truck damage and down time.