Thinking about moving over to a 5th wheel

[nmhuntr]

I currently have toyhauler but I have a boat and would love to be able to tow the boat also therefore the need for a 5th wheel. My quad is...Can all 5th wheels have a receiver hitch on the back for towing or only certain ones? If only certain ones then how do I know if I can add a hitch to one when I look at it?

Thanks

[jalichty]

We have had hitches welded on to each of the two FWs that we have owned. The first one was a Jayco Eagle 215SD and we towed boats weighing up to 5,000 pounds behind that FW with no problems. Second FW, 2012 Jayco HT 26.5 RLS, we had a hitch professionally installed after we bought it and currently tow a 3,500 boat behind it with no problems. The installer reinforced the I beams about 5' forward from the rear of the trailer and totally fabricated the hitch rather than just getting one to weld onto the FW. I would certainly recommend that you get a hitch welded to the frame rather than one attached to the bumper as bumpers are not, generally, well enough attached to carry the load a boat trailer will put on it. By the way, my FW is an HT, so it's a lightweight trailer, more or less, and for mine in 2012, the manufacturer said that adding a hitch to the frame would void the warranty, however, I didn't have a warranty claim so don't know what they would have done. Jayco does now sell the HT FWs with a hitch installed but I believe the hitch weight is limited to 300 pounds.

[goducks10]

nmhuntr wrote:

goducks10 wrote:
How big of a boat? My thinking is unless you are getting a Light version of a 5th wheel then the frame is strong enough. Not really any difference across brands until you get into the heavy duty type 5th wheels. Have someone weld a hitch onto the frame rails. Buying used you don't have a warranty to worry about. If you're towing a small 1000 lb boat with a 120 lb tongue weight I don't see the issue at all especially if you're staying under the 5th wheels GVWR. Wouldn't be any different than putting an extra 1,000 lbs in the 5th wheel.

Boat and trailer fully loaded is less than 1500. It is a old 16. Ft aluminum V-hull

I would look for a 5th wheel that have the GVWR to cover the weight of your gear plus the boats weight. That way your pin wouldn't be over stressed. Not how else you'd figure out the safety margin.

[ScottG]

Not trying to push Arctic Fox but they do come with a stout trailer hitch option. It's installed when the frame is first built and there's no extra charge for it.

[nmhuntr]

goducks10 wrote:
How big of a boat? My thinking is unless you are getting a Light version of a 5th wheel then the frame is strong enough. Not really any difference across brands until you get into the heavy duty type 5th wheels. Have someone weld a hitch onto the frame rails. Buying used you don't have a warranty to worry about. If you're towing a small 1000 lb boat with a 120 lb tongue weight I don't see the issue at all especially if you're staying under the 5th wheels GVWR. Wouldn't be any different than putting an extra 1,000 lbs in the 5th wheel.

Boat and trailer fully loaded is less than 1500. It is a old 16. Ft aluminum V-hull

[DutchmenSport]

My current travel trailer came factory equipped with a hitch and it is framed using the trailer frame and the sewer bumper. It looks pretty strong, and I use it for carrying a cargo cage. However, there is a label on the hitch that has a weight limit warning. I don't think I'd ever want to tow anything with it, even a small utility trailer, even though it looks like it's well done. Look can be deceiving. If it were not for the weight limit label, I would have never known.

As stated above, you are best to check with your camper's manufacturer (or even your local dealer may be able to help you). Even welding a hitch to your camper's existing frame might be detrimental to the integrity of the camper.

FYI, Indiana allows double tow also. In fact, Indiana allows double towing behind a "bumper pull" trailer too. I see it all the time in Southern Indiana where there are more lakes and recreation areas.

[goducks10]

How big of a boat? My thinking is unless you are getting a Light version of a 5th wheel then the frame is strong enough. Not really any difference across brands until you get into the heavy duty type 5th wheels. Have someone weld a hitch onto the frame rails. Buying used you don't have a warranty to worry about. If you're towing a small 1000 lb boat with a 120 lb tongue weight I don't see the issue at all especially if you're staying under the 5th wheels GVWR. Wouldn't be any different than putting an extra 1,000 lbs in the 5th wheel.

[Second_Chance]

nmhuntr wrote:

Second Chance wrote:
A fifth wheel AND double-tow with a 2008 Tundra?

Rob (Also currently in Las Cruces)

No
Moving to a 3/4 deisel

Don't stop at 3/4-ton... move to a 1-ton (DRW if possible). Payload is the limitation on 3/4-ton trucks. You'll have a lot more stability towing with dual rear wheels, too.

Rob

[nmhuntr]

Second Chance wrote:
A fifth wheel AND double-tow with a 2008 Tundra?

Rob (Also currently in Las Cruces)

No
Moving to a 3/4 deisel

[Second_Chance]

A fifth wheel AND double-tow with a 2008 Tundra?

Rob (Also currently in Las Cruces)

[nmhuntr]

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Not all 5th wheel frames are capable for receiver/hitch

Check with RV MFG if or not recommended (if offered as an 'OPTION')

Thanks
Since it will used and likely from a private seller this is a good option

[nmhuntr]

ACZL wrote:
Does your state allow for double towing? Not all do.

Yes my state allows it
Thanks

[ACZL]

Does your state allow for double towing? Not all do.

[MFL]

My FW came with a factory receiver, and 4-wire light hookup. It is a solid frame mount, but still only rated for 300 lbs tongue wt.

Jerry

[azdryheat]

Many 5th wheels come from the factory with a hitch. Check with your dealer.