All About Fifth Wheels
TL;DR: Fifth wheels, known for their spacious interiors and stability in towing, offer unique benefits like ample storage, auto leveling, multiple slideouts, and higher ceilings. With diverse floor plans including split levels and bunks or lofts, they're ideal for travelers seeking comfort and luxury on the road.
Fifth wheels, also known as “fivers,” are a type of trailer that can be towed behind a pick-up truck. They offer more interior space than the average travel trailer and also provide some storage underneath for luggage, supplies, and more. Fifth wheel trailers come in many different sizes and styles, but they all function the same way: towing them requires a hitch in the truck bed of your vehicle, as well as some specialized knowledge about driving these types of vehicles. Have you seen a large fifth wheel at a Harvest Hosts location or campground and been surprised by the size of it? If you’re interested in learning more about fifth wheels, then get comfortable with your favorite drink and let’s dive in!
Fifth Wheels vs Trailers
Many new RVers, or those that don’t own a towable, may get confused between these two types of RVs. However, there are some key differences to note.
Towing Style
The most prominent difference between a fifth wheel and a travel trailer is where they hitch. Most travel trailer RVs connect to a regular hitch on the back of the tow vehicle. However, in some cases a travel trailer can still have the gooseneck hitch, meaning that the hitch fits into the truck bed. It’s a common misconception that only fifth wheels connect in the truck bed. A fifth wheel connects into the truck bed via a kingpin. These hitches are larger and provide more secure turns than a standard hitch.
A fifth wheel hitch is very similar to those found on tractor trailers. The hitch is installed over the rear axle of the tow vehicle to help distribute the weight between the cab and rear axle. This setup allows the truck to tow significantly heavier loads than when towing via a regular ball hitch. With fifth wheel hitches, the towing overall is much more stable with virtually no trailer sway.
More Room
Fifth wheels often have significantly more room than a standard travel trailer. Because they can be heavier due to the type of hitch, this means a longer RV and more slideouts are on the table. Fifth wheels are also usually taller than most other towable RVs as well, which allow for unique floor plans and higher ceilings, for an ultimately homier feel.