![]() Since it’ll slowly lower onto the landing gear, it won’t cause any damage to the bed rails or your precious RV. If things don’t go as planned, the RV will unhitch and slide down onto the landing gear. When everything goes as planned, you’ll feel the tug between your truck and the camper. Continue to squeeze the brake controller while you gently press on the accelerator. Between your brakes and wheel chocks, the camper should stay put. The next step is to squeeze your trailer brake controller. To perform one, raise your front leveling jacks to be an inch off the ground. Unfortunately, when we’ve seen an RV drop, it was because the owner didn’t do a tug test. Do this every time after connecting your fifth wheel and tow vehicle. It only takes a minute or two but can help you avoid a disaster. One step you should never skip is to do a “tug test” for the connection. #4 Test Your 5th Wheel Connection to Your Tow Vehicle Forgetting to secure the pin is a common mistake that can cause significant damage to your property. Check any indicators to ensure they’ve closed. Most hitches use a safety pin to lock the jaws so they don’t come undone as you travel down the highway. However, other models may require that you manually close the jaw. Some hitches will automatically engage the coupler once it feels pressure from the kingpin. Slowly back up so the kingpin slides into the U-shaped opening. With everything in place, it’s time to do one more check to verify there are no alignment issues. Additionally, having the kingpin too low can cause damage to your equipment. Having the camper too high can result in an unsecured connection. The proper height will have the lube plate sliding across the head as the truck backs up to it. Raise the camper to align the hitch head with the kingpin on the trailer. If your vehicle has backup cameras, use technology to your advantage to make getting lined up easier. ![]() Establish hand signals or use cell phones or walkie-talkies to help avoid communication errors. An extra set of eyes can be beneficial here. Now, back your tow vehicle to your fifth wheel. #2 Back Your Tow Vehicle to Your 5th Wheel You should also check for ditches and objects you can’t change, such as posts, large rocks, or trees. This is the time to move them out of the way. You want to check for any objects that may be in the way or make maneuvering difficult. Remember to look around before jumping into the driver’s seat. You can start the process once you confirm these are in place. Have your wheels chocked, tailgate down, the jaws open, and the lube plate installed on your kingpin. The first step to connecting your 5th wheel to your truck is to prepare. Or maybe you should get a 5th wheel: Why Choose a 5th Wheel RV? #1 Prepare Your 5th Wheel and Tow Vehicle Whether you’re a weekend warrior or a full-time traveler, these rigs are worth considering. Manufacturers get creative with floor plans and how they use the available space. ![]() ![]() Many drivers that make the switch wish they would have done it sooner.īecause fifth wheels tend to be larger, they often provide plenty of storage and living space. It’s a much smoother and more stable experience than travel trailers and pop-up campers. ![]() When towing an RV, it’s hard to beat a fifth wheel. This type of setup places the added weight from the RV over the truck’s rear axle. The kingpin on the trailer gets locked into place by jaws on the hitch. It’s the same type of system used on semi-trucks. Let’s get started! It’s crucial to follow all the proper hitch-up steps before hitting the road What Are 5th Wheel RVs?Ī 5th wheel is a camper that connects to a special hitch mounted in the bed of a tow vehicle. Keep reading if you want to avoid this nightmare of a scenario. Your huge camper could come crashing down onto the back of your truck. Skipping a step or getting distracted can result in a massive failure. However, we’re here to tell you it doesn’t have to be. No matter your experience, connecting a 5th wheel to a tow vehicle can be a nerve-wracking event. ![]()
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