When choosing the type of RV or camper, you will use for your outdoor adventures, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of the various options available. Fifth-wheel campers are a popular option. If you think it may be the right choice for you, check out these pros and cons of using a fifth-wheel hitch for RV towing.
What is a Fifth-Wheel Hitch
One of the biggest distinctions between a fifth-wheel camper and other options is the way it attaches to your vehicle. A fifth-wheel hitch is attached to rails or brackets installed in your truck’s bed over the back axle. Once linked to your truck’s rails, the fifth-wheel hitch couples to the kingpin on your fifth-wheel trailer. The kingpin is kept firmly in place by the hitch’s unique locking jaws. You’ll also see a head plate on which the trailer is supported.
Fifth-Wheel Hitch Pros
Low Noise
Fifth-wheel hitches are fairly quiet as you’re driving down the road. Other types of hitches might create a lot of additional noise that can be heard in the cab while you’re traveling. If you’re headed a long distance, this additional noise could get old pretty quickly. A fifth-wheel hitch will allow for more peace and quiet so you can focus on driving or allow and passengers can easily chat amongst themselves.
Stable Towing
Fifth-wheel hitches provide a much more stable ride than other types of hitches. Because the weight of the trailer is over the vehicle’s rear axles, it has more stability, and you’ll notice a smoother ride than with other hitches.
Simple to Install
Fifth-wheel hitches are fairly simple to install compared to a gooseneck hitch. A fifth-wheel hitch requires bolting a pair of rails to your truck bed, while a gooseneck hitch installation means cutting a hole in your truck bed.
Easy to Hook Up
Many people find hooking up a fifth wheel to be easier than hooking up other types of trailers. For those who are newer to the RV life and hauling trailers, it is easy to learn this skill and save the time and frustration that comes with learning how to hook up a trailer.
Ideal for Recreational Use
If your main use for a fifth-wheel hitch is pulling your RV or camper, you’ll be happier with it than if you had another type of hitch.
Fifth-Wheel Hitch Cons
The Hitch Is Semi-Permanent
Unfortunately, the rails remain even after the 5th wheel hitch base is removed. They can make it tough to slide large toolboxes into and out of your truck bed. This is one of the primary reasons why many people contemplate using other types of hitches.
Truck Bed Storage
Since fifth-wheel hitches are hooked up in the bed of your truck, you will find that there is less room to stow things when the 5th wheel is hooked up. Smaller items will still be easy to fit around the hitch, but if you like to bring along bigger items like bikes when you take an RV trip, you might find it challenging to squeeze them in.
Fifth-Wheel Hitch vs Gooseneck Hitch
Gooseneck hitches are often the go-to for heavy-duty haulers in the farming or construction world, but when it comes to RVs and recreational towing, the fifth-wheel hitch holds several key advantages.
Key Differences:
Ride Quality:
- Fifth-wheel hitches provide a smoother ride thanks to their dual-articulating head and wider kingpin support.
- Gooseneck hitches often transmit more road vibration due to the single-point connection.
Noise Level:
- Fifth-wheel hitches are known for their quieter operation, ideal for long highway drives.
- Gooseneck hitches can produce more clanking or popping noises while towing.
Ease of Use:
- Fifth-wheel hitches offer easier hookup for RV owners, especially with funnel-guided kingpin designs like those on Blue Ox models.
- Gooseneck hitches can be more challenging to align, especially for beginners.
Truck Bed Impact:
- Gooseneck hitches leave a cleaner bed when removed, while fifth-wheel rails remain unless you’re using a removable rail adapter.
Best For:
- Choose a fifth-wheel hitch if comfort, quiet towing, and RV-friendly features are your priority.
- Choose a gooseneck hitch if you haul livestock, dump trailers, or industrial equipment more than you camp.
Fifth-Wheel Hitch vs Bumper Pull (Conventional Hitch)
Bumper pull hitches are the most common type of towing system, typically used for smaller campers, cargo trailers, or utility trailers. While easy to set up, they don’t match the fifth-wheel in terms of stability or towing capacity.
Key Differences
Towing Capacity:
- Fifth-wheel hitches can tow significantly more weight—up to 24,000 lbs with the Blue Ox BXR2410.
- Bumper pull hitches usually max out around 10,000–12,000 lbs for conventional use.
Stability:
- With the trailer weight centered over the rear axle, fifth-wheel hitches eliminate sway and bounce better than bumper pulls.
- Bumper pulls can fishtail or sway in windy conditions or at highway speeds, especially with longer trailers.
Turning Radius:
- Fifth-wheel setups offer a tighter turning radius, making it easier to navigate gas stations, campgrounds, and tight corners.
- Bumper pulls swing wider and require more space when maneuvering.
Best For:
- Choose a fifth-wheel hitch for heavy, longer RVs where ride stability is critical.
- Choose a bumper pull if you’re towing a smaller trailer and don’t want to give up your truck bed.
Fifth-Wheel Hitch vs Flat Towing
Flat towing (also called dinghy towing) is a common method for pulling a vehicle behind an RV, using a tow bar and baseplate setup. It’s not for RV towing itself, but it’s worth comparing if you’re trying to decide between pulling a trailer or towing a second vehicle behind your motorhome.
Key Differences
Use Case:
- Fifth-wheel hitches are for towing large RVs or campers using a pickup truck.
- Flat towing is used to pull a vehicle behind a motorhome—not a trailer.
Setup Complexity:
- Fifth-wheel hitches have a simpler, repeatable setup once installed in your truck bed.
- Flat towing requires a baseplate, tow bar, and a supplemental braking system like the Blue Ox Patriot Flat Tow Brake.
Towing Flexibility:
- With flat towing, your motorhome tows a daily driver, so you have more flexibility once you reach camp.
- With a fifth-wheel, you must unhitch to drive your truck, but you also gain a full-size trailer with more amenities.
Best For:
- Choose a fifth-wheel hitch if your main goal is camping in an RV that offers maximum comfort and space.
- Choose flat towing if you already have a motorhome and want to bring your car or Jeep along for day trips.
Blue Ox Fifth-Wheel Hitches
Blue Ox has two different fifth-wheel hitch options available. These are ideal as a gooseneck to fifth wheel adapter.
BXR2410 5th Wheel Hitch
The BXR2410 has a 24,000lb gross towing capacity and a 6,000lb vertical load limit. It conveniently attaches to industry standard rails. The funnel-shaped hitch head helps easily guide the kingpin into place, reducing the risk of false hookups and trailer drops significantly. The kingpin has a true 360-degree nesting and dual articulating head that moves front-to-back and side-to-side. It is a lightweight 2-piece design, weighing 100lbs total, and it is height adjustable to 17”, 18”, or 19”.
BXR2100 5th Wheel Hitch
The BXR2100 has a 21,000lb gross towing capacity and a 5,000lb vertical load limit. It attaches to 2-5/16″ Gooseneck Hitch. The funnel-shaped hitch head lets you guide the kingpin easily into place, decreasing the risk of false hookups and trailer drops significantly. The kingpin has a true 360-degree nesting and dual articulating head that moves front-to-back and side-to-side. It is a lightweight 2-piece design, weighing 122 lbs total, and is height adjustable to 17”, 18”, or 19”.
Fifth-Wheel Accessories To Make Towing Even Easier
Fifth-Wheel Bed Mat
You can easily protect the bed of your truck with the Blue Ox fifth-wheel Bed Mat. This anti-slip design fits the Blue Ox 5th Wheel Hitch perfectly and will prevent the hitch from shifting and causing any unwanted scratches in your truck bed.
Fifth-Wheel Lube Plate
The Blue Ox fifth-wheel lube plate slides on top of the kingpin box and creates a barrier between the hitch and the bottom of the pin box. It prevents friction and vibration and is one of the pieces of equipment that allows you to have a smoother and quieter ride.
Universal King Pin Lock
Having a kingpin lock will help protect your fifth wheel from theft. This universal kingpin lock from Blue Ox will work on the Blue Ox fifth-wheel hitches and many other popular hitches on the market. It is constructed from heavy-gauge alloy with a rugged, waterproof epoxy finish to ensure it continues to protect your rig year after year.
Fifth-Wheel Wiring Harness
The Blue Ox Fifth-Wheel Wiring Harness kit is designed to mount in the bed of the truck using your truck’s factory wiring for a simple hookup of your fifth wheel. The reinforced easy-grip lid opens 180 degrees to make connecting it easy, and there are internal seals for maximum weatherproofing.
Fifth-Wheel Rotaflex Lockout Kit
Using the Blue Ox Fifth-Wheel Rotaflex Lockout Kit will prevent damage to your hitch and tow vehicle.
