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.
Blue Ox Fifth-Wheel Hitches
Blue Ox has two different fifth-wheel hitch options available.
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.
