Joshua Rainey Dreamstime
Select fifth wheel hitches have a rating to tow up to 30,000 lbs such as The CURT Manufacturing PowerRide 30K seen here on a Ford F450.
Courtesy Tulga Fifth Wheel
Once you decide to set out on a journey with a fifth wheel, it will become a reliable and comfortable home base during your travels. There are several benefits of owning this class of RV. One of its distinguishable differences from travel trailers, however, is the hitch mounts in the bed of the tow vehicle and positions the tongue weight over or just in front of the rear axle.
Many styles are available, but all commonly share a series of main operating components for secure towing performance; the main body; rail or bracket platform mounts; jaws that attach to the trailer coupling point; and skid plate. Since the hitch absorbs the towing force and is exposed to all kinds of conditions, terrain and weather, it’s susceptible to wear and tear and can result in poor performance or potential failure. So, it’s best that you adhere to routine maintenance and clearly understand the hitch’s limitations.
Lippert
The Operation of Fifth Wheel Hitches
If you’re new to RVing or a soon-to-be first-time fifth wheel buyer, you must first understand the hitch’s function as mechanical problems sometimes occur due to ‘user error.’ These may include driving on rough terrain, poor care, improper winter storage, or loading the trailer beyond its weight capacities.
A fifth wheel hitch is designed to tow RVs, boats, and even commercial trailers. Unlike a gooseneck hitch that can tow on very rough roads and through demanding environments, the fifth wheel hitch is more suited for highway travel or less demanding conditions.
The hitch can manage rural routes to boondocking sites or remote campgrounds, but the conditions do play a role in the amount of maintenance and care that is required. The durability of a fifth wheel hitch doesn’t depend on one single factor and a good quality unit can last from 10 to 15 years. It all depends on how often you use it and do maintenance.
Lippert
All hitches are mounted in the truck bed and the tongue weight is positioned over - or just in front - of the rear axle.
Preventative Maintenance and Care
Keep in mind that even minor problems may result in repairs and expenses. So, before hitting the road, examine your hitch and tow vehicle, and always address parts that need repair and replace them on the spot.
Starting with your tow vehicle, it’s necessary to check the electrical socket, 13-pin electrical connection, shock absorbers, axle condition, brake system, as well as the tires and lighting. You may also want to trial the braking distances.
Lippert
Close inspections should be on high in your list before a trip. Depending on how often you use it, maintenance should be performed every three months or 48,000 kilometres due to the weight it manages.
You've probably heard horror stories about trailers breaking free from tow vehicles or being a hazard on the road. To keep your hitch in top condition, here are several step-by-step procedures you can take and best practices to follow:
- A good rule of thumb to remember is maintenance should be performed every three months or 48,000 km (29,826 mi) due to all of the stress it manages.
- Start by getting rid of any grease or debris from the hitch. This will allow you to better inspect and maintain it. A good idea is to clean out old grease before winter storage and replace it as necessary. This should be done once a season. Make sure to apply water-resistant lithium grease to all of the contact points, including the yoke tips and cam profile.
- Look for any signs of damage, which is most likely to occur in the lock's jaw, throat, or pivot points. Parts may come loose or welds may be broken. Ensure the range of motion of any moving part(s) is complete and look for corrosion and/or rust, which can cause parts to fail. In the event some are stiff or don’t function properly, the connection of your fifth wheel could result in an extremely hazardous situation.
- The liners should be replaced every 500,000 km (approximately 300,000 mi). The thickness of your fifth wheel hitch bracket liner must be checked every time you service your vehicle.
- Learn the towing capacity of your truck and the RV and stay within the weight capacities. You can check these in both owner’s manuals.
Lippert
Always ensure it’s ‘all systems go’ before hitching the fifth wheel onto the tow vehicle.
We hope these pointers will assist you in keeping your hitch in good working order. Using a fifth wheel hitch isn't difficult. If you require additional assistance, troubleshooting advice, or service contact us at www.tulgafifthwheel.com
Tulga Fifth Wheel Co. is a manufacturer of fifth wheels, kingpins, pintle hooks, fifth wheel hitch plates, RV bumper hitches, repair kits and accessories for both OEMs and the aftermarket with locations in Santa Ana, CA and Atlanta, GA. To see its line of RV bumper hitches visit https://www.tulgafifthwheel.com/collections/rv-bumper-hitches
Can I Repair my Fifth Wheel Hitch?
There’s no need to panic if you do experience a mechanical problem. There are several solutions that you can easily manage yourself. All you need is a well-equipped RV tool kit and a little DIY know-how. You may not be able to fix all issues but it’s essential to learn about its essential components to better understand unexpected problems.
Depending on the type of repair and/or maintenance the tools required include: Multi-bit screwdriver • hammer • duct tape • tire pressure gauge • adjustable wrench • flashlight • pliers • socket and ratchet set • multimeter • utility knife •wire cutters • work gloves • tape measure • Allen wrenches • thread seal tape • bottle jack • power tools • bubble level