Published Date: September 6, 2020
Last Updated on June 22, 2023 by Camper Front
If you are contemplating what type of travel trailer to go for, probably you are interested in the fifth-wheel trailer but you are wondering what is the advantage of a fifth-wheel trailer. If that sounds like the truth, then this article was specifically written with you in mind.
Firstly, fifth wheels are a great option for full-time RVing, but they come at quite a high cost. Getting a fifth wheel totally depends on your personal preference, but let’s take a look at some of the various advantages of a 5th wheel trailer.
This post will help you to decide whether the 5th wheel is the ideal trailer for you or not.
Table of Contents
What is a 5th Wheel Trailer?
Before we talk about the advantages of a fifth-wheel trailer, what is the fifth wheel?
A fifth wheel doesn’t mean the vehicle comes with five wheels; it simply means it has a hitch mechanism that connects the tractor to the trailer.
When you tow a trailer with a pickup truck, for the most part, you are essentially using a trailer with a hitch and a hitch coupler. A fifth wheel functions in place of the hitch. The main advantage of a fifth wheel is the turning radius, which can really be seen when the truck is backing up.
With a fifth wheel, the weight placed on the truck is evenly distrust between the rear axle and the cab, which eliminates the pivot point and helps to spread the load, giving the driver more control. Although the rear end still bears the impact of it.
But this helps to ensure that the dynamics of your tow vehicle are affected less as compared to when a trailer is hooked up to the rear.
Fifth wheels, unlike conventional tow vehicles, require more maintenance to operate. Still, they are mechanisms, not machines, so you don’t really need to worry about them breaking down – but they need constant lubrication to prevent them from malfunctioning.
So ensure to always keep a generous amount of lube on the lube plate or top of the 5th wheel. Also, make sure the lube plate is free from any obstructions before coupling the trailer.
Here are the top advantages of a fifth-wheel trailer.
Read Also: How to Winterize a Fifth Wheel For Winter Camping
What Is The Advantage Of A Fifth Wheel Trailer?
Having discussed what a fifth-wheel trailer is, below are some of the advantages that come with it:
1. Bigger Space
This is the number of advantage of a fifth wheel, they are more spacious than a Motorhome with the same length size, due to their increased headspace.
The living space areas are usually larger and can be extended even more with slides. They get to be more spacious because they don’t have a cab or cockpit at the front for driving.
You’re not hampered by having a driver and passenger seat to factor into the floorplan unlike you would with a motorhome. There won’t be a dashboard, steering wheels, or other driving components to take up any space.
Fifth-wheel trailers have a comfortable living area that makes you feel at home while on the road; they can also work for people who have to work while traveling.
A fifth-wheel trailer also comes with pass-through storage, and it doesn’t take up all the room of your truck beds; this provides you with enough storage space, which enables you to store items like a cooler or tub in this area.
The extra storage space also comes in handy when you intend to use a rooftop solar electric system, as this enables you to have more battery storage options.
2. Less Maintenance
The fifth wheel trailer requires less maintenance compared to other travel trailers because they don’t have the same parts that may experience wear and tear.
If anything needs repairs from a mechanic, it’ll be your truck. And they tend to cost less in maintenance, and you can also insure your fifth wheel lesser than you would for a Motorhome.
3. Easy towing
Fifth-wheel travel trailers don’t require large trucks to tow them; you can make use of a regular car, an SUV, or a van with sufficient towing capacity.
Using these vehicles as tow vehicle enables you to take more passengers on the trip with you. You can also decide to use a truck to tow your travel trailer, allowing your truck bed to be free to haul recreational vehicles or additional supplies.
A fifth-wheel trailer is also less prone to trailer sway which happens when side forces like wind and a poor tow connection overtake a trailer.
Attaching a fifth wheel to the middle of the truck bed makes it easy to maneuver the trailer. This easy maneuverability allows the fifth wheel to handle off-road and bumpy roads that most other Motorhomes cannot venture into.
Conclusion
Like state earlier, the type of travel trailer that will serve you best depends on your personal preference, but knowing what is the advantage of a fifth-wheel trailer will help you determine if.
The fifth-wheel trailer might just be the right RV for you, especially if you plan on a full-time RVing.
