Fifth wheels use a gooseneck hitch, which creates an overlap with the tow vehicle and leads to a more stable experience. This also allows fifth wheels to safely be built heavier and longer, which creates some unique towing challenges. Use the below tips to make your road trips easier!
Know the Limits
Exceeding the capacity of your tow vehicle or your fifth wheel can lead to unfortunate results. These include broken parts that need to be replaced, drastically reduced tow vehicle performance capability, and a safety situation on the road.
Fortunately, it’s easy to avoid those issues. Be sure you clearly understand the relevant limits of your tow vehicle and fifth wheel.
For example, how much weight can your truck safely haul? How tight of a turn can you safely take? Can your fifth wheel handle more extreme temperatures or weather conditions? Know what your tow vehicle and your fifth wheel can safely handle – and know what they cannot.
Practice, Practice, Practice
If you recently bought your fifth wheel, set aside time to practice towing it. That way, you can become familiar with how its weight and length affects your tow vehicle. For example, it’ll take longer to come to a full stop so you’ll need to start braking much earlier than usual.
Reduce Risks
While you can’t prevent every possible risk on the open road, you can take steps to reduce them. For example, try to avoid towing your fifth wheel at night or during poor weather conditions. That way, you won’t have to deal with reduced visibility and its impact on yourself and the other motorists on the road.
Are you in the market for a fifth wheel? Check out the selection at Cookeville RV. We are located in Cookeville, Tennessee.
