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Fifth Wheel Trailer Hitches - For Those Big Loads
 Fifth
wheel trailer hitches are the strongest hitches that you can buy for your
truck. They are commonly used to haul livestock trailers and RV’s. When
looking at one, you will probably notice that they resemble the hook-ups that
big eighteen wheelers use to haul their trailers. This alone should tell you
that these bad boys are definitely heavy duty trailer hitches.
These trailer hitches are mounted in the bed of a pickup truck. They can
also be hooked up on the bed of a flat bed truck, right above the rear axle.
The fifth wheel trailer hitch offers a number of advantages, that other
trailer hitches don’t.
- Easier to maneuver: Because the hitch is mounted inside the bed of the
truck, it makes it easier to turn corners.
- Better Stability: These hitches make the trailers far more stable than
other hitches. Stability is always a plus when hauling a heavy load!
- Towing Capacity: You can haul considerably more weight with a fifth
wheel hitch. Your typical ball hitch doesn’t even come close to being able
to haul the same amount of weight.
- Safer: It’s much safer because it is more stable, especially for someone
who is a beginner, to tow your loads using a fifth wheel hitch.
 However,
they also take up a large amount of space. Since they are mounted in the bed
of your truck, you might find that you have very little room for anything else
besides what you happen to be towing.
Another big problem with a
fifth wheel hitch is that you have to take the tailgate off to haul
anything. This can be annoying, but thankfully the truck companies have
realized this and made a number of accessories that can help with the above
problems.
- Tool Boxes: Because the hitch takes up so much room, truck companies
have developed tool boxes that sit behind the hitch, in front of the
tailgate, so that you can store some tools or other nick-knacks.
- Air Gate: Air gates were made to solve the problem of having to take
your tailgate off to haul anything. The air gate is often made of a metal
mesh that is used instead of the tailgate. They have a “V” cut in the middle
to accommodate the tongue of the trailer. When you’re not hauling your
trailer, the air gate will also help with your fuel economy. This is because
when the air flows over your pick up truck, it hits the gate and slows the
truck up. But with an air gate, the air will travel easily through the mesh
or tubing and cut back on the air friction.
- RV Chests: These chests sit directly behind the cab of the truck, and
can be used to carry some of your things.
No matter how you look at it, the fifth wheel trailer hitch is the best
hitch for hauling heavy loads. It’s unequaled in stability and towing
capacity, and while they have a few drawbacks, there are accessories that can
bypass these minor irritants.
 There
is one more thing you should keep in mind when looking at a hitch, especially
a fifth wheel hitch; make sure your vehicle can haul the load. Check the
owner’s manual of your vehicle and see what the maximum towing capacity of
your truck is. Never try to haul a load that exceeds this capacity. Your truck
may not need a fifth wheel hitch, if it is unable to haul very heavy loads.
You might be able to use some of the other truck hitches more effectively.
Trailering Safety
&
Trailer Hitch Information
Ball Hitches Information
Trailer Wiring Diagrams
Trailer Hitches –
Ideas On
How To Choose The Right One
Fifth
Wheel Trailer Hitches
Gooseneck
Hitches
About the Author
Scott Gray is a freelance author and web site
publisher who provides useful information and money saving tips about
trailer hitches
and
gooseneck hitches. |
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