Top Tips for Towing a Fifth Wheel

Fifth wheel trailers have got plenty of room to bring family and friends with you on your camping adventures. Although, towing these trailers is not such an easy task. We welcome you to our showroom, S&S Apache in Jackson, Mississippi, and we also serve Vicksburg and Meridian, Mississippi, too!

Practice Makes Perfect

If you're new to hauling a fifth wheel camper, then there are some things you should know about towing one. It takes practice to learn how to drive while hauling a load like this. While you may have tons of experience driving your truck, it becomes a different story when you're pulling thousands of pounds of metal behind you. 

Safety Always Comes First

So, you should first make sure you're following general driving safety guidelines. Additionally, you should make sure to give yourself extra time to travel and consider any detours that might come along the way. 

Of course, before you even think about hauling a fifth wheel, make sure you have the right equipment for the job. fifth wheel trailers are named fifth wheel for a reason. 

Having the Right Equipment for the Job

You must have a heavy-duty pickup truck for a heavy-duty load like a multi-thousand-pound trailer. It's called a fifth wheel because of the type of hitch you need to tow it.  

The truck you use to tow these trailers can be either diesel or gas, but you should know the weights of your camper and your vehicle with the camper. It's a sad story when you're out on the road and learn the hard way that your truck can't haul the load. 

Other Useful Tips

Some other tips for hauling a large load are to account for specific conditions, like where you'll be driving, the weather, and the weight of your trailer. Be sure to use your mirrors. 

You may want to consider rerouting your exhaust pipe. If it's a straight routed pipe, then the trailer will cause a lot of annoying noise on the road. Also, make sure to pull over and check for any issues from time to time.  

Next, higher altitudes and wind resistance make a big difference in gas mileage. So, bear these thoughts in mind, as well. Finally, don't set your truck to overdrive. You shouldn't use your overdrive setting while towing a fifth wheel. 

Hopefully, this guide has helped you develop a good checklist of issues to keep track of while towing your fifth wheel trailer. Remember, safety first and practice before taking a road trip. Contact us at S&S Apache in Jackson, Mississippi, to learn more about this popular camping trailer! Vicksburg and Meridian, Mississippi, customers, are welcome, too!