Camping is a great adventure. Before going to places to experience camping, the activity demands ample preparation and rigid safety inspection and consideration. You must consider and take into account the personal stuff and RV-related tool kits. The factors to consider and the tips to guide you find the perfect 5th wheel hitch for your fifth wheel.
5th wheel hitch is the medium that connects your fifth-wheel trailer to your truck. There are six types of 5th wheel hitches, such as the 2-Way Pivot Head, 4-Way Pivot Head, Gooseneck Hitch, Sliding Hitch, Double Jaw, and Single Jaw. You may visit https://rvcamping.com/best-5th-wheel-hitch/ if you want to know more about the product.
The 2-Way Pivot Head is suitable for paved highways. The 4-Way Pivot Head system is flexible and more useful in driving over rougher terrains. The Gooseneck Hitch is ideal for heavy vehicles that hang over the back of your truck bed; this hitch is fit for gooseneck trailers. The Sliding Hitch style is a truck with a truck bed that is less than eight feet; this model helps you avoid incidences of heavy vehicles crashing on your trailer when making a sharp turn. The Double Jaw is more secure than the sliding option; it uses two jaws to lock the kingpin. The Single Jaw is suitable for vehicles over 25,000 pounds; it can handle excess weight.
Finding the Perfect 5th Wheel Hitch
Based on RV camping, there are eight factors to consider in finding the perfect 5th wheel hitch for you. These factors to consider are Mounting Style, Weight Capacity, Jaws, Pivoting System, Price, Quality, Ease of Use, and the level of Difficulty of Installation.
Mounting Style
The mounting style talks about the under the bed system or the above the bed system. Your choice must fit your preference and your RV.
Under the bed system requires you to attach the mounting hardware to the frame to access the truck bed’s holes. Towing with under the bed system means you will be attached to the brackets under the truck bed. Meanwhile, the above bed system requires the bracket to be installed inside the truck bed.
Weight Capacity
As a responsible camper who seeks everyone’s safety on board, you must know your truck’s weight and towing capacity. Furthermore, you must study the vehicle weight of your 5th wheel trailer before purchasing a 5th wheel.
With this, you are making a decision that puts everyone’s safety as a top priority. Knowing your 5th wheel’s weight allows you to buy a 5th wheel hitch that can handle your trailer’s load. It is advisable to purchase a 5th wheel hitch with a high load capacity than your 5th feel trailer’s actual weight.
Jaws
Still, in selecting the jaws, you have to consider the weight of your 5th wheel. This fact means getting a single jaw for vehicles with a load of more than 25,000 pounds. On the other hand, the double jaw model is suitable for cars that are less than 25 000 pounds.
Pivoting System
The pivoting system determines the extent of your vehicle’s flexibility. The 2-Way Pivot Head limits your ability to sway in rougher terrains. However, the 4-Way Pivot Head provides more flexibility by moving forward, backward, and side to side. Be sure to pick the model that suits your preference.
Price
In finding the perfect 5th wheel hitch, you must take into account your bank account. It would be hard to recover financially should you invest in a 5th wheel hitch beyond what you can pay for.
While you consider the price, never compromise your safety. It means that investing in a low-quality model will result in spending more money in the long run for repairs or unforeseen accidences.
Quality
To avoid spending too much money in the long run, do not compromise your model’s quality. RV Camping offers comprehensive reviews about 5th wheel hitch products. This review will help choose the perfect 5th wheel hitch. Compromising the quality means compromising everyone’s safety, which can lead to more spending.
Ease of Use
You have to purchase a 5th wheel hitch that is easy for you to use. It must not demand too much of your time. But still, apart from investing in an easy-to-use model, you must make sure that the model meets the specific demands of your trailer and your preference.
It would be ideal to choose a model that is easy to clean. Also, do not forget to clean and sanitize your 5th wheel and truck from time to time.
Difficulty of Installation
It will be unpleasant if you encounter a hard time installing your model. Ensure you have the specific technical expertise that will meet your 5th wheel hitch’s demands during its installation process.
Conclusion
In choosing the perfect 5th wheel hitch, ensure to consider the factors mentioned above as well as your personal preferences. Investing in a 5th wheel hitch may need a significant sum of money; hence, you have to make well-informed decisions along the way. Also, never compromise your safety and of your loved ones.
