Back

Safe Fifth Wheel Hauling Tips

Jun. 9 2023 Ownership Tips By Pink Flamingo RV

Share

Fifth wheels are well-known for being large and in charge and are some of the largest RV models on the market. However, while their size makes them extremely comfortable living spaces, they can be difficult to learn to hitch and haul. For tips on how to safely haul your fifth wheel before your next big trip, be sure to read our helpful tips below! 

Don’t Go Over Your Weight Limit

A lot of fifth wheel hitches can handle a weight limit of around 24,000 pounds but you should still check to make sure what your hitch can handle. You need to know how much your fifth wheel weighs when it’s empty and how much your fifth wheel weighs when it’s full and hitched up to your truck. Your owner’s manual can provide the empty weights for your truck and fifth wheel, but you’ll need to locate a dump or quarry scale or rent a CAT scale to measure your fifth wheel and truck setup.

Avoid Using Overdrive

It might be very tempting to use the overdrive setting in your pickup truck to limit the amount of wear and tear that occurs when you’re hauling a fifth wheel. While this setting does reduce the noise and improve the fuel efficiency, fifth wheel manufacturers recommend you don’t rely on this function. When you use the overdrive setting, the added weight of the trailer will strain your transmission, which can lead to overheating over time.

Check Your Tires

You have to make sure the tires on your truck as well as your fifth wheel are ready for the journey ahead! Use a tire-pressure gauge to check all your tires before departure, ensuring that they are aired up to the recommended psi levels in your owner’s manuals. Examine each tire to make sure it has sufficient tread depth and that there are no cracks in the sidewall or embedded objects in the tread. One way you can simplify tire maintenance is to install a tire-pressure measuring device that can keep tabs on your tires for you.

Still searching for the perfect fifth wheel to take on your next vacation? Then be sure to visit us here at Pink Flamingo RV in Indio, California! We proudly serve the nearby cities of Palm Desert and Hemet, California, have a versatile selection of fifth wheel RVs for you to browse through, and offer helpful financing and trade-in opportunities to all of our clientele.