2 Important Considerations For Choosing A Fifth Wheel Trailer

Fifth wheel trailers work well for singular adventures or full-time RVing. As with all trailer types, fifth wheel trailers aren't all the same. Choosing the perfect used fifth wheel for your RV activities requires you to narrow down a large number of choices. Here are two incredibly important considerations to start with.

1. How Often Do You Plan to Use Your Fifth Wheel?

Your plans will dictate many of the things you should look for in a fifth wheel trailer. If you plan to use your fifth wheel for the occasional outing, you should look for one that can accommodate you for a day or two.

For example, you won't have to spend as much time seeking out all-season, super durable models. You'll want something comfortable enough for an occasional camping trip or brief road trip.

For full-time RVing, you'll want a sturdy fifth wheel manufactured by a company that specializes in creating full-time use trailers. You'll want amenities and creature comforts to help you live as securely and comfortably as possible.

Another consideration is whether you want to keep your fifth wheel mostly stationary, or if you plan to travel long distances with it. Those considerations also lead to other things to look for in a fifth wheel trailer, such as the weight of the trailer.

2. How Much Weight Can Your Vehicle Tow?

Towing a fifth wheel or any trailer requires you to know and understand your vehicle's towing capacity. You may have your eyes on a large, luxurious fifth wheel, but you may not have a vehicle that can move it. Towing capacities aren't always easy to understand. To start, you need:

Your truck's gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) - You can usually find this number on the driver's side door. You can also check your vehicle's manual or the truck manufacturer's website.

Your truck's full towing capacity specifications – You can typically find this information where you find the vehicle's GVWR.

The fifth wheel's GVWR – This information is typically available on the fifth wheel itself, from the dealer, or from the trailer's manufacturer.

The weight your hitch can handle or needs to handle – Vehicle manufacturers also give this information.

With all the numbers, you will have to do some math. Fortunately, you can find towing capacity calculators online. Many sites list instructions and specifications for specific models.

More considerations will present themselves as you narrow down your options. But, starting with these two considerations will bring you closer to finding the right trailer for your needs.