5th Wheel Trailers
5th wheel trailers are designed to be affixed and towed by a pickup or mid size truck equipped with a special hitch, very similar to the hitch on a Semi-Truck only smaller. The hitch is mounted to the frame of the truck through the bed truck bed over the rear wheels, and as such, the truck can and does carry the weight. Unlike a conventional trailer that just supports the weight on the back of a hitch, these two-level units can provide the greatest living of all towable RVs. Fifth Wheels come equipped with all the comforts of home and are perfectly adaptable for weekend getaways, family vacations and full timing.
5th wheel trailers come in a variety of sizes and total gross weight configurations, ranging from 12 feet in length and about 1500 lbs to over 38 feet long weighing in at up to and over 18,000 lbs Depending on your state laws, 5th wheel trailers under 29 feet in length can be fitter with a receiver hitch on the back to allow the towing of a second smaller trailer. Check with your local laws and jurisdictions for regulations pertaining to the towing of a second trailer. Also, make sure that the total weight of the two trailers does not exceed the GCWR of the 5th wheel trailer or you could be setting yourselves up for future problems.
Some 5th wheel trailers have basement storage under the front bedroom area. We have seen a model that had a basement large enough to store a couple of small 4 wheelers or mini motorcycles in them. Some 5th wheel trailers have a rear garage in them for toys, smaller recreational vehicles, snowmobiles or the such. A few models have gasoline tanks and pumps built into them to be able to refuel the toys that can be stored in the rear garage area.
Whether you have single axle or multiple axles under the trailer, keep in mind that axles, wheels, tires, bearings, springs, and suspensions need routine maintenance and the tires and brakes should be checked for wear, heat buildup and condition on a regular basis before and as you travel. There is nothing like a mechanical breakdown to put a huge dampener in an otherwise outstanding vacation experience.
All trailers should be weighed to know exactly how much weight is on the tires and suspension and how much is on the tow vehicle to avoid overloading. Some new trailers are amazingly close to GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating) directly from the manufacturer and overloading is easier to do than one might expect. Some of the smaller 5th wheel trailers may not be able to carry all of the treasures of its owners due to weight restrictions.
Toy haulers (5th wheels with a garage) occasionally are loaded with excessive weight, not because people are unaware, but rather because the weight adds up much quicker than most people think. These are some of the reasons that trailers should be weighed before a trip so you are not overloaded and you do not have problems. Vacation times are for fun, not problems.