Fifth Wheel Hookup: A Step-by-Step Demonstration

Since their introduction on the market, fifth wheel RVs have hugely expanded the amount of options available for adventurers to experience the country. You can now travel from coast-to-coast in the comfort of your car or truck while towing a large living space that can easily be attached, set up, and unhooked at the campsite of your choosing.

With the swivel capabilities of a fifth wheel hookup, you’re guaranteed a more stable tow than a travel trailer, and at least a little more living area. The benefits of a fifth wheel are numerous, and the fifth wheel hookup process is a snap with an automatic hitch system. In this lesson, we teach you how to complete a fifth wheel hookup so you can get things in place quickly and get out on the road.

How to Complete a Fifth Wheel Hookup

To help you figure out the proper way to complete a fifth wheel hookup, Dave Solberg walks you step by step through the quick and painless process. He shows you how to align the kingpin of the fifth wheel with the hitch in the bed of your truck, remembering to lower the tailgate, and demonstrates the correct method for backing up the truck to fully engage the teeth of the hitch with the hitch on the fifth wheel hookup.

You’ll also learn why it’s important to plug in the safety brake prior to completing a fifth wheel hookup to avoid any issues if the hitch doesn’t slide in properly. Because the system Dave uses in the demo is automatic, the truck hitch pivots front to back and side to side to accommodate the kingpin without additional levers. However, if your fifth wheel hookup is going to be done manually, you should check the instructions on your hitch prior to completing your first fifth wheel hookup to make sure you fully understand any unique requirements of your model. Otherwise, it’s a fairly pain free process.

Now that you know how to hookup your fifth wheel, it’s time to get out there and enjoy the open road!