Can You Tow A Fifth-Wheel With A 5.5 Bed
There are some more experienced RVers out there that can give you certain tips and tricks for safe towing; but the fact is, the consensus amongst many RVers is that it’s not safe to tow your fifth wheel with anything less than an 8-foot bed.
Now, if you’re like me and you don’t have an 8-foot bed on your truck, that doesn’t mean that you can’t tow a fifth-wheel – it just means you need to be a little more creative in how you go about doing it.
Here are a few tips for towing your fifth-wheel with a 5.5 bed
While most 5th Wheels are about 30 feet in length, you can tow them effectively at speeds of 65 MPH with 6-foot beds; but you’ll want to upgrade to an 8-foot bed if you plan on doing anything over 70 MPH. I know this is not ideal when towing, but it is possible.
Unhooking the 5th Wheel from your truck bed allows you to maneuver better around curves and on tight roads.
If you’re stuck on a steep grade or hill, it also gives you some additional support to help prevent your rig from drifting into other lanes of traffic.
If your truck bed has stake pockets, you can create a makeshift bumper using 4 X 6’s to give your 5th wheel some additional support.
While this isn’t necessarily the safest solution, it will allow you to tow the trailer while having access to the full bed of your truck.
Another tip is to use a weight-distribution hitch.
This will help distribute the trailer’s weight across your truck evenly and help keep your rig from swaying too much.
While there are some risks involved in towing a fifth-wheel with a shorter bed, it is possible with some creative solutions, but a long bed truck would be ideal.
Just be sure to practice safe driving habits and use caution when traveling with a larger trailer.
What is the minimum length needed to tow a 5th wheel safely
The minimum length needed to tow a 5th wheel safely is 8 feet.
While it is possible to tow a 5th wheel with a shorter bed, it is not recommended.
Using a weight-distribution hitch can help to distribute the weight of the trailer evenly across your truck and will help to keep your rig from swaying too much.
If you are stuck on a steep grade or hill, unhooking the 5th wheel from your truck bed can give you some additional support.
Just be sure to practice safe driving habits and use caution when traveling with a larger trailer.
The pros and cons of shorter beds when towing
The pros of towing a 5th wheel with a shorter bed are that you can maneuver better around curves and on tight roads.
The cons, however, are that you cannot go as fast as you would with an 8-foot bed and you need to be more careful when traveling.
Using a weight-distribution hitch can help to distribute the weight of the trailer evenly across your truck and will help to keep your rig from swaying too much.
If you are stuck on a steep grade or hill, unhooking the 5th wheel from your truck bed can give you some additional support.
The most effective solution is to use a weight-distribution hitch.
This allows you to safely tow the larger trailer while still having access to the full bed of your truck. Another option is to use 4 X 6’s and make a makeshift bumper.
While this isn’t necessarily the safest solution, it will allow you to tow the trailer while having access to all of your truck’s features and functions.
Taking these precautions will help you safely tow a 5th wheel with a shorter bed.
What can be done if the minimum length needed to tow a fifth-wheel is not available
The only option left would be to upgrade to an 8-foot bed or find another way to tow your fifth-wheel trailer safely.
This may involve purchasing a weight-distribution hitch. Using a weight-distribution hitch can help to distribute the weight of the trailer evenly across your truck and will help to keep your rig from swaying too much.
Another option would be to unhook the fifth wheel from your truck bed when traveling on curves or hills.
If you are stuck on a steep grade or hill, unhooking the 5th wheel from your truck bed can give you some additional support.
While this isn’t necessarily the safest solution, it will allow you to tow the trailer while having access to all of your truck’s features and functions.
Using a weight-distribution hitch or 4 X 6’s as a makeshift bumper is an effective way for those with short beds to tow a fifth-wheel.
While this isn’t necessarily the safest solution, it will allow you to tow the trailer while having access to the full bed of your truck.
Conclusion
You can tow a fifth wheel with a shorter bed, but it is not recommended.
The safest solution is to use either a weight-distribution hitch or 4 X 6’s as a makeshift bumper.
While this isn’t necessarily the safest solution, it will allow you to tow the trailer while having access to all of your truck’s features and functions.
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