How to Hitch Your Fifth Wheel

It’s important to make sure your fifth wheel is properly hitched to its tow vehicle before setting off. Otherwise, it could come off at an inopportune moment! To help make it easier, the Outpost RV has created this handy step-by-step guide to hitching your fifth wheel.

1. Choose a Level Surface 

If possible, your fifth wheel should be on a level surface when you hitch it up. Add wheel chocks to give you some extra support, and adjust your hitch so that it is the right height for coupling. As a bonus, backing your tow vehicle up will be much easier if your camper is already level!

2. Open the Wheel Jaws

Depending on your model, you will next open the jaws or retract the locking bar by pulling the side handle. Make sure it is securely in the open position before you proceed to the next step. Some fifth wheel owners choose to apply high-pressure grease or install a lube plate so that the coupling process goes more smoothly, which also protects the hitch head.

3. Back Up Slowly

Once everything is in the correct position, lower your tailgate and begin lining up the hitch. A helper can guide you through the process, potentially making it much easier, but make sure that they stay a safe distance away from the kingpin. Don’t forget that your truck will shift slightly after parking, so accommodate for that by stopping a little early. 

4. Adjust the Jacks

Next, adjust the trailer jacks. The fifth wheel hitch plate should be a little higher than the kingpin box so it can ramp up onto the hitch plate. The kingpin box itself should generally be ½” below the top of the fifth wheel head. Don’t be afraid to use a measuring tape or other methods to get it just right. 

5. Engage the Coupler

At this time you should slowly back up your truck until the kingpin and fifth wheel head are fully connected, at which point you will park your truck and engage the emergency brake. 

Take one last look to make sure the fifth wheel jaws are locked and engaged completely before inserting the safety pin. Certain models require that you manually engage the lock bar or wheel jaws instead of doing so automatically.

6. Test the Coupling and Complete Your Checklist

Before you head off, take a few minutes to test the coupling. Disengage your emergency brake, activate your trailer brakes, and put the truck in drive. Move forward very slowly and carefully. If you feel a bit of resistance, your connection is secure. 

By now you’re probably raring to go, but don’t skip out on your final checklist. Make sure the tailgate is closed, the safety pin and chains are in the right place, the electrical wiring is properly connected, all of the wheel chocks have been removed, all of the jacks have been lifted, and the trailer lights are functioning correctly.  

If you completed these steps, you are ready to embark on a fun and exciting journey with your fifth wheel. For more information or to view fifth wheel models, visit The Outpost RV at our dealership in Middlebury, Indiana. We are proud to serve the northern Indiana area and communities like Kalamazoo and South Bend.