What Type Of Truck Can I Use To Pull A 5th Wheel Trailer?

by Keith
(Georgia)

I am wondering what types of different truck beds could be used when towing a 5th wheel. Would a flat bed present any problems? What about a work bed such as those the Electric company uses with the tool boxes down the sides of the bed? Picture attached. Would that work?

ANSWER: Greetings Keith thanks for submitting your question on our Ask An RV Question Page.

The answer to your question is not a definite yes or no. There are a lot of factors that will determine whether this vehicle will be able to safely tow a 5th Wheel Trailer.

1. What size and weight 5th wheel trailer are you planning to tow with this vehicle? If you have determined what 5th wheel you want, you need to determine what the maximum full weight of the trailer is going to be. Once you have determined that, you will need to check the manufacturers towing specifications for the truck you are looking at. If the trailer weight exceeds the towing capabilities of the truck then you need to get a truck that is capable of towing your trailer's weight.

5th wheel trailers come in all shapes and sizes; looking at the picture of the truck above. I would say that you would be lucky if it ends up being capable of even towing some of the lightest 5th wheel trailers available.

2. If the truck meets the towing specifications, you will need to determine what modifications will need to be made to the bed of the truck to allow the installation of a 5th Wheel Receiver Hitch. You may also run into a problem of the trailer being able to clear the tool boxes on the truck shown above. If the trailer cannot pivot properly due to the boxes, they may have to be modified to provide clearance.

The bottom line is that you may end up having to look at some different trucks that may be better suited for towing a 5th wheel trailer. The one pictured above is Iffy at best.

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Happy RVing

RVing Al