What is a Fifth-Wheel Camper?

A fifth-wheel camper is a type of trailer in which the cab sits over your truck bed and connects to a specialized hitch inside the bed. Fifth wheels are different than conventional trailers (which generally use a trailer hitch and ball mount) or motorhomes that are driven, rather than towed. They come with a unique set of advantages and disadvantages, just like every trailer type.

Fun fact: fifth wheel connections have been around longer than hitch-and-ball connections!

Another fun fact: I considered living in a fifth wheel full time at one point. (This was before I realized that I am bad at minimalist living, and even the largest fifth wheel wouldn't be quite roomy enough for my collection of coffee cups and vintage tea pots.) Even though I decided against living in a fiver full time, I spent a lot of time researching fifth wheels and their benefits (as well as their drawbacks).

If you're new to the world of trailer towing and are wondering what the deal is with fifth wheels and whether one is right for you, you've come to the right place. Read on below to have your most pressing fifth-wheel questions answered. (Note: if your question is "will I have enough room for my vintage tea pot collection?" the answer is probably no.)

What Is a Fifth Wheel?

We defined "fifth wheel" above, but let's quickly make sure we're on the same page about what a fifth wheel is and what it's not.

When you go to the RV lot, it will generally be split into three main sections: fifth wheels, conventional travel trailers, and motorhomes.

Fifth wheels are the ones that sit over your truck bed and connect to a specialized, U-shaped fifth wheel hitch in the bed. We'll take a quick look at some of the major differences between these rigs, then we'll go into more detail in the subsequent sections.

Towed with a truck
Hitch installs in truck bed
Cab sits over truck bed
Avg. price when new: $25k-$90k
Avg. weight: 10k-15k lbs

Towed with a truck, large SUV, or full-size van
Hitch installs beneath vehicle
Trailer is pulled behind tow vehicle
Avg. price when new: $10k-$40k
Avg. weight: 5k lbs-7k lbs

Truck Towing Conventional Travel Trailer

Driven, not towed
Avg. price when new: $75k-$200k (Class A); $50k-$100k (Class C)
Avg. weight: 15k lbs-40k lbs (Class A); 10k lbs - 20k lbs (Class C)

Why is It Called a Fifth Wheel?

We can trace the origins of the fifth-wheel trailer back to the days of horse-drawn carriages. Essentially, a "fifth wheel" was attached to a carriage frame to allow the front axle to pivot. The principle remains the same, with the fifth-wheel hitch (which no longer looks like a wheel) allowing the truck to pivot independently of the trailer.

Image Credit: Big Truck, Big RV

Can My Truck Pull a Fifth Wheel?

Not every truck is up to the task of pulling a fifth wheel. If you don't have a truck that can tow a fiver, you'll need to figure a new vehicle (and hitch) into the cost of your fifth-wheel setup. If you're planning on parking somewhere seasonally and staying put for a long period of time, there are fifth-wheel transport/delivery services available. But keep in mind that these can get pretty pricey.

How big a truck do you need? Well, you can typically get away with towing a smaller fifth wheel (about 7,500-10,000 lbs loaded) with a newer-model 1/2-ton truck like the Ford F-150, Ram 1500, etc. However, most of the time you'll need a 3/4-ton (ex: Ford F-250, RAM 2500) or 1-ton truck (ex: Ford F-350, RAM 3500).

Generally, the bigger the truck, the better when it comes to fifth-wheel towing. We recommend going with at least a 3/4-ton in most cases. A larger truck will provide a more comfortable, controlled ride, and will experience less strain on its suspension and drivetrain components.

One way to determine if a particular truck will meet your towing needs is to simply check the owner's manual. (Most are available for download online.) Truck manufacturers generally differentiate between conventional and fifth-wheel towing capacities for 3/4-ton and 1-ton trucks. Towing capacity is affected by the powertrain, bed size, whether the truck is 4wd or 2wd, and whether the truck is SRW (single rear wheel) or DRW (dual rear wheel, or dually).

You can also run the numbers yourself. Check the sticker on the truck's driver's side door to determine the vehicle's weight specifications and towing capabilities. On the sticker, look for the Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR), which is the maximum combined weight of the loaded truck plus the fully loaded trailer.

Then, subtract your Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW), which is the combined weight of your truck, fuel, passengers, and cargo when your vehicle is loaded and ready for towing. The difference between the GCWR and the GVW is the maximum loaded trailer weight the truck can tow.

Tip: For the most accurate measurement of your vehicle's weight, load up your truck with all the gear and passengers you plan to take with you while towing and visit a commercial scale.

Maximum Loaded Trailer Weight Calculation

The type of truck you choose will absolutely affect your fifth-wheel experience. If you are in the market for a truck to tow your fifth wheel, take a look at our Guide to Choosing the Best Truck for 5th-Wheel Towing for tips on picking the right tow vehicle.

Fifth Wheels vs. Gooseneck Trailers

Both fifth wheels and gooseneck trailers sit over your truck bed and connect to a hitch installed within the bed. However, the actual hookup process as well as the purpose of gooseneck trailers differs from that of fifth wheels. Gooseneck hitches provide a ball for the coupler to latch onto, whereas the king pin of a fifth-wheel trailer slides into a U-shaped hitch. Gooseneck trailers are commonly used for horse trailers and agricultural purposes, while fifth-wheel trailers are generally for recreation.

Gooseneck Coupler

Gooseneck Hitch Ball

Fifth-Wheel Pin Box

Fifth-Wheel Hitch

Fifth Wheels vs. Travel Trailers

When it comes to towing a recreational RV, the big choice comes down to fifth wheel vs travel trailer. Personally, I looked at and considered both trailer types during my search. After researching and walking through several different models and different layouts, I finally concluded that if I was going to purchase a trailer, it was going to be a fifth wheel.

Why? Because a fifth wheel comes with certain advantages over a conventional travel trailer. Most significantly, fifth wheels are generally more spacious. For full-time living, this was a huge benefit.

On the other hand, fifth wheels are also pricier, and they require a capable truck to tow them and a specialized hitch, so these are added expenses. You can get away with pulling many conventional trailers with an SUV or a full-sized van, but it's a truck or nothing when it comes to fifth wheels.

For a more in-depth look at the differences between fifth wheels and travel trailers, check out our article on the topic.

Fifth Wheels vs. Motorhomes

Another big decision to be made when choosing an RV is whether you want to tow a trailer at all. Motorhomes, unlike fifth wheels, are driven rather than towed. I did check out a few motorhomes while I was on the lot but decided a fifth wheel would better suit me for a few reasons.

Price was the biggest factor, since motorhomes are typically much more expensive than the average fifth wheel. I also just preferred the home-like look and feel of fifth wheels. Something about the layout and lack of a steering wheel in the middle of my "house" appealed to me more than the bus-like feel of a motorhome.

On the other hand, motorhomes have the benefit of not needing a tow vehicle. As someone who drives a Honda Civic coupe, which is nowhere near capable of towing anything larger than the smallest of teardrop campers, this is a big advantage. Many vehicles can be flat towed behind your RV, so you can keep your daily driver anywhere you go.

Despite the steering wheel in your living room, there's also something to be said about having your driving and living quarters in the same space. No need to get out of your camper and into your truck cab to pick up and move. Plus, fifth wheels generally sleep more people, so they're ideal if you have a big family or want to bring guests along.

For a deeper dive looking at the differences between fifth wheels and motorhomes, check out our article here on the topic.

Ultimately, everyone is looking for different things in a trailer. A fifth wheel may work for some, while a travel trailer or motorhome might be right for others. The important thing is to do your research, check out each trailer type, and get a feel for what will suit your lifestyle best.

Still have questions?

Give our experts a call at 800-298-8924, or contact us online. We're happy to assist any way we can!

About the Author

As a content writer for etrailer, I might spend my morning loading and unloading a bike on five different bike racks to figure out which is easiest to use. I might be in the parking lot, taking pictures of an impressive RV battery setup our techs came across in the shop and discussing the benefits of the setup with the owner. I might spend an afternoon in a manufacturer training classes for some hands-on experience with new products, and then sit down to assemble all this information into a coherent article.

At etrailer, one of our core values is that we are always learning, and I learn something new every day. I start each morning with the goal in mind of taking all of this information and figuring out the best way to answer the questions people ask us (and the ones they don’t know to ask yet), and helping people get the solutions they need to make their lives easier, safer, and more fun. I’m a DIYer at heart, so it brings me great joy to help a fellow DIYer find what they’re looking for, whether that’s a product, an answer, or a community.

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Written by: Amber S.

Updated on: 2/17/20

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