What the heck is a Fifth Wheel
Alright I’ve got a horrible confession to make. I don’t own an RV. Yep, please don’t hate me but I’m building this site to make money and thought this topic might interest me so here I am. Man… I’m in the dark here 
So what they hey is a fifth wheel? All I can picture off the top of my head is some Cadillac with a big white wheel sticking off the back of the trunk. That can’t be it can it?
So off I go to look up some definitions of “fifth wheel” on the Net.
“someone or something that is unwanted and unneeded”
Hmmm…that doesn’t sound like it has anything to do with RV’s.
“Provides a flexible connection between the tractor and the trailer”
Nope..I don’t think so but it’s sounds a bit closer.
“A trailer or coach towed by a pick-up truck via a special hitch located in the cargo area of the truck. Usually recognized by the raised front section that sits over the cargo area of the truck. This extra section is usually used as a sleeping area. “
Bingo !! That sounds like a fifth wheel but I’m not sure. I’ll have to verify that later. According to that definition this picture would qualify as a fifth wheel. I think :-/
photo credit: jwbonez
July 27th, 2008 at 8:20 pm
Just thought I would help out a little bit here. A 5th wheel in RV terms is a non-motorized pull-behind unit. The name came from the fact that the hitch is referred to as a 5th wheel hitch. The tow vehicle {pickup truck or semi} is used to pull the coach but there is no ability to move between the coach and the tow vehicle while going down the road. The picture you reference to is actually a class C cab-over. It allows someone to go back into the coach area to get munchies or grab a nap while vehicle is moving. {Hopefully someone else is driving at the time though.}
Also a 5th wheel should not be confused with a Bumper Pull or a Gooseneck. These are different vehicles named also from the type or height of hitching equipment that is used to pull them.
Hope this helps and if you would like to see a picture of a 5th wheel there are some on my website under Dealer Units.
Have a nice day. M~
July 27th, 2008 at 9:50 pm
Holy Toledo, I had no idea a 5th wheel could be so huge! One of the pictures on your web site shows a couple of 5th wheel’s that look like they are 40 feet long. Thank you for the thorough explanation of what a 5th wheel actually is. Leave it to someone from Elkhart Indiana, the RV capital of the world and only about 20 minutes from where I live in Granger to help me out.
Man, I don’t know if I could handle a 5th wheel though. I sure like the idea of running back for some munchies while I’m driving. I’d do it at a red light though :-).
Mark
July 29th, 2008 at 12:36 am
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