One of the safest motorized trailers on the road is the fifth wheel version. It maintains such a high safety rating that the commercial trucking industry has been using the trailer for over 100 years. There is no motorized trailer more equip to carry heavy loads from one point to another than the fifth wheel version.
The high safety rating comes from how the trailer connects to a main vehicle. The hitch feature of the trailer allows for it to be connected over a truck’s rear wheels. This exerts at least 20% of the trailer’s weight to the front towing vehicle. This weight rests on the front suspension setting for that front vehicle. Fifth wheel motorized trailers also maintain optimal driving conditions and forgiveness with road conditions. For this reason alone, it is the number one choice of the commercial trucking industry.
General construction of a fifth wheel trailer is on average 18 to 40 feet in length. The bi-level portion of the trailer is connected to a pick up truck or other heavy towing vehicle via a fifth wheel trailer hitch.
Fifth wheel motorized trailers are self contained units. This means that home based functions of refrigeration, hot water and plumbing systems and electricity are aboard the trailer. Standard electricity is provided via a 12 volt internal electrical hook up. This eliminates the need to connect to an external electrical source.
Some fifth wheel trailer versions extend a slide out section to increase the living space inside the trailer. This extension adds anywhere from 3 feet to 12 feet of internal space to the trailer. The fifth wheel trailer is easily connected to a towing vehicle with little effort required. Average costs for these trailers are £11,500.
The commercial trucking industry relies on a fifth wheel trailer for it ability to maintain connection with the towing vessel. In many cases, the fifth wheel trailer enables the towing vehicle to maintain a sturdier balance on the road than is the case with no trailer connection.
For recreational drivers, the appeal of a fifth wheel trailer can be found in a “the bigger the better” line of thinking. Fifth wheel trailers allow for more accessories without jeopardizing safety. Driving a vehicle with this trailer attached is easier than with some standard motorized homes. Backing up is completed with ease. Adding height to the trailer allows for more internal storage space. This allows for extended road trips without the need to reload on equipment.
Fifth wheel trailers are certainly an attractive option. However there are a few key pieces of information to keep in mind. First and foremost, the towing vehicle must be able to safely tow a fifth wheel trailer. Standard vans, sedans and pickup trucks with a canopy bed are not suitable towing vehicles for a fifth wheel trailer. Towing another vehicle or item, such as a boat, behind the trailer is not allowed. Passengers can not ride inside the trailer as it moves down the road.
In spite of these limitations, fifth wheel trailers still let many drivers take full advantage of bringing the comforts of home along on the open road.