Fifth wheel trailer hitches are designed to maximize the hauling potential of your pickup.  Choosing the right one to help you Get Out and Go shouldn’t be a confusing process, but it is critical to making a safe and informed choice for your rig.  These are the five most important steps to purchasing the right fifth wheel hitch for you.

 
1.  UNDERSTAND HOW THEY WORK

 
Understanding how a fifth wheel hitch functions will help you protect yourself, your truck, and your wallet. 

By mounting to the frame of your truck through the bed, 5thwheel hitches are able to carry far heavier loads than a typical ball hitch by distributing the trailer’s weight down between the cab of the pickup and the rear axle.

Depending on your truck’s hauling capacity, a variety of suspension, drive train, and other accessories may be necessary to handle the added weight of a fifth wheel trailer. 
StableLoad Suspension Upgrade From Torklift International
2.  KNOW YOUR TRUCK’S HAULING CAPACITY
Before installing or towing with a fifth wheel hitch, it’s critical to know and stay within the year, make, and model-specific hauling capacities of your truck. 
The best place to find this information is in your truck’s owner’s manual.  It’s also beneficial to contact the vehicle’s manufacturer directly, or call a trusted fifth-wheel hitch retailer such as Torklift Central to conduct the research on your behalf.

3.  FOCUS ON LONG OR SHORT-BED HITCHES 

Fifth wheel hitches are designed to function differently in long and short bed trucks.  Once you know how much your truck is rated to haul, make sure you understand whether it is equipped with a long or short bed:
  • Super Short:  5.5ft
  • Short Bed:  6.5ft
  • Long Bed: 8ft
If you have a short bed truck you will need to install a short-bed fifth wheel hitch, such as the Pullrite SuperGlide, to keep a fifth wheel trailer from coming in contact with your truck’s cab during tight cornering.
Pullrite SuperGlide For Short Bed Trucks
4.  CONSIDER INSTALLATION 
The installation requirements of a fifth wheel hitch should always be considered in the buying process.  During installation fifth wheel hitches are secured to your truck via rails that attach to brackets, which are attached to the frame of the truck.   
To avoid the time and cost of drilling and welding on your truck, it’s best to purchase a complete fifth wheel hitch kit that is designed specifically for your vehicle.  A good example is the ISR (Industry Standard Rail) Series from PullRite that fits the pre-existing holes in your truck’s frame – no drilling or welding is required.
5.  LOCATE A TRUSTED INSTALLION SHOP 
Once you’ve settled on the perfect 5th wheel hitch for your truck, it’s always advisable to have it installed by a credentialed installation shop.
Torklift Central’sexpert technicians are glad to do the heavy lifting on your behalf and answer any questions you might have on how to Get Out And Go Fifth Wheeling The Right Way.   
To learn more about fifth wheel hitches and fifth wheel hauling, send us an email at [email protected] or call 877-373-9195.