Jūs esat izpētījis tiešsaistes forumus, izpētījis stāvu plānus un lūdzis atsauksmes no draugiem. Visbeidzot, jūs esat izvēlējies savai ģimenei piemērotāko piekto riteņu RV. Bet vēl neatslābsti. Tagad jums ir jāatrod pareizais piektais ritenis sakabe. 

Apskatīsim dažādus veidus, un jūs varat izlemt, kurš no tiem ir piemērots jūsu kravas automašīnas gultai. Nirsim iekšā!

Augstas kvalitātes JSK liešanas segli 37C

Kam tiek izmantota piektā riteņa sakabe?

Kemperim ar piekto riteņu ir nepieciešama īpaša sakabe, kas nav nepieciešama ceļojuma piekabei (saukta arī par bufera vilkmi). Ceļojuma piekabe tiks savienota ar sakabi uz velkošā transportlīdzekļa bufera ar sakabes lodi. Piektā riteņa kemperis tiks savienots ar kravas automašīnas gultni ar piektā riteņa sakabi. Dažas seglu sakabes tiek izmantotas zirgu piekabju vilkšanai vai citiem komerciāliem nolūkiem. Bet lielākā daļa seglu uzkabes tiek izmantotas, lai vilktu piekto riteņu RV.

Kāpēc to sauc par piektā riteņa sakabi?

Šī uzkare ir paredzēta savienošanai ar karavada tapu, kas atrodas uz RV. Lielais sakabes metāla rāmis ir pieskrūvēts pie kravas automašīnas gultas. Tas ļauj droši savienot un vilkt pa ceļu piektā riteņa kempera tapu. Tas ir daudz drošāks savienojums, jo tas atrodas kravas automašīnas gultā, nevis kravas automašīnas aizmugurē. Tas ir tāpat kā “piektā riteņa” pievienošana.

Kādi ir dažādi piektā riteņa sakabes veidi?

Although these are all called fifth-wheel hitches, they’re all a bit different and used for various purposes. Most options vary in how they connect to the kingpin of the camper. Depending on what you’re looking for and your personal preferences, you may decide to install one type of hitch over another. Let’s take a look at the differences between each of these fifth wheel hitches.

2-Way Pivot Head

A 2-way pivot head only moves front to back. This is important when traveling up slopes. The truck can begin ascending without adding more strain on the hitch itself before the fifth wheel begins going uphill. They’re also designed for lighter loads.

4-Way Pivot Head

In addition to the front-to-back movement of the 2-way pivot head, a 4-way pivot head also moves side to side. If you’re boondocking or traveling on uneven surfaces often, this hitch is the better choice since it offers an extended range of movement. However, they’re more expensive than the 2-way pivot heads.

Single Jaw Hitches

Single jaw hitches have a simple one-grab connection. It has fewer parts than the pivot head hitches, increasing its strength. These are the most expensive options but also provide the smoothest ride. However, since it doesn’t pivot, you’ll have to make wider turns.

Double Jaw Hitches

A double jaw hitch has twice the power of a single jaw hitch, which means it can handle even more weight. The ride is smooth, and the connection is strong. However, like the single jaw hitch, it doesn’t pivot. You’ll need more road space when making turns. 

Slide Bar Hitches 

Slide bar hitches are the least expensive options. However, they aren’t as secure as the jaw hitches because there is less jaw-to-kingpin contact. They’re also much noisier. When you brake or accelerate, you’ll feel and hear the hitch rattling. But, again, it’s budget-friendly.

Gooseneck Hitches

A gooseneck hitch attaches to the camper’s ball and socket coupler. Its design is very different from a fifth-wheel hitch. There are two basic options. One is a raised ball in the truck's bed, and the other is a ball that sits directly on the truck's bed. A gooseneck hitch usually takes up less room and is easier to install.

Sliding Hitches

Sliding hitches are used most often in short bed trucks. You don’t have as large of a turning clearance when driving a short bed truck. There’s a higher chance of the fifth wheel colliding with the truck's back window. A sliding hitch moves backward by sliding towards the tailgate when a sharp turn creates more distance between the fifth wheel and truck cab. Then it returns to its regular position after the turn is complete.

What to Consider When Buying a Fifth-Wheel Hitch

After you’ve purchased your fifth-wheel camper, you need to consider the best fifth-wheel hitch for your travel needs. Price is always a factor as well as convenience. However, you should also know the weight capacity to ensure safe driving.

Price 

Although your budget will affect how much you can spend on a fifth-wheel hitch, it should be the lowest consideration. The weight capacity, installation process, and ease of use should weigh more heavily in your decision-making process. If you’re towing a fifth-wheel camper, you have to make sure it’s safe. Sometimes that means spending more money. However, several good companies manufacture fifth-wheel hitches like Curt, Andersen, and B&W. So you do have options.

Weight Capacity

This may be the biggest consideration when buying a fifth-wheel hitch. Your hitch must be able to handle the amount of weight you’re putting on it. Find your camper's gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) and then calculate about 20% of this weight. This should be the minimum hitch capacity. For example, if your fifth wheel has a GVWR of 16,000lbs, the tongue weight will be around 3,200lbs. This means the hitch you choose should be able to handle at least 3,200lbs for safe travel.

Ease of Installation 

Some fifth-wheel hitches can be DIY projects, while others require professional installation. You certainly want to make sure the hitch is securely and correctly installed for safe travel. But if you want to do the work yourself, consider how difficult it will be to install. If you don’t have a background or experience in mechanics, it’s not worth doing yourself. Spend the money to have it properly installed. If something goes wrong on the open road, the results could be deadly.

Easy of Use 

If you have a long bed truck, installing a fixed fifth-wheel hitch still leaves room for toting around other things when not towing a camper. However, if you have a short bed truck, you may want to consider a removable hitch. That way, you have room to use the bed of your truck for other things. You’ll also want to consider how easy it is to attach to the trailer. Kingpin fifth-wheel hitches easily slide in and out. On the other hand, gooseneck hitches require a bit more work to hitch and unhitch, but you have more bed space for storage.

There's No One Size Fits All When It Comes to Fifth-Wheel Hitches

After you’ve purchased your fifth wheel, you still have an important decision to make. But there isn’t a simple, one-size-fits-all answer. The fifth wheel hitch that works for one camper won’t necessarily work for another camper. Truck bed size, GVWR of the camper, and budget also determine the best fifth-wheel hitch for your needs. Do your research just like you did before choosing your camper. Then you’ll feel confident that what you buy is indeed the best choice for you!