You would be forgiven if you’ve never heard of a vettura tal-ħames rota. They’re particularly popular in the United States and slowly but surely are becoming a common staple of caravaners everywhere in Australia. Well, at least for those who use a ute to tow. Let me explain.

Caravans are getting more and more luxurious, larger and heavier. As a result, the RV and caravan industry is constantly looking to make towing an easier task. That’s exactly what the fifth wheel is all about. Whilst it may not be a modern day invention, it’s certainly rearing its head as of late. Honestly, we’re excited to get as many people converted as possible!

Kwalità għolja JSK ikkastjar ħames rota 37C

X'inhu vettura tal-ħames rota?

Without getting too technical, a fifth wheel basically refers to the hitch design of a specific type of caravan. There would be 4 on the actual caravan you’re towing. The ‘fifth’ is the removable hitch where the caravan attaches to the ute that is towing it.

The hitch resembles a U-shape or wheel shape, hence the name. And it’s bolted through the tray or tub of the vehicle to the chassis.

Il-benefiċċji tal-ħames rota

Sigurtà

Hemm numru ta’ benefiċċji strumentali għal karavan tal-ħames rota meta mqabbel ma’ karavan konvenzjonali. L-ewwel wieħed, u probabbilment l-aktar importanti, huwa l-aspett tas-sigurtà. B’setup ta’ karavan tal-ħames rota, 20% tal-piż huwa mqassam fuq il-fus ta’ wara tal-vettura tal-irmonk. B’paragun, f’setup tradizzjonali ta’ karavan, madwar 10% biss tal-piż huwa mqassam.

By having more of the weight on the vehicle’s axle, it dramatically reduces the possibility of swaying and fishtailing while towing. It also removes the need for things like stabilisers, because the coupling on the fifth wheel does a good enough job already.

Manuvrabbiltà miżjuda

Benefiċċju enormi ieħor għal setup ta' fifth wheel meta mqabbel ma' karavan tradizzjonali huwa l-manuvrabbiltà miżjuda. Jekk taħseb dwar is-setup standard tal-karavan tiegħek, l-angolu li bih tista' ddur u tallinja huwa estremament limitat. B'fifth wheel, għandek il-ħila li tippożizzjona l-vettura tal-irmonk sa 90 grad mal-vann, li jfisser li postijiet tal-ikkampjar dojoq u parkeġġi skomdi għall-karavans huma xi ħaġa tal-passat.

It doesn’t take an army

Hitching a fifth wheeler is also incredibly simple and very achievable with just one or two people. Provided everything is set to the right height, it’s as simple as reversing the hitch into the receiver, putting the safety pin in and hook-up up the electronics. A lot easier than a traditional caravan if you ask me.

Tul totali iqsar

Il-ħaġa sabiħa l-oħra dwar fifth wheeler hija li parti mill-karavan, ġeneralment waħda mis-sezzjonijiet tas-sodda, tinsab fuq il-parti ta’ fuq tat-tub tal-ute, tista’ taffordja li jkollok tul totali iqsar. Dan jagħmel it-tul totali kkombinat tat-trakk tiegħek iqsar u aktar faċli biex tinnaviga fit-toroq, ir-roundabouts u dak kollu li hemm bejniethom.

Aktar spazju

It seems a little redundant to mention this next point but I’m going to anyway, the SPACE! With a fifth wheeler, you get so much more usable space in a more compact unit than you do with a traditional caravan, often being described as an apartment on wheels.

Għadni neħtieġ ute?

Issa, l-uniku vantaġġ veru ta' setup ta' fifth wheel huwa, iva, tabilħaqq għandek bżonn ute. Ikollha bżonn tkun setup jew tub jew trej. Li jfisser ukoll li titlef l-ispazju tal-ħażna fuq wara tal-ute. Imma xi wħud mill-aqwa affarijiet fil-ħajja huma kompromess, hux?

Having a ute isn’t really a bad thing though, is it? With a quarter of all new-vehicle sales in Australia each year being utes, you certainly won’t be alone on the road. It also means that there is a HUGE amount of possible vehicles for you to choose from. Whether it’s a smaller traditional dual cab like a Hilux or Ranger, or perhaps a larger ute such as an F250 or Ram!

Fil-qosor

The next time you’re in the market for a caravan, or a home away from home, give a fifth wheeler a go. Safer, more space, easier, and a whole lot cooler. There really aren’t any downsides to a setup like this. Plus, you’ll be joining the millions of ute-crazed Aussies that are!