You would be forgiven if you’ve never heard of a vhiri rechishanu. 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!

Yemhando yepamusoro JSK ichikanda vhiri rechishanu 37C

Chii chinonzi vhiri rechishanu?

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.

Gumbo rechishanu rinobatsira

Safety

Pane zvishoma zvezviridzwa zvinobatsira kune yechishanu Wheeler pamusoro pekare karavhani. Yekutanga, uye zvine nharo inonyanya kukosha, ndeyekuchengetedza. Nechishanu vhiri setup, 20% yehuremu inogoverwa pamusoro peaxle yekumashure yemotokari yekudhonza. Nokuenzanisa, mune yechinyakare karavhani setup, chete inenge 10% yehuremu inogoverwa.

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.

Kuwedzera maneuverability

Imwe bhenefiti yakakura kune yechishanu vhiri setup pamusoro pechinyakare karavhani ndiko kuwedzera maneuvrability. Kana iwe uchifunga nezve yako yakajairwa karavhani setup, kona yaunogona kutendeuka uye kukwira kumusoro ishoma. Iine vhiri rechishanu, iwe unokwanisa kumisa mota yekudhonza kusvika ku90 madhigirii kune koni zvinoreva kuti makambi akaomerwa nemapaki ekaravhani akashata chinhu chekare.

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.

Hurefu hupfupi hwese

Chimwe chinhu chakanaka pamusoro pevhiri rechishanu ndechokuti chikamu chekaravhani, kazhinji chimwe chezvikamu zvemubhedha chiri pamusoro pe ute tub, unogona kukwanisa kuva nehurefu hupfupi. Kuita kuti kureba kwakasanganiswa kwerig yako kuve kupfupi uye nyore kufamba mumigwagwa, kutenderera uye zvese zviri pakati.

More nzvimbo

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.

Ndichiri kuda ute here?

Zvino, iyo imwe chaiyo kicker yekuseta vhiri rechishanu ndeye, hongu, iwe zvechokwadi unoda ute. Iyo inogona kunge ichida kuve tabhu kana tray style setup. Zvinoreva zvakare kuti iwe unorasikirwa nenzvimbo yekuchengetera kumashure kweiyo ute. Asi zvimwe zvezvakanakisa zvinhu muhupenyu kubvumirana, handiti?

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!

Muchidimbu

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!