Fifth wheel RV hitched to a pickup truck at a Colorado campground Illustrative image

Colorado RV rentals

5th Wheel RVs for Rent

Roomy towable RVs with a raised front that rides over a pickup bed.

A fifth wheel is a towable RV with a raised front section that rides over the bed of a pickup truck and locks onto a fifth-wheel or gooseneck hitch in the bed. That raised section usually holds the main bedroom, which leaves room for a large living area, often with slide-outs.

Towing one takes a pickup with a bed-mounted hitch rated for the trailer's weight. If you do not have that truck, book a fifth wheel directly with RVRents™ and add delivery and setup: we bring it to your campsite and level it, and you arrive in your own car.

Good for
Families and groups staying a week or more in one place
Towing
Pickup with a fifth-wheel or gooseneck hitch
At camp
Unhitch and use the truck for day trips

What makes a fifth wheel different

A fifth wheel hitches inside the bed of a pickup, not to the bumper. Its raised front section rides over the truck bed, so the trailer's weight sits on the truck's rear axle. That one design choice is why fifth wheels feel so different from a bumper-pull trailer on the road and at camp.

Inside, the raised front usually holds the main bedroom, often with a residential-style bed and closet. The lower level holds the kitchen and living room, frequently with several slide-outs and tall ceilings. Many floor plans add a rear bunk room, a rear living room or a toy hauler garage.

Hitches: fifth wheel, gooseneck and sliders

A fifth-wheel hitch is a heavy plate with jaws, bolted into the truck bed. The trailer's king pin drops into the jaws and locks. Most rental fifth wheels are set up for this kind of hitch.

A gooseneck hitch is a ball in the truck bed. A fifth wheel can tow from a gooseneck ball with a pin-box adapter, as long as the adapter is approved by the trailer maker. Check before you rely on one.

Short-bed trucks (roughly a six-and-a-half-foot bed or less) often need a sliding hitch or an extended pin box, so the trailer's front corners clear the truck cab when you turn sharply. Ask the owner which setup the RV uses.

Towing one in Colorado

Expect a big, tall trailer: many fifth wheels are around 13 feet high, so watch for low branches, gas station canopies and drive-thru roofs. Mountain passes on I-70 and US highways mean long climbs and long descents; use lower gears on the way down rather than riding the brakes.

Wind is part of driving in Colorado, especially on the plains east of the Front Range and across high valleys. A fifth wheel handles crosswinds better than a similar-length bumper-pull, but a tall trailer still catches wind. Slow down or wait out strong gusts.

If you do not have the right truck, you do not need one: book a fifth wheel directly with RVRents that is marked Delivery available, and we bring it to your campsite and set it up.

Fifth wheel questions

Straight answers before you book. Always check the specific RV's weights and your vehicle's ratings.

What truck do I need to tow a fifth wheel?
A pickup with a bed-mounted fifth-wheel hitch, or a gooseneck ball with an approved adapter, rated for the trailer. Most fifth wheels need a three-quarter-ton or one-ton truck; some lighter models can be towed by a half-ton. Compare the trailer's loaded weight and pin weight to your truck's towing capacity and payload on the door sticker and in the owner's manual.
What is pin weight and why does it matter?
Pin weight is how much of the trailer presses down on the hitch in the truck bed, usually about 15 to 25 percent of the trailer's loaded weight. It counts against your truck's payload, along with passengers and cargo, so a truck that can "tow" a fifth wheel may still be over its payload limit.
Is a fifth wheel easier to tow in wind than a travel trailer?
Generally, yes. The hitch sits over the truck's rear axle instead of behind the bumper, so the truck and trailer pivot closer together and sway is less likely in crosswinds and when trucks pass. Fifth wheels are tall, though, so strong gusts still deserve slower speeds.
What is the difference between a fifth-wheel hitch and a gooseneck?
A fifth-wheel hitch uses a flat plate with locking jaws that grab the trailer's king pin. A gooseneck uses a ball in the truck bed and a coupler on the trailer. Fifth wheels are built for the plate style; they can tow from a gooseneck ball only with a pin-box adapter the trailer maker approves.
Do I need a sliding hitch for a short-bed truck?
Often. On short-bed trucks, the front corners of a fifth wheel can hit the cab in tight turns. A sliding hitch moves the pivot point back for low-speed maneuvering, and some trailers use an extended pin box instead. Ask the owner which setup the RV has.
Is a fifth wheel easier to back up than a travel trailer?
Many drivers find it easier. A fifth wheel responds more slowly to steering when reversing than a bumper-pull, which gives you more time to correct. Practice in an empty lot before your first campsite.
How tall is a fifth wheel?
Many are around 12 to 13 and a half feet tall. Check the exact height on the RV's listing or with the owner, and look up clearances for bridges, gas station canopies and parking garages on your route.
Can passengers ride in a fifth wheel while it is towed?
No. Towed RVs are not built for passengers in motion: there are no crash-rated seats or restraints, and many states prohibit it. Everyone rides in the truck.
Can I rent a fifth wheel without a truck?
Yes. Book a fifth wheel directly with RVRents that is marked Delivery available, and we bring it to your campsite, level it and hook it up. You arrive in your own car.