Who Needs a Hitch? 5 Clever Ways to Move a Fifth Wheel Trailer (With Estimated Costs!)

Getting to know how to move a fifth-wheel trailer without the need for a hitch is useful information. 

After all, knowing how to move your trailer even for a short distance – and without the use of a truck – will be an awesome thing to do. 

You can travel from one location to the next or simply part your trailer at any time. 

To obtain important information, read the article thoroughly.

Is It Possible To Move The Fifth Wheel Without A Hitch?

Yes, a fifth-wheel trailer can be moved without a hitch.

There are a variety of fifth-wheel trailers available that provide the convenience of a mobile home combined with a vehicle.

You don’t really need a hitch to move these self-propelled trailers. Except if it starts to break down and requires the expertise of a professional to repair.

If you intend to tow your fifth-wheel, you must have a motor vehicle capable of doing so. This allows you to easily continue moving it from your preferred destination.

A hitch alleviates the strain of transporting your trailer. But what if you’re stuck without the need for a hitch on your trailer?

The steps below should get you there.

How To Do It?

Now let’s dive deep into, how to do it actually??

Carefully Study The Manufacturer’s Instructions.

The most important thing to remember right away is that you must follow the manufacturer’s instructions regarding whether the vehicle is capable of carrying the weight and has the ability to move in this manner for both the trailer and trailer components.

If you do not follow the manufacturer’s instructions, your car’s basic components are likely to fail, necessitating costly replacements. The maintenance schedule provided by the manufacturer is intended to be both advantageous and cost-effective.

Check That The Nuts Are Not Loose

It is critical to ensure that none of the nuts or lock washers are loose. The locking washer, in particular, must be properly fitted because, in the belief that it will “lock” the nut or bolt to the joint and prevent loosening, they are still applied in a variety of situations.

In accordance with a collection of studies based on both expertise and experimental results, they do not prevent loosening and, in many cases, can be shown to actively accelerate the rate of loosening.

Maintain The Size Of The Tug Ball

A trailer tug test is essential for fifth wheels with traditional kingpin hitches. A tug test is crucial because it will show whether your fifth wheel and tow vehicle were successfully hitched. 

If the trailer unhitches while moving, you can avoid damaging property or injuring someone. So, bring the appropriate size tug ball.

Connect It Correctly.

Lower the coupler onto the hitch ball and follow the directions to properly secure it. Allowing yourself to become distracted is a bad idea. Verify that the coupler is properly connected to the hitch ball before moving on to the next step.

To fully loosen the latch, press down on it and turn the hand wheel counterclockwise. Confirm that the ball clamp is positioned beneath the coupler. To tighten the coupler, press down on the latch while turning the handwheel clockwise. The coupler should fully cover and attach the hitch.

Connect to the frame of the tug car underneath the bumper to ensure adequate slack, permitting for a much safer turn.

Join The Wires

Trailer connector wiring is required to securely connect the rear lights, turn signals, brake lights, and some other electrical components on any vehicle towing a trailer. If your vehicle lacks a functional trailer wiring harness, there are several choices available to ensure a perfect fit. This is possible with a personalized wiring scheme.

Personalized wiring is the best option for placing trailer light wiring on one’s vehicle. A custom wire harness, also known as a ‘T-connection,’ is a vehicle-specific harness that plugs into a basic connector output, such as a 4-way flat, without the requirement for spicing. Most custom wiring kits include all of the components needed for a complete installation on the vehicle, including vehicle-specific plugs and, if needed, an electrical converter.

You can start moving your fifth-wheel trailer on your own if you follow all of these guidelines correctly. If you are a first-timer, it is best to enlist the assistance of a partner who has prior experience in this field.

Other Options For Moving A Fifth Wheel Trailer Without A Hitch

So here are some other methods for moving your fifth-wheel trailer to a specific location with the assistance of others:

Consider The Dealers Transportation Service.

If you find the perfect fifth-wheel trailer but it’s several hours away, you’ll be relieved to know that many shops offer home delivery. Of course, there is a cost.

Online shopping for these trailers is a good option for those who want to search dealer inventory from the convenience of their own home. Because many trailer buyers may not initially have a vehicle, such as a truck, to transport a non-motorized trailer, most vendors have begun to offer trailer shipping services. 

Transporting a travel trailer can cost between $1.00 and $5.00 per mile. The size and situation of your trailer, as well as the proximity it must travel, can all influence how much you pay.

This simple service would also be applicable if a customer encountered a problem that required delivery from a remote position. This home delivery may be subject to a fee. 

If you don’t have access to a neighboring trailer dealership or don’t have a truck to transport your vehicle home after purchase, a dealer transportation service is an excellent option.

Borrow A Truck

One other option for shifting your trailer without a hitch is to borrow a truck. Trailer owners may know a friend or relative who owns a truck that they could borrow to move their trailer. You must keep in touch with these friends irrespective of the type of difficulty that arises when your hitch stops working. Another option is to speak with other trailer owners. Because we are usually a caring and helpful group, someone may be willing to provide you with a truck.

As a result, it’s absolutely essential to double-check with your insurance company and lenders to make sure that any accidents or losses are properly covered. When having to borrow a truck to move a trailer, it is even more important to ensure that the truck is capable of and ready to transport the vehicle.

The tow rating defines the highest weight that the truck can tow without endangering its suspension, power train, or transmission. The towing capacity of the truck must be greater than the total weight of the trailer.

Rent A Truck

Renting a truck rather than borrowing one to move your trailer may be preferable. Most car rental companies prohibit connecting a hitch or towing any type of vehicle with a rental vehicle. Customers can now rent “tow-capable” trucks for personal use from an increasing number of rental companies.

Previously, most truck leasing companies were only designed to cater to businesses. Because of the growing demand for towing rental services, numerous companies have decided to provide the same truck rental options for personal use.

As more trailer owners realize they need to keep moving their trailers but don’t have access to a tow truck, this business idea is gaining traction. Rates will most likely be higher during peak season, but a 10?-17? truck could perhaps cost between $19.99 and $29.99 per day, and a 20?-26? truck should cost somewhere around $29.99 and $39.99 per day.

If you only require a vehicle for a short trip, go to your neighborhood Home Depot. They typically rent tow-capable work trucks that are meant to be used for short trips. 

Trailer Valet Service

On occasion, a trailer without even a hitch may need to be moved a short distance. If a vehicle is not obtainable in these circumstances, a Trailer Valet is an excellent alternative. A Trailer Valet is a customizable “tongue” jack dolly device that allows for easy trailer pivoting and mobility. The cost of trailer valet parking ranges between $400 and $900.

This could be useful for trailer owners without access to a truck who need to relocate their vehicle up an incline, around a parking space, or into a parking spot.

Conclusion

So, we hope that your problems have been resolved and that you can now solve them on your own. We attempted to conceal all pertinent information. 

So, whenever you are running the operation, try to follow the guidelines and be cautious.