Where did the term “Fifth Wheel” come from to describe a large goose-neck RV trailer?
The concept for using a fifth wheel hitch for a road-based semi trailer has been around for nearly a century. The original idea arose to allow one person instead of two or more to couple a vehicle and trailer together. After learning about the stability benefits the fifth wheel hitch provides when towing, the RV industry in the US began using it for caravans in the late 1960s. This article balances the pros and cons of the fifth wheel caravan and discusses reasons for it’s growing popularity in Australia. What is a Fifth Wheel Caravan? Fifth wheel caravans have an extension on the front that extends over the tow vehicle and sits on a horizontal plate that looks like a wheel – hence the name ‘fifth wheel’. This wheel rests on the tow vehicle, usually in the centre and directly above the rear axles and provides the support for the caravan. Fifth wheelers are outfitted with a fifth wheel hitch, which is also known as a ‘gooseneck’ hitch. The hitch arrangement makes towing easier by placin
