Pack appropriately. For safety reasons, know the gross vehicle weight ratio (GVWR) of your fifth wheel. Stay within the GVWR when packing for a trip. Take only what you need to avoid excessive weight.
Understand your trailer's mechanical systems. Study your user manual and understand the basic systems of your fifth wheel. Know basic maintenance, such as how to empty waste water tanks, fill fresh water reservoirs, and how to operate your propane-powered refrigerator if you will not be using electrical hook-ups at a campground. To avoid expensive repair bills at RV shops, know how to troubleshoot problems that you may be able to fix yourself.
Prepare yourself for expenses. Traveling with a fifth wheel costs more than passenger car trips, and you will buy more fuel to tow a fifth wheel. Join an online RV community to learn money-saving RVing tips, such as finding free and low cost areas to camp, and the least expensive gas stations.
Assign duties to everyone. If you are traveling with a partner, you can benefit from assigning duties to each person. For example, the person who is least comfortable driving can be assigned the duty of navigator. This person is responsible for paying attention to the route, giving the driver enough warning for turns and stopping, and finding campgrounds. Split up other basic duties once you arrive at camp, such as emptying waste water tanks and leveling the trailer.
Respect your limitations. Traveling with a fifth wheel requires you to understand the size limits of your trailer, and plan your stays accordingly. For example, many older public campgrounds are too small for modern fifth wheels. Respect nature. Do not try to squeeze into tight camp spots by cutting tree branches or running over vegetation.
Once you set up camp, respect the solitude and privacy of your neighbors by turning off your exterior lights at night. Do not create noise pollution by running your generator outside of posted hours. Adhere to quiet hours at night, and leave your campsite cleaner than when you arrived.
