Fifth Wheel Rentals — More Stable Towing, More Truck Required
Fifth wheel rentals run $135–$225/night and offer dramatically better towing stability than travel trailers — at the cost of requiring a pickup truck with a bed. Here's where to rent one and what truck you actually need.
- Length
- 25–42 ft
- Sleeps
- 4–8
- Weight (GVWR)
- 7,500–18,000 lb GVWR
- Typical rate
- $135–$225/night
A fifth wheel is a towable RV that hitches to a king-pin coupling mounted in the bed of a pickup truck — the same mechanism that semi-trucks use, scaled down for consumer pickups. Rental rates run $135 to $225 per night before fees, sitting between travel trailers and motorhomes in cost.
For the technical definition, see the Fifth Wheel glossary entry. This page is the rental decision guide.
Why fifth wheels exist as a category
Three structural advantages over travel trailers:
- The king-pin hitch sits inside the truck’s wheelbase, not behind the rear axle. This eliminates the lever effect that causes sway in travel trailers.
- You can tow much more weight at the same truck rating — a half-ton truck rated for 9,500 lb pulling a fifth wheel handles fundamentally differently than the same truck pulling an equivalent-weight travel trailer.
- The forward bedroom over the truck bed adds substantial living space without lengthening the trailer footprint.
The trade-off is non-trivial: you need a pickup truck with an open bed. SUVs and crossovers cannot tow a fifth wheel.
What it actually costs
For a 7-day fifth wheel rental (mid-range pricing on a 2022 32-foot fifth wheel):
| Line item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Base rate: $175/night × 7 nights | $1,225 |
| Platform service fee (10–20%) | $123–$245 |
| Insurance / damage waiver: $30/day | $210 |
| Mileage: unlimited (you provide the truck) | $0 |
| Cleaning + prep fee | $150 |
| Hitch installation in your truck bed (one-time, if needed) | $150–$300 |
| Delivery + setup (optional but recommended) | $250–$600 |
| All-in for the rental | $1,858–$2,730 |
| Fuel: depends on truck (typically 9–12 mpg towing) | $400–$650 |
| Campground fees (7 nights, mix of state + private) | $250–$450 |
| All-in trip cost | $2,508–$3,830 |
What truck you need
| Fifth wheel GVWR | Required truck class |
|---|---|
| Under 8,000 lb | Half-ton (F-150 / 1500) with tow package + bed-mounted king-pin hitch |
| 8,000–12,000 lb | Three-quarter-ton (F-250 / 2500) |
| 12,000–18,000 lb | One-ton (F-350 / 3500) |
| Over 18,000 lb | One-ton dually (F-350 dually / 3500 HD) |
The king-pin hitch goes in the bed of your truck. If your truck doesn’t have one already, most rental fifth wheel arrangements include hitch installation as a one-time pickup fee ($150–$300).
Where to rent a fifth wheel
- Outdoorsy and RVshare — dominant rental venues. Peer-to-peer owners list everything from light residential fifth wheels to luxury full-time-living units.
- Corporate chains — none. Cruise America, El Monte RV, and Road Bear RV don’t carry fifth wheels.
- Fireside RV Rental — limited fifth wheel inventory at some franchise locations.
Fifth wheels are almost entirely a peer-to-peer rental category. Vetting the specific owner matters as much as picking the platform.
When fifth wheel is the right choice
- You own a pickup truck rated for the trailer
- You want maximum living space for a towable (the forward bedroom is roomy)
- You’re traveling as a family of 5+ with multiple drivers comfortable towing
- You’re staying in one campground for the trip (delivery + setup option, no daily towing)
- You specifically want a separate bedroom and forward sleeping area
When fifth wheel is wrong
- You don’t own a pickup truck — buying or renting one adds substantial cost
- You’re a first-time renter — fifth wheel towing is a real skill
- You’re traveling solo or as a couple — overkill on living space
- You’re going to national parks with significant length restrictions — 32+ ft fifth wheels won’t fit many NP campgrounds
- You want one-way rental — not available
Delivery-and-setup is even more compelling here than with travel trailers
Fifth wheels weigh 50–100% more than equivalent-length travel trailers. The towing skill required is higher. For renters who don’t tow regularly, delivery-and-setup is the right default.
Most peer-to-peer fifth wheel owners offer delivery within 100–200 miles for $250–$600. You drive your truck normally to the campsite, the owner delivers and sets up the trailer, and you stay parked for the trip. Owner picks it up at the end.
What to verify before booking
- Trailer GVWR vs. your truck’s tow rating. Subtract trailer weight plus 20% cargo from your truck rating. Must be positive.
- Whether your truck bed needs a king-pin hitch installed and whether the owner provides one.
- Your truck’s payload capacity. Fifth wheels put 20–25% of their weight on the truck bed (called pin weight). Your truck has to carry it plus passengers and cargo.
- Whether the trailer has slide-outs (most do) and whether they all extend. Failed slide motors are a common rental complaint.
- The cargo capacity (GVWR minus dry weight) for family + gear trips.
- Whether delivery is included or extra for the campground location you want.