Compared to a caravan:
If you have towed a caravan you will know it can be affected by many things.
One of the dangerous is being over loading the front of the caravan. Where the weight on the draw bar of the caravan can be no more than 10% of the caravan weight which is a metre or more behind the tow vehicle's rear axle, this means the weight on the draw bar (ball weight) lessens the weight on the tow vehicles front wheels. If the weight on the draw bar (ball weight) is increased over the 10% of the caravans weight, the weight (uplift) on the tow vehicles front wheels decreases more. This is why, that if the caravan is not packed properly there is a danger of the tow vehicle front tyres not having enough traction on the road which will remove the ability to steer safely.
Then there is where the back of the caravan is overloaded, this can cause the opposite effect where the caravan can lift the back of the tow vehicle thus the back tyres loss traction (grip) on the road. So as you can see the only safe way to tow a caravan is have the contents loaded so as to get the correct loading on the tow bar (ball weight).
Another reason is that a caravan is dangerous when in high side winds. Where the tow ball is a pivot point and the caravan is a large area for the wind to catch, so as the wind is pushing on the side of the van, it is pivoting on the tow ball thus the tow vehicle wants to go in the opposite way. this plus the decreased weight on the front wheels due to the downward weight applied to the tow ball as described above. The above is also increased in wet conditions. Drivers in these conditions should always drive to the conditions.
The fifth wheeler on the other hand is a pleasure to tow, you will be surprised at the ease of driving with a fifthwheeler behind you, in fact you could forget that you are towing at all. The tow vehicles front tyres has traction due to the fact that the hitch is over the rear axle which means there is no uplift on the front tyres. The hitch on a fifth wheeler (this is the connection and pivot point) can have up to 25% of the fifth wheelers total weight, meaning there is a greater margin then the caravans 10%, meaning that there is no great need to worry about how the fifth wheeler is packed although if you put everything behind the fifth wheelers wheels you could have uplift on the back tyres. Remember always stay within you tow vehicles ratings.
Also a fifth wheeler is generally not effected by side winds as again the pivot point (hitch) is over the rear axle; I have driven in 90 km per hour side winds. The steering was a little heavier that was corrected by steering slighting into the wind. Although I did reduce my speed to a safer limit, remember you should always drive to the conditions.
Turning corners:
When towing a fifth wheeler you should remember the fifth wheeler wheels do track inside of the turn of the tow vehicles (tracking) they are more likely to hit or ride up on curbs on corners if you take a corner to sharp, the fifth wheeler is nearly the same as a caravan or trailer only you should allow to go a little more wider because of the position of the hitch (pivot point).
Remember to take the corners wider then you would when you would in a car, also the longer the fith wheeler and the sharper the corner the wider you have to take the corner.
You will find that the latest craze by councils to place small round abouts at intersections can be a pain, as you will have to avoid the outside curve coming into the corner and the curve of the roundabout itself on the inside then the outside curve again as you drive out of the roundabout. Also you will find that signs are another problem if they hang over pass the curb.
If you are unsure about driving with a fifth wheeler on the back I suggest you find a vacant block or similar place, take some traffic cones and practice your turns around the cones, also practice your backing between some cones. You will find that it will not take long to get the hang of it.
Backing your fifth wheeler:
Place your hand at the bottom of the steering wheel. To back to the right, move your hand to the right. To turn to the left, turn move your hand to the left. Always get out before backing up and look at the area you want to back up to, It is a good idea to have someone behind to watch. Align the tow vehicle and trailer in front of the area you want to back up to. Use slow movements of the steering wheel to change direction of the fifth wheeler. If you make a mistake drive forward and realign the tow vehicle and fifth wheeler and start again. You will find that backing a fifth wheeler is easier then backing your six by four foot trailer after a while.
Braking with a fifth wheeler:
Allow more distance between you and the vehicle in front to brake than when not towing, remember the weight of the fifth wheeler behind you.
Your brakes should be set up on your fifth wheeler to the system you have. Electric if the total weight of your fifth wheeler including contents is under 4,500kg or, air brakes if over this weight. A good dealer should explain the braking system including a demonstration and assistance with setting up the braking system.
Always anticipate the traffic in front, using your gears and braking lightly to reduce speed. Always drive to the conditions. Break to heavy and some of the contents in the van could end up on the floor.
