Buying a 5th Wheel Caravan in the UK

Researching owning and driving a fifth wheel? This article covers the common areas of tow trucks, driving licenses and insurance plus other points of relevance.

If you’re dreaming of roaming Britain or Europe in a rolling holiday home, a fifth‑wheel caravan offers unmatched comfort and space. But there’s more to it than just picturesque landscapes—you’ll need the right setup, licence and prep to tow one safely and legally.

What You Need to Tow a 5th Wheel

Towing a fifth wheel caravan requires some thought and a little practice. Good news is we give our customers instruction and the opportunity to drive and practice manoeuvring a 5th Wheel on our campsite during their free 3 night stay.

Choose an appropriate towing vehicle

The majority of our customers choose a UK pickup truck, most popular being the Ford Ranger Wildtrak. Most pickups have a train weight of 6,000Kg as standard. With the addition of air bags on the rear axles the train weight can be increased to 7,000Kg, making them the perfect vehicle to pull our UK truck towable 5th wheels (find out more about train weights and licenses here). At CCRV we do recommend the installation of airbags to uprate the suspension.

Install a fifth wheel hitch

This specialised hitch is mounted in the bed of a pickup truck, directly above the rear axle. Professional installation is recommended for safety - find out more about CCRV's hitch installation service here.

Dave, one of our experienced engineers, fitting a 5th wheel hitch

The Process of "Hitching-up" Your 5th Wheel

One of our team will give training on the connecting and disconnecting of your 5th wheel and truck if you are buying a 5th Wheel from CCRV. Here's the points to consider for correct hitching-up and RV towing.

Connect the caravan to the towing vehicle

Back up the towing vehicle so that the fifth wheel hitch aligns with the 5th wheel's kingpin. Lower the caravan onto the hitch, ensuring the hitch jaws securely lock around the kingpin. Take a look at our video channel on YouTube for easy pointers.

Attach safety chains and breakaway cable

Connect the safety chains and breakaway cable from the caravan to the towing vehicle. These provide extra security and activate the caravan's brakes if it accidentally detaches from the tow vehicle.

Establish electrical connections

Connect the caravan's electrical system to the towing vehicle's socket. This enables lights, indicators, and the electric brake system to function. A simple process, always ensure sockets locate and lock in to position.

Check tyre pressure and lights

Ensure the tyre pressures meet the recommended range for both the towing vehicle and the the 5th wheel. Test all lights and indicators to verify they are functioning correctly - it's always a good idea to have someone available to help with this.

Perform a safety inspection

Double-check all connections and attachments, and ensure the caravan's weight is evenly distributed.

Drive cautiously

Always exercise extra caution when towing, allowing for additional stopping distance and taking wider turns to accommodate the Fifth Wheel's length. Our campsite stay and instruction will give you opportunity to practice RV driving and reversing in a safe area before embarking on the road to enjoy your UK 5th Wheel Adventures.

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"Grandfather Rights" - a driving license issued before 1997 with C1E, code 107

Driving Licence Requirements

Please note that the information included here may not be exhaustive or may change - check with DVLC/DVSA/DoT for the latest licensing and towing rules.

In the UK, driving licences are issued with categories that dictate what vehicles and trailers you're legally allowed to drive or tow.

Here are the ones that matter for fifth wheels:

• Category BE – Combined train weight 7000Kg (truck + 5th wheel)

• Category C1E (C1+E) – Combined total train weight 8250Kg (truck + 5th wheel)

If you passed before 1 January 1997, you benefit from “grandfather rights”—your licence shows C1E with code 107, meaning you can tow a vehicle‑and‑trailer combination up to 8,250 kg

In the UK, the driving licence required for towing a 5th wheel depends on the combined weight of the vehicle and caravan. Take into account passengers, cargo, and fluids when calculating the weight.

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What UK Insurance Do I Need for a 5th Wheel

This is a common question "where can I get insurance for my 5th Wheel?". Being aware of the various insurance options available for fifth wheels is important when selecting coverage in the UK, and is a point to consider when buying a 5th wheel caravan. Checkout our useful guide to fifth wheel insurance providers and policies, and find the cover that's right for you and your RV.

We can provide recommendations on insurers that may meet you particular needs, shoot an email to Avril at CCRV for further information.

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What Truck Do I Need to Tow a 5th Wheel in the UK?

In the UK our customers have had great success towing lightweight units from Rockwood, Crusader and Puma with bigger UK trucks like the Ford Ranger Wildtrak and Nissan Navara 3.0. Uprating the vehicle's train weight can be essential, please ask us about this installation or find out more about uprating airbag installation here.

Please note that the above trucks are examples of vehicles that may be suitable. The towing capacity will ultimately depend on the specific truck, configuration and load.

Always refer to the owner's manual for your vehicle's towing capacity and the weight specifications of the Fifth Wheel. Ask us about our uprating service which will increase you tow capacity and includes all the paperwork processing with DVLC. Remember, you must always comply with licensing requirements when towing a Fifth Wheel Caravan in the UK and on European roads.

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Here We Go…

A fifth‑wheel caravan gives you apartment‑style living on four wheels, but owning one comes with legal responsibilities. Get the right tow vehicle, get a hitch correctly fitted, master hooking up, check your licence (C1E-107 or full C1E), and take time to practice before hitting at our campsite before getting on the road. Once everything’s in place, you're free to explore the UK in luxurious comfort and style.

Vehicle & Hitch

Ensure your pick‑up’s tow rating exceeds its maximum train weight

Professionally install a fifth‑wheel hitch, aligned above the rear axle.

Hitch‑up Procedure

Practice in a calm space: guide the kingpin into place, lock the hitch, connect chains and electricals. Checkout our hitch-up video.

Check tyre pressures, lights, brake operation and load balance.

Towing Safely

Remember your mirror checks, increased braking distance, and wider steering.

Legal speed limits: 60 mph on motorways, 50 mph on single carriageways.

As always, if you have any questions, feel free to get in touch with us here at CCRV.