Pulling 5th wheel camper trailer with big truck

I own a Work and Play 34FK toyhauler. I pull it with the tractor you see in the avatar. The 5th wheel pin on the trailer is the same as any semi trailer pin. The height may vary but can be usually be adjusted for height to match the 48" fifth wheel height on the tractor. You may have to move the 5th wheel on the tractor back to accommodate for clearance, easy to check with a ruler
I use a simple air pressure brake controller something like this:
Warner Air Utility Brake Control Warner Brake Controller 1300-80
I made up a special 7 way pigtail to go from my tractor to the trailer, to make it similar to the semi trailers I pull I added 2 lights to the rear for brake lights only.
I am a member of the Escapees RV club, we have many members who do the same, pull an RV with an class 8 tractor.

 

Yea, it's a neat idea I guess. And when one spends $50,000 to $80,000 on a new 5th wheel it really is peanuts to "do it right" Me, even then I would be just getting a normal pickup truck one that hooks to the brake lights..

 

I dont see the police giving you any grief about the lack of electric brakes. Especially where your Volvo is considerably heavier. I would say go ahead and tow it.

 

I pulled a similar one with my pete. I had to drill new holes in the frame to get the fifth wheel back far enough.

 

I would not be worried about the truck having the braking power. I'd be worried that some 4 wheeler pulles in front of you causing you to need to do a hard brake. The tractor will stop, but the 5th wheel may not and jacknife. If it's all FM roads I might try it, but 80 miles is a bit far for my piece of mind.
Know someone with a lowboy flatbed you can borrow for a day?

 

A fifth wheel camper does not weigh enough to jack knife a truck. Besides which, jackknives are caused by brakes locking up and the tires sliding instead of rolling. If the electric brakes aren't hooked up the ties can't lock up.

 

Maybe I used the wrong term... I will still be worried about it coming around on a hard stop. Basically pivoting on the kingpin.
Also the 5th wheel pictured is likely 8-10k pounds. So yes not heavy compared to a loaded trailer, but heavy enough I would worry in a hard stop when it has no brakes.