5th wheel or TT?

[shaft]

Figured this would be the place to ask



I am a cable contractor and work in several states... ... Tired of motels Thinking of buying a travel trailer to live in while I am on the road..... something in the 30' range... ...



Carry long ladders and a full ladder rack... ... so I am thinking of a bumper style trailer BUT I could also go to a removeable weekender style rack and carry the ladders on the trailer when traveling which would allow me to use a 5th wheel trailer.



The gist of all this is this... ... I have never towed anything other than my 8x14 cycle trailer and a gooseneck car hauler. Just how much better is a 5th wheel compared to a TT trailer when it comes to safety and towing ease?

 

[SWassermann]

Points to ponder... ...



I tow TT's and 5'ers for a living. A fifth wheel will usually provide a

better ride, but the high frontal area can be murder in a head wind! I haven't tried the cab mount wings, but a few here have and may have some input. There are some very nice TT's out there that are very light (Outback has a 28' with slide out that weighs 5200lbs dry and it tows very well... aluminum frame, etc. )

My 28' Hornet weighs 7300 dry and doesn't pull as well.



Don't discount TT's offhand, the weight and how it's loaded make a major difference in how they tow as well as having the hitch set up properly. TT's usually have a flat roof and I'm sure a creative installer could get your ladder racks on securely. A TT also keeps your bed empty.



If your going to tow a lot, put good towing mirrors on your list of things to do!



I'm by no means an expert or authority as I haven't been doing this too long, just some of my experiences.



Hope this helps!



Scott

 

[shaft]

Hmmmm I had always heard that the 5th wheelers were much safer... ..... but you make some good points... ... .



Besides a TT would mean I can keep my rack and ladders on the truck... ... .

 

[Kirwin]

TT vs 5th wheel

I have had two TT with the third one now on order. 5th wheels are reported to tow a little easier. It makes sense that they are less prone to trailer sway since the mount is in the bed of the truck. However this is their greatest disadvantage in my opinion, you give up most of the bed space to the trailer. Even the space that is not occupied by the trailer must be kept clear for the trailer to swing during maneuvering. With a regular TT the bed is completely usable. As long as you have a truck that is rated to pull it, the TT will pull fine. This can be challenging though. Trailer manufactures continue to try to out do one another is building bigger, consequently heavier trailers, even though there isn't a light truck out there rated to pull them! A fifth wheel trailer weights 1500-2500 lbs more that a regular trailer which only exasperates the weight issue for pickups. Most travel trailers are limited to 10,000 lbs by the class 4 hitch that comes on pickups from the factory. The Dodge owners manual has a specific caution that states that any trailer that weighs over 10,000 lbs must be equipped with a 5th wheel hitch. So TT are limited to 10,000 by the book! Just my . 02 worth.

 

[R-N-R]

I've only towed a TT, but from what I know the main differences are that 5vrs excel in sway control (safety), turning radius, and ease of connect/dis-connect. I use a Hensley hitch ($$$) and it, as well as the PullRite ($$ + vehicle specific installation) hitch, equalizes the sway control differences. I can only refer to the Hensley in that it provides me with great turning radius. Hook up can be a real PITA, however a tongue twister and a hook up mirror really help out alot. JTFR, I've never heard a 5ver owner saying that they wish they had a TT. If you go with the TT, be aware that there are products available to make them much more enjoyable and safer!

 

[Pogodually]

Fifth wheel for me

FYI

I've had 2 of each kind. And I'll have a fifth wheel over a TT anyday. Don't like seeing the rear of TT coming around to me is a strong cross wind. Beside a 5er is easier to tow in traffic. A toy hauler will haul all your equipment. Or racks over the cab will work too. Have several co-workers doing the same as you are talking about.

Good Luck.

 

[cwsoules]

We have a 5th wheel and like it very much. It tows well. We take it when we go to visit friends rather than stay in a motel. We prefer having our own bed and not have to put up with what some motel believes is a good bed or a clean bathroom.

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

I also have a TT - a 35' Fireside. I went with a TT because of the bed considerations as well. I often take my motorcycle with me when I'm camping so I need to have my bed available. Even when I don't take the bike the bed seems to always be full - be it tires and wheels when I'm racing, wood when I'm camping, etc, etc. A second consideration for me was that I was able to get a screaming deal on my hotel length TT used. I've towed it for about 5,000 miles so far and only once have I stopped because of winds and that was when the winds were 40 gusting to 50-60 and I had 2 hours worth of driving with it as a direct crosswind. I pulled into a KOA, camped the night and finished the drive in the morning. Other than that I've never had a problem towing it as far as sway goes. I'll probably catch flack for this (AGAIN) but I don't even use a weight distributing or fancy (hensley, pullrite, etc) hitch. I tow it with a class V hitch on the ball with a single friction sway control - and yes it's completely within the ratings of the hitch, ball, drop, truck.

 

[JyRO]

5'er or TT...

Steve - You won't hear any gruff out of me on your set-up. You're under your weight ratings pulling a TT, and if you feel comfortable with your level of sway & stance of your truck (weight distribution), then I don't blame you one bit for not spending extra money on a fancier hitch.



Shaft - As for the topic, in your case with the ladder rack(s), I'd just go with a TT. I have a 5'er, and it tows fine and all. But I think the trade off between towability (5th) and bed usage (TT) is large. If I needed bed usage, I could easily put-up with the disadvantages of a TT. I think a TT's disadvantages are very small. I too like Steve found a good deal on a 33' 5'er with a single slide. Too good to pass up. I love the thing and my family is growing into it. My $0. 02 cents worth.



- JyRO

 

[dewdo]

I guess I should toss in my two cents worth since i have towed bot fivers, TT's slide in's and camper vans.



Losing the space in the back of the truck is a minus, but on the other hand, the safety and ease of towing a fiver more than offsets the loss of the space.



Fivers normally are made mostly for couples since it seems like most just have a couch that makes into a bed for extra people. TT's normally have two doors and fivers just one in most cases. My fiver has two doors. One on each side (left and right side)



Fivers are easier to park and as mentioned, a large truck passing you has little or no effect on the stability. They are much easier to un hitch than a TT.



Since you have bikes, you can purchase the fivers (and possibly the TT's) that have the rear that opens up for loading and carrying your toy's. A lot of ATV riders buy this model for carrying their ATV's.



There, I said it.



Dewdo in the other Washington

 

[klenger]

It sounds like you will not be towing that often, but setup the trailer and live in it while working a job. That being the case, a TT might make more sense. You might need to keep your speed down a bit when towing compared to a 5er, but since you won't be doing it that often, it might not be big deal.

 

[shaft]

All good info folks... ... preciate it.



Leaning towards a TT... ... .