Bumper pull VS 5th wheel safety.

[Swamp Donkey]

I am going to purchasing a travel trailer or 5th wheel this summer. Just for the ease of hook-ups I am leaning towards a bumper pull. I am assuming if loaded properly with proper tongue weight these should be pretty safe. In my 04. 5 I have a bed mounted toolbox that covers the whole 8ft bed that is usualy loaded 365 days of the year. The 98 has a 5th wheel hitch on it already, but is not ideal anymore for my growing family with the small cab. I feel I should have no problems with a bumper pull as long as I load and drive accordingly. My mother-inlaw had a big accident last year pulling a improperly loaded trailer so after seeing her all gibbled up it gets a guy wondering... ... .

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

Fifth wheels are usually considered "safer" if the hitch is properly mounted to the truck. However, bumper pull trailers can be excellent if not overloaded or loaded very unevenly, and especially if they have independent suspension, like the Henshen axles Airstream uses, and their parent company Thor uses in Chateau (I believe). A few other companies may also have torsion bar type independent suspension. Shock absorbers can also help, particularly on leaf spring trailers.

 

[EricBu12]

For a bumper pull, look at Hensley www.hensleymfg.com



By far the best bumper pull hitch to kep safe... ... Expensive yes, but well worth it. It incorperates a different set of rules to keep anti sway and a benefit is the equal. bars stay attached to the trailer...



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IF, you infact do want a 5th but hate to part with the tool box, look at hitch buddy. Another wierd contraption that seems to work... This stays rigid to the truck and has a up and down link system so it is stable... See the videos of the thing in action... .



www.hitch-buddy.com/5thwheel.htm



So with all these things, the only question is what do you want? BP? or 5th? Get what works for you... .

 

[Slow Six]

I have used both types of trailers for years and have not had a problem with either. In my opinion the key to a travel trailer is using a good hitch set up and having lots of truck in front of it. I see for to many minivans and small SUVs pulling some big travel trailers. They are possibly rated for the weight but if a blast of wind or some other problem arises the tail wags the dog. In your case it looks like you have lots of truck. I think it also depends on how large of a travel trailer you are getting. My last travel trailer was a 32 footer and it pulled and handled quite well. I am now in a 33 ft. 5th. wheel and I like the the way it handles better. I think that most will agree that the 5th. wheels are nicer to tow but they do tow harder as they have more wind resistance and may be heavier. Like you I use the back of my truck and having the 5th. wheel has really compromised the use of the truck box, but because of weight regulations etc. and a large flat bed I also use for work I had to go for the 5th. wheel set up. The 5th. wheel is also a lot quicker and easier to hook up and unhook as you can see what you are doing and you do not have to mess around with bars and safety chains. Good luck and happy travels.

 

[klenger]

Just for the ease of hook-ups I am leaning towards a bumper pull.

I've had both, and the 5th wheel is much easier to hook-up and is more stable. If having the bed full most of the time prevents a 5th wheel from being used, then a properly set up bumper pull will just fine, but if you can go with a 5th wheel, it's the prefered way to go IMHO. There are several 5th wheel hitches that can be completly removed to leave a clean bed. I have a PullRite Super 5th. See http://www.klenger.net/dodge/pullrite/index.html for details.

 

[mikel]

I've owned both and for ease of hooking up you will really be hard pressed to beat a 5th wheel. Just get reasonably close and it'll center itself, plus you can see both the hitch and trailer connection from the drivers seat which makes aiming much easier.



Bumper pull trailers can be made to pull well, but 5th wheel trailers just pull well by default.



I have found that whatever I used to carry in the bed of the truck now just goes in the trailer so it's not a big deal to loose the bed space to me. I guess this might be an issue if you were going to try and take something big and nasty that you wouldn't want to put in the trailer, but we generally don't take anything more than a BBQ pit or bicycles, so it isn't an issue for us.



If you do go with a bumper pull then spend the money and get a good hitch (something like a pull-rite or Hensley) and load it correctly and you won't have problems.



Bottom line, get what suits your life and uses best, either will work fine.



Happy camping!

Mike

 

[BrianJ]

I think that most will agree that the 5th. wheels are nicer to tow but they do tow harder as they have more wind resistance and may be heavier.

5th Wheels are actually a more aerodynamic setup than bumper pulls, as they are more of an extension of the tow vehicle (part of the reason they tow better). The further the item being towed is behind the tow vehicle, the worse the aerodynamics and towing efficiency. Cummins has a rather long article on mileage that references the drop in efficiency for each additional foot the trailer is behind the tow vehicle.



That being said, while a 5er will tow a little better, there shouldn't be any problems towing a properly set up bumper pull. I pull a 32' bumper pull and haven't encountered any problems.

 

[RustyJC]

I think it also depends on how large of a travel trailer you are getting.

This is a real key. I know none of us read the Owner's Manual that came with the truck (we don't need no stinkin' directions! :-laf ), but mine does state that a 5th wheel or gooseneck hitch (depending on trailer type, of course) should be used when trailer weight exceeds 10,000 lbs. I think there's a reason (other than receiver ratings) that, as the RV gets larger and heavier, the design will move from TT to 5th wheel.



By the way, on a related topic, my Owner's Manual also says that manual transmission trucks should use an exhaust brake once trailer weight exceeds 10,000 lbs. I do, and I agree.



Rusty

 

[paccool]

I've always had a bumper pull trailer. It's only 24' and 7500# so it is not a big one. Have never had any of the sway or whip problems some have reported. The thing that scares me about a fifth wheel setup is what I saw a couple of years ago. A guy had a new truck and trailer. He backed into the hitch then got out and was getting things hooked up. Not sure what happened but when he pulled away, the trailer dropped onto the side rails of the truck. Needless to say, the truck was damaged as well as the trailer. Thought the guy was going to cry! I'm getting older and a little forgetful and could see myself doing something like that. At least with a tag along I can't drop it on the truck!

 

[jbone]

Stan, That could have been me... . I did that about two trucks ago--I don't raise those legs until I test it now--only takes once... . but about the orginial question--I agree with most of the guys the 5th is best, but maybe not your situation... ... by the time you hook-up those bars and friction plates, don't see how any bumper pull is easier---just my 2cents... ... ... R, J. B.

 

[klaybus]

5vr -vs- Bumper pull

Yep Yep! I'm a 5vr lover. I haven't owned a pull behind but the ease of hookup for a 5vr is awesome & I sure like the way it pulls. I find myself almost forgetting it's back there until I hit a bump in the road & feel the weight of it.

I guess it's a matter of preference, if I needed my bed full time like it sounds like you do I guess a bumper pull would be more practical. Boy that contraption that hooks a 5vr to a tow dolly of sorts looks interesting..... I wonder what that costs? Best of luck on your decision.



Clay

 

[Forrest]

I've towed a bunch of different length bumper pulls. I've had equalizer hitches, and anti-sway hitches. What I found white knuckles me is wind. Either caused by a big rig passing in the same direction, opposite direction, or side wind.



I don't have the white knuckles with the 5'er. I did find that a bunch of stability was gained by adding front & rear anti sway bars. On our trucks, a rear bar might not be there ... add one.



As for hooking up & un-hooking, the 5'er is by far easier. Now, I'll qualify that a little. I've got a side to side tilting hitch ... another must have. Just option it when you get the 5'er.

 

[Swamp Donkey]

Thanks for all the tips! With the advice given, I think I will go ahead and get a bumper pull. It won't be anything big, just for the simple fact that I can't afford a big one. Something probably in the mid 20 ft range and 6-7,000 lbs. What I meant about ease of hookup for me is not having to wrestle over a 1,000 lbs of tools and toolboxes out everytime I want to use the 04. 5 for towing a 5th wheel. A good hitch and some common sense should be all I need! Not many of my trips will be long ones with this travel trailer. Maybe one trip a year of 200 miles. The rest of the time will be just short trips to get away for the weekend.

 

[Grizzly]

What no one has mention is the manoeuvrability of the the 5th wheel over the TT in tight places, such as backing into your driveway. You can turn the truck 90 degrees to the 5er. Also make a little check list and use it each time you hitch and unhitch. There are so many things to do, such unplug your AC electric, raise your rear jacks, lock the jaws and then set a pad lock so that some joker doesn't come along and pull your pin while you are parked somewhere and you drive off without the 5er. I keep my check list on the door to the front jack control access or keep it anywhere that convenient for you, or have your wife read off the list as you check each item. Works for me. Grizzly

 

[FloridaEd]

Let's see if I can remember all this.....



I started camping with a BMW motorcycle, a pup tent, and sleeping bags.



1. Then a pop-up

2. Then a small Scotty trailer

3. Than a 1970 26' Avion (best built unit I ever owned)

I towed the Avion until I retired.

4. Then a 32' 5th wheel.



The 5'ver pulls better than the pop-up did.



The Scotty was so small and light, it never bothered a 1/2 ton pickup, but it was a fish-tailing thing. I just never pulled it fast.



The Avion traiiler was streamlined like the Airstream models. I had an equalizing hitch and double sway controllers on it. It weighed about 5800# and was not happy behind a 1/2 ton pickup, even though the pickup said it could haul it. I've (stupidly) had it at 75 MPH on I-95 in the middle of a bunch of semi's and it still did a little side-to-side swaying.



The 5th wheel pulls better than anything I've ever owned. You know it's back there bacause the truck is slower from a stop and you will run off the road with the trailer if you take a turn too sharp. The 5'ver is a lot easier to spot into a campsite or storage site. It's got a lot more storage and living room (slides!) than most regular trailers. The hook-up with a 5'ver is much easier than a trailer, particularly as you get older, which I have gotten.



I get 13-14 MPG pulling my 5'ver at 60-65 MPG in flat county. It can quickly go to 9-10 MPG in big hills or a strong headwind. Then, I slow down to 50-55 MPH and just let her eat in 3rd gear.



From you post, it appears that you are still working and need the bed for carrying 'stuff'. That being the case, you may have to choose the trailer. But if you look in the RV parks as you travel, you will note that there's a lot of 5'vers in use... albeit the vast majority of them are by us older Geezers.



Good luck and happy camping.



Florida ED

 

[Grizzly]

That was a very good reply Florida Ed. You have had quite a history RVing. How do you like your PS and have you had any problems with it? Grizzly

 

[FloridaEd]

baccagab:



In reply to your inquiry... ... .....



This is my 3rd F-250 crewcab, with two of them diesels: a '97 PSD (company car) and currently a '00 PSD. Between the two diesels, I put on a little over 215,000 miles. Never a thing had to be done to the '97. Had a rear differential seal and an injector wiring harness go on the '00..... but not before getting over 100K miles. My '00 has 125K+ on it and about 25% of that mileage at 18,000# GCVW on the road. I'm leaving for Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, British Columbia, and Alaska in two weeks and I'm not worried about it making the trip and returning.



I've no complaints about my 7. 3 liter PSD's. I don't have any confidence in the new 6. 0 liter Ford PSD engine, though. And the coming EPA-mobiles will keep me out of the market until 2012 or so. My current intention is to buy a 2005/2006 CTD 3500 dually and drive it a long time. I was always a fan of the Dodge/Plymouth Slant 6 225 c. i. and the Ford I-6 300 c. i. engines. I believe an in-line engine will last longer than a V-8. It's smoother running. The thermodynamics are superior, IMHO, In the past, I wanted a CTD, but Dodge didn't offer a Crewcab... . and they still don't... . but the Quad-cab is close enough now that I'm retired and don't have to haul customers around.



As EPA regulations force the development of more complicated machinery, I believe Cummins has a better chance of manufacturing highest quality engines than Navistar, so I intend to drive a Cummins for about the next 6-7 years or so. Assuming the diesel fuel and Social Security both hold out... .



Florida Ed

 

[CUMMINZ]

No comparison TT-5er

I made my second trip this week with my 2004. 5 CTD with my 32' Keystone. We drove 7 hours yesterday from Lexington, NC to Morehead City, NC in the driving rain and last two hours in 30mph winds and rain. We saw at least a dozen cars in the ditch from nuts driving probably to fast.



We weighed our rig at the local truck stop after fueling and here are the results.



Steer axle... ... ... 4720

Drive axle... ... ... . 5380 Total weight of truck 10,100#

Trailer axles... ..... 8560 GW 18660



My spec plate indicates Front cap. 5,200#

Rear cap. 6,000# Total 11,200#

GVW 9,000#



According to plate I am 1,100#s over my GVW. I have driven 3/4 ton trucks for 30 years and this 2004. 5 handles my 5er and this load the best of any truck I have owned. My 5er is placing about 3,000# on my truck.



A bumper mounted hitch with even the best of sway bars do a good job but are not the best combination.



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I have modified my pin box hitch to give the rear of my shortbed/cab more clearance.



Pin box mods

 

[Grizzly]

Florida Ed

I've made that trip to Wyoming, Montana, BC, Yukon and into Alaska in 95. Best trip I have ever made. It took 9 weeks, left Albuquerque on 30 Jul 95 and returned in Oct 95. That was on my 95 Dodge/Cummins extended cab, 4x4 3500 dually, 5 speed. Best truck I have ever had. I pulled a 29' Holiday Rambler Alumalite. The 5er weight was 8. 5K. I had problems with both axles, replaced one in 100 Mile House BC and the other when we got home. The frost heaves are a killer on your running gear. The next trip to Alaska is going to be with my new Dodge/Cummins and a cab-over camper maybe next year. Cab-over campers don't have a problem with running gear and they go where the truck goes. Enjoy your trip Florida Ed, see lots of bears and if you don't already know, get a current copy of the Mile Post way before your trip and study it. Grizzly

 

[Jumbo Jet]

Cumminz - just looking at your picture - maybe it's the angle of the shot - but it looks like you could make use of some air bags for that load. With that modified adapter, have you moved the load back about 6-8" in your bed?