Opinions regarding towing 5th wheel versus tt

[RJOL]

RJOL,

We do not have to agree, we can agree to disagree. You have your opinion, I have mine. Its nice that way.

Wayne

Wayne... Your absolutely right... Everyone has an opinion... I was just curious what your thought process was when you said that TT have more living space...

 

[DogDiesel]

Space

In my posting, I said, if/when I buy another RV, it would be TT. What I would do, not what others should do.

Because I can pull a TT and get near same mileage as empty, I got 15. 5-16 towing my TT and get 12. 5 - 13. 5 towing my FW.

As for space, the FW is a given that normally, the Bed is over the FW hitch, and either you have a high roof or low ceiling over the bed.

There is more flexibility with TT on # doors, door location and all is done lower to the ground. It takes less truck to pull a TT.

As for campgrounds charging for FW, one was in AZ in '96, one was in TN in 00, one was in AL in 98, one was OK in 95. Of the four, two were KOA, one private, and the AZ was near Flagstaff, and in 02, rates at same were for # slide outs and length, no longer TT or FW. The 2 KOA sites would have also charged more for 50 AMP. @#$&! I use KOA as last resort.

Most likely, I will keep the FW I have, largely because it has a feature I can no longer find on FW -- doors on both side, enclose Bath/Shower and BR not seen from LR area. Nice clean unit, And its paid for.



Sorry for the lengthy posting.

Wayne

 

[Jack in Alaska]

TT vs 5th.whl.

I live in Ninilchik, Alaska on the Kenai Penninsula within view of the highway. We see many RV's of all sorts passing by.

This year there are definitely more TT than 5th whls. Also the big mongo Class "A"'s are definitely reduced in number. Don't know the reason but maybe fuel economy is one. Fuel in Canada is $4. 20/gal along the Alaska Hyw. and $3. 25 in this area. Also the number of RV's seems to be reduced.

I personally own a 5th. whl. but have been thinking about going back to a TT. We have had 4 TT's and 5 5th. whls. over the years. But then we may just park our 5th. whl. here and use it as a guest house as we did before storing it in Wash. state. It will cost me approx. $2400 fuel to go get it though. What to do???????

Happy camping.

 

[GAmes]

I have pulled both for a living for over a year now and when it comes to wind drag the 5th wheel is much better. I can tow a bigger heavier 5th wheel and get the same or better mileage compared to a smaller TT.

I've been transporting for almost 3 years and totally agree. Trailer weight isn't nearly as important as drag when looking at fuel mileage. TT, especially the aluminum ones, are like pulling parachutes.

 

[SSage]

I prefer a TT so I can use the bed too. I haul an ATV or a touring bike in the bed. I would love to have a big 5th wheel toy hauler if it would go where a TT will. Its the weight and high roofs that keeps away from them. I would need one with a rear garage, no bikes in the living room for me. Those 38 to 40 footers are way to heavy for my one ton. I'm pulling 12K now with my 95 dually, I would not want to pull any more since I also haul about 900 pounds in the bed. I'm already pushing the weight up a good bit. I've pulled 16K with a 2003 dually, I new that big boy was back there all the time. I move around too much to pull huge 5th wheels, I can squeeze under country bridges and low tree limbs. That opens up more camp ground choices, I prefer sites with shade trees.

 

[KWheaton]

I've got a 2006 All-American Sport 28ft. toy hauler TT. Separate rear garage, weighs in at 11,600lbs. max. Had some issues with sway when I first got it, found that I needed some ball joints and a wheel bearing, not more sway controllers, now I can run 75mph idf I need to (65-70 most of the time), forget it's back there if the roads smooth! 5th wheels are too heavy in the toy hauler catagory for my 3/4 ton truck, plus theres only 2 of us and 2 bikes most of the time. The max load in the garage should be posted on the wall.



Seems the 5'r vs. TT debate will always be a hot one. Get what you need / want, and make it work!!



Kevin

 

[macdaddy]

Maintain 15% plus of GVW Hitch Weight.

No argument that a fiver tows, rides better BUT.



If the TT axel's are located far enough to the rear, and the hitch weight is at least 15% of GVW there should be hardly any issues with sway.



This beast I have is set up this way and works well, 10K gross and 1300#'s of weight on the ball .



A fiver is not a good option if you plan on pulling off the main highway where approaching and departing angle's are an issue such as the case with my setup.



If I were RVing full time, where all I was doing is hitting campgrounds I would definitely go with the fiver, but then there's the backing issue, TT's back up on the money!!!.



Mac

 

[SHobbs]

Mac,



I have to disagree with you on the TT backing up on the money. From my experience backing both types the 5er's are easier to back up. It may just be me and an inability to back a TT who knows. Another benefit that I see with a 5er is that you can jacknife them to get into or outta tight spots. IMHO anything that puts more than 800lbs on the ball should be a 5er being that I would not want all that weight hanging on the rear bumper.

 

[hammersley]

Obviously none of you guys with 5er's

travel with Labs that love the water,,,,and get into it when ever they can - heck they're on vacation also!!!! So I use my Bed with a canopy when they're real messy - then I dry them off and they're in the Cab----

 

[macdaddy]

Mac,



I have to disagree with you on the TT backing up on the money. From my experience backing both types the 5er's are easier to back up. It may just be me and an inability to back a TT who knows. Another benefit that I see with a 5er is that you can jacknife them to get into or outta tight spots. IMHO anything that puts more than 800lbs on the ball should be a 5er being that I would not want all that weight hanging on the rear bumper.

No argument here regarding the jackknife, howerver thats only a benefit if there is room for the truck to do so, such as doing U-turns. Jackknifing in tight campsights is rarely an option, especially pits.



I have my hitch set up with enough clearance so I can get this monster on a 90 even on the curb side where the roof ladder is, with dually fenders!!!!.



I think fivers are without a doubt are the way to go, It's just not an option for me. I have to on occasion pull up and over berms left by graders to get to areas to camp at some of our off road events, the TT alows me to do so.



As far as the weight on the Ball I only recommend that anyone having to use a TT go with the 15% of GVW calculation for best handling characteristics regardless of the GVW.



Mac

 

[RAMINSPEED]

If you are having sway problems with your TT, try changing your hitch height and or the amount of tension you put on the trunion bars. It worked for me.