Travel Trailer or 5th Wheel?

[HDH]

The TT Has One Big Avantage If you take Un-even/Rutted BLM Or Forest Service roads!
This Advanage is that the TT will go with the side dips and ruts without trying to rip the hitch off the truck.

A Fifth Wheel Hitch does not move from side to side in a rocking motion like a Ball type Hitch or Gooseneck does.
There are some Fifth Wheel Hitches the have a Swivel to them that helps, But it does Not compare to a Pull Behind Model when going off the asphalt with them. I have a Friend with a 26ft Fifth Wheel and he had Nearly ripped his bed apart due to the flexing that was going on. He Likes going to off the beaten path Campgrounds. His Hitch is Bolted to the Frame of truck, But when the Fiver wants to lean to the Left and the Truck wants to lean to the Right, Something's got to give, He had also put two very large dents or crush marks on the top rails of the truck where the fiver had come dowm on them.

I have a 27 TT Sport Utility type TT And Have had No sway/dancing Problems with Semi's passing me inducing that crazy side draft.
However I did Have a 18ft TT That Had the Dancing Problem, But I'd just hit the trailer brakes and apply more throttle and it would straighten out.
Later I found out my tongue weight was way off. After i corrected the way the trailer was packed with our camping supplys,(read more tongue weight) The problem went away.
Doug.

 

[Scott Gray]

DieselRam,
Your friend must be doing some serious off-roading with his trailer. I spend 90% of my nights in State Parks and even though many of their sights are much less than perfect when it comes to flat land (refering to the sight itself or the road getting to it) I haven't had any real problems. I certainly recommend dual pivoting 5th wheel hitches, but unless you are doing some "real off roading" (which our trailers were not meant to do) my experience is that if you keep in in granny gear and be careful you will not have any problems..... Just MHO.

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2001. 5 2500 ETH/DEE, QuadCab, 2WD, LWB, SLT+, 3. 54, Tow Package, Camper Package, Jake e-brake and more...
Pulling a 30', 12. 5K lb Alpenlite 5'ver

 

[CrewCabDiesel]

I think everyone has covered most of the good points, I would like to add a couple. Without a doubt a 5th is safer to pull and easier to maintain control than a TT. A 5th wheel you can have passagers in and can pull another trailer behind(speaking for Michigan). I will bet anyone I can hookup or unhook faster that ANY TT and not bust my knuckles on the sway bars in the process(as long as they don't use a cutting torch #ad
). My rig is a 29' 5th wheel and I pull a 16' fishing boat at the same time. Biggest problem I have is trying to find a gas station that I can fit into. But you should see the looks when a semi passes and he realises that MY rig is longer than his #ad
!

#ad

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1985 DODGE 1 ton Crew Cab(imported from California with no rust) W/8' box converted to 4X4 in 1999. Converted to a non-intercooled 1991 Cummins Turbo diesel & rebuilt 5 speed Getrag in 2001(wife can't drive a stick #ad
. Freshly rebuilt and Balanced Cummins, Rebuilt NP205, Rebuilt Injector pump and tweaked, Matched Injectors, 3" New Mandrel Bent Exhaust,no muffler, Borgeson Steering Shaft, K&N Air Filter, 4:10 gears, limited slip rear end, 16" Goodyear GSA Wranglers, 16K Reese 5th Wheel Hitch,and LE Package and a Sony CD Stereo. Next add-on some “Banks” toys ! If you want to know why I did all of this, 2 kids, one on the way and I can't stand F**d and Ch**y. Kyle Hoover ,Fruitport, MI.

[This message has been edited by CrewCabDiesel (edited 02-28-2001). ]

 

[Guest00]

Dieselram: Yes some people buy fixed 5th wheels on the cheap as do TT pullers with out equalizers and sway bars. Your friend could have purchased a 5th hitch that rocked for & aft and port & starboad, He did not choose to do so and paid a higher price in the end.
Did you buy your truck with a tt and camper package so it would do the job you puchased it for??
I get off road quite a bit summer and winter, that is why I have a 4x4 and a moderate length 5th that is artic rated, I have not winterised it, keep water tanks full and have not had a freeze up. You buy the right tool to do the job. If I never got off pavement and always stayed at a KOA I would not need a 4 way rocker, a 4x4, or even a heavy duty anything. But I don't so I do.
Jack

 

[TowPro]

A 30' travel trailer has about 26' of living space (because then count the hitch when they measure them), where a 30' 5th has 30' of living space.

My 30' Terry is actually 32' long when you measure the hitch. Then realize about 4' or 5' of that measurement is actually riding over top of the truck bed and the area the bumper hitch receiver would be.

So my 32' long 5er (includes 2' for hitch measurement) and the truck is the same length as a 27' camper in tow (which would only have 23' of living space)

Now it looks like I have a 7' advantage on living space for the same overall length!

Plus having the pivot point of the trailer at the rear axle makes a 5er handle much better. You can buy a hitch for a tow behind that does this (Hensley and somebody else) but they cost big bucks.

Plus hanging the trailer on the end of the receiver acts like a lever when transferring weight on the rear. In other words, a 500 lb toung load could be the same as an 800 lb 5th wheel hitch load (not sure of the actual ratio)

Having towed both, here are the differences.

5er advantages,
No sway (you can force them to produce sway, but it involves loading them really wrong, like hanging a 300 lb motorcycle on the back bumper)
No "white knuckles" from towing, it almost feels like its not there!

No trailer hitching affect (this is where on rough roads, the rear of the tow vehical will start to bounce up and down)

Disadvantages
If you forget to drop the tailgate (or buy a V one) you will hit it when you pull away from the 5er unhooking it.

If you don't run enough bed to camper clearance, the 5er frame will hit the truck bed corners in some road conditions like going in and out of some parking lots with deep gutters.

Advantages to trailer

The hitch is lighter when you take it out of the receiver?
(My neighbor removes his 5er hitch by leaving it attached to the 5er! He just pulls the pins on the hitch and jacks up the front of the 5er. When its time to hookup, he backs under the 5er, pulls the pin and hitch drops into bed, then he moves the hitch into the holes, adds pins and clamps, then moves the truck around to hook up the 5er)

You can fill your bed higher then level with the body.

Sorry it’s so long.

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• 98 ISB,QC,5spd,2wd,3:54lsd. Stock with BD brake and Gauges!
• 2000 Terry 305G 5th wheel

[This message has been edited by TowPro (edited 02-28-2001). ]

 

[HDH]

Originally posted by Scott Gray:
DieselRam,
Your friend must be doing some serious off-roading with his trailer. I spend 90% of my nights in State Parks and even though many of their sights are much less than perfect when it comes to flat land (refering to the sight itself or the road getting to it) I haven't had any real problems. I certainly recommend dual pivoting 5th wheel hitches, but unless you are doing some "real off roading" (which our trailers were not meant to do) my experience is that if you keep in in granny gear and be careful you will not have any problems..... Just MHO.

LOL!, Gary, Yes we go place's that most people would not take just their truck into, Let along their whole TT or Fiver.
My Friend did have the Gimbal Style Hitch that swivel's port and starboard, But the still lifted his RR or LR tire off the ground!. Just not enough Flex!.

There is a Hitch for a TT, That i was looking into that looked like a U Joint. So the TT could do a Complete 360 degree flip and not turn the truck over with it.

PS, When i get offroad with my TT, I unhook the springbars, Or else they would be slapping everything.
Doug.

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1998. 5,2500,ISB,Auto,CC,4x4,4. 10's,Suregrip,White Sport,Isspro Boost & Pyro,275hp Injectors,VA,PS Boost Module,DTT Valve Body,BD Pressure Lock,Mopar Perf Alum transmission Pan,16x8 Eagles,285/75/16 Bridgestone MT's,Xenon Flairs,2. 5" Skyjacker Lift,Stockland Seibring Shell. Uniden HR2510 Ham/CB

 

[HDH]

Originally posted by JNutter:
Dieselram: Yes some people buy fixed 5th wheels on the cheap as do TT pullers with out equalizers and sway bars. Your friend could have purchased a 5th hitch that rocked for & aft and port & starboad, He did not choose to do so and paid a higher price in the end.
Did you buy your truck with a tt and camper package so it would do the job you puchased it for??
I get off road quite a bit summer and winter, that is why I have a 4x4 and a moderate length 5th that is artic rated, I have not winterised it, keep water tanks full and have not had a freeze up. You buy the right tool to do the job. If I never got off pavement and always stayed at a KOA I would not need a 4 way rocker, a 4x4, or even a heavy duty anything. But I don't so I do.
Jack

J Nutter, My Friend Does Have the Swivel port and starboard type hitch, But when you dealing with a 1. 5 to 2. 0ft difference in height of the ruts, It doesnt matter. When i go off asphalt to my Favorite spots, I unhook the springbars and sto them away.

We take our Trailers to places that most people dont even take just their trucks.

Yes I have a 4x CTD Ram with factory TT Wiring, But no I Do not have the Camper Pakage. For Me, The Camper is a waste of $ IMO. I like the suspension to do its job and Not place a Lot of undo stess on the frame.
The rear sway bar and overload springs of the pakage limits the amount of suspesion flex you can get.

I have made some front swaybar Diconnects for my truck that I use off road. And they work great. That front end will realy travel now. I just wish they made a TT with 33" or Bigger Tires and Skid Plates!
Doug.

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1998. 5,2500,ISB,Auto,CC,4x4,4. 10's,Suregrip,White Sport,Isspro Boost & Pyro,275hp Injectors,VA,PS Boost Module,DTT Valve Body,BD Pressure Lock,Mopar Perf Alum transmission Pan,16x8 Eagles,285/75/16 Bridgestone MT's,Xenon Flairs,2. 5" Skyjacker Lift,Stockland Seibring Shell. Uniden HR2510 Ham/CB

 

[Guest00]

Dieselram: Have you considered removing the suspension from the trailer and bolting the trailer frame to a military surplus tactical trailer????????? #ad
they have BIG combat tires that you dont have to air up and will give some real ground clearance. #ad


I have seen the 360* type ball hitch, and seen more trucks and TT's that could have used them to save the truck. Here in New Mexico I usually see 8 - 10 units a year with the dirty sides up. Can not recall seeing a 5th in this position.

Yes, I have had the couplers bent or pulled off the ball, I had a bull dog coupler put on my last TT and a ball with a 4" post. That 1972 Prowler lasted me 20 yrs and the guy I sold it to is still using it for spring and fall hunting.
NO ! this Dodge will not go where my Fords would take me. My Fords had factory detroit lockers front and rear, 2 grand is a little pricy just to put a locker up front, and with out the front locker the lsd is adequate for the rear as it is only 3 wheel drive any way.

 

[ARARAR]

The answer to the TT delema is the "PULLRITE" trailer hitch. Little pricey depending on your tongue weight but you can't tell the difference in the ride when you compare it to a 5er except for the hook-up, which is crank er up and level er off.

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98. 5 2500 QC,SB W/ camper shell, whitw w/driftwood lower, 2wd,3. 54, loaded w/o leather,chrome Westin step bars, BD tc/vb and pressureloc,w/trans temp,4" BD exhaust from turbo back, firestone airbags, heavy duty pullrite hitch, Bug sheilds, 4x4 type mud flaps front and back, Amsoil bypass & air filter. Dual pyro-boost gauge,pillar mount, PS boost mod and elbow,
VA cpc and fuel pressure gauge, Pac-Brake.

 

[tom sweeney]

i recently purchased a 26ft Holiday Rambler 5'er. . awaiting delivery. my truck came equipped with the camper pkg. with aux springs,so,hopefully i'm all set up to go!!! dealer will install hitch,and make-up an "extension cord" for power so i can use the factory 7-pin plug without splicing wires. i like the space the 5'ers offer... tom

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2001QC 2500HD LB ETH/DEE 4x4 4:10's LSD, Pacbrake,All options except cab lights,Xcelerator air filter,Forest Green/Light driftwood. Westin tubular black powder-coated side bars.
26'Holiday Rambler 5th wheel. Extra Class Amateur Radio Operator ke3Rx

 

[CWade]

There are coach manufactors that build 5th wheels designed to work with a short bed pickups.

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2001. 5 3500 Quad Cab 4X2
HO, 6 spd, 3. 55AS, Jacob's brake, patriot blue, 22K Reese 5th wheel,Reese digital brake controller, Isspro pyro & boost gauges, Snap-On tool box

 

[Kimrey]

Everyone here is right about the fiver. I have a 28' fiver and love it! While your shopping look at a Ceader Creek. It's also a line of the forest river (they make about all of them). I shopped for 3 months then came across the ceader creek. They make use of every square inch and use high quality materials! Depending on the dealer this was cheaper than a sandpiper and much nicer. Look at ceader creek you might change your mind.

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2001. 5 2500 4x4 6 speed white quad cab. k&n air filter, getting ready to add chip and remove muffler. 28'fiver(love to pull it and leave the phords behind!

 

[Wiredawg]

Definitely 5th wheel!

I had a 25' mobile scout I was running on I-10 in Mississippi thru 45 mph speed limit construction zone in the rain. Three 18 wheelers passed me going about 70 mph: the first one started the trailer swaying the second second one increased it until the trailer swayed off the road and caught the edge of the road and the last one just about jack knifed me. I'm talking all three passed me in about 3-5 seconds. I ggot control and eased back onto the highway. The truckers thought it was real funny.

Sorry for the long post, but I don't have anymore cross wind or 18 wheeler causing sway prblems anymore.

Wiredawg.

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2000 4X4 SLT QC 8' bed; 6 spd, 3. 54 ; BD exhaust brake and 4" exhaust syst; TST PM2; Airlift Super Duty rear air bags; RS 9000 shocks; pyro/boost gauges in 2 gauge a-pillar mount; back preasure gauge mounted under dash; KN air filter; Brown's Welding brush/grill guard, rear bumper & headache rack; nerf bars and aluminum roll top rear cover, Warn front receiver and Hadley air horns, 20K Reese hitch,Mag-Hytec dif cover.

 

[Diese1nut]

Klenger
I have a 28' Holiday Rambler TT. Loaded it's 10,400lb. If you want a TT because of all the positive reasons you stated. The answer is the Hensley Arrow hitch. I fulltime in my rig, and have 16,500 miles on my truck with 12,300 of that with the trailer in tow. Total GCWR 19,700. With the Quad cab short bed this pulls like a dream.
Just the other day I came accross NM on a windy day at 75 mph with two fingers on the wheel with no sway or uncontrolled driving.
If it wasn't for the Hensley I probably would have a fifth wheel, But this hitch is everything the ads say it is. So if you are still interested in a TT call Hensley and they will send you a free video, or check there web site at www.Hensley .com. You won't be disappointed.
If you want any more info email me.

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2001 SLT+,HO,6spd,4x4,SWB,QC,3. 54,every option except sport and roof marker lights. White w/agate leather.
Oem molded steps,Jacobs E Brake,Espar,Quad Headlights w/guards,Century Royal cap,Manik grill guard, class V hitch, Hide-n-side custom bed. EGT and Boost guages on A pillar.

2000 Holiday Rambler 28'aluma-lite,TT, w/slide.