Travel Trailer or 5th Wheel?

[klenger]

We ordered a new 2001 so that we can upgrade to a larger camper. (We currently have a 21 foot trailite, ~4000 lbs loaded. ) I will now have the option of getting a larger travel trailer or a 5th wheel. As I see it, the advantages of the travel trailer are:
- Less weight
- Lower cost
- Lower height
- Standup bedroom
- Don't have to mess up pickup box with 5th wheel hitch or electrical connector
- Can be towed with SUV (not too likely once I get the CTD RAM)
- Flat roof - easier to install solar panels
- Less weight on the truck
- Leaves the truck bed available for cargo, toolbox, topper, etc.
- Easier to adjust hitch height to match camper to truck
- Easier to remove and store trailer hitch than 5th wheel hitch
What are the advantages of a 5th wheel? Why should I consider one? Also, in selecting a 5th wheel, I understand that it is important to have enough clearance between the box and camper. In estimating clearance with different campers and the truck, how much would you expect the truck (see sig. ) to settle with a 1200 - 1500 lb 5th sitting on it? Your comments are appreciated.


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On Order - 2001. 5 2500 QC 4X4 SWB SLT, ETC/DDX 5 Speed, 3. 55 (no antispin), camper group, trailer folding mirrors, RBR CD/Radio, LT265/75R16E AT OWL tires, trailer tow group, Patroit Blue / Agate.

 

[Fireman Dave]

Klenger,

I just bought a 27' TT. I haven't picked it up yet. I chose a TT over a 5er for many of the reasons you listed. I have a fiberglass tonneau cover, so the box thing was a definite factor. I do realize a 5er would be much nicer to pull, though. One other thing - I think an 8' box is preferable for a 5th wheel, from what I've read. A short box can still work, though. Good move on the mirrors, by the way. I'm kicking myself for not ordering that option for $0. Now it'll cost me $250. to get them. Good luck on your decision.

Dave

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2001 2500; SLT; 4x4; QC; LWB; Auto; 3. 54 LS; 265s; Camper; Tow; Sliding Rear Window; Travel Convenience Group; Cab Clearance Lamps; Forest Green

[This message has been edited by Fireman Dave (edited 02-23-2001). ]

 

[Champane Flight]

One big reason for fifthwheel over TT.
Stability!If you have ever pulled both you will know the fifthwheel has a distinct advantage in the wind and in basic handling capabilitys. Room is no problem,most have stand up bedrooms now and installation of fifthwheel hitch and light plug is usually thrown in on any fifthwheel deal. Hookups are much easier to. You have the extra room of a basement and slideouts also. Check out the latest models and arrange a test pull with a friends truck. You won't want a TT anymore.

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95 Dodge 2500 Luverne grill guard,headache rack,running boards and Amzoiled. Soon to be mildly bombed. 84 Dodge d-150, 318 Hooker headers,Edelbrok intake,mallory ignition,Carter Afb,Accel coil,and Custom dual exhaust. Boat,fifthwheel,motorcycles,and shop,job to support toys. Yuck...

 

[klenger]

I have no doubt that the 5th wheel is better for towing with longer/heavier trailers. If this is true, at what trailer length/weight would the advantage of the 5th wheel become more significant? Thanks ... I appreciate the input and your experience.

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On Order - 2001. 5 2500 QC 4X4 SWB SLT, ETC/DDX 5 Speed, 3. 55 (no antispin), camper group, trailer folding mirrors, RBR CD/Radio, LT265/75R16E AT OWL tires, trailer tow group, Patroit Blue / Agate.
Trailite 21' Travel Trailer, ~4000 lbs loaded.

 

[Okie-Go]

We traded a tt 26 ft for a 30 ft 5er. On long trips other than just an overniter it is much better. On long pulls the 5er gets the nod,5,000 miles last summer. My wife could just tell the difference in riding,imagine the difference in driving one. They have hitches on the back of 5ers for a small trailer,4 wheeler,chairs,ice chests etc. I would not go back to a tt. It is true,all the weight is up in the truck where it belongs instead of on the rear of it. The tounge weight of my 5er is barely noticeable with the eye. I have the camper package and it handles it very well. Drive a friends or the dealer may let you try one, then make up you mind.

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2001 quadcab slt 2500 HO 6spd. LWB,2wd,dk garnett red, trailer tow package,camper special, anti spin 3. 54 axle, speed liner,oversized stainless steel chicken slide,66 gallon in bed aux. tank,K&N air filter,Reese 20k hitch, Terry 2000 EX 30ft. double slide 5er, 2000 20ft gooseneck for haulin jeep, firewood and huntin stuff. 5X12 tagalong for haulin the 4 wheeler. Okie Newton

 

[Guest00]

Originally posted by klenger:
I have no doubt that the 5th wheel is better for towing with longer/heavier trailers. If this is true, at what trailer length/weight would the advantage of the 5th wheel become more significant? Thanks ... I appreciate the input and your experience.

About 10 ft.

 

[Boldt's Wagon]

One hair raising experience with "sway" and a "bumper hitch" travel trailer will make a convert of you to a fifth wheel trailer. Been there, done that, now have fifth wheel and love it.

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'97 SLT 2500, 4x2 LB Club Cab, auto, 230/605 fuel plate and 215 injectors, pillar mount Isspro gauges, BD torque converter, BD valve body, BD Pressureloc, Mag-Hytec transmission pan and differential cover, 3. 54 LSD, white/driftwood, air dam, sliding rear window, towing/camper pkgs, Rhino liner, SS bed caps, stake pocket tie downs, chrome exhaust turn down, SS wheel well trim, Carr steps, Mopar mudflaps, Aerotank under seat toolbox, Cobra 75WXST CB/Firestik, J-MAC louvered aluminum headache rack and tail gate, Mopar flag/tow mirrors, Reese 15k fifth wheel hitch. Mopar Ram hood ornament, Sweet Tooth grill, and white dice. Kennewick, WA.

 

[RATTLINRAM]

I've towed both types and no question about it, if you try a 5er, you'll wonder why anyone would pull a TT. My folks have the same opinion also. They switched from a 26' TT to a 26' 5er and at 72 years old, Dad says he's more comfortable not having to worry about the trailer dancing around every time a wind gust hits it. I feel the same way and you still have plenty of room in the bed of the truck for cargo as long as it doesn't stick up above the bed.

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Dennis in VA
"RATTLIN" *1999 2500 SPORT QUAD CAB* "RAM"
IntenseBlue/Cummins/4x2/auto/3. 54AS/4whlABS/Camper&TowPkg/
Keyless/Leather/TravelConGrp/SecuritySys/6spkrCD*Cass/Strngwhlcntrls/
WestinTubeSteps/SoftTonneau/15k RBW 5th-WheelHitch/26'Nomad 5er

 

[KevinK]

We had owned several TTs, the last one being a 28' with a slide. On a trip through New Mexico in a good cross wind, the trailer wanted to continually sway. The first time, it really caught me off guard and I didn't handle it correctly. I tried to correct it just by steering and that was a big mistake (should have used the brake control), The trailer was actually skidding back and forth across I-25. I finally jammed on the brakes and we ended up in the median. We had an equalizer hitch on, but no sway control. I ended up buying both a friction sway control and a Reese dual cam sway control. I never had any more trouble, but my wife would not ride anywhere with that trailer without sqeezing the life out the armrests. We traded in the TT for a 5th wheel and there is no comparison. We actually bought the truck so we could tow a 5th wheel (we were towing the TT with a 2500 Suburban). Sorry for the long post, but trailer sway can be a life changing experience. Look at any of the big campgrounds along the highway, you will see 49% motorhomes, 49% 5th wheels, and 2% TTs.

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2k 3500 white Sport, QC, 4x4, SLT+, auto, 3. 55s, EZ, K&N, 4" exhaust w/muffler, 14sq. cm Holset turbine housing, Westach gauges (EGT, Boost, transmission), Line-X liner, Reese 15k 5th wheel hitch

 

[klenger]

Thanks for all of the comments. Please keep sending them. At this time, the score seems to 6 to 1. We looked at campers again yesterday, and spent most of the time looking at 5th wheels. I suspect that's what we'll get. The unit that has my attention at this point is the Sunnybrook 27RKFS. Anyone have any comments on Sunnybrook or specifically the 27RKFS? Thank again.
Ken Lenger

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On Order - 2001. 5 2500 QC 4X4 SWB SLT, ETC/DDX 5 Speed, 3. 55 (no antispin), camper group, trailer folding mirrors, RBR CD/Radio, LT265/75R16E AT OWL tires, trailer tow group, Patroit Blue / Agate.
Trailite 21' Travel Trailer, ~4000 lbs loaded.

 

[Champane Flight]

The wife and I have looked at fifthwheels for the last 8 years and have found the following. Your highend fithwheels,Holiday Rambler,Teton,Avion,Mountainaire,Hitchiker,
Alfa,and Alpenlite have the best workmanship by far. (I am sure I have missed a couple of good brands). Some of these have quite a bit of frills,fancy indoor trim,light fixtures,ect. The wife and I like windows,and if you have ever stayed more than a week in a fifthwheel you will know why. And the frills are not a neccesity with us. We are leaning toward the Alpenlites. Slideouts are heavy and weights should be figured accordingly.

There are many well built fifthwheels out there. If the price looks to good,there is probably something wrong with it. Check em out!!!I have found that most new units loose a hunk of value as soon as you leave the lot. We have also decided year olds or two year olds are the way to go. Sometimes people buy fifthwheels thinking of a romantic retirement traveling around the country and find that it is not for them or find a place and fall in love with it,there goes a virtually new fifth on the market. Or a last year model does not sell and the price is knocked down.

Campers are heavy in the wrong spots. The top!In the wind are hard to handle. Proper setup is essential(airbags,heavy shocks,etc).
But you can get into back country that a large fifth can't. I like a 30'or below fifth for this reason. We have a old 29' Hitchiker,it looks bad from the outside(hail,scratchs,faded paint). Everything inside is in good shape and all apliances work. I do not worry about taking it backroading and have several times. And it didn't cost me a arm and a leg.

Make your RV shopping a fun time and don't rush into anything. Look for structual faults(bends in the outer skin,dry rot,leaks,rust around water heaters,working air conditiners,and allround apearance). I hope this helps and good shopping. Buy what YOU want and don't let the salesmen rush you.



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95 Dodge 2500 Luverne grill guard,headache rack,running boards and Amzoiled. Soon to be mildly bombed. 84 Dodge d-150, 318 Hooker headers,Edelbrok intake,mallory ignition,Carter Afb,Accel coil,and Custom dual exhaust. Boat,fifthwheel,motorcycles,and shop,job to support toys. Yuck...

 

[pwr2tow]

I have seen the sunnybrook and looked real nice but i have no experience with them. You will like the lay out of the rear kitchen and super slide, IMO it adds alot of extra liveing space compared to a mid kitchen design. I have owned three tents, one pop up camper, one overhead camper, two travel trailers, and three 5th wheels, I like the the 5th for many reasons.
1. alot more storeage space.
2. one person hookup, very simple and fast.
3. no more screaming at the wife for not stopping me in time and denting up the end gate and bumper (she likes this one). #ad

4. no more haveing to grab the ohhh sh-t handle when a wind gust or semi passes us. #ad

5. when you dolly down the front legs are already your stabilizers (no need to put extra jacks under front).
6. can turn sharper turns in tight spots.
7. easier to back into camp site in tight spots.
8. can triple trail if you have a boat or anything else, (eliminates haveing to take two vehicles to the lake).
9. can tow your buddies rig if he breaks down on the road, TT or 5th.
10. can sit under the 5th wheel over hang dureing a rain storm and watch everyone else get wet. #ad

11. you can put your fire wood under 5th wheel over hang to keep it dry.
12. If your perverted the veiw from up high looking down into the next camper can be rewarding, well sometimes not. My buddy told me about this one. #ad
#ad

13. did I mention alot more useable storage.
14. get a removable hich and can still use the pickup bed for other things.

Ask your camper dealer if you can tow both designs (he should have used ones you can pull) and pull them on a windy day 50 miles each way and see which one you like best. If he or she will not let you pull his campers maybe you should find another dealer, if he states insurance reasons he's full of manure. #ad

Regards, Ron

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1999, 3500, 6x6, slt, auto, 3. 54, Qd cab, ISB cummins, towing 2001 26RKSS Tahoe 5th wheel, 1999 120hp 1800 bayliner.

 

[Forrest]

Here is an advantage for the 5th wheel. For a given overall towing length, front bumper of the truck to the back bumper of the towable, the 5th wheel will have more inside square feet of living space. The 5'ers overhang into the truck. #ad


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Money Sink - 96, 5 speed, TST 380, HX40-16, 300 HP Injectors, Scourge BD 4200rpm Governor kit, McLeod, 4", CATless, straight out back, chrome turn down, ISSPRO Pillar, Delvac 1 & Amsiol, K&N, Mag-Hytec, 3:54, Michelin 235s on Alcoas, Rancho 9000's, Valentine One.
Dutchmen 27' 5th Wheel.
GoldWing.

 

[KPerkins]

Klenger
If you decide on a TT beware of semi's. They exert unnatural side winds on a TT that can set up a serious sway. Your smaller TT aren't bothered as much but the longer ones are. I had an experience similar to Kevins, A semi running at least 20 mph faster than me caught me by surprise and before I could react th air sucked me into his lane, missed him only by inches. When I got my truck I traded for a used 5ver. It's comfortable to pull,feel like your in control.

 

[C Schomer]

Klenger, the only TT I've had was small and an equalizer hitch made it tow great. I don't know about the big TT's - if an equalizer does the trick on them! The 26' Sunnybrook TT is VERY popular. I've talked to several owner who love them! I prefer a 5th wh. and have gone to great pains to built a bed that allows me to go offroad. As far as Sunnybrook goes - I was talking to Caseys' shop foreman Fri and he said the only brand they sell that beats Sunnybrook is Travel Supreme and they are so high $$, they don't stock a single one. A local Sunnybrook club just started and members will be working a table in Caseys' Sunnybrook area at the show next week. I'll be there from 6-8pm Fri. Stop by if you can! Craig

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97 3/4Ton, 2WD, 5SP, #11 Plate, AFC kit, 14 Housing, AF942M Air filter, Straight Thru Cat, 4"From Turbo, Airlift, Shortened Frame, Custom Bed, 24CKFS Sunnybrook, HEY FORDBOY POWERSTROKE THIS!

 

[SOLER]

I don't think I need to post, but will anyway. I've towed both, and used to drive trucks for a living. 5er is the way to go. The only reson I'd get a TT is if I had an SUV (I don't anymore), or a topper in the back of my RAM. I thought about a topper with a carpet kit for the kids and a TT when we bought our 5er. The ease of towing, hookup, maneuverability, and actual length were why we got the 5er. Forrest hit on one point. A 30' TT makes your overall setup longer than a 30' 5er. 8. 5 feet of mine is actually IN FRONT OF my rear bumper on my RAM.
We got a super slide bunkhouse. It's great. We have 2 boys, and their bed is always ready to go. Makes those deperately-needed stops late at night a blessing when you're boon-doggin' it to a particular destination, and you get tired. Just stop, go get in the camper, and go to sleep. No beds to get ready, nothin'.
We bought a Sandpiper, made by Forrest River. An average quality 5er with quite a few perks. I definately second what others have said. SHOP AROUND. I did. Including all the floor plans of all the models, whether in person or on the internet, I looked at well over a thousand campers in 9 months' time before I got the one I did.

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Shane Oler
'01 2500 4X4, ETH/6 speed, Pyro (pre-turbo)and Boost Pillar mount, Dark Garnet/Camel, 4" exhaust (still in the box... It's freaking COLD in Oklahoma!), Kenwood stereo w/10 disc changer, NON-OEM Infiniti speakers x 4, 10 inch sub, two 150 watt amps, lots of country and classic rock!20K Reese 5er hitch

Other: '70 Olds Vista Cruiser 455 (future resto project)
30' Sandpiper 5er Super Slide bunkhouse(about 10k lbs. )

 

[Scott Lowe]

Fifth Wheel is a definite 100 percent better choice. Easier to tow, especially in windy conditions (I usually have to look back to make sure my 30 footer is still back there). Definitely easier to hook-up... I'm a morning person so I can hook-up at 0500 and get everything ready to go, without having my wife "guide" me... makes for a whole lot less aggrevation!!! As far as adjustments... I have never been anything but level between either my previous Ford and fifth wheel or my Dodge and fifth wheel. On the other hand, I had a heck of a time getting my previous travel trailer and Ford level with the conventional load distributing hitch. I will always have a fifth wheel and will NEVER go back to a conventional travel trailer... none of your reasons are valid, in my humble opinion.

 

[klenger]

Scott:
Thanks for your very honest reply. I think that you are right ... none of my advantages for the conventional towing matter. I'm quite certain that it'll be a 5th.

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Ken Lenger
On Order - 2001. 5 2500 QC 4X4 SWB SLT, ETC/DDX 5 Speed, 3. 55 (no antispin), camper group, trailer folding mirrors, RBR CD/Radio, LT265/75R16E AT OWL tires, trailer tow group, Patroit Blue / Agate,
Replaces 98 Jeep Grand Cherokee V8 which is for sale.
Trailite 21' Travel Trailer, ~4000 lbs loaded.

 

[Bob Stephens]

Someone mentioned Super Slide but just in case you didn't see it, you need a sliding hitch pulling a 5'er with a 6. 5foot bed. Otherwise you spend a lot of time looking for the trailer to hit the cab of the truck. Saw one in Utah this summer, dent in the cab and cracked fiberglass on the front of the trailer. Said he'd been towing it for 2 years and this time forgot to watch when he made a tight turn in the campground.

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2001. 5 White 3500 Quad Cab 4x4 Sport SLT+, ETH/DEE, 4. 10 Anti-Spin Axle, Camper Special Group, Trailer Tow Group, Tekonshs Sentinel Brake Controller, ICOM 706MkIIG HF Radio. Preparing to add Guages, Line-X, 20. 5 Pullrite Hitch, DEE-ZEE FX Running Boards, Exhaust Brake,(maybe more later). Pulling 99 Hitchhiker II 30RK fiver and ordering 2001 Alpenlite 35RK fiver.
Ham Call: AF9W/7

 

[dabubba]

I Agree 5'Vers the way to go-- Sunnybrook is a good coach also look at the cardinal- I Hooked mine to a friends 4X4 and he was amaised #ad
riding at stock height it lined up with his truck #ad
I've got solar and have had it on the last 3 5'vers and the roof dose'nt seem to affect the panels effective ness, some 5'vers have a large level area good luck and happy hunting