Currently, we travel with a 21' travel trailer. However, we often have long discussions about what our "retirement" RV will be.
We've long thought that we wouldn't like to give up the box of our truck to tow a 5er, so we've always thought of getting a 29 or 30 ft travel trailer when we retire.
We want something large enough that we can be comfortable in (read, we won't kill each other) for a few months when we start doing the snowbird thing.
So, for those of you who are towing large travel trailers, do you have difficulty maneuvering them in traffic and in parks because of the length?
For those of you who have gone from a 29-30 ft. travel trailer to a fifth wheel, do you prefer them, and why?
And in the opinion of the 5er drivers, why would you choose a 30 ft. 5er and not a travel trailer??
Thanks as always, for your opinions... We love to hear from those that have been there, done that!!
We are no where close to retiring and doing the full-time thing but we have talked a bunch about it. Our thinking right now is that we don't want to lose the people carrying capacity of our TV and will most likely stick with a TT.
2004 Rockwood Roo 23B (new to us)
2006 Nissan Xterra
When we camp, it's DH & me mostly. Occasionally step-daughter (16) comes, though not necessarily her choice
A 30 foot travel trailer is going to be MUCH longer than a 30 foot 5er, simply because of the hitch. You need to add about 3 feet to the TT for the hitch, while you can take away at least that amount from the 5er. Therefore, your TT is now 33 feet (when towing), while the 5er is 27 feet. Not to mention the fact that a 5er is MUCH easier to tow.
I've towed both and there is no comparison - the fiver has it all over a TT. And don't forget, you have a lot more storage in a fiver to help make up for the pick-up bed, and it is out of the weather.
'99 Volvo VNL610 - 425 HP Volvo; Super 10 Spd
'05 smart fortwo on Volvo
'05 Newmar Mountain Aire 35 BLKS
Trailer Saver; Bigfoot; Pressure-Pro;
Optima Batteries
We looked hard at the 5'er when we bought this TT during the off season. Not having a place to haul my kayaks, plus DW having bad knees, and not wanting to climb stairs in and out of the bedroom were the deal-breaker.
Fire Instructor
2004 Dodge 1500 4dr 4x4
2009 Rockwood 2607
"If everyone is thinking alike, then somebody isn't thinking!" General George S. Patton
I always thought that some day we would get a FW. Now I don't think so. Anything with more than two steps is a deal breaker unless it has an elevator. DW has really bad knees.
Wayne in San Jose
2002 Chevy Silverado 1500HD 4x4 Crew Cab
2005 Trailmanor 2720
Valley Odyssey brake controller, Honda 2000 generator, McKesh mirrors
Yamaha WR250R, Polaris Sportsman 700 X2, Polaris Scrambler 500
1997 Dodge Dakota stick to tow the ATV trailer
When you get to be our age extra steps is not good. That is why we prefer TT over 5th w. We have had 3 5th w and much prefer TT. We also use the P/Up bed for hauling many things. If you set up the TT the proper way the TT tows as well as a 5th w. I have been towing and camping nearly 50 years with all types of RVs and we still prefer the TT over all even the 36 ft DP that we had
When I was looking, yes I noticed the 5er cost more as well..
I guess the stair thing comes into paly as well..
Yes the 5er is easier to tow..'
I bought the 5er so I can put a trailer behind it, otherwise I would prefer a TT, so I can leave my camper shell on the truck..
old guy wrote: only down side of a 5 er is it costs more than a TT, and it takes up more space in the back of the tow vehicle.
2007 GMC DURAMAX,LBZ,4 by Crew, Allison
Magnaflow Turbo Back Exhaust
Predator Tuner
18by9 Helo's on BFG's
5year old boy
3 year old baby girl
Sea ray boat
Wilderness 5th wheel
SandRail
HD WideGlide
FORD Expediton
honda Eu3000
we get the same diesel mileage pulling our 38' 5er as we did with the 30' TT.10-11 MPG. Hubby says the 5er is so much easier to pull, no sway (and we had all the right equip. with the TT. I also have bad knees, but those 3 little step ups are really nothing.We are very comfy with lots of room in the 5er-3 slides, and a king bed. We have short box truck,and the slider hitch, not a problem. we still pack a few things in the truck bed. I would not give up the 5er for anything.We spend 5 months in Arizona in the winter, lots of storage for the two of us and the 17lb. cat. If I could just get rid of the cat hair!No trouble getting into gas stations(as long as you pick the right one. The book-The Next Exit really helps there. Get a copy if you are travelling in the states, all interstates are covered. You will KNOW the stations you can easily get into, they are written in red. We used the 30' TT for 3 winters, then traded for the 5th wheel. would not go back. Campground set up is quicker and easier also. We also have an ATV, it had traveled in the pick up bed, so this past year we had to ship it to Az with a trucking company. Reasonable cost, and we left it in our shed on our rental lot. If you need more info, pm me, glad to help..Dona
Dona and Elvin
2004 6.0l F350 turbo-diesel/4x4/crew cab/shortbed-wedgewood blue)
2007 Open Road 359RL3S
2004 Yamaha Kodiak 400 ATV
Retired early and ready to see North America!
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