We own a class A M.H. and want to change to a trlr. Have had a 5th wheel before but never towed a TT. In towing the 5er there was no problems with sway, etc. and hook up was easy. I've seen many TT's going down the road swaying every time a truck passes them. I know they may be loaded wrong and all that, but what other problems could cause this sway with a TT. Also, we are looking at a used 3/4 ton truck with tow pkg., 6.0L gas engine. How big of a TT would be reasonable for PU of this size. This truck is rated at 10,000#, but I know that is just an upper limit and not what common sense says to tow. Any help is appreciated.
With a pull trailer, personally I would not again go over 25 feet. Had a 20 footer, a 23 footer and a 30 footer. By far the 30 footer was the worst of the bunch. I know there will be lots of people tell you that with proper equipment, Like a 2000 dollar Hensley arrow you can pull anything. but lets get reasonable here. Also a 6.0L GM gas motor is a good motor, but it does have limitations. I again would stick under the GCWR for the truck/motor combination and not worry about it.
The decision to purchase a 5th wheel or a travel trailer should be made, in my opinion, not on sway tendencies but on livability, appearance, storage, convenience, cost, construction, type of tow vehicle, and many other variables that have been discussed quite a few times on the forums.
The reason that I say "not on sway tendencies" is because there are hitches available that will permit a travel trailer to tow just as well or better than a 5th wheel trailer. Those hitches are the Pullrite, Hensley, and ProPride. With any of those, you do not have to worry about sway when pulling a travel trailer. They do cost considerably more than a regular trailer hitch but so does a good 5th wheel hitch and it's installation.
I would take a good look at many different brands of both TT and 5th wheels and then make up your mind according to what works best for you, but I would not base it on possible sway problems.
Barney
2004 Sunnybrook 30FKS TT
Hensley "Arrow" 1400# hitch
2002 Ford F250 Super Duty, 7.3L PSD
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I agree, I've you need more then a 25 ft TT go to the 5th wheel and be a little careful here too. You can over load a 3/4 ton truck pretty easily with a 5vr. I have owned both and I like the 5th wheel. I would stay at about 27 to 29 ft with the fifth wheel.
johnwb,
We are "adding" a fifth wheel because the wife is having trouble climbing in and out of the cabover bed in our Lance.
I love the Lance for it's "go almost anywhere" ability.
However, must do what is comfortable for all.
Looking at a Puma fifth and this was chosen for it's floor plan.
Moving up to this will be night and day from the camper.
I am going to keep the camper as well.Heck it's paid for and I have it outfitted the way I need it.
Bill
It depends if you need the space in your TV bed for bikes etc , go with the TT.
There are more steps to climb in a 5th w, plus the height. I tow a 34 ft TT
and I have no sway or any other problems. I have had three 5th w. Still have a 40 ft on my RV lot in Yuma but I prefer TT as I load the TV bed with "stuff"
You can see my choice by my sig. Dealers tried to sell me a 5th wheel but I will not give up the storage in the covered truck bed. I understend there's not a whole lot of difference between a 3/4 and one ton and I pull the 26' loaded TH without the Equal-I-Zer bars hooked up with no sway problems. JMO...
Support the Country you live in or live in the Country you support
2003 Sierra SP 26'Toy Hauler
1997 F-350, PSD, 4X4, red Crew Cab, long bed.
2007 Arctic Cat Prowler, Arctic Cat 500
If you have to have a covered truck bed then I guess a 5'er is out...we've never needed our truck bed covered so we are still able to use our truck bed for firewood, 2 coolers, a grill and a bicycle...people say you lose your truck bed and that simply is not true...you just arrange stuff better. We have had both 5'er and TT...the 5'er definitely tows better and is easier/faster to hook up...but there are also cons...I did like having the level floor plan of the TT and if you have bad knees you may not enjoy the steps in the 5'er...we do enjoy the extra space and headroom in the 5'er though and all the exterior storage...they both have pros and cons...just decide which is best for you.
DUANE, JENNIFER, PUGZ & SMOKEY(In Spirit)
BUFORD, GA
'07 CROSSROADS CRUISER 29RK
SO MANY PLACES, SO LITTLE TIME
Most of us are very happy with what we have so we tend to recommend what we've got.
That said I recommend a travel trailer!
I've towed ours over all kinds of roads(including off road) and all kinds of weather. It has always handled great and never made me nervous. The hitch sticking out past the rear bumper allows greater maneuverability when backing in, and the trailer does not cut across corners as much as a fifth wheel. A trailer can be towed by almost any full sized pickup, SUV, or van.(most come with receiver hitches). The 5th wheel can only be towed by a pickup(with no cover on it) that has a 5th wheel hitch installed in the bed. This also means you can't hall much in the back of the pickup cause the hitch is in the way!
What I do like about the 5th wheel is, more large outside storage areas than a travel trailer. Also a much more 'open' feeling inside because of a heigher ceiling in the living area. And, even though I'm happy towing our trailer, for some reason everone that upgrades(yes, its considered an upgrade) to a 5th wheel says they tow much better.
When we first got our trailer, I figgured we would move to a 5th wheel in a few years. But, we really like our floorplan. And now that we've had it 4 years, we both agree were glad we got a travel trailer and never plan to get a 5er. And that loss of stroage is more than made up for with the bed of the pickup. Also, we have considered selling the pickup & get an SUV, if we had a 5er we could not ever consider that.
Either way I'm sure you will be happy. As others have said, try both if you can, then get whatever feels/fits your family the best!
Fiver all the way. Much easier to hook up, better, stronger hitch, and tows better. If you had a fiver before, you would be dissapointed with towing a TT, I think.
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