autorot8
N. CA
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Joined: 07/07/2003
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I also have had both, and there really was no difference between towing. My current TT has more storage than the FW had. I can easily carry all four bikes inside, which in FW this was difficult. Plus I still have the truck bed. Amenities all depends on level of TT or FW. Current TT has a nicer interior and amenities than prior FW.
F-350 towing a Prime Time Lacrosse 296BHS
"Overstating the Obvious rarely helps the Oblivious!"
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eye8Ubutler
Maritime Provinces
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Joined: 09/14/2010
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LarryDel wrote:We're debating between travel trailer and fifth wheel. We have a 2012 half ton chevy silverado with a max trailering package-6.2 V8 with 6 speed transmission and a 3.73 axle. We original planned to buy a travel trailer and then we've heard many stories that TT's do not handle well on the interstate with big trucks passing. They recommended a small fifth wheel instead, but we have two issues with buying a fifth wheel, one is cost and the other issue is that we were told we needed a 3/4 ton truck to pull a fifth wheel. Also we are still concerned about the driveability of pulling a travel trailer.
What are your experienes pulling a TT on the Interstate with big rigs flying by? Are you happy with your travel trailer or would you purchase a fifth wheel if you had to do it all over again?
Thanks,
Larry
Larry
Although many people can be seen pulling a 'fiver' with the strongest of 1/2 tons, in reality it is going to be 'white knuckle' stuff!
The vast majority of 'fivers' that you see in any campsite have either a 3/4 or 1 ton TV.
When I see a 'fiver' & 1/2 ton TV combo, I avoid it if it is on the same road as me!
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LTZ 2007 (new shape)
4x4 Crew Cab VORTEC MAX (L76) 6.0L V8 4L70E 4.10 axle
factory NHT Max Trailering Package.
2010 Coachmen Freedom Express 280 RLS
"...a Waldorf Salad?, sorry we are fresh out of Waldorfs!".......BASIL FAWLTY.
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marcus6701
Central PA
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Joined: 08/07/2011
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I travel Interstate 81 in PA every day for work. I see about 95% 5th wheels and very little travel trailers. Some of the 5ers are as high as a big rig. I have an Aerolite TT 30'. An ultra lite that weighs around 5000 lb, 6000 lb gross. Its only 9'-8" to the top of the AC. One step to get in. It has torsion suspension. Pulls just fine behind my 3/4 ton '03 Suburban. I have a Reese Straightline hitch which I really like. I have very little wind drag due to the low stance of the TT compared to most TT with leaf spring suspension. I choose the lower TT for my children to climb in and out. Good luck finding one. Lots to look at.
2008 30ft Aerolite, white interior, 2003 Suburban 6.0L 3.73 gears
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LarryDel
Lewes, Delaware
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Joined: 03/10/2012
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Thanks for all of your great and informative responsives. We are definitely going ahead and purchasing a travel trailer. We have it narrowed down to three different brands and three different floor plans, but all three floorplans will tow easily with our half ton. Thanks so much for all of your very helpful ideas and comments.
Truck should arrive in 4-6 weeks and we will be ordering our TT in a couple of days. Very excited to get back to RV'ing.
Lots of great places to see in the USA and many wonderful people along the way!
Happy Trails
Larry
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schrederman
Texas
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Joined: 04/12/2012
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marcus6701 wrote:I travel Interstate 81 in PA every day for work. I see about 95% 5th wheels and very little travel trailers. Some of the 5ers are as high as a big rig. I have an Aerolite TT 30'. An ultra lite that weighs around 5000 lb, 6000 lb gross. Its only 9'-8" to the top of the AC. One step to get in. It has torsion suspension. Pulls just fine behind my 3/4 ton '03 Suburban. I have a Reese Straightline hitch which I really like. I have very little wind drag due to the low stance of the TT compared to most TT with leaf spring suspension. I choose the lower TT for my children to climb in and out. Good luck finding one. Lots to look at.
I am picking up my Surveyor Select SV-264 tomorrow. The Surveyor SV models have torsion suspension and are lower as you describe. I was doubtful about this suspension at first, but the more I read, the better it sounds. I'll be towing it back in the windy Texas Panhandle tomorrow with a leveling hitch and a friction-type anti-sway bar on my '11 F-150. Winds are predicted to be at 20 to 35 from the WSW. I'll let you all know how that goes.
J & D in windy Amarillo
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Jack_Diane_Freedom
Milton Ontario Canada
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Joined: 05/11/2005
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I have had both and prefer the TT. It just tracks better behind the TV and I have never had a stability problem. TT is much more responsive when backing although never had a problem with 5th, just less responsive. 5th wheel was stable too but in my opinion more work to hook up etc. and I lost the use of my truck bed.
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jorge1958
oregon
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Joined: 09/03/2010
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I to have a 1/2 ton pu and I tow a 30ft TT with it. I just have the Reese dual cam WD hitch and I have no problems at all.
2010 Wind River 250RLS 30ft
2007 Dodge Ram 1500 5.7 Hemi 4x4 3.92 gears
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Camper93
Canada
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Joined: 01/20/2011
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fla-gypsy wrote:nevadanick wrote:A properly connected and loaded TT is perfectly stable.
+ 1,000,000, the myth that a TT is inherently unstable is exactly that. My set up is rock solid. It takes some research, planning, and brain power to acheive proper set up that some are just not willing to do. The pay off is a stable, confident, and enjoyable experience at lower cost. x2; what they said plus your truck bed is free and clear
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jerem0621
Sequatchie, TN
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Joined: 05/17/2009
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I absolutely despise steps.
My TT has two steps to get in, and it is very low (especially for a leaf sprung TT)
I like the flat floors,
I like the adjustability of the hitch system. I can have everything from a basic WD hitch to a Hensley Arrow, plus the WD hitch is adjustable and is easy to reset if I buy a new TV.
Plus, I trust the ball connection of the TT MUCH more than a fiver.
My dad has a fiver and I compared them side by side.
He has the king pin "jaws" and the brake a way cable (two connections between the TV and the trailer)
I have the ball coupler and it is SUPER easy to verify if it is locked in properly.
I have two safety chains where EACH one individually an keep the TT connected to the TV in the event of a catastrophic failure.
Then I have my Brake-a-way cable securely attached to my TV with a carabiner. (my dad loopes it around handle of the fifth wheel hitch.
Lets count them.
I have four SOLID connections between the TV and the TT
never mind that even if the coupler became unlocked My WD bars PROBABLY would not let the coupler come off the ball.
So adding my WD bars to the count, I have six connections between the TV and the TT. That is peace of mind for me.
Plus, I prefer a more nimble TV. My F150 is a very comfy daily driver. Love my half ton
Thanks!
TT: 1995 Layton 2910
Tow Vehicle: 1999 F-350, v10, 2wd, Crew Cab, Dually
Hitch: Draw-Tite Trunnion WD Hitch
Sway Control: Valley dual friction sway control
Brake Control: Tekonsha Voyager
"It's Kind of Fun To Do The Impossible"
~Walt Disney~
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dewatkins
Dallas Texas
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Joined: 11/22/2011
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I towed TT for years then I decided to try a FW and I ended buying a dually to handle the pin weight, I did not do the research before I bought it. I sold it after a couple of years and went back to a TT. I did not like not having the bed free for what ever I wanted to put back there, also I did not like the lower gas mileage they do stick up higher than a TT, I did like the more storage but that just added more weight and I did not like driving the dually some people don't mide but I did.
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