|
|
02-27-2017, 09:53 PM
|
#1
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Ennis TX
Posts: 245
|
Need opinions on 5th wheel or TT
My wife and I currently have a 8327SS Rockwood TT that we love. Except its 35' long and we tow it with a 06 F350 diesel Longbed Crewcab. Truck pulls fine but maneuvering hasnt been real fun. Well we went to the Dallas RV show this weekend and guess what wife is now eyeballing... a new 5th wheel with the mid bunk and loft setup. My concern is these trailers are typically 40'+ long. I am almost wondering if I would be trading one PIA trailer for Another due to the size. I have no doubt the truck can handle these bigger RV's but Im curious as to what you all think. We usually have 2-3 longer trips every year and several shorter ones. Ive been thinking about it but Ive personally never really maneuvered a truck and trailer of those sizes especially in some of the tighter state parks we visit. These big 5th wheels dwarf our current Rockwood. Any opinions? Is it too big? What would be your recommendations...
Thanks
Dan
|
|
|
02-27-2017, 09:56 PM
|
#2
|
Who Dares, Wins
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Chester County, PA
Posts: 7,063
|
My setup is about 32 or so feet of trailer. I found many 5ers that had a similar footprint to my TT but where much "larger" because of the bit over the bed. I am also of the theory to keep things shorter not so much for the traveling length but the getting into the CG's. We were also looking at some 5ers but this is not for another 8 to 9 years for us.
__________________
Pat, Jen, Heather & Sapphire, the head mouser.
2015 Chevy HD D-Max
2022 Impression 315MB
|
|
|
02-27-2017, 10:04 PM
|
#3
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Between Pickles Gap and Toad Suck, AR
Posts: 6,070
|
I struggled with that too. DW looked only at the inside, the floorplan. I thought about towing it.
It is bigger. No getting around it. It's much heavier.
But as far as length.......I have just about as much length behind my truck bumper with a 40' fifth wheel as I did with a 33 foot bumper pull. Not exact, but close. It's just different in pulling. Other than being heavier and needing better brakes and such, it's actually easier to pull.
Parking is a PIA no matter what. I have trouble on occasion with my danged boat! (was that outloud? LOL) You learn how............
Forty elebben gazillion folks are pulling it just fine. I can learn, and I am. I bet you can too.
But dang they're expensive! LOL
__________________
"Next to prayer, fishing is the most personal relationship of man" Herbert Hoover
"American by Birth, Southern by the Grace of God"Lewis Grizzard
FROG AR-0019-242
2016 GMC Denali 3500Dually--2017 CC 36CKTS
|
|
|
02-27-2017, 10:09 PM
|
#4
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Ennis TX
Posts: 245
|
Yes they are expensive for sure. I am just trying to justify it... i dont want one so big its discourages us from wanting to use it. Does that make since? I have no doubt I can learn it I can literally drive anything but do I want too? lol
|
|
|
02-27-2017, 10:20 PM
|
#5
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Between Pickles Gap and Toad Suck, AR
Posts: 6,070
|
Boy I get it. You are making perfect sense. I did the exact same thing.
For the first few months of owning a 40' fifth wheel, I wondered if I'd made a big mistake. I'm not a pro truck driver. I'm not even handy with fixing things.
But I figured out a few things, and spent some money (that I didn't have) to take care of some stuff, and it helped. First ride was so bumpy that I almost gave up. But I researched and added the Joy Rider shock system with the axle alignment (axles were almost 1 inch off from factory, from one side to the other), added air bags to the truck (which is the biggest thing I could buy), and all that has helped.
It is very, very nice once I get to my destination and park it. It is nicer than my house. I enjoy so very much 'living' in it and look forward to getting out and going somewhere again.
And that is what made the difference. Compromise. It's like a long commute from a job to a really nice lake house. Once there, it's WHEW!
__________________
"Next to prayer, fishing is the most personal relationship of man" Herbert Hoover
"American by Birth, Southern by the Grace of God"Lewis Grizzard
FROG AR-0019-242
2016 GMC Denali 3500Dually--2017 CC 36CKTS
|
|
|
02-27-2017, 10:23 PM
|
#6
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Tyler, Texas
Posts: 11
|
Made the move almost a year ago from a 36ft bumper pull to a 43ft mid bunk 5th wheel. As far as towing it is so much better than towing a trailer and way easy to hook up. We got the Sandpiper 371 rebh and just absolutely love it and have no regrets. We made sure we got the 6 point auto level and will never own one with out it. There is a learning curve as far as towing, the trailer turns a lot different than a bumper pull and backing is a whole lot different but it doesn't take long to figure it out. Being you are 45 minutes from me we probably go to a lot of the same parks. There is some parks you are limited but starting next year you will be able to reserve specific sites in state parks in Texas so that will help you out a lot. If you get the 6 point auto level you can back your trailer over the back of the site due to where the jacks are so you can fit in some smaller sites that some smaller 5th wheels can't fit in that doesn't have the auto level. If you have any questions let me know.
Ken
__________________
Ken Hall
Tyler, Texas
2016 Sandpiper 371 rebh
2012 Ram 3500 SRW
|
|
|
02-27-2017, 11:29 PM
|
#7
|
Member
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Jonesboro AR
Posts: 60
|
Made the switch from a 34 ft TT to a mid bunk 371REBH back in December. Have been on two trips so far (still on the second trip) heading home tomorrow, already planning the third. This thing is so far above our TT, there is no comparison. Pulling is way easier, hookup is way easier, as said earlier six point level is a must. We love it and wonder why we didn't do this years ago. We won't go back and actually enjoy ourselves more in this than the TT.
__________________
2016 F350 4X4 CCDually Lariat with 6.7L and 3.73 gears
2016 Sierra 371 REBH
2015 Xpress H20PFC w/ Yamaha SHO 150
Days Camped: 2013-8 2014-16 2015-38 2016-86 2017-64, 2018-6 and counting
|
|
|
02-28-2017, 01:49 PM
|
#8
|
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: L\Anywhere and everywhere
Posts: 263
|
If you are not going to be full time, or in one spot for more than a month or two, I would pass on the bigger unit
__________________
Kayo
2014 Primetime Sanibel 3051 pulled by a 2013 Chevy Silverado 3500HP dually diesel. Full timers wince 2003 with DW of 53 year. NPS Park Ranger
|
|
|
02-28-2017, 01:58 PM
|
#9
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Penfield
Posts: 196
|
We're opposite most as we went from a 35' 5er to a 34' TT to a 30' TT toy hauler and couldn't be happier with the new rig. Our toys are kayaks, bicycles and coolers of adult beverages! There are "5" of us - 2 adults, 12 & 14 yr old boys and the dog. Up here in the North Eastern US (NYS) many of the campsites are small if, like us, you stay at the state campgrounds and not the "resorts" and private campgrounds. Even with our 30' rig there are many sites and some state campgrounds that we can't go to because of the rig's size.
__________________
John M
2013 GMC Sierra 2500DH CC, 4x4, D/A
|
|
|
02-28-2017, 02:03 PM
|
#10
|
Retired Retail/Importer
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Knoxville TN
Posts: 54
|
We have lived in our FR 360PDEK for 9 months now...love it...have had some tight sites but just have to learn to go slow and after sending "momma" to wait for your setup or leaving at the RV office...saves a lot of squables
|
|
|
02-28-2017, 04:18 PM
|
#11
|
Aging Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Sacramento
Posts: 73
|
Had a 30' TT for 7 years that we really liked and used a lot. We switched to a 5er 3 seasons ago and what a difference. Easier to hook n unhook, easier to pull, doesn't move in the wind overall a better set up IMHO. Spent 6 weeks exploring the Midwest this past summer. We love it.
|
|
|
02-28-2017, 04:44 PM
|
#12
|
Member
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: West Central Ar
Posts: 43
|
Question along these lines-
I've traded up to a 2014 flagstaff and it has a "revolution" king pin- is is now stationary with the camper. is there another piece that goes with it? someone said something about a catchpan.
|
|
|
02-28-2017, 05:04 PM
|
#13
|
BMullins46
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Lubbock, Texas
Posts: 180
|
We went from a34 ft Cardinal to a 43ft+ XLR toy hauler in November, like some have said you wont have much more length behind your TV than you have now, BUT, you must watch the tail swing as the 5er does track behind the TV different than your TT. The extra space in the 5er is certainly much nicer to have. Just be careful of your pin weight as you can easily overload you trucks rear tires if you have a single rear wheel F350. Long bed trucks with a trailer are certainly a handful when trying to get into or through tight spaces, we just have to learn to not be in a hurry and pay attention where we are going. Good luck with your new rig.
Come up to West Texas and check out Caprock Canyons State Park and Palo Duro State psrk, they both have sites that will handle your new rig.
__________________
Bill Mullins
2016 XLR Thunderbolt 385AMP
2012 Ford F350 DW 6.7 Power Stroke
|
|
|
02-28-2017, 07:23 PM
|
#14
|
Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 83
|
Fifth wheel has lots more storage ,too tall to use in the woods,both tow about the same.I would choose a fifth wheel unless you go out in the woods hunting or fishing.
|
|
|
02-28-2017, 08:15 PM
|
#15
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Maurice, LA
Posts: 4,095
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by firedaniel
My wife and I currently have a 8327SS Rockwood TT that we love. Except its 35' long and we tow it with a 06 F350 diesel Longbed Crewcab. Truck pulls fine but maneuvering hasnt been real fun. Well we went to the Dallas RV show this weekend and guess what wife is now eyeballing... a new 5th wheel with the mid bunk and loft setup. My concern is these trailers are typically 40'+ long. I am almost wondering if I would be trading one PIA trailer for Another due to the size. I have no doubt the truck can handle these bigger RV's but Im curious as to what you all think. We usually have 2-3 longer trips every year and several shorter ones. Ive been thinking about it but Ive personally never really maneuvered a truck and trailer of those sizes especially in some of the tighter state parks we visit. These big 5th wheels dwarf our current Rockwood. Any opinions? Is it too big? What would be your recommendations...
Thanks
Dan
|
If you are concerned about the maneuverability of a 5er I wold suggest a sliding Fifth Wheel hitch. Placing it in the Maneuvering Mode makes backing and positioning into a camping spot so much more easy
WE would never go back to a TT
__________________
2012 Wildcat Sterling 32RL, Gladiator Qr35 ST235/85R16 Load rating G, TST 507 TPMS w/ Flow-thru Sensors & Repeater, Reese Sidewinder 16K Pin Box, PI EMS HW50C
2009 Chevy Silverado 2500HD CCSB LTZ Diesel, Fumoto Oil Drain Valve, Turbo Brake activated, 39 gal Aux Tank W/ Fuel Pump transfer, Air Lift Loadlifter 5000 air bags.
|
|
|
02-28-2017, 09:08 PM
|
#16
|
ARLO
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: N Chili, NY
Posts: 908
|
We have always had tt's with the exception of 1 5th wheel. We now have a flagstaff that is 31.5' overall length. and have taken several 4000+ mile trips. I favor the tt over the 5er. it's lighter and easier to tow for me. We have been gone as long as 8 weeks and were very comfortable.
|
|
|
02-28-2017, 10:05 PM
|
#17
|
MCTroy
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Troy.Ohio
Posts: 1,176
|
I hate to sound old, but I like aTT for the simple reason they don't have steps. I know 5ers don't have a full fight of steps but even 3 or 4 up and down all the time can add up. My knees aren't getting any younger. I confirmed this at a recent RV show and going up the stairs to see the great floorplans out there. Sorry, this may not be the response but something to consider.
__________________
2015 Windjammer 3029 Diamond Edition
2018 Ram 2500
Ohio River Rat
|
|
|
03-01-2017, 09:03 AM
|
#18
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Athens
Posts: 685
|
X 2 on the knees. We had a 4 x 4 diesel and a 30'ish 5th wheel. After having both knees replaced I was struggling with the height of the truck and the stairs to the trailer. We moved to a small motor home and love it. We fit into our beautiful Provincial Parks and I have no trouble with the multiple in and outs that a camping trip brings. Good luck with your decision and have fun.
__________________
Phil, Heather & Olaf the Boxer
Ontario Canada
Lexington 283GTS
|
|
|
03-01-2017, 09:35 AM
|
#19
|
Pickin', Campin', Mason
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: South Western PA
Posts: 19,051
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by DeeWayne
I've traded up to a 2014 flagstaff and it has a "revolution" king pin- is is now stationary with the camper. is there another piece that goes with it? someone said something about a catchpan.
|
I have no clue what a catchpan is other than possibly a device that would catch your hitch pin if you didn't connect correctly causing the trailer to drop on the bed rails. Those devices are more commonly called 'Bed Savers'
Here is a video to help you understand the Reese Revolution hitch on your 5th wheel. Be sure to purchase the correct wedge to fit your make hitch. Many reports of the 'universal' wedge coming loose.
__________________
2022 Cedar Creek 345IK 5th Wheel•Solar & Inverter•2017 Ford F-Series SCREW 4x4•Factory Puck•B&W Companion•TST Tire Monitor w/Repeater•Sinemate 3500w Gen.
F&AM Lodge 358 Somerset, PA - JAFFA Shrine - Altoona, PA
Days Camped ☼ '19=118 ☼ '20=116 ☼ '21=123 ☼ '22=134 ☼ '23=118☼ '24=64
|
|
|
03-01-2017, 10:04 AM
|
#20
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 133
|
I've had nothing but TT units, so I'm not sure if a 5th wheel is easier to tow or not, but one thing I do know, that towing my older 27 footer is really no different than towing our new 34 footer. Most everything is the same, cornering, maneuvering, backing etc. we stick with TT's because of the weight factor. 5th wheels are usually too heavy for half ton trucks to tow.
|
|
|
|
|
Thread Tools |
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|