Travel Trail vs 5th Wheel

[Ford Idaho]

Originally Posted by Gleaner

We went 35' TT so we could haul an ATV.
Just got back from 10 days of camping and 2000 miles.
No issues in wind, on freeway or grades.
Very happy.

If I may ask, why not a FW toy hauler?

Garage to small?

[G.B.]

Had both and loved both. The 5er does tow easier and we have lots more space. We will probably get one more 5er before we hang it up.

[Gleaner]

Originally Posted by Ford Idaho

If I may ask, why not a FW toy hauler?

Garage to small?

Well, I've looked at lots of toyhaulers.
For me, I don't like the fold up sofa stuff vs. my 2 leather lazy boys and sofa,
didn't want the gas smell in my trailer, dust leakage on the big back door didn't excite me and finally all the room you lose to carry atv's inside.
We love the floor plan of the V-Lite and have alot of room for living and/or dining indoors.
Right now I wouldn't change a thing. Even the 35' hasn't phased me.
On this last trip to Yellowstone, I noticed a 2 to 1 ratio of MH compared to trailers, period.
Could be an older crowd this time of year, or just the luck of the draw this trip, but I was sorta surprised.

[Samaka]

Originally Posted by aceinspp

X 2 plus the additional height and frontal area of 5er is big drag and cost fuel mileage. Also not having to climb stairs as we get older. I can hook up my tt about as fast as one hooking up 5er. Later RJD

I found the fiver better on fuel even with much more weight.
I can only put it down to the closeness of the fiver nosecone to the back of the cab of the truck and the wind gets less chance to dip back down and drag on the whole front as it does on a travel trailer.


Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums

[Ford Idaho]

Originally Posted by Gleaner

Well, I've looked at lots of toyhaulers.
For me, I don't like the fold up sofa stuff vs. my 2 leather lazy boys and sofa,
didn't want the gas smell in my trailer, dust leakage on the big back door didn't excite me and finally all the room you lose to carry atv's inside.
We love the floor plan of the V-Lite and have alot of room for living and/or dining indoors.
Right now I wouldn't change a thing. Even the 35' hasn't phased me.
On this last trip to Yellowstone, I noticed a 2 to 1 ratio of MH compared to trailers, period.
Could be an older crowd this time of year, or just the luck of the draw this trip, but I was sorta surprised.

Ok, I was just wondering.
Thank you.

[340_Formula_S]

I get the same fuel mileage towing my 15,000 lb 5'r as I did my 8,000 lb TT.


Elko, Va.
2012 Ram 3500 DRW Cummins High Output
Cedar Creek 36B2

[trbomax]

I get the same fuel mileage pulling the 5er as I do pulling my 16000# equipment trailer.The equipment trailer really stops better but it has bigger brakes,so it should.

[jd48]

Switched my Reese WDS for a 1400lb Equal-I-zer and glad I did. Pulled a Coachmen 35'TT 1200 miles from PA to FL and no problems. TV is RAM 1500 Hemi with K&N cold air and rear air bags. No problem hooking up or unhooking. I do agree that floor plan means a lot. Go with whatever feels good to you, your better half and your wallet.

[camping baba]

We had a TT and upgraded to a 5er . Easier to hook up and pull . More storage than the TT . The next trailer will be a larger 5er

[ryand]

Originally Posted by jd48

Switched my Reese WDS for a 1400lb Equal-I-zer and glad I did. Pulled a Coachmen 35'TT 1200 miles from PA to FL and no problems. TV is RAM 1500 Hemi with K&N cold air and rear air bags. No problem hooking up or unhooking. I do agree that floor plan means a lot. Go with whatever feels good to you, your better half and your wallet.

I agree about the equalizer.....went from another brand due to in my opinion serious flaws. Pulled our 7k TT over 1800 miles this summer. Best money I have spent on the trailer was that second hitch.


Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums

[schrederman]

These threads amuse me... Some folks have really strong opinions about this. I've pulled both and if the wdh is set up properly, a TT is no worse than a 5er. I'm stuck with TTs because of my activities. I have to have a covered bed to transport my model gliders. The fuselages are a touch over 6' and the wingspans can easily top 13'. Sure I could transport them in the trailer, but when the venue is miles from the trailer, I have to get them there. I don't RV just to camp. If I did, a 5er probably still wouldn't be following me around... Pricing difference between 5ers and TTs is pretty steep...

[The_Rhino]

To get our 2 slide bunkhouse floor plan (PT Tracer) in a 5er (PT Crusader), we would have to pay around 40% more and pair it with a more capable TV, so at least 60% more for essentially the same floor plan...

In 2013/2014 we found a 2011 Ram 2500 w/5.7 Hemi for $14K & a 2011 PT Tracer 3150 for $20K, so $35K total. The cost of a (used) Crusader alone is $35K & our Ram is not rated for 18,000 GCVW, so we would need more truck. Altogether we're looking at an extra $20K for NEARLY the same experience...

Our combo w/Equalizer 4 tows GREAT even through the Smokies... I found a like-new fiberglass cap for $500 on CL which keeps our bikes & (large) R/C planes protected. For some trips I actually mount our (5) bikes on top of the reversed dinette seats so we have even more room under the cap... At 31', before the angled hitch, we JUST fit into some of our favorite State Park campsites.

Although the 5er has a similar trim level & floor plan, the high ceilings provide a roomier feel. The bathroom is much larger, and the tanks are much, much larger... Yes, all great to have, but not worth 50% more for essentially the same experience.

However, in comparison, a MH with a larger bunkhouse floor plan would cost $75K for a (used) gas Georgetown or $125K for a (used) diesel Berkshire... Then we would have to add a trailer or toad... At some point you have to draw a line in the sand and say, "This is what we can spend." For us it was $35K for both TT & TV & we're quite happy!

[Gregg Willow]

Originally Posted by Herk7769

Had both; buying a motorhome

[elind]

We had a 35' TT and now a 38' 5er and we liked them both. Fuel mileage was about the same so that wasn't a factor in deciding. Last winter coming across I-40 we had 30-40mph cross winds and we were still able to do 55-60 mph with the 5er feeling safe. The TT would have been a white knuckle trip. The 5er is my pick.

[Filterman]

Grisham X2 I pull a 28ft Wildcat TT. NO issues. We put on 14000KM this summer including 1500KM of gravel ( went to Deadhirse, AK) with NO issues. As mentioned above, my wife too has some mobility issues so less stairs is better. Also like having all of my covered pickup bed availabke for generator, compressor etc. hookup time us brain ally longer but who cares when your vacationing or retired 😀

[BKBuilds]

As a member of the younger crowd my choice was 5er off the bat. Picked a decent TV and got a 36' 5th wheel. Never towed anything besides a motor cycle trailer befor that but I was really surprised at how easy the 5er pulled. Never had an issue or felt uncomfortable. As for bed space, I only ever needed to put firewood in the bed, everything else including the kids bike was in or on the 5er. With the advent of "ultra lite" campers we were able to move up to a 42' 5er and still stay within weight for our 2500HD so that made me happy.

[B and B]

I have had TT and now a Fifth Wheel. You can find some plans in TT that match Fivers now. I like towing a fifth wheel better, no too little sway. Some of the longer trailers have very high tongue weights, need to take that into considerations.
I store many things in my truck bed. Generator, blue waste tank, propane tank and firewood. I have a Tonneau cover that rolls up, covers the gear and hitch when we unhook.

My vote is Fiver. If TT were a foot taller inside they would have been in the running when we traded.

[ferguson65]

Another member of the younger crowd with a 5ver. Went from popup straight to fifth. In my prior days of 4 wheeling I had an 18' carhauler and then stepped up to a 24' gooseneck. After the gooseneck I said I'd never go back to a tag trailer, they pull that nice. When I gave up on 4 wheeling I knew 5th was the only way to go for me. Already had the truck as I ordered my dually in 2013 knowing that I wanted a 5ver eventually and not wanting to be pigeonholed by the truck.

We wanted 2 bedrooms and lots of "stuff" space (I've got 2 pretty expensive mountain bikes) and kayaks. The 5th toyhauler fit the bill for us. 2 power queens in the garage makes it a big bunkhouse, that can convert to flex space or storage space.

[the.wilsons]

I think a lot of the reason you see younger crown in tt is the price. You can find a tt with less options cheaper then in 5ers. Also the tow vehicles are cheaper. 1/2 ton verses 1 ton. Not to say you can't get a fancier tt that cost more then a 5er but base models in tt cost less then 5ers. We started with a used tt and a 1/2 ton truck to see if we enjoyed it. After a few years upgraded to a 5er bunkhouse with a 3/4 ton truck. And now in a 5er toy hauler with a 1 ton truck.

[MCTroy]

Be sure to check out the V nose floor plans. We thought we wanted a 5er until we saw them. No need for new hitch. No lost of the truck bed and it tows great. My knees love no steps too! Windjammer 3029. Plenty of space and beautiful... Nuff said.