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04-16-2016, 07:29 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 7,916
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5er VS travel trailer
A storm tore up our 5th wheel Puma Palamino 295KBH. Today we go fantasy shopping to see what's out there...my wife really liked the TT she was looking at. I am really nervous about a TT over a fifth wheel in pulling. I have an 05 ram 2500 diesel 4x4 and am not really worried about the weight of the TT vs a medium 5er, but I am worried about the horror stories of pulling about a 35ft TT.
Should I be? I have obviously never pulled a TT.
Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums
__________________
2017 Puma 297RLSS
2005 Ram 2500 4X4 diesel SMOKER!!
I love puns, irony and tasteless jokes...
born in Texas.... live in Arkansas
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04-16-2016, 07:34 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Between Pickles Gap and Toad Suck, AR
Posts: 6,070
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Not the right person to answer...............but..........
I figure there's about the same amount of trailer behind the bumper with either one. It's the issue of hitch that's different.
I never found a TT laid out like I wanted, though........and did find several 5'ers that were.
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"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
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04-16-2016, 07:36 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: in my new 29hfsxlr
Posts: 1,658
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Not sure about what horror stories are out there but pull my 34' across country no issues ,plus i have the bed of my truck with topper for carrying stuff . both have their pros and cons .
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04-16-2016, 07:39 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Tallahassee, FL
Posts: 289
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I've never pulled a 5er. We have a 29 ft TT. We had never towed ANYTHING when we got it. We have had no issues after a slight learning curve. We still find backing it up to be difficult.
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Kelly and Stephen with Daisy, Lily, and Roxy!
Run Free Sweet Riley 2009-2015
Visit our blog for more information and details!
www.kels4g.com
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04-16-2016, 07:44 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Frederica DE
Posts: 1,223
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5ers seem to have better storage. Sometimes I wish I had gotten a 5er. If I had known that I would have to get a 3/4 T to tow a "1/2 T towable" I would have gotten the 5er.
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2016 Ford F250 XLT 4X4 6.2L
2015 Rockwood Signature Ultralite 8329SS
Hensley Arrow
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04-16-2016, 07:49 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Fort Worth
Posts: 664
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I moved up from a 25 foot trailer to one 33 ft, and no problem. If your tv is equipped with enough payload or tongue wt either is a matter of floor plan and preference for layout. I do believe TT's can be had for slightly less money then a 5er.
When towing it's just a matter of giving yourself enough room when turning and keeping an eye on your tail.
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Joe
2015 Wildwood 27RKSS (now sold)
2015 Silverado 2500HD Duramax
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04-16-2016, 10:40 PM
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#7
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 50
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I went from a 33' TT to a 34' 5er. The 5th wheel really gives you more room for the length, the tongue of a TT adds 4 to 5 ft of overall length that is not very usable. So most TTs the "box" will be shorter, my 33' had only 29' of living area. On the 5er the living area uses the entire 34'.
The overall length of truck + trailer will be shorter with a 5th wheel, since there is overlap of the truck and trailer. With a TT overall length will be truck + trailer + about a foot for the hitch. If that matters to you.
As far as towing goes, it wasn't necessarily hard to tow the TT, but the 5th wheel is clearly easier. There is a reason that TT's need sway control on the hitch and 5th wheels don't. With the TT, not that it was hard to control, but I'd know when a truck was passing. Steering input can cause sway too, especially a "swerve" maneuver. With the 5th wheel it just stays behind the truck, and I've never really detected any sway.
You do lose the use of your truck bed with the 5th wheel, but in my case the TT had far less exterior storage so it was close to a wash...
The TT was significantly shorter in height, so if you goes places with low clearance that could be a positive.
Lastly my fuel economy got better with the 5th wheel. Not sure I have fully figured out why, but I get about 1mpg better with the 5th wheel, even though it is 2 ft taller and about 2500 lbs heavier. They both had aerodynamic fronts. The only thing I can figure is that the front of 5th wheel being so close to the truck cab improved the overall aerodynamics.
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04-17-2016, 08:01 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Jefferson County, MO
Posts: 5,452
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I prefer 5th wheels for the large under belly storage area and taller ceilings in the living area of the trailer.
If you do buy a TT please be sure to post about your experiences. I've always read about bad experiences TT owners have with trucks passing them. I've always owned a fifth wheels so I'm interested in what your experience might be if you buy a TT.
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Bob and Joyce
2013 CC Silverback 29RL
2010 Ford F250 XL Crew Cab 6.4 liter diesel
ATU Local 788
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04-17-2016, 08:21 AM
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#9
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Don't Camp Enough
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Florida
Posts: 1,163
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Iwannacamp
A storm tore up our 5th wheel Puma Palamino 295KBH. Today we go fantasy shopping to see what's out there...my wife really liked the TT she was looking at. I am really nervous about a TT over a fifth wheel in pulling. I have an 05 ram 2500 diesel 4x4 and am not really worried about the weight of the TT vs a medium 5er, but I am worried about the horror stories of pulling about a 35ft TT.
Should I be? I have obviously never pulled a TT.
Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums
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The MOST important thing for you to do if you choose a TT is to have your hitch PROPERLY setup to your TV. I also recommend learning the initial setup procedure yourself so that you will be confident with your rig.
Best of luck to you.
Dan
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2020 Prime Time Sanibel 3102
2016 F-350 King Ranch
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04-17-2016, 08:31 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Idaho
Posts: 9,839
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I went with a FW because I know the boss can hook it up and drive in the event something were to happen to me.
Real sure there is no way she would be able to do the hitch needed for a TT.
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2016 F350 6.7L LB CC Reese 28K 2014 Chaparral Lite 266sab
"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." 2014 19 days camping 2015 17 days camping201620 days camping
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04-17-2016, 09:03 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 270
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I've had a 24' ft TT and now my 36' ft 5th wheel and I have found pulling the 5th wheel to be a much better experience. Also, backing up the 5'er has been much easier.
__________________
John Taylor
2019 Newmar Bay Star 3609
2018 Cardinal 3350RLX - sold
2013 Cardinal 3030RLS - sold
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04-17-2016, 11:27 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 284
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kels4g
I've never pulled a 5er. We have a 29 ft TT. We had never towed ANYTHING when we got it. We have had no issues after a slight learning curve. We still find backing it up to be difficult.
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I went from a Mazda 3 to a Ram 1500 and a 30 ft TT. Never towed anything before but with careful research, common sense, and patience I had a great first season last year. Backing is still a skill I'm working on but I've not had a tough time, or any nightmares to report with towing. I'd imagine anything behind the cab (5er or TT) can cause drama, it's just how the driver handles the drama that matters.
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04-17-2016, 12:08 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 215
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Towing a 38' and never give it a thought. Had a 2500 crew cab long bed hemi. No issues other than weight. Never blown over the road or anything like that. Upgraded to the 3500 dually diesel and look forward to getting on the road with the extra towing ability. 2500 diesel should be no issues.
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2015 Tracer ultra light executive edition 3200bht
2007 Dodge Ram 3500 Cummins 6.7, Dually, crew cab, long bed
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04-17-2016, 12:40 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Athens
Posts: 685
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One of the reasons we moved from a fifth wheel to a small motorhome was because DH frequently had trouble hitching or unhitching after his heart attack. Working with his arms over his head for long was difficult. I found the stairs to the fifth wheel daunting after my knee replacements. As for those high ceilings - well that made a lot of those beautiful cupboards out of my reach.
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Phil, Heather & Olaf the Boxer
Ontario Canada
Lexington 283GTS
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04-17-2016, 02:09 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Franklin, TN
Posts: 746
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While we love the fws, as age had crept up on us and frequent trips to the potty, steps in fws were a noticeable issue as all the fws the bath was up stairs. Third rv was a tt because of it. Wife uses a scooter after knee replacement, rides very nicely in back of pu due to full use of the bed on the tv.
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2020 Georgetown 31L, Safe T steering, Sumo springs, Onan Geny
2015 GMC Canyon 4X4 TOAD w/Blue Ox tow plates, InvisiBrake
Pepper 🌶 PomChi rescue 545 nights as our camping buddy
Days camped in FR 2011-12 = 77, 13-14 = 98, 15-16 = 129
17 = 81, 18 = 44, 19 = 83, 20= 45, 21 = 76, 22 = 57, 23 = 42
Retired :
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04-17-2016, 02:20 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Eastern NC
Posts: 3,963
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I have had them all. Only mistake was going to a TT after the MH. Now in a FW and like it the best.
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2022 Montana 3855 BR
2019 F350 6.7 4X4 LB Dually
Edgewater 205 EX 150 Yamaha
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04-17-2016, 02:59 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 219
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We have gone back and forth between MH and TT for about 40 years. After about five months without any form of RV, we finally found a TT that we HOPE won't cause us to continue swapping.
I am wimpy and have copd, so got a Flagstaff 26fkws with all the power goodies, that I have modified (took out a bedroom closet and put in a custom made king bed.....took out the couch and put in two plush rocker/recliners.)
Pull with a 2012 ecoboost.......no problems.
Never bothered with a 5th wheel for four reasons:
1. Too tall for the boondockers we have always been
2. Too much storage, tempting us to take all kinds of stuff we don't need
3. Obviates using the truck.....as a truck.
4. Breakdowns (towing, etc) are REEEEELY expensive.
But YMMV, which is why the lots are full of a variety.
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04-17-2016, 03:19 PM
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#18
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Senior Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 288
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Probably not very important to many but we have always been put off by the low ceiling in the 5th wheel bedroom. Seems a bit claustrophobic. We wanted to get a 5er as our 2nd trailer but could not find one our truck could pull spec wise (pin weight limit) that had a roomy enough bedroom. That, plus the 10 grand or so difference in price is why we have the TT we have now. BTW... we love it.
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2015 Flagstaff Super V 26VFKSS Emerald... SOLD
Now camping with a new SOB Winnebago pulled by a 2021 Ford Ranger.
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04-17-2016, 03:37 PM
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#19
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Site Team - Lou
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: South Eastern PA
Posts: 23,269
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Having rented a travel trailer for 2 years and own a 5th wheel, I can give you some help.
The travel trailer has lower wind resistance and for similar weight will yield better fuel mileage at speed.
The cargo space advantage of the 5th wheel is wiped out (IMO) by the loss of most (if not all) the cargo space in the truck bed.
Stairs in the 5th wheel are tough on old knees. To get the higher bedroom ceilings, they increase the height and frontal area in bigger 5th wheels. Both are bad for fuel economy.
Properly balanced, 5th wheels tow better (IMO) than Travel Trailers, but not so much as to rule one out over the other. The key is to have the pin fall between 15 and 20% of total trailer weight for a 5th wheel and the tongue between 10 and 14% of total trailer weight for a travel trailer.
Length of trailer vs tow vehicle wheel base is more critical in a travel trailer. Long trailers and short wheel base trucks are squirrely even when properly balanced. The best anti-sway hitch you can afford is a must (Equilizer is a good bet). Also go oversize on the hitch (way better to have more anti-sway than not enough).
Herk
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Lou & Freya the wonder dog
2008 GMC Sierra 3000HD Allison Duramax
2019 Flagstaff 8529FL
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04-17-2016, 04:20 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 7,916
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Thank you for all the help. I want a 5er...I am already set up for one. Will have to start over on TT. Wife is leaning towards a TT...she will agree to what I want. With the help here I feel better about the TT. Prolly the most deciding factor is finding what we want with floor plan and must haves in the budget we have and at least I am not as scared of them now.
Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums
__________________
2017 Puma 297RLSS
2005 Ram 2500 4X4 diesel SMOKER!!
I love puns, irony and tasteless jokes...
born in Texas.... live in Arkansas
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