TT vs 5th towing tips.

[Pauls Toy Hauler]

Originally Posted by camperboy

everyone that I know that has upgraded from a TT to a fiver has went up in mpg, not down. probably due to the better aerodynamics of the fiver being tucked closer behind the cab

I agree with this. I actually gained on average about 1 1/2 miles more per gallon and I actually came from a 16' toy hauler bumper pull to my now 37' 5'er.

[14 CC 38CK]

We have had at least 10 TT's and 3 motor homes and this is our first 5th wheel and love it , feels so good on the road and you don't worry when you see that big rig coming around you . Trust us you will love it

[French]

As others have mentioned...... Be sure to do a "test pull" when hooking up to verify the fifth wheel is actually locked into the hitch. I would do this with the landing gear still down but taking little to no weight. We have seen the damage a fifth wheel can do at a campsite close by when our neighbour newbies hooked up and drove off without a test. Upwards of 5000.00 damage to 2015 Ford half ton truck and likely damage to King pin etc. to say nothing of the embarrassment and hassle. When we left 2 tow trucks were still tending to the mess. Lesson learned the hard way. Burn that image into your brain and always do a test pull before driving out of the campsite.

[Oaklevel]

A lot of good suggestions........ WARNING once you go with a fifth wheel you will never want to go back to a bumper pull ..........

[Rugged Brown]

Originally Posted by Oaklevel

A lot of good suggestions........ WARNING once you go with a fifth wheel you will never want to go back to a bumper pull ..........

Obviously not a universal statement as I just went back to a travel trailer from a fifth wheel. I am very pleased with the transition. The towing dynamics going forward are different but not black/white as described in other posts. Where there is a big difference when hooked to your tow vehicle, is when backing up. The TT responds much quicker and is easier to position on a dime as opposed to backing a fifth wheel. I like the idea of not having a heavy hitch in the bed of the truck, using the extra space in the bed of truck for storage, everything on one level in the TT and the need for a 1/2 ton versus a 3/4 ton or bigger for a fifth wheel. Typically, for the same features, fifth wheels are more expensive to purchase than TT.

Like all other comments here, these are just my opinions. Remember, opinions are very subjective as we, by human nature, need to justify our decisions.

[prestonj12]

My experience and situation better suit a TT. 5th wheels are great on the pavement, but get too high and too big for dispersed campsites out here in Idaho. If I were park camping I'd go 5th wheel all the way. But as soon as I get off the pavement and start roughing it, the 5th wheel starts to show some weaknesses.


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[Kenny kustom]

Off road.




2008 F350 CCSB V10
2016 Sabre 36QBOK

[tenttotrailer]

Alot of issues about moving up to a 5th wheel, one thing is the truck to pull. I have read differing opinions on box length and I guess it is all about cab clearance. It would be nice to have the shorter box which would make the wheelbase shorter. Does wheelbase make any difference pulling the 5th wheel?

Kevin

[trbomax]

Originally Posted by TxBgWood

We were TT people and now we are on our first trip out with our 32' 2015 Wildcat. Installed is a Reese Goosebox, so that it would be compatible with the Flip Ball in my truck. The Goosebox has air chambers, where you can add air up to 50PSI. However, still feeling a bit of jerking as we pull. Is this jerking or bucking normal ?

Short answer is,no its not.We have run ours 6500 miles so far this summer and I can only think of maybe 5 times ours did it,always due to pavement misalignments that slammed the truck too.The gooseneck trailers (which is what you have now) Typically like a lot of ball or pin wieght as compared to a conventional 5th wheel. Our LQ horse trailer carried more or less 3000 on the ball,this was only a 29' oal trailer that wieghed 7000 empty.Ours behaves much better with a full load of fresh water (100 gal) or w/o the cart in the garage.Check your pin weight.

[cstover]

I love towing my 5th wheel. Went from a 31 ft TT to a 41 ft 5th wheel. Gained 3 feet overall when hitched up! Tows great.

[trbomax]

Originally Posted by tenttotrailer

Alot of issues about moving up to a 5th wheel, one thing is the truck to pull. I have read differing opinions on box length and I guess it is all about cab clearance. It would be nice to have the shorter box which would make the wheelbase shorter. Does wheelbase make any difference pulling the 5th wheel?

Kevin

Just like with a semi,longer is better except when backing up.This is why road tractors are always long and yard tractors are short COE's.

[trbomax]

Originally Posted by Pauls Toy Hauler

I agree with this. I actually gained on average about 1 1/2 miles more per gallon and I actually came from a 16' toy hauler bumper pull to my now 37' 5'er.

I cant comment on a difference from a tt,but I get 11mg with the chipped and wicked wheeled PSD no matter if I run 50 or 70..Same with my 14000# equipment trailer/backhoe combination.

[Kenny kustom]

Originally Posted by cstover

I love towing my 5th wheel. Went from a 31 ft TT to a 41 ft 5th wheel. Gained 3 feet overall when hitched up! Tows great.

That's what I told the DW.
Walking up to my sabre, it's still pretty intimidating...


2008 F350 CCSB V10
2016 Sabre 36QBOK

[Pauls Toy Hauler]

Originally Posted by Kenny kustom

Off road.

Attachment 88934


2008 F350 CCSB V10
2016 Sabre 36QBOK

I don't care what anyone says. that's eff'ing sweet.

[Kenny kustom]

Originally Posted by Pauls Toy Hauler

I don't care what anyone says. that's eff'ing sweet.

I know!!! It would look great behind my jeep.


2008 F350 CCSB V10
2016 Sabre 36QBOK

[MilCop4523]

Remember guys and gals
A clean off road vehicle is a sign of a sick mind...

[Kenny kustom]

Well, arrived at the cg for our first weekend in the sabre 5th.

Only have one thing to say...

YOU WERE RIGHT!!!!

Amazing experience. Calm, easy driving, ( a lot of credit I will give to the Hensley hitch).

Wife was happy!
All together, best drive ever.

Best thing? The V10 got 8mpg.
Same as when I towed my 8k TT.
Bonus!


2008 F350 CCSB V10
2016 Sabre 36QBOK

[breezyhillfarm]

Originally Posted by Harkerr

I find the biggest issue with a big rig is getting it stopped especially on a down grade. Practice and getting know your stopping distance



You are also taller. Know your height.

In a previous thread on height, a highway engineer said that when they resurface a road they may add 1" to the surface but not change the clearance signs accordingly. Give yourself some buffer.


2014 XLR27HFS
2006 Ford F450 Diesel Dually
2015 Harley Freewheeler Trike (Tara)
2004 Harley Road King Custom (Gemma)

[Kenny kustom]

Speaking of height...
Specs say I'm at 4m.
When I leave this cg tomorrow, I must pass under a bridge to get back on the highway.

It is 4.1m.....


2008 F350 CCSB V10
2016 Sabre 36QBOK

[breezyhillfarm]

"Farewell and adieu to you fair Spanish ladies. Farewell and adieu you ladies of Spain." 😀

Seriously, be wary.


2014 XLR27HFS
2006 Ford F450 Diesel Dually
2015 Harley Freewheeler Trike (Tara)
2004 Harley Road King Custom (Gemma)