1/2 ton Eagle HT 5th

jalichty wrote:
The published weights for the HT FWs on Jayco's site are a little light compared to the sticker on the same FW when it gets to town. The weight on our HT 26.5 RLS was listed as 6,650 dry but the yellow sticker says about 7,200, thereby lowering the carrying capacity of the HT by about 550 pounds. Not a bit deal as I don't think I would ever put over 3,000 pounds of "stuff" in the FW when we travel.

Ours also. 8350 is on the yellow sticker.

The published weights for the HT FWs on Jayco's site are a little light compared to the sticker on the same FW when it gets to town. The weight on our HT 26.5 RLS was listed as 6,650 dry but the yellow sticker says about 7,200, thereby lowering the carrying capacity of the HT by about 550 pounds. Not a bit deal as I don't think I would ever put over 3,000 pounds of "stuff" in the FW when we travel.

This is from a passenger point of view. We have always owned TT three different sizes from a 26ft to 33ft. We have always pulled with an F350 with good sway control hitch setups factory installed. As a passenger I often became nauseous on longer trips of 2 hours or more, almost every time. Last fall my BIL became ill at the end of camping season and asked us to bring home his 5ver for him as he parks it in a seasonal lot (4 hour trip). He owns the identical truck just a different color (same year). I never got sick, I wasn't constantly grabbing the arm rest, and I even watch a little bit of movie, and did some reading. None of this I could do while we were traveling with our TT. This is why this year we traded the TT and bought a new Montana Mountaineer 310RET. I know I will enjoy the trips much more, and no more motion sickness.

I have to chime in with the others. We have had a bumper pull horse trailer and 4 TT. Since then we went to a 5er and are now on the second 5er. About the only way I would go back to a TT is if I was not physically able to do all the steps and would need something on a single level. Good Luck in your choice and which ever enjoy the time camping.

We just picked up our new 5th wheel (see signature). I have only towed it 3 hours home but it did feel a lot safer and less strain on my truck. Truck mpg were about the same. The hitch on the rear will enable me to use a cargo carrier to put all the waste lines in a storage bin. The larger front storage makes up for the loss in my truck bed. Glad we switched. Go for it.

I've been looking at that series also. They appear to be constructed the same as their full size fivers, just a little smaller. I think that's Jayco's only line that offers an OEM hitch option for double towing too. If I go with with a fifth wheel, those are very near the top of my list.

Wow, great info. Thanks

donn0128 wrote:
Yes there is a difference.
TT slower turning when backing, truck bed open for cargo, lower weight on the TV.
Fifth wheel, faster turning, tracks better due to higher pin/hitch weight, loss of useful truck bed.

There are more, but thats the big ones.
BTW if your looking at "dry or shipping weights" forget them. They mean little. Neither of those numbers factor in, water, propane, food,clothes, or any other personal gear you might add in. Instead make your calculations on worst case, IE trailers GVWR numbers.

I looked at a couple HT's just over a week ago. Their weight stickers in the coaches specifically stated that the declared weights on the yellow sticker INCLUDED full fresh water, 1 battery and full propane. I had not seen this before, so found it very interesting.

Lyle

I won't say I will never go back to a TT, but in the right situation maybe. About a 10% chance I would. We had two TT's before our current 5er. The 5er is somewhat easier to hitch and unhitch. I don't have self leveling so it's the same for leveling between the two. The nice thing about a 5er is that when doing your CG setup you don't have to constantly climb over the tongue or if that's hard to do, then walk around the TT or truck to get to the other side before unhitching.

Better front storage on a 5er. I have 90% of all the stuff we put in the trucks bed in the front of the 5er. With a TT and if you have a cap on the truck then you have to climb inside to get everything out. If you don't have a cap then everything is out in the open. Not fun if you're stopping somewhere on a long trip to get a bite to eat at a restaurant. Also outta site outta mind when stored in the 5er.

Taller ceilings in the 5er gives a more open bigger feeling. More upper cabinet storage. But more to heat as well as heat rises. Which can also make the upper bedroom hotter than the downstairs area.

Towing is not even close. some TT owners will say their TT tows just fine. I'm sure it seems fine, but anyone that tows a 5er will tell you the difference between the two. Zero push pull, no spring bars to fiddle with for setup. It's just as comfortable towing the 5er as it is driving with out it.

Biggest draw back when towing is that the 5er will cut the corner about 1' closer than a TT. I have to be extra careful when going around sharper corners. Backing in is a little different too. You can't cut back in your turn as fast with the 5er. Just takes getting used to. Both of those 100% outweigh the overall tow experience.

With all that said they're lots of TT's that are well balanced with great floor plans that offer nice amenities that cost less than a 5er. I can get a super nice TT for less than a comparable sized 5er.
I just don't think I'd want to deal with one again. Maybe in a few years, who knows?

I never considered a TT for an RV after hauling a TT horse trailer!
5er's tow better, you really need to have a VERY bad setup to get sway. They are naturally more stable, and sway resistant, the trailer has no leverage on the rear axle.