We've been looking at the Sunset Trail 32rl TT and like it a lot. Then, we saw the FW Cruiser 305sk. We had not been thinking of a FW, but the asking price is only $4500 more than the TT. We are going to buy a F250 Diesel. Do you think we should go for the 5th wheel and if so, why? We like the outdoor kitchen and long sofa in the TT but others have suggested that the FW is so much easier to tow and we love the ceiling height and windows. We are still working so this will be for weekends and occasional week long trips. We'd like to be able to have room for another couple to stay with us. If you have another FW to recommend let me know. We'd like to stay under $40,000. We've never owned a trailer before but have used a family member's TT.

If you decide to go with the 5th wheel get a 1 ton pickup, not the F250 you are considering. The 5th wheel you are looking at will have well over 2000 lbs. of pin weight when trip ready loaded.Good luck with your decision...and welcome to the Forum.

bradswife wrote:We've been looking at the Sunset Trail 32rl TT and like it a lot. Then, we saw the FW Cruiser 305sk. We had not been thinking of a FW, but the asking price is only $4500 more than the TT. We are going to buy a F250 Diesel. Do you think we should go for the 5th wheel and if so, why? We like the outdoor kitchen and long sofa in the TT but others have suggested that the FW is so much easier to tow and we love the ceiling height and windows. We are still working so this will be for weekends and occasional week long trips. We'd like to be able to have room for another couple to stay with us. If you have another FW to recommend let me know. We'd like to stay under $40,000. We've never owned a trailer before but have used a family member's TT.I would recommend a 5th wheel, having owned both, but again, it'll be up to you to do the research for a floor plan that will work for you, as well as the budget you've set. you have a 3/4 ton diesel truck, so it appears, from what I could gather in a quick search, that you should have no problem towing either with your truck, (just took a quick look). BUT, I don't know what year F250 you have and what it's GVWR, GCWR and RAWR are...this comes in handy depending on the pin weight of your 5er. (ie, 20% of 5er's GVWR).The 5er will offer you more storage space than the TT....To me, the 5er is easier to handle, but some feel the TT is easier to "back up".....If you want to sleep another couple, I'd look at floor plan for comfort and privacy...Again, just have to look at the floorplans and if you pick one with slides, try to find one that you can access everything when all the slides are in. (example: my 5er has 4 slides, with all slides in, I can still watch TV, set in livingroom, use the stove, refrigerator, sink, access the bathroom , shower and sink and still get into the bed....very convenient)As you can see, I'm more "pro" for a 5th wheel, but you posted in a 5th wheel forum, "most", not all may recommend a 5er...If you posted this in the TT forum, most would probably recommend a TT....Bottom line, make sure you know the units GVW, don't use and "empty' or "dry weight"...no one tows like that...IF you opt for a 5er, take approx. 20% of the 5er's GVW and that'll give you a "ballpark" of what the "real world" pin weight might be that you'll put in the bed of your truck....also, the weight of a 5th wheel hitch could go 200#.....Hope this helped some...pick a unit you can live with and your budget can swing and still provide you with what you NEED...also toss in one more variable, "WHAT IF, we go camping with another couple and the week/weekend is a wash out?".....make sure you have enough camper to "make it work"......

When in doubt flip a coin. If you like the results of the coin flip go for it.

Dick_B wrote:When in doubt flip a coin. If you like the results of the coin flip go for it.Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't...2 out of 3, 3 out of 5, 4 out of 7:B

Brads wife,I sent you a PM. Good luck

5th wheel or TT? | Good Sam Community

WoodGlue
Explorer
Sep 11, 2013
downtheroad wrote:
If you decide to go with the 5th wheel get a 1 ton pickup, not the F250 you are considering. The 5th wheel you are looking at will have well over 2000 lbs. of pin weight when trip ready loaded.

X2 on this!

You can almost never have too much tow vehicle!

WoodGlue
newk
Explorer
Sep 11, 2013
bradswife wrote:
Thank you all SO much for your help. There is so much to learn! Now I have another question and maybe I need to ask it on a different thread, but...we found a 2012 F250, 6.7L Power Stroke 4V Diesel V8, 3.55 electronic axle, FX4. It has been lifted, I'm not sure how many inches but I can get in by stepping on the sidestep. Is this a good thing or a bad thing for a FW or TT?

The crew cab tows 14,000 lbs in the F250 or F350, and 16,000 for a Fifth Wheel. In the specs it says payload is 3,290 lbs. We definitely do not want to go up to a Dually.

You'd want to "unlift" it. 4x4s are usually a little too high without any lifting done.

As for towing capacity, that works for TTs, but the limiting factor for 5ers is the payload, as they place much more weight on the pin.

The new (including 2012s) Fords and GMs will carry much more than the older ones, but I'm still with the majority in recommending a 1-ton. I bought an F250 years ago and have wished I'd gotten a 1-ton for the extra few hundred $$. I still have it, but we'd probably have a bigger 5er if the truck would handle it. Check the weights closely and you'll probably find that the 2012 F250 will be fine, but you won't be able to trade for a larger 5er in the future.

And I would definitely choose the 5er over the TT.
shadows4
Explorer III
Sep 11, 2013
I would take the FW over the TT especially if the difference is only $1500. You might need to have the FW raised if the truck sits to high. Might try to have that included in the price of the FW. Good luck, John
bradswife
Explorer
Sep 11, 2013
I think it is just leveled. It is 44" from the ground to the top of the wheel well and 57 1/2" from the ground to the top of the truck bed. Does that help clarify it?

Also, the salesman at the Crossroads dealership called me today and said that the 2013 FW model, 305sk, has been reduced even more. Now the FW and TT that we like are within about $1500 difference in asking price.
JohnBoyToo
Explorer
Sep 10, 2013
lifted is not something I would want pulling my 5er as it is almost nose high with stock suspension...
our 2012 fx4 f250 was overloaded since it only had the 10k gvwr -
it was marginal in total weight and slightly over in rear axle weight.

while it towed our 13,200 lb 5er fine and stopped fine,
please consider going to at least the 350 with a rear sway bar and 11.5k gvwr...

not the weight police here, but made that mistake so trying to save you time and money :) good luck
goducks10
Explorer
Sep 10, 2013
Is it lifted or just leveled?
bradswife
Explorer
Sep 10, 2013
Thank you all SO much for your help. There is so much to learn! Now I have another question and maybe I need to ask it on a different thread, but...we found a 2012 F250, 6.7L Power Stroke 4V Diesel V8, 3.55 electronic axle, FX4. It has been lifted, I'm not sure how many inches but I can get in by stepping on the sidestep. Is this a good thing or a bad thing for a FW or TT?

The crew cab tows 14,000 lbs in the F250 or F350, and 16,000 for a Fifth Wheel. In the specs it says payload is 3,290 lbs. We definitely do not want to go up to a Dually.
time2roll
Nomad
Sep 09, 2013
+1 for F350 srw vs F250. Especially with a diesel.
losmt21
Explorer
Sep 09, 2013
If your looking at fifthwheels and you have a 3/4 truck. There are a few Fifthwheels out there you can tow without any modifications. I had to look and look but found one that I really like and I have a 2012 f250 diesel and it tows great. I would keep it around 12,000lbs total weight. I located one its 9700 lbs dry and just over 12,000 ;bs total. This is a 2014 Montana High Country and its 37 feet long with good build Quality. Its worth putting in the extra time to make sure your happy with your purchase.
Seamutt
Explorer
Sep 09, 2013
DW has knee issues so we like the flat floor and a TT is generally lower. We have looked at MH's and larger TT but will stay with what we have. Been on the road upto 3 months at a time with our present set up, no issues. Would like a decent shower but not spending the extra money taxes etc. for the upgrade.

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