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"......
