Never towed a fifth wheel, so I was wondering if folks could lend some opinions.

I have never towed a TT so can't make a comparison for you. However, when you tow a FW, you don't have to hook up anti-sway and weight-equalizing stuff and there is, I believe, much less chance the FW will "sway" while driving down the road. A friend of mine said hitching up and un-hitching was infinitely easier with his FW than his prior TT. It might be a bit easier to back a TT than a FW due to the turning characteristics, but I think the difference is minimal. In our case, we generally tow a boat behind our FW, which would be problematic behind a TT. So, we don't have to take a second vehicle to tow the boat with our FW.

Done both. The fiver is a breeze to back up. Pulling you do not have that tell tale sway. Easy to hook up and unhook. You also have more inside room and storage. Outside storage is also increased.

I've had both over the years. I'm currently in a TT but am looking at going back to a 5th and the towing experience is definitely one reason. Just the physics of where the weight is carried is much better with a 5th wheel vs. a TT. Concentrating the load over the rear axle is MUCH better than letting it dangle from the bumper. Now, with all the modern anti-sway and hitches towing a TT is pretty comfortable as well in most cases. Hitching both has pros/cons. Once the 5th hitch is in your truck it's much easier (if you can just leave it in your truck all the better) but moving that anvil in and out can be a pain. Hooking up the TT is a bit more work with the weight-distributing-hitch and anti-sway equipment but really is no more than 5 minutes once you have it down. Backing I couldn't really say one is easier or harder. They're definitely different due to the hinge point being more forward on the 5th but you get the hang of it, it's super quick.... like the first time you do it :)

I haven't pulled a TT in many years but let me put it this way: The first time an 18 wheeler passes you, you'll know why we love our 5'ers.

Different strokes for different folks. A 5er backs and pulls differently than a travel trailer. But at the end of the day, a er is not as prone to wind and passing trucks nearly as much as a TT.But due to the higher pin weight for a 5er when compared to the tongue weight for a TT, you will generally require a truck with a higher GVWR to carry the higher pin weight.Ken

Are fifth wheels easier to tow than travel trailers?

38 Replies

Buck50HD
Explorer
Nov 12, 2015
After having multiple different setups, we will never go back to a TT. Maybe back to a heavy duty 1/2 ton, but not a TT.

Started with a GM 1/2 ton and 26' TT, terrible. Twitching constantly, always correcting, cringe at the sight of big bumps or dips in the road.

Bought an F150 HD payload, much better but still slight twitch in our open country in the wind.

Finally, 32' 9klb 5th wheel and it was like a dream. Towed like it was on rails. The only movement is in very strong wind but the whole rig moves the same direction. No pivoting or correcting. Much better manners on bumps, stays level.
Me_Again
Explorer III
Nov 12, 2015
jerem0621 wrote:
RustyJC wrote:
jerem0621 wrote:
My dad has an 03 Cummins Ram 2500 "he didn't want no dually" and he pulled a 14k fifth wheel.

He called me once and told me that he hated how much the trailer moves the truck around while pulling...

When it comes to towing heavy trailers, sometimes it's not about "what you WANT" but rather what you NEED.

Rusty

I 100% agree...my dad was grossly overloaded with his 8,800 ish GVW truck. But he "didn't want no dually"

Thanks!

Jeremiah

I believe the GVWR was 9000 and it weighed around 7400 lbs. 14K 5th wheel with 2,600-2,800 pounds pin weight put him 1000-1300 over weight. RGAWR was 6K and he was pushing that or over.

Have have always been amazed at the rigs that show up in Arizona year after year like your fathers without issues!

RAM in particular is separating the 2500 and 3500 SRW farther apart with completely difference rear suspensions.

Chris
justme
Explorer
Nov 12, 2015
I pull a 16K 5th wheel with a 2012 F350 SRW and it pulls very well with no sway. Travel trailers do allow a lot swaying especially with side winds. FW and goosenecks offer much more stability. However backing a 5th wheel requires more experience than a travel trailer. In the 60's when I was a prime mover driver in an artillery outfit pulling 155 howitzers I could back into firing position in a matter of minutes. But I don't think I could if it was a 5th wheel set up. 5th wheel backing is slow to react in comparison-- that is why it takes more practice practice and practice to get it right.
jerem0621
Explorer II
Nov 12, 2015
RustyJC wrote:
jerem0621 wrote:
My dad has an 03 Cummins Ram 2500 "he didn't want no dually" and he pulled a 14k fifth wheel.

He called me once and told me that he hated how much the trailer moves the truck around while pulling...

When it comes to towing heavy trailers, sometimes it's not about "what you WANT" but rather what you NEED.

Rusty

I 100% agree...my dad was grossly overloaded with his 8,800 ish GVW truck. But he "didn't want no dually"

Thanks!

Jeremiah
RustyJC
Explorer
Nov 12, 2015
jerem0621 wrote:
My dad has an 03 Cummins Ram 2500 "he didn't want no dually" and he pulled a 14k fifth wheel.

He called me once and told me that he hated how much the trailer moves the truck around while pulling...

When it comes to towing heavy trailers, sometimes it's not about "what you WANT" but rather what you NEED.

Rusty
Me_Again
Explorer III
Nov 12, 2015
jerem0621 wrote:

My dad has an 03 Cummins Ram 2500 "he didn't want no dually" and he pulled a 14k fifth wheel.

Jeremiah

Your dad was overloaded on a 03 2500 and a 14K fifth wheel. Should have had a v8, oh I mean a 3500 with overload springs. A set of air bags would have helped his set up. Lack of factory exhaust brake was also a short coming of 2nd and early 3rd gen RAMs. Chris
RustyJC
Explorer
Nov 12, 2015
I've been towing 5th wheels since 1996. During that time, I've faced emergency lane changes, 40+ MPH crosswinds, emergency braking and just about anything else you could think of on the highway. Even during the most severe conditions, the 5th wheels have been dead stable, never even attempting to sway or to push around the dually towing them.

Rusty
Lantley
Nomad
Nov 12, 2015
In general a fiver tows better right out of the box.
However a TT can be set up to tow just as well as a fiver but it may require some adjustments to get that premium tow.
My prior 36' TT with a Hensley hitch towed just as well as my current fiver.
bid_time
Nomad II
Nov 12, 2015
late bloomer wrote:
bid_time wrote:
As you asked this question on the 5er forum, I presume you didn't want any objective responses (especially negative). So I won't give any.

Thanks for your help. I posted a question about fifth wheels in the "fifth wheel" sub forum. I guess I should have asked in the pop-up camper section? Geez...
Sarcasm duly noted!
Should you have asked the question in a different forum? That depends on whether you were looking for objectivity or affirmation. And notice, you didn't ask broadly about the pros and cons of each, you asked about one very specific narrow aspect.

I think you got exactly what you were looking for.

The truthful answer to your question is (with all the bluster aside), if they both are set up correctly, they both will tow just fine.
Parrothead_Mike
Explorer
Nov 12, 2015
I used to get sucked up by semi-trucks on the highway with my old TT. First time on the highway with my former 5ver I didn't notice the big trucks. Even cross winds feel better in a 5ver. My 5ver is a high profile so driving into the wind sucks the fuel, but I'll stay with the 5ver.