Are fifth wheels easier to tow than travel trailers?
Never towed a fifth wheel, so I was wondering if folks could lend some opinions.
Forum Discussion
I've never seen any difference towing wise to where it is a consideration at all for me when buying, other than total length of combination maybe. I've towed trailers since way back when you had a custom hitch on the back of the biggest sedan you could find, then later on using what passed for a truck and never had sway issues on anything I had set up, even when towing double with bumper pulls. I have personally witnessed rigs that were set up wrong and had no business being on the road in my opinion so it does happen. Traffic and crosswinds are the only issue I've ever had on the road that may things exciting, and the size of the rig in more a factor with the winds in my experience than the type of rig.
For slow speed maneuvering I'll take a bumper pull any day, especially for backing up. You have quicker response and more flexibility for maneuver vs the more slumbering gentle lumbering response of a 5er.
For hooking up, with the back up cameras available now, either one is pretty simple. With my last TT I had a remote tongue jack so I would back under the hitch, lower onto the ball as I got out truck so I just latched and pinned when I made it to the back of the truck, hooked up two chain clips and inserted umbilical. The equalizer weight bars added maybe two minutes to pry into place and pin (You could also unload with the tongue jack if desired) and you're ready to roll. With the fiver (Andersen ball hitch), if I'm coming in straight I drop tail gate, back up to hitch, walk to back of truck push landing gear button until retracted. Push and twist remote cable to lock hitch pin, hook up two chains and umbilical, raise tailgate. Slightly easier than TT, but not significantly. With the 5er I'm not coming in straight to hook up I need someone to keep the tailgate from hitting the front of the 5er.
In the end, my suggestion is to go with whichever makes the wife happiest and you'll have great adventures on the road.
For slow speed maneuvering I'll take a bumper pull any day, especially for backing up. You have quicker response and more flexibility for maneuver vs the more slumbering gentle lumbering response of a 5er.
For hooking up, with the back up cameras available now, either one is pretty simple. With my last TT I had a remote tongue jack so I would back under the hitch, lower onto the ball as I got out truck so I just latched and pinned when I made it to the back of the truck, hooked up two chain clips and inserted umbilical. The equalizer weight bars added maybe two minutes to pry into place and pin (You could also unload with the tongue jack if desired) and you're ready to roll. With the fiver (Andersen ball hitch), if I'm coming in straight I drop tail gate, back up to hitch, walk to back of truck push landing gear button until retracted. Push and twist remote cable to lock hitch pin, hook up two chains and umbilical, raise tailgate. Slightly easier than TT, but not significantly. With the 5er I'm not coming in straight to hook up I need someone to keep the tailgate from hitting the front of the 5er.
In the end, my suggestion is to go with whichever makes the wife happiest and you'll have great adventures on the road.
