Are fifth wheels easier to tow than travel trailers?

Yes... My current 31ft 12Klb 5er tows better than my previous 21ft bumper pull 8Klb and I get about the same mileage.

Only downside towing I have found with the fiver is you have to watch your height clearance. I have already had run-ins with a couple of trees.

Asking the question on the FW forum is likely to get many pro FW answers. My opinion, and to answer the OPs actual question, yes, a FW is easier to tow.

Like others mentioned, there are pros/cons, concerning towing, hookup, backing, and various other things, that come into play, with the total experience.

All things considered, I prefer the FW experience, after having several of each.

Jerry

I've towed both. I would say 5vers are easier to hook up. Sway? Every high profile vehicles sway. You don't feel the sway as much, if at all, with a 5ver. That doesn't mean they don't sway. If they didn't sway youldn't have to tie down things. I would say if you took a first time RVer they would get in less trouble with a 5ver. Probably because more weight is on the PU. A TT having less weight on the tow vehicle could get in trouble easier with weight and balance problems. The back wheels of a 5ver cut the corner a little tighter. Backing is just getting used to whatever you are towing. If I was going to a towed vehicle again it would be a 5ver over a TT but also being aware it sways and gives you the illusion that it is not moving around. My 5ver hitch rotated foward and backward. Also side to side. If I were to go to a 5ver again I would purchase the highest weight rating hitch I could find. I would not buy a cheapo hitch. JMHO.

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

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.

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 :)

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 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.