Are fifth wheels easier to tow than travel trailers?

Allworth wrote:
I have to ask::: What two chains do you hook up on your fiver?

Assuming this is directed at me being only one mentioning chains on a 5er.

I'm using a 2015 Ram 3500 with factory 5er gooseneck setup. On the factory ball mount I'm using an Andersen ultimate hitch which attaches to the gooseneck ball in the bed and raises the ball up to the same height of a 5th wheel hitch. You then have a ball adapter that attaches to the kingpin on the trailer. Unlike a gooseneck adapter, this doesn't add a lever affect to the 5er with the subsequent risk of frame damage. It does hook up very solid with no slop, and no noise. Being a ball hitch I'm using a set of safety chains, which although not required in the state I'm in, are in some states, and in others they don't know whether to class this a gooseneck hitch or what. Chains are easy to clip on so I just use them and not worry about whether I need to or not. Many of the folks I know in my area are switching to this hitch due to it's lightness and ease of installation/removal as well as it's simplicity. If you like to use the bed of your truck when not towing it's the way to go.

One problem with towing a 5er is you can't put much stuff in the back of the truck!
When towing a TT you can load a lot of stuff in the truck!
Good Luck & Drive Safe!

I have to ask::: What two chains do you hook up on your fiver?

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.

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.

Other than the normal better towing characteristics I really like fact that I can walk between the 5th wheel and truck when hitched. I always hated trying to step over the coupler of a TT if I needed to get to the other side. If you don't have 4-6pt leveling on your 5th then it's likely you'll be doing some back and forth walking around while leveling and unhitching.
With a 5th you can cram the truck right under the over hang if needed for a short spot but still be able to walk between.
That and it's IMO easier and less cumbersome to hitch and unhitch. No sway bars or chains. You do have to hookup the safety line for brakes but it's way easier than cranking sway bar chains.

Absolutely, but you need more truck.

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

A FW (or GN) is inherently more stable since there's less leverage for it to move the truck around, as with a TT. I've towed all 3 and my preference is #1 FW, #2 GN and #3 trailer. Never had a truck camper so can't speak to that. A FW is much easier to hitch and no messing around with weight distributing hitches.

Yes, most FWs are taller than most TTs, but there are still tall TTs, especially toy haulers, so that's a wash, IMO. If you're tall, you have to watch UP as well as side-to-side.

Yes, FWs and TTs back differently; you just have to learn a new skill. Not that hard.

Having towed all kinds of trailers and a fairly heavy GN, when we were looking I knew from jump that I wanted a FW, and nothing else.

Lyle

I also thank everyone on this information.

if I had it to do over.. I might look into a 5er...but.
I carry large motorcycle.. so bike is in bed of truck and TT behind...

so to redue.. a 5er toy box .. 40 foot... F 250 would have to go also.

but the F 250 and 30 foot trailer is much easier to pull then Ram1500 and 21 footer.

Trees are can be an issue! I have had four bumper pulls up to 26'. Hated the sway even with strong anti sway bars! Backing up is a bit more difficult. I now pull a 35' 5er and it is a night and day improvement!