Fifth Wheel or TT?

Speaking from experience in towing both fifth-wheels and travel trailers, I would much rather tow a fifth- wheel. I also found them much easier to hook up.

I would go 5th wheel for this.

A properly set up TT will tow fine. We've owned both and currently have a TT to match our current needs. Had it in 40-50mph winds out in Wyoming and while we got off the road as soon as possible, it handled as well as our 5ers but this assumes properly set up hitch and loading in the trailer. With a 5er, it's pretty much good by design unless you really get silly.

The bigger issue is for longer trips, you likely want a big RV. One of the big downsides is for the same length RV, the living space is much smaller in a toy hauler.
- Not a huge issue if you are stationary and have the toy unloaded, as you can use the garage as a work room/office.
- If you are on the move frequently, it will quickly become a pain unloading at every stop and not every park will have space or even allow the toy.

With that said, make sure the truck and trailer are compatible. Particularly for a 5th wheel, payload (not towing capacity) is often the limiting factor. Assuming 25% of the trailer GVWR is in the bed of the truck. So a 16,000lb trailer will have 4,000lb on the rear axle. Add in people and anything else in the truck and good chance you are looking at a diesel dually to get enough payload.

With a travel trailer, you should conservatively assume 15% sits on the ball of the hitch.

Keep in mind if you travel without the toy, your pin/hitch weight will tend to be higher as the toy sits behind the trailer axles and reduces the payload on the truck.

Usually once you get really big, your choices for a TT toy hauler get limited pretty quickly.

If the golf cart will fit in the truck, I would get a travel trailer rather than leave my toys home.
I pull one for the very reason that I need to haul stuff in the back of my truck. TT towing with a good quality hitch is perfectly comfortable and it's my experience that they are easier to maneuver during backing.

LadyRVer wrote:
Speaking from experience in towing both fifth-wheels and travel trailers, I would much rather tow a fifth- wheel. I also found them much easier to hook up.

Agree 100%. 5th. wheels are much more stable when driving down the road. Winds and big 8 wheel trucks have minimum effect on 5th wheel trailers.

I've had both also. I prefer a 5th wheel over a TT, toyhauler or not. A 30' 5th whell wil be 45' (with truck) long. A 30 TT will be 55' long (with truck). The ONLY thing I do not like about 5th wheels is the front bedroom height. But, if you're getting a toyhauler, that may not matter.

Motorhome, tow the toys

Tom/Barb wrote:
Motorhome, tow the toys

Yeah but then you don't have a street legal vehicle (at least in most places).

Make sure you have a big enough truck to tow your trailer.

valhalla360 wrote:

Tom/Barb wrote:
Motorhome, tow the toys

Yeah but then you don't have a street legal vehicle (at least in most places).

You could drive the Motorhome, tow a pick up, with golf cart in bed.

These are terrific and thoughtful insights.

Are there any significant differences inside a TT or FW in the toy / garage area? Space? Electronics? Ramp door? What should we take into consideration for the garage area or is basically the same in a TT or FW?