Good reasons NOT to go with 5er over TT....

DutchmenSport wrote:
My argument has always been, what do you use your truck bed for when NOT towing? If you have a TT, it's fairly simple to remove the receiver hitch and the bed of the truck is always free. If you have a 5er, it can be challenging, or next to impossible to remove the 5er hitch from the bed of the truck, depending upon the equipment you have available, how strong you are, if you need help removing it, and where you store it to free up the truck bed.

I think this is really THE ultimate decision in your choice of TT over 5er. If the bed of the truck is not important when NOT towing, then a 5er is the way to go. If the bed IS important and you need it on a daily basis then a TT is the way to go.

Personally, I need the bed of my truck and I carry a construction style shell on it with built in tool boxes that I use for multiple reasons, which sill leave the actual bed of the truck free. Its a perfect arrangement for camping for us.

So you really need to think outside the "box".... literally ... the bed of your truck ... which is a "box". How do you plan on using it when NOT towing.

Eeeeeh...
I dont really get this argument. With the Andersen its consists of loosening a couple bolts, pulling a pin, and removing the light weight hitch. Honestly no harder than dealing with WD bars

Come up with something better...

Couple in the next spot were "trying" to hitch up their TT, DW "a little left, no right, yes straight back wow, stop to far"! DH out of the truck, looks at the situation, shakes his head, gets back in the TV pulls forward, repeat as necessary! I now remember hooking up to my boat years ago! This is just one of the many advantages of a 5th wheel.

Cummins12V98 wrote:


A TT would have been a breeze to back in with the same conditions because of the fact when you turn the truck the TT turns. 5er is MUCH slower to respond.

The overall length of my boat on its trailer is 37' My fifth wheel is 34'

I can put my boat next to the house in literally 30 seconds. My fifth wheel takes 15 minutes. Its either making 237 little maneuvers to get the fifth wheel in place,or backing in part way, and unhitch/rehitch to finish getting it in place.

I keep the fifth wheel at my dad's house...lol

goducks10 wrote:
5er is easier to type than TT. Don't need to hit the shift key. 5er is grouped in one little spot. That's why we got a 5er.

Now THAT is definitely the best argument for a 5er I've ever heard! That settles it! :B

5er is easier to type than TT. Don't need to hit the shift key. 5er is grouped in one little spot. That's why we got a 5er.

DutchmenSport wrote:

And when you are young, if you punish your knees, like running and steps and step climbing, you are not doing your future any good. In fact, your knees and hips will be damaged in the future. You think just because you are young you are invincible. Guess what? Your not, and once your health is gone, there's no getting it back. Avoid steps when you're young and you'll be able to walk without pain in your older life. I know, I've been there and done that! Once health is gone, it's gone forever! Protect it when you still have it!

This is somewhat of an aside but running with proper form is good for your knees and joints, not bad for them. It improves bone density and runners have lower rates of arthritis and other issues later in life, not to mention the benefits that come with regular cardio exercise. I've spent quite a bit of time researching this as I'm approaching 40 and run close to 30 miles a week.

As far as the topic at hand, to me the big advantage of a TT is you have an open bed. Being lower to the ground is an advantage and a disadvantage so that cuts both ways - fewer steps and less concern about hitting branches/etc., but also more concern about dragging sensitive components on rough roads.

The two big advantages of a fifth wheel are better towing characteristics and a shorter overall package because the trailer overlaps the truck.

I don't see myself ever going to a TT.

Cummins12V98 wrote:
...What is it with people having an issue with steps inside a RV?

When you are young and in good health, you don't give a moment's thoughts to some of the simplest things, like steps. Even a simple roadside curb, dips, impressions in the ground. You don't think a thing about climbing, standing on ladders, even climbing trees.

When you get older, or if you've had health issues, bad knees, bad ankles, bad hips make simple walking a real challenge, not to mention lifting the body up onto a step, or into a slight depression. The pain can be excruciating!

Arthritis in the hip and knee and ankle joints can be as painful as someone taking an ice pick and jabbing into your joints, let alone attempting to lift the body with those bad joints.

Especially when folks get older, have to use walkers, canes, get hip and knee replacements ... life is just not fun and care free any more. EVERY SINGLE STEP is painful, and steps are MOUNTAINS to overcome. You say, just go get surgery! It's not that simple. The aftermath of surgery can cause more pain in the long run than the original problem.

THIS is the reason steps in any kind of a trailer is a monumental obstacle and why so many do all they can to eliminate steps.

Here's a simple test you can try. Take your shoe off one foot and you cannot put it on the ground. You take your shoe off so you will feel the ground immediately if you use that foot. Now, with one leg, how comfortable can you maneuver back and forth, up and down, in and out of a 5er? For those with joint problems and surgeries and arthritic pain, that's what we have to over come.

Edit!

And when you are young, if you punish your knees, like running and steps and step climbing, you are not doing your future any good. In fact, your knees and hips will be damaged in the future. You think just because you are young you are invincible. Guess what? Your not, and once your health is gone, there's no getting it back. Avoid steps when you're young and you'll be able to walk without pain in your older life. I know, I've been there and done that! Once health is gone, it's gone forever! Protect it when you still have it!

I had a TT and now own a 5er. For the difference is manuervabilty and smoother ride.

I pulled both with the same truck 2500 HD Silverado. The TT was a bit more bumpier. I used a Reese dual cam anti-sway mechanism. Still felt movement when trucks passed. That was a feeling I could not get used to.

The 5er has no sway what so ever, and is less bumpier when the roads are not smooth.

Most defiantly the TT is less $$ for same size and similar module.

Maybe I'm missing something, but I don't understand a lot of folks issues with steps in a 5er. Unless of course you have mobility issues. While we don't have one yet, we have looked at several, and honestly I didn't even think about the steps being a problem and I'm no kid at 63 years old. I have to admit, they seemed to bother my wife though. She kept saying, "when we get older". Well, if I'm that bad off I can't walk up 2 or 3 steps, I will probably stay home.

Cummins12V98 wrote:
There IS a reason they call it "stepping up" or "upgrading to" a fifth wheel!

There is ONLY one thing that a TT has going for it is they backup much easier.

"One Thing"? You forgot about cost, weight, and steps. Guess that makes at least 4 things. But after all is said and done, I suspect the OP got the answer he was looking for, based upon that fact that he posted on a 5th wheel forum.