Forum Discussion

teraandjim's avatar
teraandjim
Explorer
Mar 05, 2016

Shifting gears...Need a little insite and help?

Hello Everyone,

First a little back ground. We have a family of four, two kids (8 and 6) and they are now of the age where camping is really exciting to them. We have been holding off on buying a new truck and camper till the kids could appreciate it more and we could save up more money.

My wife and I have finally got enough money together to purchase a new truck and trailer, or so we thought. I have only ever owned trailers, I have owned several pop-ups and a 30' travel trailer that we used frequently through out the 1980 and 1990. My wife and I had our hearts set on one of two travel trailers. One, a Starcraft Autumn Ridge 289BHS or two, Jayco Jay Flight 28 BHBE. We have had the opportunity to see the Jayco and not the Starcraft. while looking at the shows in Michigan and seeing the Jayco's, we began talking with seasoned RV'ers and they were wondering why not look into the fifth wheels that have the same configuration. My question was why? Their answers was safety and more pleasurable towing experience. So we shifted gears a bit, we found a Fifth wheel that fit our criteria. Alum. sides and bunks in the back and found the Starcraft 26 BHS fifth wheel.

The truck has not changed:2016-7 GMC 2500 crew 4X4 6.0 6.5 ft box, but the rv has. Need a little insight as this setup and any experiences fifth wheel towing. Is it a more pleasurable experience? is it safer, I plan to use a Pullrite Superglide series hitch that is right for our truck and this Fifth wheel.

Having never owned, or even considered a fifth wheel any insight be great.

Thank you
Jim and Tera
  • teraandjim's avatar
    teraandjim
    Explorer
    Mar 05, 2016
    Thank you for all the comments.

    The Fifth wheel that we are looking at is light 1300 to 1500 pound tongue weight. So I feel the 2850 payload of the 2500 will be enough. The passenger payload is around 600 and the other stuff in the truck has been around 400-500 pounds putting me at around 2500 pounds of tongue weight, people and stuff. This is based off of my previous trips in the trailer.
    Appears to be a better set up, better hooking up and unhooking and the sway debate makes sense since the pivot point is in front of the rear wheels.

    Looks like a Fifth Wheel is going to be purchased this spring.

    Thanks,
    Jim and Tera
  • jmtandem's avatar
    jmtandem
    Explorer II
    Mar 05, 2016

    We had a 30' TT with weight distribution hitch, sway bars, everything to make it tow the best it could. The 5th is much better. For one thing, when you pass, or get passed by, a semi, the air wave hitting the TT makes it swerve. The 5th stays straight, because the pivot point is over the rear tires. Much better. And hitching and unhitching are way easier. I sure wouldn't want to go back to a TT.


    Many that prefer travel trailers over fifth wheels due to less steps, towing with a van, or having the entire truck bed for stuff will
    confirm that towing a TT with a premium hitch is in terms of sway and wiggle no different than towing a fifth wheel. Did you use a Hensley, ProPride or PullRite hitch?
  • SanMarMor's avatar
    SanMarMor
    Explorer
    Mar 05, 2016
    If going fifth wheel, and you haven't bought the truck, you might consider going 3500. It will open up a lot opportunities with a trailer, and probably won't cost a whole lot more. But if you're good with a smaller lighter trailers, a 2500 will probably work. Check the "actual" cargo capacity on the driver's door post. Subtract all the people, hitch and gear in the truck, and that's what your "loaded" pin weight can be on the trailer.

    We had a 30' TT with weight distribution hitch, sway bars, everything to make it tow the best it could. The 5th is much better. For one thing, when you pass, or get passed by, a semi, the air wave hitting the TT makes it swerve. The 5th stays straight, because the pivot point is over the rear tires. Much better. And hitching and unhitching are way easier. I sure wouldn't want to go back to a TT.
  • bbaker2001's avatar
    bbaker2001
    Explorer
    Mar 05, 2016
    payload, yes be careful
    this is why we went to 3500
    price not much difference, but in CA license is more
  • jmtandem's avatar
    jmtandem
    Explorer II
    Mar 05, 2016
    Hello Everyone,

    First a little back ground. We have a family of four, two kids (8 and 6) and they are now of the age where camping is really exciting to them. We have been holding off on buying a new truck and camper till the kids could appreciate it more and we could save up more money.

    My wife and I have finally got enough money together to purchase a new truck and trailer, or so we thought. I have only ever owned trailers, I have owned several pop-ups and a 30' travel trailer that we used frequently through out the 1980 and 1990. My wife and I had our hearts set on one of two travel trailers. One, a Starcraft Autumn Ridge 289BHS or two, Jayco Jay Flight 28 BHBE. We have had the opportunity to see the Jayco and not the Starcraft. while looking at the shows in Michigan and seeing the Jayco's, we began talking with seasoned RV'ers and they were wondering why not look into the fifth wheels that have the same configuration. My question was why? Their answers was safety and more pleasurable towing experience. So we shifted gears a bit, we found a Fifth wheel that fit our criteria. Alum. sides and bunks in the back and found the Starcraft 26 BHS fifth wheel.

    The truck has not changed:2016-7 GMC 2500 crew 4X4 6.0 6.5 ft box, but the rv has. Need a little insight as this setup and any experiences fifth wheel towing. Is it a more pleasurable experience? is it safer, I plan to use a Pullrite Superglide series hitch that is right for our truck and this Fifth wheel.

    Having never owned, or even considered a fifth wheel any insight be great.

    Thank you
    Jim and Tera


    There is nothing wrong with trying out a different type of RV. Life is an adventure. If you don't like it you can always go back to a travel trailer. Just be certain your truck has the payload for the pin weight. Most travel trailers use less of the truck's payload for the hitch and tongue as tongue weight rarely exceeds 15 percent of total trailer weight. Most fifth wheels have a pin weight of 20-25 percent plus the weight of the hitch. You can be near or at the payload of your truck depending on all the other things you carry in the truck and your people.
  • Lantley's avatar
    Lantley
    Nomad
    Mar 05, 2016
    A TT can tow just as well as a 5th wheel however a 5'er will tow better right out of the box. A TT will require a weight distribution hitch to connect trailer to truck. The WDH will require adjusting and can be a bit finicky. A 5'er places the weight of the trailer in the bed of the truck which provides a better platform vs. a TT which attaches to the rear of the truck.
    Because the truck carries more of the weight with a 5'er a bigger truck is usually required.
    Your current truck will tow most any TT. However you will have to be more concerned with pin weight if you go with a 5'er.
    There are fivers that your truck can accommodate however due to payload your selection will be more limited vs. TT's.
    You may need to do a bit of homework and research towing parameters. Become familiar with payload, tongue weight, pin weight,GVW,GCWR and tow rating.
    Take your time, do not trust dealers with matching truck to trailer,most just want to make a sale.
    Buying the wrong trailer or truck can be an expensive mistake. Unfortunately it happens all to often. You want to get it right the first time and avoid playing the upgrade game.
  • Dr_Quick's avatar
    Dr_Quick
    Explorer II
    Mar 05, 2016
    I am my 6th trailer and the last 5 have been 5th wheels. Would never consider any other kind. Like said, "easier to tow and hoop up".
    My only recommendation would be with the newer pickups and especially a 4X4, they sometimes set up higher. You will want to make sure that you have a minimum of 6" clearance between top of bed rails and underside of front of trailer overhang. Especial if you may consider an older used trailer.
  • is_it_friday_ye's avatar
    is_it_friday_ye
    Explorer
    Mar 05, 2016
    They do pull nice and are easy to hook up. The 5th wheels have tall ceilings. We've owned one 30' travel trailer and now we're on our second 5th wheel. You do lose most of your bed space if that's important to you. If you haul bikes, you have to put them inside the truck or get a good hitch welded to the rear of the trailer.

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