Is it easier to haul a mid vs full profile fifth wheel? We never owned one...not even a TT, so we feel intimidated about pulling period, so we want to buy one that would be the easiest for a beginner to deal with.

Mid profile. Means stooping to get into bedHigh profile means a stand up bedroomStand up bedroom, pricelessYou will quickly learn that any RV you tow is nothing more than a giant wind block. Meaning fuel economy will suffer. It will be worse with an inadequate or marginal truck.

Very true! My DH had to stoop in a mid to avoid hitting his head on the A/C. but, I think that there are some mids that were not quite as low. He is only 5' 9".

Actually I didn't last long at all just pulling a RESS8528 model fifth wheel.. Too much ware and tare on me and too many dollars to get it down the road. Then too much dollars for the rest of it haha...We pull our OFF-ROAD POPUP trailer anywhere we want now and my truck gas mileage is almost the same whether it is pull my popup or not...When I go from here to Gatlinburg TN SMOKY MTNS on one tank of truck gas it gets my attention haha... I pull right behind the big trailers at the next stop sign down the road...We have all the comforts we want just less move around room inside. This is great for for as it makes us enjoy the outside more in the things we like to do... Maintenance wise I have only replaced two tires since 2008...We have camped all over the East coast and south to the gulf and then as far West as West TEXAS and OKLA... Wouldn't have it any other way haha... Its all about choices I reckon...This is what we live for when camping...Have no desires whatsoever to blend in with one of these RV Travelers Camp Sites...Or even these nicer RESORTS with a few trees added and maybe a swimming pool...They all remind me of my truck stop days of the past...Color me an RV CAMPER hahaRoy Ken

Feeling intimidated is a good thing. It means you understand that it's not as simple as hooking up and heading down the road with no worries at all. A mid profile FW (like I own) can be intimidating to pull, and if you don't approach towing in a careful manner, you can be overwhelmed and get yourself into a lot of trouble. Typically, the smaller the trailer (TT) or fifth wheel (FW), the easier the job.First things first though. What ever you purchase, make sure that you properly match it to your tow vehicle (TV). Get an understanding of towing capacity, axle weight ratings, payload capacity, tire capacity, etc. before you think about purchasing a towable product. It is very unnerving to find out that you purchased a TT or FW that exceeds the capacity of your TV. If fact, it can be downright dangerous. If you don't understand every nuance of matching a TV to a towable product, do not proceed until you do.Once you have the properly matched TV and FW, it's time to get some training. Ideally, you can find a friend or relative who can take a trip with you while you learn the basics. Some dealerships even have training for new owners. Once you're hooked up, head to an empty parking lot and learn the subtleties of turning and backing up. In fact, I'd recommend putting out some traffic cones and learning how to maneuver through them. It's so easy to turn too quickly and hit a curb or gas pump if you haven't practiced.Finally, ask questions here and we'll try to help as much as we can. The learning curve is quick, and if you start out carefully and plan accordingly, it can be a real joy to join the RV world.Jim

So, is it about the same hauling a mid-profile or full-profile of the same length? Is length the crucial element here in terms of maneuverability? Does weight play a part, given the proper TV for the trailer?

Towing a mid-profile vs a full-profile 5er? | Good Sam Community

25 Replies

SailingOn
Explorer
Apr 22, 2016
1 - I've heard it is easier to back a longer wheelbase trailer; not more maneuverable, just easier to steer. I have no experience to judge that.
2 - If you're used to a bumper pull, be careful rounding corners: the FW will track inside the truck. I do have experience with this, unfortunately.
2 - When we moved from a 29' FW 11'2" high to a 31' FW 12'5" high and 1500# heavier, I thought we'd see MPG drop. In fact, the taller trailer gets about .5 MPG more, probably due to better streamlining of the front cap.
Lantley
Nomad
Apr 21, 2016
Arcamper wrote:
SabreCanuck wrote:

Curious why you wouldn't lower the 5th by adjusting the pin box? Picture appears you have a ton of room between 5th and truck rails.

Because it is sitting level and has never been a problem in the 5,000 miles we have pulled it in the last year. It's like I said before, anyone with these high profile trailers need to watch what they go under. Several of the campgrounds we have been to seem to care less about low branches and that does not mix well with a rubber roof. We have also seen some service station canopies with 13 foot clearance.

It's your dice and your dime, but if my rig were taller than 13'6" which is the federal standard. I would make some adjustments.
Frankly 5K miles is not a lot of miles in the grand scheme of things.
The risk is just not worth it. Hitting an overpass would be disastrous.
janegowest
Explorer
Apr 21, 2016
Travelnutz, your intelligence makes my head swim!! : )
travelnutz
Explorer II
Apr 21, 2016
The terms/words full profile, mid profile, and low profile are meaningless. It's the actual measurement in inches or feet and inches both inside and out that actually count. Includes the front bedroom. Varies greatly between manufacturers and models of 5th wheels/TT's etc. We have had both high and low profile 5th wheels and could stand straight up and still have a good amount of air over my head on all of them. I'm 5'11" without shoes and about 6' with shoes on and still have plenty of air over my bean in our lowest profile 5th wheel owned.

I know for a fact that the Jayco Eagle HT model rear kitchen 5th wheel called lower profile have more than 6' of height in the front bedroom as we have been in them and sure noticed it. 147" (12'3") total exterior height over the A/C. Not even near hitting my head! Perhaps their idea is the lower profile HT models are more like other's mid profile units. Much of it has to do with the roof line design and where the AC unit is placed.

The full profile Eagle 293RKDS rear kitchen we were in has only a couple inches more height in the front bedroom and it was 155" exterior height over the A/C and had a quite different roofline design. That's 8" more of exterior height but only a couple inches more height in the bedroom walk around areas. However, a big difference in RV front aerodynamics which transfers to higher MPG's pulling the better aerodynamic design HT model.

As an automotive engineer, retired, the rolling resistance is a given constant regardless of speed driven but the air resistance squares itself over and over as speed driven higher than near 50 MPH increases. Also the suction pulling backward that's created behind the flat ended RV rear squares itself also with increasing speeds. This is the major reason why more tow vehicle engine power is required to go faster and of course that takes more fuel to produce the required power. Aerodynamics and it's effects (air flow resistance properties) is ultra important to increased fuel economy and efficiency and windage (frontal a side) effects and stability also.
Veebyes
Explorer II
Apr 21, 2016
Of course everything is going to have a bearing. The height increases windage. The weight is load on the truck to tow & STOP. The length will test skill in getting into tight sites.

It is about finding balance. 7
avvidclif1
Explorer
Apr 21, 2016
FWIW your picture doesn't make it look level...
Arcamper
Explorer
Apr 21, 2016
SabreCanuck wrote:

Curious why you wouldn't lower the 5th by adjusting the pin box? Picture appears you have a ton of room between 5th and truck rails.

Because it is sitting level and has never been a problem in the 5,000 miles we have pulled it in the last year. It's like I said before, anyone with these high profile trailers need to watch what they go under. Several of the campgrounds we have been to seem to care less about low branches and that does not mix well with a rubber roof. We have also seen some service station canopies with 13 foot clearance.
SabreCanuck
Explorer
Apr 21, 2016
Arcamper wrote:

Yep, it was right at 13' 5" until I added the roof top vent covers and that pushed it up to 13' 7" on the front one.

Curious why you wouldn't lower the 5th by adjusting the pin box? Picture appears you have a ton of room between 5th and truck rails.
Arcamper
Explorer
Apr 21, 2016
ACZL wrote:

Are you sure about your new coach's height at 13'7"? Max semi height w/o a permit is 13'6".

Yep, it was right at 13' 5" until I added the roof top vent covers and that pushed it up to 13' 7" on the front one.
ACZL
Explorer
Apr 21, 2016
Arcamper wrote:
I have done both. From our 2007 Laredo at 11' 6" tall and 32 feet long.

To our new Montana at 13' 7" tall and 38 feet long.

The statement above about having enough truck has been very true in my case because I have a lot of stability in any condition. The big difference I see going from one to the other is you really have to watch for low tree limbs and every thing else that you go under. You just get used to it.

By the way the height difference in the bedroom of the Montana is much better and we would never go back to anything smaller.
Moderator edit to re-size pictures to forum recommended limit of 640px maximum width

Are you sure about your new coach's height at 13'7"? Max semi height w/o a permit is 13'6".