Trying to decide on a TT or 5er.

rrwantr wrote:
We typically dry camp mostly in the Sierras but do some times camp with full hookups at the beach etc.

Since you like to dry camp don't forget the 5'r is about 2-3' taller than the TT. If low branches are an issue the TT might be a better choice.

We have the Jayco HT 26.5 RLS, a cousin to the bunkhouse you are looking at, and have no problem towing it, and our 19' Crestliner, with our GMC D/A combo with a short bed. We do have a Reese manual slider but have not used it yet. Towing is great and there is a great deal of storage room, in fact, we have unused space. The specs on your FW and ours are almost exactly the same so you should have no trouble towing this FW. The Touring edition looks promising, it was not available two years ago when we bought our RLS or I might have looked at it instead. I think it is slightly heavier than the HT, but not so much as to cause you a problem. You might take a look at RVDirect to see what their pricing is for negotiation with any dealer you might be looking at. We got some pricing before shopping nearby and the nearby dealer came within about $2,000 of the RVDirect price which was about what it would have cost me to drive to Indiana and back with the FW. If you want to talk about our HT, just PM me and I'll tell you what I can.

goducks10 wrote:
One thing to consider is that with a 5th wheel more of the stuff that goes in the truck bed will be in the 5th wheel basement. With TT the stuff that goes in the truck bed needs to be taken out after every trip if you want to use your truck bed for something else. While a 5th hitch can be heavy it is the only thing needed to be removed if you want to use the truck bed. We leave all our stuff in our 5th wheel till the next trip. When we had our TT I had to unpack the truck bed every trip.

I've had both and would be hard pressed to go back to a TT. I would have to get a TT 3-4' longer than what a 5'er is to get the same space.

As far a towing goes the 5'er will tow the best. Only downside assuming apples to apples is the 5'er will cost more to begin with. Hitch can be a wash bit 5'ers are just more money.

For reference we tow a 9000lb 5'er with a 12 Ran 2500 CTD and it has zero issues. Great combo.

Agree, what couldn't go in the truck bed when towing a TT. had to be packed in the TT...I've owned more than my share of TT's over the years and hesitated to go to a 5er due to a lot of , now, non-issues....wouldn't have anything else. As goducks stated, most everything stays in the basement of our 5er and we can be ready to go camping in just a matter of minutes:)

One thing to consider is that with a 5th wheel more of the stuff that goes in the truck bed will be in the 5th wheel basement. With TT the stuff that goes in the truck bed needs to be taken out after every trip if you want to use your truck bed for something else. While a 5th hitch can be heavy it is the only thing needed to be removed if you want to use the truck bed. We leave all our stuff in our 5th wheel till the next trip. When we had our TT I had to unpack the truck bed every trip.

I've had both and would be hard pressed to go back to a TT. I would have to get a TT 3-4' longer than what a 5'er is to get the same space.

As far a towing goes the 5'er will tow the best. Only downside assuming apples to apples is the 5'er will cost more to begin with. Hitch can be a wash bit 5'ers are just more money.

For reference we tow a 9000lb 5'er with a 12 Ran 2500 CTD and it has zero issues. Great combo.

After many rigs from tent on wheels to BIG 5th wheel,I am convinced that the best combination (for me) is a bumper pull trailer with a Hensley hitch. They don't lie when they say it pulls better than a 5th wheel. This leaves the truck bed available for my "good" junk. I had read many horror stories about hitching the Hensley but so far, with a back up camera, it is no more difficult than any other

Guess it depends on the size of your truck bed. I have a long bed, have a tool box in the back that can carry quite a bit of stuff and even with 5er hooked up, still have room for my generator and ice cooler, (if I need it), along with other articles that I have room for in the truck bed..Also with picture frame adapter, I can remove it and 5er and my trucks bed is completely empty, no rails in the way. ...Didn't need air bags, and backing up is something you just get use to...Having owned both, I really like the space offered for storage in the 5er as opposed to the travel trailer.

It's a difficult choice for sure. I had a 5th wheel. Had to get a sliding hitch and added a air ride pin box to stop the chucking. Also had to add air bags to the truck. Initial cost was much higher. Towed beautifully, took some trial and error to learn to back it up (much different than a bumper pull. Hated loosing the bed of my truck Was pretty tall and had to be more careful about clearances.

Went to a smaller (much smaller) TT and I really liked getting my truck bed back but sure do miss the extra room. It would be a really tough choice if I was going to back to another bigger trailer. In the end I'd probably suffer the towing difference of the bumper pull so could have the truck bed back for junk.

It appears that GVW on the Jayco 28.5 5er is only 9950...pin weight would be around 2,000# at the most...Don't see why you shouldn't be able to do this....if you're wanting to get a 5er. It appears the 27.5 weighs close to the same as below...Don't see where you would have any issues. The 27.5 is slightly lighter...



Eagle Touring Edition | 28.5BHDS
Weights
Unloaded Vehicle Weight (lbs) 7,205
Dry Hitch Weight (lbs) 1,310
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (lbs) 9,950
Cargo Carrying Capacity (lbs) 2,745
Measurements
Exterior Length 31' 10"
Exterior Width 96"
Exterior Height with A/C 146"
Interior Bedroom Height 79"
Queen Bed 60 x 80
Bunk Beds 38 x 73
Hide-A-Bed Sofa 46 x 76-1/2
Wheel Base 240"
Tank Capacities
Fresh Water Capacity (gals) includes water heater 48
Gray Waste Water Capacity (gals) 65
Black Waste Water Capacity (gals) 32.5
Other
Sleeping Capacity 5-8
FLOORPLAN 28.5BHDS

+ Click to Enlarge Floorplan
Weights
Unloaded Vehicle Weight (lbs) 8,225
Dry Hitch Weight (lbs) 1,622
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (lbs) 9,950
Cargo Carrying Capacity (lbs) 1,725
Measurements
Exterior Length 31' 7"
Exterior Width 96"
Exterior Height with A/C 145"
Exterior Height with Optional Bedroom A/C 146"
Interior Bedroom Height 73"
Queen Bed 60 x 80
Bunk Beds 36 x 72
Hide-A-Bed Sofa 42 x 60
Wheel Base 243"
Tank Capacities
Fresh Water Capacity (gals) includes water heater 73
Gray Waste Water Capacity (gals) 62
Black Waste Water Capacity (gals) 31
Other

I am not familiar with any of the models listed but if you primarily drycamp & have 4 people on board you might want to look at water capacity as a priority too. Many models only carry 60 gal which does not go far.