Forum Discussion

mileshuff's avatar
mileshuff
Explorer
Jul 22, 2013

TT or 5'er? Splurge for the 5'er?

Looking for a new trailer and narrowed it down to either a TT, or a 5'er from the same manufacture. They are nearly identical, same floorplan, options etc. The 5'ers MSRP is $41600 and I can buy for $31800 including destination, prep and PDI. The TT's MSRP is $39600 and I can buy for $26,800. I know all the pluses of a 5'er but the cost difference for nearly identical models is substantial especially adding in a decent slider hitch for my short bed truck. The TT is about 800 lbs lighter but both are well below my trucks ratings.

Question: Is it worth splurging an extra $5000 + slider hitch ($2500 installed?) to get the 5'er with all else being fairly equal between the models?

30 Replies

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  • ependydad's avatar
    ependydad
    Explorer
    Jul 22, 2013
    DutchmenSport wrote:
    Depends upon how you want to use the bed of your truck. It sure is NICE having a truck bed shell with those side panels on both side, and each panel has 2 shelves to store stuff, which still leave the entire bed of the truck free for other things. Not to mention the ladder rack on the top for hauling the canoe.

    One other thought? What will you be using the truck for when not towing the 5er? If you use your truck (like I do, for hauling just about everything), you might not want the 5er hitch in your bed.


    Great post until the last part- "you might not want the 5er hitch in your bed":


    You'd never know I have a fifth wheel with a clear bed like that. Even better, even without the right tools - it was less than 10 minutes from hitch in to empty bed.

    But, I don't have bed space for my bikes and can't easily carry anything on top of the truck (i.e. 14'-17' kayaks) without having a goal post out front (which my wife won't allow).
  • mileshuff's avatar
    mileshuff
    Explorer
    Jul 22, 2013
    jevanb wrote:
    5er all the way. Been their, done that, and should of bought it first. 2500 for a slide hitch??? I bought a superglide for 500 and installed it myself, real easy just follow the install instructions. It was used but looked New...


    If I can find one cheap used I may go that route. Looks like I need the pullrite 4100 which retails for $1300 plus the rails and capture box which aren't cheap either.
  • jevanb's avatar
    jevanb
    Explorer
    Jul 22, 2013
    5er all the way. Been their, done that, and should of bought it first. 2500 for a slide hitch??? I bought a superglide for 500 and installed it myself, real easy just follow the install instructions. It was used but looked New...
  • rhagfo's avatar
    rhagfo
    Explorer III
    Jul 22, 2013
    DutchmenSport wrote:
    Depends upon how you want to use the bed of your truck. It sure is NICE having a truck bed shell with those side panels on both side, and each panel has 2 shelves to store stuff, which still leave the entire bed of the truck free for other things. Not to mention the ladder rack on the top for hauling the canoe.

    One other thought? What will you be using the truck for when not towing the 5er? If you use your truck (like I do, for hauling just about everything), you might not want the 5er hitch in your bed.


    5er hitches can be removed, shell can also be removed/installed at will.
    With a decent sized 5er you get a basement, all the stuff you need to load in the truck bed to go camping, can be already in the basement of the 5er.There are roof racks that go forward of the bed for the canoe.
    If you get a long TT, you need to invest in a very good anti-sway hitch and the time and hassle to connect each time.

    Your choice, my opinion, why I tow a 5er.
  • Kittykath's avatar
    Kittykath
    Explorer II
    Jul 22, 2013
    If you can swing it, SPLURGE!

    We moved from a 2-year-old TT to a new 5th wheel, with almost the identical floorplan. I can't give you feedback regarding travel because we don't pull it around. But the difference in the amount of storage is huge, especially the outdoor storage. What can't fit in your pickup bed, might just fit in there.

    Not only storage, but even with similar overall lengths, the 5th wheel feels larger inside because of the higher ceilings. It was worth the extra money in my opinion.
  • jason4598's avatar
    jason4598
    Explorer
    Jul 22, 2013
    Depends on how you plan to use it. Do you tow across the country, or just a hundred mile trip every month or two.
  • DutchmenSport's avatar
    DutchmenSport
    Explorer
    Jul 22, 2013
    Depends upon how you want to use the bed of your truck. It sure is NICE having a truck bed shell with those side panels on both side, and each panel has 2 shelves to store stuff, which still leave the entire bed of the truck free for other things. Not to mention the ladder rack on the top for hauling the canoe.

    One other thought? What will you be using the truck for when not towing the 5er? If you use your truck (like I do, for hauling just about everything), you might not want the 5er hitch in your bed.
  • Swamp_Man's avatar
    Swamp_Man
    Explorer
    Jul 22, 2013
    I would go with the fifth wheel. The towing and set up between the two makes a lot of difference. The fifth wheel weight sits over the rear axle while the TT is behind the rear axle at the bumper. Fifth wheel is a lot faster and easier to connect/disconnect. Expense will tell the tail but you have to decide what you want.
  • cutty72's avatar
    cutty72
    Explorer
    Jul 22, 2013
    Anything bigger than a 16-18' trailer should be a GN/5th in my opinion. That's just me, I HATE towing bumper pull trailers.

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