TT or Fifth Wheel-opinions wanted

Californiadreamers wrote:
Hello fellow RVers,
My husband and I are RV newbies and recently retired. We currently have a 20 yo TT that we've used for a year and will be selling. Too small for us. We have a new Ford F-250 so towing options are open. My husband has never towed a fifth wheel. We've looked at over 100 RVs but still undecided between purchasing a TT or FW. Our friends all tow a FW. We would appreciate opinions between purchasing a TT or FW as our next upgrade, around 30' in length. Also undecided to purchase new or used.
Thank you!

Don't let Don scare you. The vast majority of FWs are pulled by 250/2500 series trucks. You absolutely have to know your numbers on your payload, which is the limiting factor to the 3/4 ton trucks. It's not how much you can tow, it's how much you can CARRY; never forget that. If you want a 35+ foot FW, then don't even think about your 3/4 ton; if you want to stay in the ~30' range, then the newer 3/4's will work in most cases. There =are= ~30' FWs that are so heavy on the pin that you simply need a 1 ton to be sure you don't exceed the payload capacity. I did not know this when I bought my FW and I'm very glad we didn't get the next one larger, which we really wanted, or I'd be seriously overloaded. There are any number of weight-related threads here, so do search them out and read them.

When we were looking, I told DW that I would not consider a TT at all, having towed too many "loose" trailers over the years, and would only get a FW. I already had experience towing a gooseneck, so had the "feel" of that style of towing under my belt. A FW will give you more space for the same overall length and you'll have =much= more storage. Overall towing stability is much greater with a FW, too.

Lyle