TT to a 5Th Wheel

DutchmenSport wrote:
I take the opposition (If that's OK with everone)... :)

Disadvantage of a 5er over a TT:

More steps (if you're older or have bad knees, you have steps from the ground to the main floor level, and then steps from the main floor level to the upper level. Not so pleasant for those with "climbing difficulties"

5ers come in various "profiles" (height), but something to consider for the higher "profile" 5er: the more space, the more they take to heat and air condition. If you, late-fall / early spring / winter camp, you will need to heat that space. The taller the ceiling, the more heat it takes. The higher the profile, the harder it is to cool that space down in the hot summer. (same is true with slide-outs.) It depends upon where you are camping, how you pay for the utilities.

I've read several complaints about 5er's that the temperature difference between the 2 levels is a problem sometimes. The upper level is too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter. I do know some owners have worked out this problem with some creative after market engineering.

Face it, with a 5er, you can tow it with only 1 type of vehicle ... a truck with a 5er hitch. At least with a TT, any vehicle with a receiver (could) potentially move a TT in the event of tow vehicle failure.

How do you use your truck? If you use the bed of your truck for more than just towing a 5er, then you'll need to remove the 5er hitch. I think this is the biggest reason why I do not want a 5er. I use the bed of my truck for too much. I'm getting older and have no help other than my wife, and removing the hitch is a chore I just don't want to handle. I'd be putting the hitch in and out every week, or even more. I'm just not strong enough to handle a hitch myself. Here again, this depends upon how you use your truck when NOT towing a trailer, and how important it is to have that empty space in the bed of your truck.

I keep a construction - contractor shell on the bed of my truck. It has 2 shelves the entire length of bed (all 8 feet), on both sides. Originally, we purchased the shell as a way to carry our canoe, and the side tool boxes (shelves) was perfect for hauling all our canoe accessories, incluidng outriggers. It was easy access, and that left the bed of the truck available for hauling the blue tote, firewood (and keeping it dry when it rains), an air compressor, and even our generator, not to mention a LOT of other things. Now, granted, the basement of a 5er may be big enough to hall all that stuff, but when came to transporting the canoe, that would have been an almost impossible endeavor without adding supports from the front of the tuck to move the canoe forward over the cab and engine. Then, where do you put all the accessories? Here again, this is a matter of how one uses the bed of their truck. (a personal choice ... no right or wrong .... but something to consider if the bed of the truck, a shell, or something else is needed for something OTHER than towing a trailer).

Weight? Well, face it, you just need a heftier truck to tow a 5er, unless you get a Scamp 5er. With a TT, you (can) get by with smaller trucks.

Also remember ... the higher the "profile" the more wind resistance you have to over come when towing. I have seen some really great low-profile 5er's though that caught my attention (I will admit).

50 amp service or 30 amp service. I'm seeing more and more campers with 50 amp service (including TT's), and campgrounds still not keeping up with the demand for 50 amp. If your camper has 2 air conditioners, it will need the 50 amp service to operate as designed. (Just something to consider when looking for any camper these days).

I know I painted a "negative" picture here. I did this on purpose. This list for the positives is quite lengthy too. But when considering a new (or different) camper, or even a first time camper, there are multiple things to consider. Every style of camping (from a sleeping bag on the back of a motorcycle to 5 star Motor Home only resorts), there are compromises with each style, give and take, figuring out what most important, and what you are are willing to give-up. No camper is perfect. There is always some kind of compromise we have to decide for ourselves. Only you can make the final choice.

Simply incorrect on a 5er having more wind resistance. Yes a 5er is taller but the fact it sits much closer to the TV they both combine to act as a single mass passing through the air. A TT and TV act as two separate masses due to the distance between them. I get nearly the dame mileage towinf my 11-12K 5er as I did my 7-8Klb TT.

And as far as removing the hitch from the bed is exactly why the Andersen has become so popular. Piece-o-cake to remove/install.