TT vs. 5th wheel: ease of towing

rhagfo wrote:

Hannibal wrote:
I've been pulling a 5th wheel for 20 years after our last TT. Rolling down the interstate, I prefer the 5th wheel. We don't even feel passing trucks. Backing into a spot, I prefer the TT. The 5th wheel doesn't respond to the steering wheels of the truck like a TT does with the pivot point at hitch and 5' of leverage. I'd like to go back to a smaller TT. Wife wants a 48' two story plantation style 5th wheel. She doesn't drive with any of them hitched up.

I just don't get all the issues with backing a 5er! I have backed both TT long time ago, but needed to back out of a dead end street, for a block.
I make small moves of the wheel, and start to straighten out as soon as the wheels of the 5er start to turn.

Didn't say I had issues with backing the 5th wheel. The TT is more responsive to the steering of the truck. Therefor I prefer to back a TT over a 5th wheel. If all you have is the width of a neighborhood street to turn around in, you'll be backing the 5th wheel out too.:B

path1 wrote:
You've posted in 5th wheel section. Responses are going to be favored to them.

IMO...I've had both and feel 5th wheels tow better or "ease of towing". Weight over axle makes better for stability. But 5th wheels do the tree trimming for TT's and of course the obvious of losing room in bed of pick up. And that doesn't mean your wife will feel any better towing 5th wheel versus a TT. However it sure make a good case for buying new toys.

Good analysis.

TTs for years.
Also MHs (first one in 1971), and slide-in camper.

First 5th in 2006.
The TTs are much more susceptible to wind and especially the tractor trailers that pass you.
Easy to forget the 5th is behind you!

Yes my TTs had sway control - although I never had the mega-bucks towing systems (like Hensley).

*If* you like to bring along toys - consider a toy hauler, as you won't have room anymore in the pickup bed.

Also - TTs will have a "all on one-level" floor plan.
It's a TT advantage - if anyone has difficulty with stairs - (from the living area to the bedroom *and* usually the bathroom.)
Usually 3 steps up/down to access those with a 5th.

My DW never drove any of them - not her "thing" - and now it would be completely out of the question due to the meds she takes.

IMO - if you're happy with the TT - drive less and enjoy what you have.

The grass may -or may not- be greener on the other side..;)

.

Bumper tow or fifth wheel -- same width, extra length to watch when maneuvering, extra height regardless.

It takes practice to get comfy moving a larger vehicle through traffic, and knowing that you'll know how to get out of a sticky situation. Only way to practice is to get behind the wheel and do it.

Best advice I had was from my flight instructor..."control the plane, don't let it control you".

Hannibal wrote:
I've been pulling a 5th wheel for 20 years after our last TT. Rolling down the interstate, I prefer the 5th wheel. We don't even feel passing trucks. Backing into a spot, I prefer the TT. The 5th wheel doesn't respond to the steering wheels of the truck like a TT does with the pivot point at hitch and 5' of leverage. I'd like to go back to a smaller TT. Wife wants a 48' two story plantation style 5th wheel. She doesn't drive with any of them hitched up.

I agree entirely. We switched from a TT to 5th wheel late last year. The difference in towing was amazing. Backing was a little more difficult but we plan to get that down this summer.

A TT is so much quicker to respond compared to a 5er. Other than ease of backing I can't think of one good thing about them!

Hannibal wrote:
I've been pulling a 5th wheel for 20 years after our last TT. Rolling down the interstate, I prefer the 5th wheel. We don't even feel passing trucks. Backing into a spot, I prefer the TT. The 5th wheel doesn't respond to the steering wheels of the truck like a TT does with the pivot point at hitch and 5' of leverage. I'd like to go back to a smaller TT. Wife wants a 48' two story plantation style 5th wheel. She doesn't drive with any of them hitched up.

I just don't get all the issues with backing a 5er! I have backed both TT long time ago, but needed to back out of a dead end street, for a block.
I make small moves of the wheel, and start to straighten out as soon as the wheels of the 5er start to turn.

I had to go look. The Arctic Fox 29L is beautiful with a great floor plan!

I don't have any problems towing either the TT or 5th wheel with the 1 ton. I like backing the TT better. Hooking up both have electric jacks so I don't have issues with either but the wd bars take 5 min more to hook up on the TT. I don't take much stuff so storage isn't a issue although I can take a scooter in the back of truck with a TT.

If I was going to buy high end or very large a 5er would be my only choice.

I think the next RV I will buy will be a Artic Fox 29L TT because the floor plan works for me.

I've been pulling a 5th wheel for 20 years after our last TT. Rolling down the interstate, I prefer the 5th wheel. We don't even feel passing trucks. Backing into a spot, I prefer the TT. The 5th wheel doesn't respond to the steering wheels of the truck like a TT does with the pivot point at hitch and 5' of leverage. I'd like to go back to a smaller TT. Wife wants a 48' two story plantation style 5th wheel. She doesn't drive with any of them hitched up.

DW said if I bought a new truck with an auto tranny, she would help me pull the trailer. A trip to Alaska and back (over 11,000mi) she drove 5 feet, pulled the trailer off of the blocks. That being said, I do all the driving and I enjoy it. We are retired and stop over night when I like. Some days its 400 miles sometimes it is 200 miles and we stay as long as we like. BUT- I will say there is day light and dark difference between towing a TT or 5er. The bow-wave effect on the TT is so much greater than on a 5er, in fact it is not noticeable. You feel more in control of the 5er than the TT. And hitching and unhitching is so much easier with a 5er. I have hitched and unhitch several times by myself with no problem. Backing a 5er is easier once you learn what your rig will do.