Upgrading to a 5th Wheel

Thanks to everyone on your real life experiences.

The replies are what I expected to receive back.


We will be making the move up to a 5th within the next couple of months, along with purchasing a Garmin 760 and subscribe to lowclearances.com

As for the truck, we will have a 3500 GMC Diesel, so that part is taken care of.

Thanks again.

Moved to a 5er 1.5yr ago and will admit I have had my share of run-ins with tree branches. The added height is the ONLY downside I have found with the 5er and has taken some getting use to. EVERYTHING else is better therefore no regrets.

One other thing I would look at is the angle of the front of the trailer. If it is angled back some there will be less wind drag and better mpg.Some of the big tall rigs don't rate too good in this area.

You just need to pay attention when driving!

Something these drivers didn't do!!

11' - 8" Underpass

That and stay off the Parkways around NYC!!!

ldmc wrote:

Has anyone regretted upgrading to a 5th from a TT because of height issues?

I know we have to watch out for it but does that take away from enjoying the trip?

Looking for all real life input.

How can it take away from enjoying the trip???? It's just one more thing (height)you become accustomed to when towing. Once it's ingrained no problem.

path1 wrote:
You posted in 5th wheel section. Most replies will be positive to 5th wheels. Imagine that.

Our last upgrade we wanted a 5th wheel again but we ran out of truck before we ran out of pin weight. Wasn't going to spend money on truck also. Be sure you have "enough" truck for the 5th wheel you want before buying.

We are right at 13', the standard for semis is 13'-6" so state highway will need to be marked for any thing less than 14'.

You posted in 5th wheel section. Most replies will be positive to 5th wheels. Imagine that.

Our last upgrade we wanted a 5th wheel again but we ran out of truck before we ran out of pin weight. Wasn't going to spend money on truck also. Be sure you have "enough" truck for the 5th wheel you want before buying.

We have had three fivers and the current one is 12-8 when on the truck.

In ten years I have found two low clearances that caused me to detour. One in Binghamton, NY (RR underpass) and one on a back road in Quebec (pipeline crossing over the road). That last one required backing out about a quarter mile (or half a Kilometer if you prefer) to turn around.

Part of the adventure.

//If you ever travel in Canada, know your clearances in Meters!//

I went from a 23' TT to a 38' and 13'4" height 5th wheel love the room, but you do need to watch the height. No issues so far.

I'm at 12'11". I bought our rig two years ago, and have taken it to 32 different states now. Not once has height been a problem. There was one campground in NY that had a 10' bridge between the camp and the interstate. However, the Trailer Life campground directory and local road signs gave plenty of warning and an alternate route.