Why a 5th wheel over a tow trailer?
Want are the big advantages of the 5th wheel compared to a tow trailer? I would like to be able to use my bed of my truck to haul things. My brother in-law says he can back up a tow trailer much easi...
Forum Discussion
The TT vs 5er controversy will continue through our great-great grandchildren generation, as basically, it's a personal choice based on personal needs.
I said I would not emphasize the "negatives" of a 5er, but this is one that I think should be mentioned, especially since the use of the bed of the truck has mixed reactions.
In your decision for a 5er vs TT and the use of the bed of your truck, you need to consider how you use your truck when not towing a 5er. I say this, because not every one has the ability, strength, or the where-withall to remove the 5er hitch from the bed of the truck as someone else may have.
I know there are a couple tricks. For example, leave the hitch attached to the 5er and unhook it from the floor of the bed of the truck and pull away leaving the hitch dangling on the 5er, thus freeing the bed of the truck.
I don't know how practical this would be, but I see potential concerns leaving the hitch dangling like that.
For me, removing the 5er hitch from the bed of my truck would probably be a real chore. I don't have a lift, I'm not as strong as I use to be, and I don't have help at home to remove it.
I use the bed of my truck for much more than towing a trailer (although that is the primary reason we purchased it). I haul a lot of "stuff" in the bed of my truck, and keep a construction grade-style shell with tool box shelves on both side of the shell on the truck all the time. I never remove it. The original purpose for this set-up was to transport our canoe and all the gear on one side of the shell tool boxes. We have outriggers, life vests, anchor, seat cushions, floating jugs for securing our keys, phone, billfold stuff, paddles, ropes. This is all easy access from one of the side panels, no crawling around in the bed.
Inside the bed of the truck, under roof, we carry fire wood and it stays dry, the blue sewer tote, air compressor, lumber for leveling, water hoses, a 7 folding ladder, and even more "junk". On the other side of the shell panel, I carry permanently a set of tools, I use at home and when camping. Specifically set up for camping tools, but often use at home too.
So the shell is most important. Over time, we quit carrying the canoe, so that side of the shell is now available for anything, which changes all the time.
Now, when not camping, I do a lot of home remodel, and need the bed of the truck to haul lumber. Because the bed is 8 feet 1 inch long and a clear 4 feet wide BETWEEN the wheel wells, a sheet of 4x8 plywood will comfortably lay flat in the bed. And I've hauled a LOT of plywood.
So, the "USE" of the truck bed extends beyond camping. All of us have to make the decisions what we use or tow vehicle for .... when NOT towing.
For me, it's just much easier to remove a bumper hitch and weight distribution bars, than to wrangle a 5er hitch.
I think this is a more important question that the pluses and minuses of a 5er vs a TT... what do you use the bed of your truck for when not towing a 5er and how convenient is it to remove the hitch is you need the bed when not towing.
This is a factor that drives one's decision for a TT or 5er.
There is no right or wrong ... I'm just stating a missed point that the OP has to answer for himself.
I said I would not emphasize the "negatives" of a 5er, but this is one that I think should be mentioned, especially since the use of the bed of the truck has mixed reactions.
In your decision for a 5er vs TT and the use of the bed of your truck, you need to consider how you use your truck when not towing a 5er. I say this, because not every one has the ability, strength, or the where-withall to remove the 5er hitch from the bed of the truck as someone else may have.
I know there are a couple tricks. For example, leave the hitch attached to the 5er and unhook it from the floor of the bed of the truck and pull away leaving the hitch dangling on the 5er, thus freeing the bed of the truck.
I don't know how practical this would be, but I see potential concerns leaving the hitch dangling like that.
For me, removing the 5er hitch from the bed of my truck would probably be a real chore. I don't have a lift, I'm not as strong as I use to be, and I don't have help at home to remove it.
I use the bed of my truck for much more than towing a trailer (although that is the primary reason we purchased it). I haul a lot of "stuff" in the bed of my truck, and keep a construction grade-style shell with tool box shelves on both side of the shell on the truck all the time. I never remove it. The original purpose for this set-up was to transport our canoe and all the gear on one side of the shell tool boxes. We have outriggers, life vests, anchor, seat cushions, floating jugs for securing our keys, phone, billfold stuff, paddles, ropes. This is all easy access from one of the side panels, no crawling around in the bed.
Inside the bed of the truck, under roof, we carry fire wood and it stays dry, the blue sewer tote, air compressor, lumber for leveling, water hoses, a 7 folding ladder, and even more "junk". On the other side of the shell panel, I carry permanently a set of tools, I use at home and when camping. Specifically set up for camping tools, but often use at home too.
So the shell is most important. Over time, we quit carrying the canoe, so that side of the shell is now available for anything, which changes all the time.
Now, when not camping, I do a lot of home remodel, and need the bed of the truck to haul lumber. Because the bed is 8 feet 1 inch long and a clear 4 feet wide BETWEEN the wheel wells, a sheet of 4x8 plywood will comfortably lay flat in the bed. And I've hauled a LOT of plywood.
So, the "USE" of the truck bed extends beyond camping. All of us have to make the decisions what we use or tow vehicle for .... when NOT towing.
For me, it's just much easier to remove a bumper hitch and weight distribution bars, than to wrangle a 5er hitch.
I think this is a more important question that the pluses and minuses of a 5er vs a TT... what do you use the bed of your truck for when not towing a 5er and how convenient is it to remove the hitch is you need the bed when not towing.
This is a factor that drives one's decision for a TT or 5er.
There is no right or wrong ... I'm just stating a missed point that the OP has to answer for himself.
