Why a 5th wheel over a tow trailer?

op wrote:
Want are the big advantages of the 5th wheel compared to a tow trailer?

Ask 10 folks and you may get 10 different answers.

I've towed professionally with these size trucks and same size GN/5th wheel/pintle hitch and bumper pull trailers...and like others say the bumper hitch trailer was easier to maneuver backing up.

I've owned and towed both. For us the 5th wheel trailers allows us to double tow 3500 lb fishin' boats behind the 5er......or triple tow (3 trailers) with a PWC behind the fishin' boat.

I like the over all short combined length a 32' 5er gives me over a 32' TT which allows us to use campgrounds a 32' TT/truck combined length wouldn't even get to the campground using the roads provided.

For me? I'm old. My legs, knees, and back don't like steps. 5ers are nothing but steps. More steps to get in, and then after you are in. Every where you want to go is up, or down stairs. Kills my legs.

TT are flat. That is for me

Learjet's last line sums it up. If you want something around 20'-33', a TT is just as nice as a fifth wheel. If you want something in the 40' range, a fifth wheel is the way to go.

I've had three TTs and 2 fifth wheels. The TTs with their properly set up WD hitch towed just as fine as the 5ers. We hit some wicked storms on some race trips last year and it was no problem at all.

Last year. A fantastic set up for our races.



This year. A fantastic set up for just fun camping.:)

You can still use your bed, just not all of it.

Also, a cargo rack on the back of the 5'er makes up for the loss of the bed.

Not mentioned, is the cool factor when hitching up. :)

I find setting up my 5'er much easier than my old TT, mostly due to all electric stabilizers etc.

After 47,000 miles with my TT and now 7,000 miles with my 5th wheel, I'm really enjoying the room and all the advantages of the 5th wheel.

Smaller trailer would be better for me to have a "bumper pull", larger trailer for me needs to be a 5th wheel.

I much prefer a TT! Lots of reasons but number one for me is I don't like pickup trucks. Sorry guys, no offense, they're just not for us.

Had TTs before first 5th.

For towing "pleasure" - the 5th is night and day over a TT.

Never have/had any difficulty getting access to/for (diesel) fuel for my p/up w/ 5th in tow.

And - yeah - had all the towing "tricks" for the TTs - although
never a Hensley.

Main negative of the 5th - you lose the use of the bed in your pickup, and of course you could tow a TT with a suburban (etc.) instead of a pickup if you have a bunch of rugrats.

Also - for folks with back or knee probs, the TT is all one level.

Only regrets with the 5th is/was not buying a toy hauler.

Would/could I go back to a TT?

Having had 2 TTs, 2 MHs, slide-in campers, etc. - going back to a TT would be a maybe - but a DP MH would probably come out ahead for *part-time* use.

*Full time* = fifth wheel.

OP - you must decide what works best for......*YOU*...:W

~

I have had both and would never go back to a bumper pull.
Pulls way smoother, more storage space, shorter footprint and ease of hooking up. As far a backing is concerned, the fiver is so much easier to backup for us, which leads to less stress at the campsites.

Lastly, when we go into a TT now, claustifobia ensues.

Chuck .. wrote:
Want are the big advantages of the 5th wheel compared to a tow trailer?
.............
Here is want I have below but, I still wished I could pull more safety, like a used 30 foot Dream Suit 5th wheel or a Alpenlite unit that weights around 11,500 dry weight.

I have a 1999 Dodge diesel 2500, Long bed, auto trans, cub cab, 2 wheel drive. The owner manual on page 148 says that this truck can tow maximum trailer weight of 10,200 with 3.54 axle ratio and 12,000 lbs maximum trailer with 4.10 axle ratio. The GCWR is 16,000.

Most everyone on this forum and others said I can only haul a trailer around 9,000 lbs. "Dry Weight" safety and do not max out my truck! I plan on being safe.

Well a couple questions on the TV 99 2500 Ram.

What is your gear ratio?

Is the 5.9 chipped at all?

Is the Transmission Stock?

I pull/carry a 2005 Copper Canyon 293 FWSLS with our 2001 2500 Camper Special Ram, we do it, but not a recommendation as you will well over GVWR! While with 2 WD, you gain a bit of payload over us.

Specs on the 5er.
Dry weight 9,820#
GVWR 12,360#
current towed weight about 11,000#

TV
GVWR 8,800#
GFAWR 5,200
GRAWR 6,084

Loaded TV
GFAW 4,500#
GRAW 5,500

GVW 10,000#

5er axles 9,500#

GCVW 19,500#

We run a small 50 hp and about 130 lb.ft. chip, and a 5 speed manual with a Double Disk clutch.
I do feel that I could pull/carry the full GVWR of the 5er!

I have several construction worker friends who have pulled both and have gone back to pull-trailers. I have had both and now a pull-trailer. We are all in the minority. Why? I'm not sure. 40 mph winds? Just went through them two weeks ago with no problems at all--through the biggest storm TX has seen in years. I can pull into any service station with pumps any direction, get my diesel and am on my way. With the fiver, no way could I get into those silly pumps that head into the store. Sure fivers have more storage--but I have as much or more with the bed of the truck. Fiver had nice high ceilings which made it feel bigger. But I always had to be looking up and worrying about getting under branches, trees, and whatever. I guess it is really up to you: my wife would take the fiver any day because of the high ceilings and "feel". I'll take the pull-trailer cause I can back it up easier, get into tighter spaces, don't have to worry about the height of the rig. With the Andersen hitch I can hook up and be on the road within two minutes of any fiver.

I've been in 40 mph gusty crosswinds with my 5th wheel. Try that with your bumper pulls without having to change your undies. Seen photos of lots of flipped TT's due to wind. And I'm 41 feet long - got any bumper-pulls that long? And they've got 'em longer. How about the DRV toy hauler that maxes at 24,000 GVWR. Try that with a bumper pull. Shoot, I can't touch that with my dually. Seems the 5th wheel is the much bigger and beefier big brother to the bumper pull TT.