From what I've seen on line, they appear to be more solid and are often a little nicer. Is that why? I can't really tell, for certain, based on pictures.

You need to actually go to a dealer or RV show and look at them. I think then you will understand.

For one, they're much longer and taller. They're also, as far as style goes, more "plush" or geared toward higher end "clients."It all depends on who manufacturer a certain Travel Trailer or 5th Wheel as to being "solid" or not.WoodGlue

wishin'andhopin' wrote:From what I've seen on line, they appear to be more solid and are often a little nicer. Is that why? I can't really tell, for certain, based on pictures.More features (storage & living area primarily), more "bling", and I suspect a little more complex construction with the cantilever frame segment. And..........popularity.

I've had both. I personally don't consider them any "better" per se; true they can have a few more plush goodines (ceiling fan for example), but anymore we prefer a TT. Honestly, I like having a topper on my truck to store grill, kids toys, many other things that we take along. Boils down to personal preference. "More Solid" is very subjective way to describe a 5 vs TT...WoodGlue is right....also depends upon mfgr.

mleekamp wrote:I've had both. I personally don't consider them any "better" per se; true they can have a few more plush goodines (ceiling fan for example), but anymore we prefer a TT. Honestly, I like having a topper on my truck to store grill, kids toys, many other things that we take along. Boils down to personal preference. "More Solid" is very subjective way to describe a 5 vs TT...WoodGlue is right....also depends upon mfgr.There are comparable FWs to a TT, the superlite FWs are about the same as a TT. The biggest issue is weight. The heavier you can be, the more "goodies". This is why a FW can be so much nicer. Even at 10K for a TT, with a 7 ft ceiling you limit the TT on how many goodies it can have. FWs, generally, are much nicer. And I never put my grill and the kids stuff in the truck; there was always plenty of room in the FW.WW07

Why are fifth wheels more expensive than travel trailers?

23 Replies

WoodGlue
Explorer
Sep 12, 2013
wishin'andhopin' wrote:
Do travel trailers fall into disrepair more quickly since the construction is different?

No. What matters most is if the owner is vigilant about performing routine maintenance (walking and caulking the roof 4x a year, etc) If a TT owner doesn't maintain their TT, it will fall apart. Same thing goes for the 5th Wheel.

By the way, some Travel Trailers build quality and construction could easily rival $500,000 motorhomes, in technique and materials used. Lance and Northwoods Manufacturing are 2 that come to mind as far as Travel Trailers go.

WoodGlue
cdlaine
Explorer
Sep 12, 2013
W&H,

I'm thinking the answer may partially lie hidden in this data....

perhaps one our business majors could extrapolate....

RV shipments....2013

Charles
John___Angela
Explorer
Sep 12, 2013
wishin'andhopin' wrote:
Do travel trailers fall into disrepair more quickly since the construction is different?

In my opinion no. The campgrounds in the interior here are filled with 20 year plus older rigs and still serving their owners well. My Niece loves her 20 year plus older Terry and it probably has 10 to 15 years of use in it yet. I had it gas tested before she bought it and other than a bad gas valve on the furnace it all checked out fine. Keep it dry and in good repair and I cant see why they would last any less time than a 5th wheel.
deleted-2
Explorer
Sep 12, 2013
wishin'andhopin' wrote:
Do travel trailers fall into disrepair more quickly since the construction is different?

No
It's a matter of ownership pride and regular maintenance.
This is where the caulking gun becomes the owners friend.

Water leaks and exposure with no attention will deplete any RVs life expectancy.
wishin_andhopin
Explorer
Sep 12, 2013
Do travel trailers fall into disrepair more quickly since the construction is different?
rhagfo
Explorer III
Sep 12, 2013
John & Angela wrote:
Hmmm. Some have responded with popularity or supply and demand as being the cause of higher prices. That may be a regional thing. I suspect I sell 7 to 8 trailers per month for every 5th wheel. This is probably partially due to the area where we live. Quading and hunting are very popular and many want the truck box free for the toys, tidy tank etc. Many of the fifth wheels that do sell are larger and popular with the snowbird crowd. I am sure this changes from region to region.

It takes more steel and material to build a fifth wheel than a travel trailer. Everything from axles to frames are heavier which all add t the cost of a new fifth. The towing experience of a fifth wheel is hard to beat but many are willing to sacrifice that for lighter smaller units.

JMHO

Thats_Ok wrote:
Fifth wheels generally include:
10 inch I-frames (supposedly heavier to support slides)
Compartments for batteries and propane bottles
Newer models have large pass-thru holds
Power jacks (usually front and back)
Larger wheels and tires
Heavier hitching system
A little extra ducting
More furniture
Extra cabinets

All this bottom lines higher.

I believe that both of these are true, less than the demand thought. Fivers have far more steel in the frame, far more steel work to build (wielding). The step in the frame requires more materials.

I am one that is of the thought that i don't need the truck bed, I have a basement. It is always in the 5er ready to go!
deleted-2
Explorer
Sep 12, 2013
Fifth wheels generally include:
10 inch I-frames (supposedly heavier to support slides)
Compartments for batteries and propane bottles
Newer models have large pass-thru holds
Power jacks (usually front and back)
Larger wheels and tires
Heavier hitching system
A little extra ducting
More furniture
Extra cabinets

All this bottom lines higher.
John___Angela
Explorer
Sep 12, 2013
Hmmm. Some have responded with popularity or supply and demand as being the cause of higher prices. That may be a regional thing. I suspect I sell 7 to 8 trailers per month for every 5th wheel. This is probably partially due to the area where we live. Quading and hunting are very popular and many want the truck box free for the toys, tidy tank etc. Many of the fifth wheels that do sell are larger and popular with the snowbird crowd. I am sure this changes from region to region.

It takes more steel and material to build a fifth wheel than a travel trailer. Everything from axles to frames are heavier which all add t the cost of a new fifth. The towing experience of a fifth wheel is hard to beat but many are willing to sacrifice that for lighter smaller units.

JMHO
Veebyes
Explorer II
Sep 12, 2013
Treat it like a piece of meat. How much per pound are they by comparison?
aarond76
Explorer
Sep 11, 2013
Look at the weights of a comparable 5'er vs. TT. The 5'er will weigh more. This additional weight requires higher load rated axles, tires, wheels, more substantial frame, etc... Anyone can also see that even of the same spec materials, it is going to be more labor intensive to manufacture a 5th wheel frame than the flat frame of a travel trailer. They are also typically taller meaning that more material will be required in their manufacture.