TT or 5th

I have owned and towed both. The fiver has more living space, storage and tows so much nicer. However it comes down to you and what you like. I low people who fulltime in TT and for them it works. One last thing You can buy a higher end fiver but you will be hard pressed to find a TT built to those standards. They are mainly made for weekenders and vacationers.

We spent almost 2 years looking at both. I always leaned toward a longer TT. However, once you really start going through different floor plans and thinking about living within 350-400 square feet full time, a 5th wheel was the only option for us. Our Montana is just over 39' and pulls great even in high winds. Good luck in your search, there is much to consider.

I have towed both. Like others have said, the 5er will tow better, less sway and jet wash to name just 2 reasons. I think the 5er is quicker to hook up also. I like tt because you don't loose the bed of the truck.

But ultimately buy what you want, either way you won't be disappointed as long as you don't settle.

A fiver will be better for storage space and reduce overall length. A trailer with a Hensley hitch will tow without sway...did it for ten ten years with a 29 ft Sunline trailer. If I wanted to be on the road fulltime, I would want a fiver even though we have never owned one.

How much room you need will be one factor to consider. While I have seen 40' travel trailers, those made for actually traveling much rarely exceed a 34' box length. There are still some smaller fifth wheels being made, but it seems many manufacturers smallest models are about 30'.

Many travel trailers are marketed to entry level RVers with weekend and vacation use in mind. They are generally at a lower price point than fifth wheels. Insulation is often minimal although there are some that claim to be four season insulated. This may not be important if you can travel with the seasons. Travel trailer construction is also often done with infrequent use in mind, although there are some well constructed makes/models out there. Cargo capacity on many especially the light weight models is relatively low.

As mentioned, if you are trying to fit the RV to an existing tow vehicle, a travel trailer will put less weight on the tow vehicle 10-15% of trailer GVWR compared to the 20-25% of a fifth wheel. With a good weight distributing and sway control hitch like a Hensley, Pro-Pride or Pull Right, trailer sway in cross winds and even from trucks passing at 80MPH is not an issue.

Good Luck with searching for and finding the right RV for you!

I've pulled both. While a TT is perfectly safe (when set up properly), a 5er tows much nicer, especially in a cross wind or with trucks passing.

It's really a preference for truck bed storage vs basement storage...and maybe steps (though you will have to do 4 steps regardless with either to get in and out)

heat wrote:
Never pulled a TT but have found FW is much more stable in severe wind while going down the road..

Much more sable than what? More stable than the TT you have never pulled...:h

" a TT can tow as comfortable as a 5er. "

Having newer towed a 5th wheel how can such a statement be made?

I have towed both and it is day and night between how each handles particularly when a large truck goes by at 80 mph.


When I come up on a trailer being towed I can almost always determine if it is a 5th wheel just by how much the rear of the trailer is moving around. Check it for your self someday.

hitchup wrote:
They are definitely roomier inside. Also less sway and they track behind the tow vehicle much easier.

I agree except for tracking. A trailer will track just like the truck, while the fiver will track to the inside so you need to cut a little wider on turns.

Never pulled a TT but have found FW is much more stable in severe wind while going down the road. FW's can be much longer, if you want the length (we love our 41 foot "condo").