Trying to decide between a Freedom Express 320 BHDS (t.t.), or something like the Keystone Avalanche 361TG (fifth wheel). Most trips would include three adult size people needing separate sleeping beds. Mostly the driving/towing concerns me, which is why I feel safer with the fifth wheeler, especially for the first time RV'ers. But hubby is balking at the 50K ish price tag on the fifth wheel. There is a chance that our other sons and their fiancé/girlfriend may want to come with us occasionally to. Afraid of losing money on the trade up if we went with the t.t. first. Like the upgrades like a 12f fridge, 12g water heater, polar package, w/d hookups in the fifth wheeler. There are times where I might like to take it out without hubby when he can't go because of work. So ease of set-up/takedown and driving is important to me. Any advice?

We started camping with a tent, moved to tent trailers, a travel trailer, then a fifth wheel. The only thing we would have done differently would be to have skipped the travel trailer and gone right to the fifth wheel. The fifth wheel was so much easier to hook up, so much better to tow, and had so much more storage space, and was so much roomier.

I think the difference is about the same as a red apple and a yellow apple. Each has their advantages and disadvantages over the other, and each is designed with a slightly different purpose. Both still accomplish the end result. Your stomach does not know if you ate a yellow apple or a red apple. Inside they both digest the same. In the end, you want a happy and safe camping experience with the least amount of "hassle."There's give and take on both campers: Price, size, height, cost, storage. With your tow vehicle you have to decide what you use the bed of your truck for when not using it for camping, how much "stuff" you want to transport in it, if you want a shell over the bed or not, other "toys" you want to bring.The best thing you can do is really make a list of what is really important to you, and then make a list a things you absolutely do not want for any reason. Once you get the list, I think you'll have about 99% of your own answer. Then its just a matter of going out and finding the camper that meets your criteria.However, (I think) you already have your mind made up: Fifth Wheel. So, consider toy hauler too with the beds in the garage that raise and lower. They provide extra bed room space when you need it and open space when you don't. Just my suggestion.EDIT: we chose the specific camper we have right now because we DO NOT want anyone camping with us, except the grandkids! No beds, no guests! Works for us! And the living room give us LOTS of space!

I would not buy based on someone "may" want to come. Find the floor plan that fits your needs. Should others happen to come along, you will figure out how to accommodate them. If you do, you will find yourself trading again because it does not suit "your" needs. We have a college age daughter. The few times she has come with us would not have justified buying a different floor plan. The times she does come along, we easily accommodate.

If this is going to be your first RV I'd think about buying used or renting a few times to see if this is what you really want to do or not. And you would have an idea what is important to you floor plan wise and accessory wise.

Both have positives and negatives. To me, I need / like having the complete bed of the truck for carrying gear and storage! Take your time, study floor plans, and go with what's best for you!

1st Time buyer needs advice: t.t. or 5th wheeler?

20 Replies

koda55
Explorer
Feb 01, 2014
What truck will you be using to pull either the TT or the fifth wheel?
Does it have the capacity. Would it be better to rent before buying to insure that camping is what you really want to do. As mentioned go to as many rv shows or dealers to look and see what floor plan you really want. For us the floor plan is the most important thing. Is buying used an option. Ten there is the cost of outfitting: Pot/pans, dishes, silver ware, sheets, blankets and other items.
handye9
Explorer II
Feb 01, 2014
Dtaylor wrote:
I would not buy based on someone "may" want to come. Find the floor plan that fits your needs. Should others happen to come along, you will figure out how to accommodate them. If you do, you will find yourself trading again because it does not suit "your" needs.

Good advice.

We traded three times in seven years.
samsontdog
Explorer
Jan 30, 2014
Redsky wrote:
I would go with the travel trailer unless the trailer was going to weigh more than 10,000 lbs. and I wanted the shock absorption of a TrailAir type of kingpin. or where I had a long trailer and wanted the tighter turning radius with the 5th wheel.

With a 5th wheel you lose the bed of the pickup for all practical purposes. With a travel trailer you can put a cap on the bed and store gear inside that you do not want in the trailer and this can include bicycles, fishing gear, table and chairs, firewood, and other items. With the pickup you can also mount a rack to hold a small dingy or couple of canoes or kayaks.

When you park the trailer and drive around in the pickup would you like to have the storage space in the bed available for use and protected from the weather and possible thieves?

I agree 100 percent !! That's why I went back to a TT from a 40 ft 5th w.

I commonly see people with pickups pulling travel trailers in the southwest and with boats kayaks or ATV's along for the ride. The 5th wheel is better for more sedentary use.

Something else to consider is the amount of step up to get up and inside a 5th wheel as well as having to step up to get to the master bedroom area. This is not the case with a travel trailer.
Redsky
Explorer
Jan 30, 2014
I would go with the travel trailer unless the trailer was going to weigh more than 10,000 lbs. and I wanted the shock absorption of a TrailAir type of kingpin. or where I had a long trailer and wanted the tighter turning radius with the 5th wheel.

With a 5th wheel you lose the bed of the pickup for all practical purposes. With a travel trailer you can put a cap on the bed and store gear inside that you do not want in the trailer and this can include bicycles, fishing gear, table and chairs, firewood, and other items. With the pickup you can also mount a rack to hold a small dingy or couple of canoes or kayaks.

When you park the trailer and drive around in the pickup would you like to have the storage space in the bed available for use and protected from the weather and possible thieves?

I commonly see people with pickups pulling travel trailers in the southwest and with boats kayaks or ATV's along for the ride. The 5th wheel is better for more sedentary use.

Something else to consider is the amount of step up to get up and inside a 5th wheel as well as having to step up to get to the master bedroom area. This is not the case with a travel trailer.
AuntSmurf
Explorer
Jan 30, 2014
John Wayne wrote:
If this is going to be your first RV I'd think about buying used or renting a few times to see if this is what you really want to do or not. And you would have an idea what is important to you floor plan wise and accessory wise.

Good advice! So many times the 2nd rig you buy is the one you really want. You learn with your first one. Is this the size I need? Does this floorplan work for us? Do we have enough storage? Our first rv was a tt with a center kitchen, and very little counter space. I thought that I could make it work. Soon found out that I couldn't. Our present rig is a 5th wheel with a rear kitchen. Much better suited to us. (We full-time.) Do NOT buy the first one you fall for. Look, look, look. Hit RV shows if you can. Sit in the rig, pretend to watch tv, stand in the shower, plan where you are going to put your gear, move from the stove to the fridge to the table. All of these things will give you an idea of what life will be. Welcome to the wonderful world of RV'ing!:) It's a great way of life!
Steeljag
Explorer
Jan 29, 2014
Both have positives and negatives. To me, I need / like having the complete bed of the truck for carrying gear and storage!

Take your time, study floor plans, and go with what's best for you!
John_Wayne
Explorer II
Jan 29, 2014
If this is going to be your first RV I'd think about buying used or renting a few times to see if this is what you really want to do or not. And you would have an idea what is important to you floor plan wise and accessory wise.
Dtaylor
Explorer
Jan 29, 2014
I would not buy based on someone "may" want to come. Find the floor plan that fits your needs. Should others happen to come along, you will figure out how to accommodate them. If you do, you will find yourself trading again because it does not suit "your" needs.

We have a college age daughter. The few times she has come with us would not have justified buying a different floor plan. The times she does come along, we easily accommodate.
DutchmenSport
Explorer
Jan 29, 2014
I think the difference is about the same as a red apple and a yellow apple.

Each has their advantages and disadvantages over the other, and each is designed with a slightly different purpose. Both still accomplish the end result. Your stomach does not know if you ate a yellow apple or a red apple. Inside they both digest the same. In the end, you want a happy and safe camping experience with the least amount of "hassle."

There's give and take on both campers: Price, size, height, cost, storage. With your tow vehicle you have to decide what you use the bed of your truck for when not using it for camping, how much "stuff" you want to transport in it, if you want a shell over the bed or not, other "toys" you want to bring.

The best thing you can do is really make a list of what is really important to you, and then make a list a things you absolutely do not want for any reason. Once you get the list, I think you'll have about 99% of your own answer. Then its just a matter of going out and finding the camper that meets your criteria.

However, (I think) you already have your mind made up: Fifth Wheel. So, consider toy hauler too with the beds in the garage that raise and lower. They provide extra bed room space when you need it and open space when you don't. Just my suggestion.

EDIT: we chose the specific camper we have right now because we DO NOT want anyone camping with us, except the grandkids! No beds, no guests! Works for us! And the living room give us LOTS of space!
Two_Hands
Explorer
Jan 29, 2014
We started camping with a tent, moved to tent trailers, a travel trailer, then a fifth wheel. The only thing we would have done differently would be to have skipped the travel trailer and gone right to the fifth wheel. The fifth wheel was so much easier to hook up, so much better to tow, and had so much more storage space, and was so much roomier.

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1st Time buyer needs advice: t.t. or 5th wheeler?

20 Replies

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