Fifth wheel or travel trailer?

Do the research starting with how you intend to use it. What is good for the weekend warrior is little use to the extended traveller. What is needed for the extended traveller cannot be delivered by something designed for the weekend warrior.

We went from car camping to a popup which would tow great with the midsize truck. We found a great on that was 3 years old. Our kids were 4 and 6 at the time and we used the heck out of it for 9 years. It had A/C, furnace, and heated mattresses. We had a great time with it, and sold it for $1000 less than we paid for it.

About a year ago we decided to go to a hard side camper. We briefly debated Tt vs 5ver, but decided on a TT because we did not lose the space in the bed. With 2 outdoorsy teens we can carry lots of equipment. Depending on where we are going, and how long, we may carry 4 kayaks, and 4 mountain bikes. I think that would be difficult with a fifth wheel taking up the bed.

When the kids are grown and we carry less stuff we me go to a fifth wheel, but for now a TT works well for us. There are tons of options and floor plans out there. Think about the activities and types of places you like to go and that will point you in the right direction. Think about the things you want to take with you, and how you can carry them. Also realize that with the little one those things will be changing, and the number of little ones may change also.

Enjoy making great memories with the family, they will grow up before you know it.

When we were planning for our first trailer I wanted a fifth wheel because I had heard that they are slightly easier to tow and back up in. My wife however did not like the idea of the step down from the bedroom to the rest of the rig. She was afraid of forgetting about the steps and falling down so we got a used bumper pull travel trailer. We haven't regretted our decision a bit.

Thanks for the insights and responses...they have been VERY helpful. It seems the TT is the right choice for me at this time. I do think I'll have to upgrade my truck as I want a trailer with bunks as well as a queen bed. Sticking with the gasser as the pickup will be my daily driver in Denver and my commute is <20 miles each way. Heard those short trips aren't good for a diesel engine.

It seems Outdoors RV has some models at a local camper dealership I need to check out.

If you are determined to go with a gasser, consider a Ford with EcoBoost engine. The turbo doesn't lose power at altitude the way a normally aspirated engine does.

CO-traveler wrote:
I don't have an adequate TV for anything substantial. Currently a 2012 GMC Canyon 4x4 with 1080# payload capacity. It is my wife and I with a year-old baby boy. Have backpacked and tent camped (car camped) for years and the wife is wanting more creature comforts for her and the little guy. We like state parks, boondocking, national parks and BLM land. Will mostly be 3-season camping for 2-4 nights at a time.

I could maybe tow something like a Rockwood GeoPro with my current truck but otherwise I am looking to upgrade to a GM 2500 gasser.

Your truck won't handle a 5th wheel.

You will need at least a 3/4 ton for a 5th wheel. The driving force for 5th wheels is the pin weight. Unless you get north of 12-14k lbs, you don't need a diesel (they are nice but not needed). Diesel doesn't like short runs but neither does gas. 20 mile each-way commutes should be enough to get the engine reasonably warmed up. If you had a 2 mile commute, that would be more of an issue.

5th wheels tow nicer and generally have more on board storage (mitigating the loss of truck bed space) but given your inexperience and not having a truck already, I would recommend you go with a TT. Go used to keep the cost down as there is a good chance, you will learn from the 1st unit and want something different in a few years, so no point in spending big money and taking big losses on resale.

CO-traveler wrote:
It seems Outdoors RV has some models at a local camper dealership I need to check out.

Yes, Ketelsen in Wheat Ridge has a decent selection of Outdoors RV TT to go and look at. Did that a few weeks ago myself. As you've mentioned, you will absolutely want a much more capable truck than what you currently have. I would also not agree about the statement of 12k - 14k lbs being the territory for a diesel 1-ton. Maybe in the flat lands as having a turbo diesel at altitude towing 8000lbs + will be greatly appreciative. I tow a GVWR 9500 lbs TT with a turbo diesel in the CO mountains and would never consider anything less regardless of what someone tried to convince me of.

You will also easily get a diesel to temp in 10-20 miles. That whole thing about short trips started many years ago and isn't quite that same regarding modern diesels running DEF systems. Many of us are using modern diesels as DD without the longer commutes.

Also consider what toys you have which you will be wanting to take with you along with the trailer. That can impact what trailer type and will certainly impact payload numbers on either the trailer or truck. Plan and think this through appropriately. A quality and properly adjusted WDH will tow a properly balance loaded TT extremely nice and wouldn't let that "sway" your decision to go 5th over TT because some are convinced 5ths tow much better.

We started with a pop up camper and then moved up to a travel trailer. We are currently looking for a fifth wheel.
With the type of camping that you like to do I would say that you are right in looking at shorter travel trailers. Slide-outs are appreciated most on rainy days. It's a trade off though as they add weight and another thing to possibly break/leak on the camper.
Try to picture your family 5 years down the road. Will you still fit and be happy in the camper you are considering? The reason I ask is because RVs are lousy investments, and you don't want to be trading them off too often.
Happy hunting!

You can haul a bigger TT with any given vehicle then a 5th wheel, plus I have the whole back of my truck open to haul firewood, bikes, grill, camp stove, or any other assorted camping amenities.

donn0128 wrote:
Yes.
Start used.
Start small.
Start cheap.

Excellent advice !