Forum Discussion

Bigmoss's avatar
Bigmoss
Explorer
Jun 10, 2013

To buy a fifth wheel or not ?

I own a 1970 16 foot Shasta style trailer right now, I've had it for four years and it has served me wheel. I use it mainly for hunting in the fall as the properties I use are two hours away so it's nice to be able to go down and stay for the weekend instead of commuting and in the summer I set it up at the cottage and my nephew sleeps in it when he visits

I decided to upgrade to something a little more up to date with microwave and larger fridge etc and something with more room. I just assumed I would get a tow behind but have not found anything in good shape in my price range. Last week an older couple put a fifth wheel up for sale a 1997 Prowler 215B 21 foot supper clean and allot of new things like batteries, propane tanks and power inverter.

I might tow it once in a while but rare but are there any issues with a fifth wheel that I should consider not buying one ? I am ok with adding a hitch to my truck and have pulled trailers for many years and my F150 can handle that size and weight but I guess just wondered if there were any cons to not being one and holding out for a tow behind ?

Sorry I'm new to all this

9 Replies

  • mlts22's avatar
    mlts22
    Explorer II
    Jun 20, 2013
    Very few TTs have a place for a generator, while a lot of 5Ws have at least a bay with the plumbing ready to go. I've seen a number of fifth wheels even have a gasoline tank so one could run the onboard generator for long periods of time.

    Barring that, there tends to be more storage in the fifth-wheel's basement than a TT.
  • wintersun's avatar
    wintersun
    Explorer II
    Jun 19, 2013
    The primary drawback to the 5th wheel type of trailer is the loss of the bed of the truck for all practical purposes whether or not the trailer is attached. With a conventional trailer the truck can still be used to haul a boat/kayaks/canoes or bicycles or extra gear or even an ATV.

    The 5th wheel arrangement is required for very heavy trailers that exceed the capacity of a conventional hitch. The 5th wheel trailers provide the elevated sleeping area and as a result have a higher profile and more wind drag going down the highway and most involve a higher base floor level as well so more steps involved getting into the trailer and again to the sleeping area. They also often provide more externally accessible storage with the basement area than a conventional trailer of the same length.
  • Grit_dog's avatar
    Grit_dog
    Navigator II
    Jun 10, 2013
    One thing to consider with the 5ver if you're taking it to huntin camp is the flexibility of a fifth wheel hitch off road.
    Steep break over angles, gullies to cross and off camber stuff is not fiver territory as they don't articulate side to side much at all and steep angles run the risk of contacting the truck bed with the trailer body.
    If the roads are decent then no issue.
  • gkenworth's avatar
    gkenworth
    Explorer
    Jun 10, 2013
    I dislike my fiver for only one reason. I wish I could stand up when I got out of bed, not crawl in and crawl out.
  • n7bsn's avatar
    n7bsn
    Explorer
    Jun 10, 2013
    I towed that model trailer with that model truck over the Icefields Highway, the Coquihalla and many other long/steep grades in Canada. You shouldn't have any issues
  • NC_Hauler's avatar
    NC_Hauler
    Explorer
    Jun 10, 2013
    Bigmoss wrote:
    I buying as I said to use it as a "hunting camp"
    From Sept to Dec on the farms I have permission on I live far from them and it makes life easier to stay onsite.

    I'm told the weight of the trailer is 1900 lbs and I drive an F150 four wheel drive 5.4 engine

    I guess what I'm looking for is pros and cons of a fifth wheel
    VS tow behind


    Having owned tents, pop-up's, TT's, a Hi-Lo and 5th wheel, I like 5th wheels best, but that just might be me...

    that is a very light 5er, you should have zero issues, and seeing as how it's rare you tow it, guess it shouldn't make any difference. The 5er should afford you a little more room than a TT of the same size and more storage space....all of them can have the same issues.

    I guess others can give you "pros" and "con's" on owning a 5er, I'm just comparing to everything else I've owned....(turned down Class A Motorhome for 5er). I prefer a 5er for the reasons I stated. to me, compared to other 'types" of rv's, the 5er has less "con's' than the others, but again, probably just me, but I'm basing this on my experiences having owned all I've stated since 75'.
  • Bigmoss's avatar
    Bigmoss
    Explorer
    Jun 10, 2013
    I buying as I said to use it as a "hunting camp"
    From Sept to Dec on the farms I have permission on I live far from them and it makes life easier to stay onsite.

    I'm told the weight of the trailer is 1900 lbs and I drive an F150 four wheel drive 5.4 engine

    I guess what I'm looking for is pros and cons of a fifth wheel
    VS tow behind
  • NC_Hauler's avatar
    NC_Hauler
    Explorer
    Jun 10, 2013
    Welcome to the forum, we'll try to help in any way we can.

    What is GVW of the 5th wheel? Older one's tend to be a little heavier than the newer ones.
    What 1/2 ton do you have? What size engine?

    Need more information to give you an educated answer....Need to know GVW of 5er, not empty weight, need to know what your trucks towing capacity is....You can take GVW of 5er and "ballpark" approx. 20% for pin weight you'll drop in the bed of your truck....add a couple hundred pounds for a 5th wheel hitch....

    Sounds like it's do-able with only 21' 5er, but knowing weights is a must.

    If you've looked at the 5er, I look for signs of water leaks around the ceiling and inside walls, look at hot water heater, stove, see if everything works to your liking....check the condition of the tires

    Don't understand what you mean you would rarely tow it, if ever??? Why buy it then?

    Let us know, we'll try to answer your questions.

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