What's the most "Bang for my Buck" - TT or 5th Wheel?

Terryallan wrote:
Personally, I'd look in the 4500 to 5000lb dry range. No more than 5000 dry. Once the TT and the truck are loaded to camp. He will be right where he needs to be.

As for the 5th wheel. Just don't

I agree with this. My truck is rated at 11,xxx towing. My TT is dry 5300 with a payload of 2200. I'm very comfortable for local trips, but on longer trips I can tell that I'm at the limit of my comfort regardless of what the numbers say.

Another vote for a TT in the 4-5,000lb range.

Except for some oddball tiny ones, the pin weight is what limits his truck for 5th wheels.

A few items need to be checked:
- Always use fully loaded weights, no one camps with an empty truck and trailer and beyond a 150lb driver everything and everyone else is cargo using up the trucks capacity.
- GCVW Rating (fully loaded truck and trailer weight)
- Tow Rating (heaviest trailer that can be pulled)
- Rear Axle Rating (figure 10% for TT and 20-25% for 5th wheels and thus the reason 5th wheels need heavier duty trucks)
- There are actually a couple other things but these are the big ones.
- If any one of these fails, you are over weight. You will find people who tow beyond thier rated capacities but that's a seperate discussion.

Usually cargo capacity of the tow vehicle becomes the limiting factor when towing a trailer. The tongue weight of the trailer should be 10-15% of the total trailer weight, and the tongue weight becomes the cargo of the trailer.

Find out the cargo capacity of the truck, subtract occupants, hitch head, and other cargo,and what you have left is the amount available for the tongue weight of the trailer. Look for a trailer that is no more than 7-10X that remaining cargo weight.

A good rule of thumb is to look at trailers no heavier than 80% of the towing capacity. Then double check the trailer specifics against the cargo capacity available.

Scamp 19' fifth wheel is just under 3,000lbs dry.
Escape 21' fifth wheel is around 3,700lbs dry.

Not a lot of other 5'rs your truck could handle safely.

Look at www.trailmanor.com for their lighter weight TT's.

5th wheel? Not a chance. A lighter weight TT, 3500 to 4500 lbs would be about the max TT that that truck can tow comfortably and safely.

Terryallan wrote:
Personally, I'd look in the 4500 to 5000lb dry range. No more than 5000 dry. Once the TT and the truck are loaded to camp. He will be right where he needs to be.

As for the 5th wheel. Just don't

I agree

Delete please! I messed up! :S

Personally, I'd look in the 4500 to 5000lb dry range. No more than 5000 dry. Once the TT and the truck are loaded to camp. He will be right where he needs to be.

As for the 5th wheel. Just don't