5th wheel or bumper pull

General opinion is that a 5er tows more stable than an equal length TT. But you know what opinions are worth. Many say a TT set up properly tows just as well.
The truck and 5er total length will be a LOT shorter than the truck and 39’ TT.
The 5er will be easier to get into tight sites since you can back in a tighter turn.
TT doesn’t have inside steps you have to go up and down. A plus.
Most 5ers have a lot of storage space under the front elevated area.
Pros and cons for each.
But you do need to check your truck payload rating compared to hitch weight.

For starters forget the dry weight figures. The gross weight (GVWR) is the the number that matters. Will your truck with the 6.2L handle fully loaded trailers? I like the 5th wheel for it's stability in crosswinds but I don't like the steps to the bedroom but I do like that 5th wheels are easier to maneuver and backup.

Is your F250’s payload up to 2,000 pounds of 5er pin weight plus hitch, people and stuff in the cab? Or 1,100 pounds of TT tongue weight, the hitch and people and stuff in the truck? Champagne on a beer budget?

GVW is listed on your driver door post. That is where you start. Now add up EVERYTHING that will be in the truck and trailer. ALL people, dogs kids, and don't forget the wife. ADD everything you walked thru the door of the trailer. Fill up the storage tanks. Fresh, Black and gray with water. All this can be done on paper. Now compare that to the truck GVW and see what you got. Not only do you pull it but you have to stop it.

The FW will make a much shorter combo, is easier to hook/unhook, nicer towing, likely more storage. If your truck has the FW prep package, it will really make things simple.

Jerry

Lwiddis wrote:
Is your F250’s payload up to 2,000 pounds of 5er pin weight plus hitch, people and stuff in the cab? Or 1,100 pounds of TT tongue weight, the hitch and people and stuff in the truck? Champagne on a beer budget?

A 250 gas model will be more than capable of taking the pin or hitch weight of either trailer. I almost purchased a completely loaded 2018 250 6.2 Lariat supercrew 4x4. It had a payload rating of 3100 some pounds just as much as a diesel 350. The only Issue I would see here is the 3.73 gears with the heavier 5th wheel. Can it do it heck yeah it can and is rated to. That weight is on the high end of tow capacity with the 3.73s somewhere in the 12500lb ballpark if he would have the 4.30 it would be 15000lbs.

MLWalton wrote:
Hey, new guy here. I have a 2019 F-250 6.2L 3:73 and debating on getting a 5th wheel or bumper pull TT. The 5th wheel I'm looking at has a dry weight of 10k and is 35 feet in length where as the bumper pull is 39 feet in length and it's dry weight is 8300#. Please give me some opinions on why you would chose one over the other. Thank you all in advance for helping the new guy.

Where do you live? Where do you plan on towing? How long distances do you plan on towing?

Just curious as the truck will handle that travel trailer no problem but your total length will be really long and with a gas engine gasoline stations are hard to find on the road with enough room to get a 60 foot total length rig and and out of. With a diesel engine it would be no problem using the big rig fuel pumps. In your case I would prefer the 5th but it is on the upper end of your tow capacity hence why I asked where and how far you plan to tow.

i have a the f250 6.2 gasser 2017 model. 3.73 rear end. first of all you will love this truck.

i have approx 25k miles on mine, at leat 20k towing our 38ft TT which cat scalled approx 10k lbs loaded to camp.

wife wanted 3 slides and we loved the floor plan so much. rear living room and large shower

this floor plan in a fiver was pushing my truck limits, and i don't like a stressfull towing situation

tows our rig like a dream. plenty of horespower, stable suspension, lots of available payload.


other member mentioned gas stations. only drawback and is correct. this is a loooong truck trailer combo.



gotta plan ahead on gas stops because of station layouts and getting to gas pumps.

need alot of room to to back up and turn etc. but its not that bad after you get experience.

Rare to see a 5er laying on it's side, TT's that's a different story!

5th wheel! Easier to tow, safer to tow, most have higher ground clearance, equal living space in a shorter overall (tow vehicle plus RV) length, many 5th wheels have much more storage space, there are more 5th wheels with improved “wintering” capabilities and where legal you can “safely” tow doubles....to name a few advantages. I’m sure there are some disadvantages.....I just can’t think of any. memtb