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.

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

5th wheel or bumper pull | Good Sam Community

BigDinAZ
Explorer
Aug 26, 2019
To each his (or her) own. I like the 5th wheel because it fits the way we want to do things.
This is why they make Class A, Class C, 5th wheels, travel trailers, campers and the list goes on.
We can all choose what fits our style.

Some like boondocking some like hookups, yet others prefer tents.

The important thing is not only that you do it, but that you have fun doing it.

D
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Aug 26, 2019
Worse excuse ever IMHO! "First, we didn’t like the steps" Other reasons are understandable.
campigloo
Explorer
Aug 26, 2019
We went with the TT for two main reasons. First, we didn’t like the steps. Second and probably more important is one that most people don’t have. It’s using the bed of the truck. It’s nice to carry several ice chests and buckets and fishing poles. We fish in the Gulf of Mexico and carry live fish, minnows and other small fish for bait. If the bucket sloshes water around, if the shrimp jump out and cant be found, if we want to cut a fish and use half of him it’s no big deal. Ok, not what you asked for but the beach sure is fun!
Moral of the story, camping is not always neat and clean. We like to have a place to put wet or dirty or stinky things somewhere other than in the trailer storage bins.
tomman58
Explorer
Aug 26, 2019
N-Trouble wrote:
Well there you go... If you’ve never pulled a 5er then yes you’ll think your bumper pulls really nice.

You have to go up stairs every time you go in/out your bumper pull. Whats a couple more?? Dont get the fire comment. All 5ers have escape windows.

Let me just say normally pulling my TT is like sitting in front of the TV and watching a travel program but I am in it. Get it?? I am at ease with my rig why would I change ??? Secondly for a 5er as big as mine loaded would cost about 35000 to 40000 more. Now lets put in a new heavier truck and more costly insurance. Get it??
Lastly you go in and out but a few times.... you go to the bathroom or change or nap in the bed room. In the TT you just go back and forth in a 5er you'll be up and down those stairs often and my wife has issues and so do I on occasion. You must not be a beer drinker LOL.
N-Trouble
Explorer
Aug 26, 2019
Well there you go... If you’ve never pulled a 5er then yes you’ll think your bumper pulls really nice.

You have to go up stairs every time you go in/out your bumper pull. Whats a couple more?? Dont get the fire comment. All 5ers have escape windows.
tomman58
Explorer
Aug 26, 2019
N-Trouble wrote:
tomman58 wrote:
N-Trouble wrote:
39ft bumper pull just has “bad idea” written all over it. Will tow like **** regardless of TV.

My 28 footer towed well but is far to small for us to live in for 5++ months each year. I tow from Michigan to Las Vegas and Tucson bi annually and to Texas ever year then on to Florida. I have been in winds in Oklahoma and near tornodic conditions in TX. I cross the big Mac at least 4 or 5 times a year under "high wind advisory" conditions. It takes at least 8000 to 10,000 miles a year to do our road travel.
Guess what the TT tows just fine and although this unit is higher (larger wheels and tires on both the truck and TT) we do well and have never had to lay over for more that 3 or 4 hours in Nevada waiting to turtle up with the semis to make it across the desert. Realize of course I am not using a 1500 but do have a 2500 with heavy suspension and DMAX.

Well a 28 footer is no 39 footer... Have you ever pulled a 5er to compare to? Everything is relative.

Never wanted one and as I posted don't like stairs or a nest that doesn't have a door in case of fire. I've always thought they should have emergency exit in the floor under the bed.
ACZL
Explorer
Aug 26, 2019
Cummins12V98 wrote:
Rare to see a 5er laying on it's side, TT's that's a different story!

2nd this! Older retired semi driver friend said the exact same thing to me back in '05.
N-Trouble
Explorer
Aug 25, 2019
tomman58 wrote:
N-Trouble wrote:
39ft bumper pull just has “bad idea” written all over it. Will tow like **** regardless of TV.

My 28 footer towed well but is far to small for us to live in for 5++ months each year. I tow from Michigan to Las Vegas and Tucson bi annually and to Texas ever year then on to Florida. I have been in winds in Oklahoma and near tornodic conditions in TX. I cross the big Mac at least 4 or 5 times a year under "high wind advisory" conditions. It takes at least 8000 to 10,000 miles a year to do our road travel.
Guess what the TT tows just fine and although this unit is higher (larger wheels and tires on both the truck and TT) we do well and have never had to lay over for more that 3 or 4 hours in Nevada waiting to turtle up with the semis to make it across the desert. Realize of course I am not using a 1500 but do have a 2500 with heavy suspension and DMAX.

Well a 28 footer is no 39 footer... Have you ever pulled a 5er to compare to? Everything is relative.
tomman58
Explorer
Aug 25, 2019
N-Trouble wrote:
39ft bumper pull just has “bad idea” written all over it. Will tow like **** regardless of TV.

My 28 footer towed well but is far to small for us to live in for 5++ months each year. I tow from Michigan to Las Vegas and Tucson bi annually and to Texas ever year then on to Florida. I have been in winds in Oklahoma and near tornodic conditions in TX. I cross the big Mac at least 4 or 5 times a year under "high wind advisory" conditions. It takes at least 8000 to 10,000 miles a year to do our road travel.
Guess what the TT tows just fine and although this unit is higher (larger wheels and tires on both the truck and TT) we do well and have never had to lay over for more that 3 or 4 hours in Nevada waiting to turtle up with the semis to make it across the desert. Realize of course I am not using a 1500 but do have a 2500 with heavy suspension and DMAX.
tomman58
Explorer
Aug 25, 2019
MFL wrote:
tomman58 wrote:
Bottom line make your choice for your world, I prefer a TT, don't like stairs or being trapped in a nest with the door below.

Most FWs have an emergency exit window/windows. As to being trapped in a fire, these windows are hinged, with quick release handles. I read about a practice jump, but think I'll wait until I am trapped before jumping. :) The downstairs window jump...may not be too bad, but the bedroom window height a little more challenging.

Anyway...how bout those jumping from 3+ floor building to avoid the flames???

In a 5er at 72 years old I would be looking at a broken leg minimum.

Jerry

Forum Discussion

5th wheel or bumper pull

About RV Tips & Tricks

Related Content

5th wheel vs Bumper Pull!~ help a newbie

34' bumper pull, pointers.

2011 GMC / FIFTH WHEEL or bumper pull?

SRW for pulling Fifth Wheel

5th Wheel or Tounge pull?