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

42 Replies

azdryheat
Explorer
Aug 22, 2019
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.
BB_TX
Nomad
Aug 22, 2019
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.

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5th wheel or bumper pull

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