Looking for some insight. Considering buying a smaller 5th wheel or travel trailer. I have pulled many trailers, but never a 5th wheel. I pull a dump trailer quite often, and when fully loaded, weighs 12k. I obviously know what its like to pull that loaded, but how would a 10k-11k 5th wheel 'feel' and compare to the bumper pull?

For one, you'll feel a LOT more wind resistance with a fifth wheel than with a dump trailer. Under most circumstances, this will have a big effect on your fuel mileage. Other than that, I find that my fifth wheel feels more stable on the highway than my travel trailer did - and at 2.5 times the weight and 11 feet longer. Starts and stops take longer, but that's to be expected.

I pull a 10k dump trailer as well as my 5th wheel. The Fifth wheel is easier to hook up and my truck rides better with the weight over the axle not behind it. All though my truck is heavy duty enough that neither is much of a challenge. I greatly prefer the 5th wheel. Some say you can set up a travel trailer to pull as well as a 5th wheel. But you don't have to do anything to a 5th wheel to make it a pleasant experience. But then you do lose space in your truck bed and some people don't like the steps. There are pros and cons to both. I notice you did say a smaller rig. In that case I maybe would lean to a travel trailer. It will be less expensive and if your truck has a heavy enough receiver on it you will save the cost of a 5th wheel hitch. All kinds of things to consider. If going to a large rig my opinion is a 5th wheel wins hands down.

I don't feel cross-winds with my 5th wheel.

Never pulled a fifth, but using a Hensley Arrow hitch has made towing a very pleasant experience. No wiggle or sway, at all.There's another company that makes 'pivot point projection' hitches, now; Pro-Pride. Have heard very good things about that hitch as well.

boondockdad wrote:Never pulled a fifth, but using a Hensley Arrow hitch has made towing a very pleasant experience. No wiggle or sway, at all.There's another company that makes 'pivot point projection' hitches, now; Pro-Pride. Have heard very good things about that hitch as well.Great point. I've had both. Don't prefer either one. Fifth wheels are very stable right from the start. Bumper pull toy haulers do just as well as long as a good WD hitch is used with sway control and set up properly.

Bumper pull vs. 5th wheel | Good Sam Community

Muddydogs
Explorer
Sep 08, 2015
lawnspecialties wrote:
Not to start a fight at all. I don't care what people camp in.

But I've had both. From a 30' TT to a 33' TT to a 45' 5er and back to a 33' TT. If you have sway or other similar issues with your TT, you don't have a decent WD hitch or you don't have it set up correct.

Or you are towing to much trailer for your TV.

Reading through the above posts and I just don't have all the sway, wiggle and what not people talk about towing a TT and I have towed 30 or 40 different trailers with probably 200 different trucks over the last 20 years. Some of the 32 to 40 foot TT I have towed over 1000 miles at a time with nothing more then the correct ball and no weight distribution hitch or sway bars. Not to mention I am one of the hated tow over 65 guys on the forum. Common factor is all the pickups I towed with were 3/4 ton or better with 10 ply tires aired up to max pressure.

If your tow vehicle can't handle the trailer with just a ball all the add on towing aids are just a band aid covering the true problem.
mkirsch
Nomad II
Sep 08, 2015
The reason a 5th wheel tows better without any doohickeys, gizmos, or gadgets is because the pivot point is BETWEEN the rear wheels rather than 5' behind. The trailer can't get any leverage on the truck to shove it around.
wing_zealot
Explorer
Sep 08, 2015
You want more bang for the buck you buy a TT. You want to pull a bigger RV with the same vehicle, you buy a TT. Other than that they are both the same; an RV, they just hitch up differently.
lawnspecialties
Explorer
Sep 05, 2015
Not to start a fight at all. I don't care what people camp in.

But I've had both. From a 30' TT to a 33' TT to a 45' 5er and back to a 33' TT. If you have sway or other similar issues with your TT, you don't have a decent WD hitch or you don't have it set up correct.
rhagfo
Explorer III
Sep 05, 2015
I will say the only TT I ever pulled was a 20' borrowed from my BIL for a trip to Apple Cup at WSU, no WDH or sway device on a 79' F250 CC LB. I didn't have any issues towed great.
That said I never considered buying a TT for myself, I just new that a 5er would tow better. We have never regretted the decision.
Dr_Quick
Explorer II
Sep 05, 2015
Of 6 trailers, the last 5 have been 5th wheels. I got my first 5th in 1973 when they were first coming out. We have been to some places while towing, and wanted to take a side trip in a park that was not trailer friendly. I can have trailer unhooked in about 2 or 3 minutes, so we can sightsee in the truck, and reconnected in about the same time and on our way. The stability in towing is superior to a conventional WD hitch, even being "pushed" down a hill by trailer you never feel like you are loosing control. Never have a sway problem when being passed by big trucks also:)
MNRon
Explorer
Sep 05, 2015
TTs can be set up to pull well...but I didn't realize that "well" was relative until we got a 5er. I was comfortable pulling a TT but did sweat a little pulling in heavy traffic between trucks in construction zones, now with a 5er I'm not just comfortable, I love pulling the 5er.
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Sep 05, 2015
There is a reason TT people say "we are moving up to a 5th wheel".

If you want a relaxed towing experience start off right with a 5er.

If you enjoy your sphincter in a knot then get a TT!
valhalla360
Navigator
Sep 05, 2015
What do you currently have for a tow vehicle? If it's a 1/2 ton, go travel trailer.

How many people will be going with you?
Do you carry a lot of stuff in the tow vehicle?

5th wheels definitely tow better but a properly set up travel trailer is not a problem.

Lots of trade offs.
lawnspecialties
Explorer
Sep 05, 2015
boondockdad wrote:
Never pulled a fifth, but using a Hensley Arrow hitch has made towing a very pleasant experience.
No wiggle or sway, at all.
There's another company that makes 'pivot point projection' hitches, now; Pro-Pride. Have heard very good things about that hitch as well.

Great point. I've had both. Don't prefer either one. Fifth wheels are very stable right from the start. Bumper pull toy haulers do just as well as long as a good WD hitch is used with sway control and set up properly.