Opinion needed if you've owned a TT and a FW
If you've owned a FW and a TT which one do you like better and why? In your opinion is one easier then the other to back up and hook up.
Forum Discussion
72 Replies
goducks10 wrote:
Had a 31' TT and now a 28' 5'er. JMHO but we both feel the 5'er is easier to own. Simpler to hookup. May not take that much less time but the procedure is easier. We really like the larger front basement storage that a 5'er offers. With a TT you can't put as much in the front storage as a 5'er so when you get home you need to unpack more out of the truck. Most of everything we take stays in the 5'er till next trip. When we had our TT I had to load 1/2 of our stuff in the truck and unload it when we got home. If I need to use my truck for hauling something it's fairly simple to take the 5th hitch out. For the most part it stays in that bed. As far as floor plans go it's a wash IMO. You really need to get into the 35' plus range to get substantially better use of interior space. Most trailer builders offer some pretty large TT's that are comparable to 5'ers for interior space.
Virtually no sway. I would have know problem with my wife towing it if for some reason I couldn't. Can't say that about our TT. Backing up is definitely trickier. I could put our 31' TT in the spot usually on the 1st try. I've come to the conclusion that it takes 2 tries for me with the 5'er.
Another thing no one ever mentions is that if you have to get to the other side if the unit you can just walk between the 5'er and truck when hitched up. It got annoying climbing over the TT tongue when going from one side to the other.
The only negative we have is that the upper part of a 5'er whether it's the bedroom or a front living area, it will get warmer sooner. Hot air rises. If you're in a hot part of the U.S then a 2nd air for the upstairs would be advisable.
If we decide to go bigger it will definitely be a 5'er. While ours is only 28' now, if we go bigger it will be in the 32'-33' range. To get that same sqft in a Tt it would have to be 35'-36' OAL. I have no desire to tow a 35' TT.
This is all helpful info. I think I want a FW. Have to see what the husband thinks. I wont be impulsive though. I still want to think on it since we will lose money. If we trade it, we will wait for the RV show in Feb.- I wish I had been smart enough to watch this years ago - but maybe it was not on there. :-)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZQYgJl-uEE - Had a 31' TT and now a 28' 5'er. JMHO but we both feel the 5'er is easier to own. Simpler to hookup. May not take that much less time but the procedure is easier. We really like the larger front basement storage that a 5'er offers. With a TT you can't put as much in the front storage as a 5'er so when you get home you need to unpack more out of the truck. Most of everything we take stays in the 5'er till next trip. When we had our TT I had to load 1/2 of our stuff in the truck and unload it when we got home. If I need to use my truck for hauling something it's fairly simple to take the 5th hitch out. For the most part it stays in that bed. As far as floor plans go it's a wash IMO. You really need to get into the 35' plus range to get substantially better use of interior space. Most trailer builders offer some pretty large TT's that are comparable to 5'ers for interior space.
But the biggest plus for me is the way it tows. Virtually no sway. I would have know problem with my wife towing it if for some reason I couldn't. Can't say that about our TT. Backing up is definitely trickier. I could put our 31' TT in the spot usually on the 1st try. I've come to the conclusion that it takes 2 tries for me with the 5'er.
Another thing no one ever mentions is that if you have to get to the other side if the unit you can just walk between the 5'er and truck when hitched up. It got annoying climbing over the TT tongue when going from one side to the other.
The only negative we have is that the upper part of a 5'er whether it's the bedroom or a front living area, it will get warmer sooner. Hot air rises. If you're in a hot part of the U.S then a 2nd air for the upstairs would be advisable.
If we decide to go bigger it will definitely be a 5'er. While ours is only 28' now, if we go bigger it will be in the 32'-33' range. To get that same sqft in a Tt it would have to be 35'-36' OAL. I have no desire to tow a 35' TT. Weeluvdis wrote:
Lauren wrote:
Trailering stability is a major. Less rock and roll. Storage space is another. Ease of setup and takedown. A 5er tracks behind you better on turning. All of the above were factors in our decision.
Backing up is more difficult with a 5er. I could back up my long ago 22' boat and drop it in when only inches to spare. This carried over to our travel trailers.
I have yet to remember that a 5er takes patience - not my long suit! You crank too hard or not give yourself enough "pull forward" to ease the turn and you will jackknife it sure as heck. Which is why I try and get pull thru spots whenever possible.
No question which way I would recommend - 5er. And we got a long bed truck (SRW) so I could put the infamous silver box for storage of tools and things right behind the cab.
Hmmm, that might be a hard sell for the husband. He is not horrible with back the TT only having it for a year. He isn't always great either. I was hoping the 5th wheel would be easier. I know people say it's different. Maybe if we decide to do this the RV Dealer would let him practice with a used one before we buy. We also have a long bed so we would still have some space. That was another reason my husband wasn't fond of the FW besides the price.
A TT responds quicker to the steering input from the truck vs. a fiver. With a fiver you need to pull forward more to straighten things out. With a TT the response is qucker and there is less need to pull forward.
In the end they respond differently to the steering from the truck. A TT is a bit easier to learn and get used to.rugermark2 wrote:
Weeluvdis wrote:
Thanks for the info.
Can you or anyone else explain what is different or how it is different to back it up?
To me the main difference is the 5er reacts slower. You have to be patient and take your time. I actually watched some you-tube videos on how they backup. I would suggest you do the same, they were actually very helpful.Weeluvdis wrote:
There are definitely pro's and con's to both. This is our first camper so until you own one and take it out a good year it's hard to know which type, which floor plan is the best for you. I feel this is why certain people trade a year or two later. When you haven't owned one it's hard to know which one is for you
Good idea, I'll watch some youtube videos. If we get a FW I will take a stab at driving. This TT we have, no way....I'll let my husband do that.
We got a 33ft TT with bunkhouse. I wish we had got a RL with double slides. My 11 yr old has no problem sleeping on a sofa bed. Half the time he doesn't want to sleep in the bunk room. Also, my husband is 6'3". He tried out many of the beds and showers of many TT that we looked at.....except the one we bought. Needless to say he is too big for both our bed and the shower/tub. We looked at like 6 different places over 2 months time so we didn't take it lightly but as first timers were obviously still naïve. Thanks again!
You are correct for some it takes a couple of trailers to find the right one. I have gone through 3 travel trailers in last 9 years trying to find the right floor plan. We decided to go with the 5er because it offered more space, and from what I had heard it tows and backs up much better. Just take your time in choosing what you want and what is right for your family.- Practice with the FW - I really have not and pay the price. My own fault.
Lauren wrote:
Trailering stability is a major. Less rock and roll. Storage space is another. Ease of setup and takedown. A 5er tracks behind you better on turning. All of the above were factors in our decision.
Backing up is more difficult with a 5er. I could back up my long ago 22' boat and drop it in when only inches to spare. This carried over to our travel trailers.
I have yet to remember that a 5er takes patience - not my long suit! You crank too hard or not give yourself enough "pull forward" to ease the turn and you will jackknife it sure as heck. Which is why I try and get pull thru spots whenever possible.
No question which way I would recommend - 5er. And we got a long bed truck (SRW) so I could put the infamous silver box for storage of tools and things right behind the cab.
Hmmm, that might be a hard sell for the husband. He is not horrible with back the TT only having it for a year. He isn't always great either. I was hoping the 5th wheel would be easier. I know people say it's different. Maybe if we decide to do this the RV Dealer would let him practice with a used one before we buy. We also have a long bed so we would still have some space. That was another reason my husband wasn't fond of the FW besides the price.Weeluvdis wrote:
Thanks for the info.
Can you or anyone else explain what is different or how it is different to back it up?
To me the main difference is the 5er reacts slower. You have to be patient and take your time. I actually watched some you-tube videos on how they backup. I would suggest you do the same, they were actually very helpful.Weeluvdis wrote:
There are definitely pro's and con's to both. This is our first camper so until you own one and take it out a good year it's hard to know which type, which floor plan is the best for you. I feel this is why certain people trade a year or two later. When you haven't owned one it's hard to know which one is for you
You are correct for some it takes a couple of trailers to find the right one. I have gone through 3 travel trailers in last 9 years trying to find the right floor plan. We decided to go with the 5er because it offered more space, and from what I had heard it tows and backs up much better. Just take your time in choosing what you want and what is right for your family.- Trailering stability is a major. Less rock and roll. Storage space is another. Ease of setup and takedown. A 5er tracks behind you better on turning. All of the above were factors in our decision.
Backing up is more difficult with a 5er. I could back up my long ago 22' boat and drop it in when only inches to spare. This carried over to our travel trailers.
I have yet to remember that a 5er takes patience - not my long suit! You crank too hard or not give yourself enough "pull forward" to ease the turn and you will jackknife it sure as heck. Which is why I try and get pull thru spots whenever possible.
No question which way I would recommend - 5er. And we got a long bed truck (SRW) so I could put the infamous silver box for storage of tools and things right behind the cab. - Thanks to everyone for the helpful opinions. There are definitely pro's and con's to both. This is our first camper so until you own one and take it out a good year it's hard to know which type, which floor plan is the best for you. I feel this is why certain people trade a year or two later. When you haven't owned one it's hard to know which one is for you.
