Hello fellow RVers: I am in the process of transitioning from a Class A motor home to either a tow behind trailer or a fifth wheeler. Reason is both my wife and I are retired and empty-nesters, so we are going to be traveling more and looking for every way to stretch our dollars as much as possible. We are considering a small trailer towed with a medium sized SUV, or small fifth wheeler towed with a half-ton pickup. In fact we already own a Dodge Ram pickup, with a cap over the bed, so one of the question is: Is it really worth it to remove the cap for the alleged advantages of the fifth wheeler? I would appreciate to hear about your experiences and advise on this issues. And if there are any articles over the same subjects that you know of, please tell me where to look for them. Thanks a lot in advance.

This usually gets ugly with one side having to insult the other.Suffice to say when we were recently faced with the same question, we decided we would really like to keep the trucks canopy (becasue of all the rain we get around here) and bought the TT in my signature. It's big but properly set up for towing and it does so beautifully.We could not be happier.

Multiple questions within your question. A fifth wheel tows easier but you lose the bed and you already have the cap. Real question is how much can you tow. Provide stats of your truck and folks will help.Very few fifth wheels are truly 1/2 ton towable. A well equipped 1/2 ton will pull a 6500 lb TT. Slightly more on the newest 1/2 tons. Payload is what kills you. Definitely good TT's out there with GVWR of 6,500 or less if you can live with the small space.

If dollar stretch is criteria one then I would keep your Ram with the canopy and look at travel trailers. If you start looking at fifth wheels they will keep getting bigger and bigger and before you know it your truck is insufficient and then.....

Thanks a lot, guys. My RAM is a 2008 Dakota 1500 with a Hemi. It can tow almost anything, but of course the MPG is just about 14. That's why I've been thinking about switching to a Honda Pilot or similar mid-size SUV.

Jose de Sucre wrote:Thanks a lot, guys. My RAM is a 2008 Dakota 1500 with a Hemi. It can tow almost anything, but of course the MPG is just about 14. That's why I've been thinking about switching to a Honda Pilot or similar mid-size SUV.Better check the tow ratings on them and the gvw's of the trailers you considering.

Tow behind VS Fifth wheelers | Good Sam Community

ScottG
Nomad
Sep 11, 2017
This usually gets ugly with one side having to insult the other.
Suffice to say when we were recently faced with the same question, we decided we would really like to keep the trucks canopy (becasue of all the rain we get around here) and bought the TT in my signature.
It's big but properly set up for towing and it does so beautifully.

We could not be happier.
OutdoorPhotogra
Explorer
Sep 11, 2017
Multiple questions within your question. A fifth wheel tows easier but you lose the bed and you already have the cap. Real question is how much can you tow. Provide stats of your truck and folks will help.

Very few fifth wheels are truly 1/2 ton towable. A well equipped 1/2 ton will pull a 6500 lb TT. Slightly more on the newest 1/2 tons. Payload is what kills you. Definitely good TT's out there with GVWR of 6,500 or less if you can live with the small space.
Durb
Explorer
Sep 11, 2017
If dollar stretch is criteria one then I would keep your Ram with the canopy and look at travel trailers. If you start looking at fifth wheels they will keep getting bigger and bigger and before you know it your truck is insufficient and then.....
Jose_de_Sucre
Explorer
Sep 11, 2017
Thanks a lot, guys. My RAM is a 2008 Dakota 1500 with a Hemi. It can tow almost anything, but of course the MPG is just about 14. That's why I've been thinking about switching to a Honda Pilot or similar mid-size SUV.
stickdog
Explorer
Sep 11, 2017
Jose de Sucre wrote:
Thanks a lot, guys. My RAM is a 2008 Dakota 1500 with a Hemi. It can tow almost anything, but of course the MPG is just about 14. That's why I've been thinking about switching to a Honda Pilot or similar mid-size SUV.

Better check the tow ratings on them and the gvw's of the trailers you considering.
azdryheat
Explorer
Sep 11, 2017
You got a 1500? Forget the 5th wheel.
lawrosa
Explorer
Sep 11, 2017
Jose de Sucre wrote:
Thanks a lot, guys. My RAM is a 2008 Dakota 1500 with a Hemi. It can tow almost anything, but of course the MPG is just about 14. That's why I've been thinking about switching to a Honda Pilot or similar mid-size SUV.

2008 dakotas did not come with a hemi... 4.7 l magnum was the biggest you can ge in HO trim...

They tow from 7000 lbs to 3200 lbs depending on model... Engine, trans, rear, 2wd/4wd , type of cab...etc....

Possibly you have a RAM???

If a ram the tow ratings range from 8900-7400 lbs with the 5.7 l engine..

Whats the door sticker say on the truck for payload?

I would forget about a 5th wheel..

As far as travel trailer I would stay at the 4500-5000 UVW rating..

Something like this coachmen with a 480 tw. Youll be up to 600 lbs or so with propane, batts, and stuff...

http://www.coachmenrv.com/product-details.aspx?LineID=62&ModelID=286#Main

Get a trans cooler installed in the truck. If it has a factory one get a bigger one... Biggest you can fit...

Video here...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpoAodmfWfs
pnichols
Explorer II
Sep 11, 2017
My BIL wanted to transition from a Class B to a TT.

He chose a loaded RAM 1/2 ton Hemi V8 pickup with full air suspension, towing an outstanding little Canadian built 21 foot Escape TT. It's a wonderful, easy riding, easy towing combination for him and his DW with a small dog. They share driving on their trips.
bikendan
Explorer
Sep 11, 2017
Jose de Sucre wrote:
Thanks a lot, guys. My RAM is a 2008 Dakota 1500 with a Hemi. It can tow almost anything, but of course the MPG is just about 14. That's why I've been thinking about switching to a Honda Pilot or similar mid-size SUV.

the Dakota is NOT a 1500. the full-size Ram 1/2 ton is the 1500.
the Dakota is in the Frontier, Tacoma, Ranger, Colorado class of pickups.

the Dakota is not a full-size pickup. and i don't know of any 5th wheel you could tow with it except an Escape fiberglass one.

the Dakota doesn't have enough payload for any regular 5th wheel's pin weight.
valhalla360
Navigator
Sep 11, 2017
If you aren't willing to upgrade the truck, go with a TT. Pin weight is the limiting factor on 5th wheels and for that you really want to jump up to a 3/4 ton or larger truck.

Most medium size SUV's will further downgrade the towing ability from a 1/2 ton.

Even if you have a Dakota, the full body on frame makes for a nicer tow vehicle than most SUV's but event then it's not as good as a full size.

It's one thing to muddle along for a 50 mile trip a couple times a year with a truck stressed to the max. For several long trips with lots of miles, get a nice setup.

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