BunkHouse RV's, why so many more TT, then Fifth wheels?

"If you want a fiver just for the improved towing performance consider a Hensley or Pro Pride hitch. They do make a huge difference. My fiver does not tow any better than my Hensley equipped TT.
Yes those hitches are expensive but they do work. Much cheaper then buying a fiver."

I agree! With the proper hitch setup TT can pull very nice.

JCasper wrote:

clubhouse wrote:

JCasper wrote:
You're all right. I have 3 girls, 12, 8, and 5. Always Bikes, a dog, and firewood. As far as budget goes, I'd like to stay at or under about $40,000. I've seen some toy haulers I really like, but not for $60,000.

If you get a 5er where do you haul your dog? Firewood? Generator? Bikes?

We are also a family of 5 (kids 8, 5, 1) and a 90 lb dog. Dog rides in crate in PU, along with firewood and generator and bikes on the back of our TT... Couldn't figure out a way for us to haul a 5er.

If I get a Fiver, here is my thoughts. Not sure how good they are yet. For the dog I will probably have a low profile kennel built that is bed rail height, it can go between the hitch and tailgate. Firewood can be stacked between the hitch and my transfer flow. Generator will be in the front compartment of the fifth wheel.

I've towed my trailer for probably 25,000 miles or more and haven't had any issues, but after towing many goosenecks and a few fifth wheels I really want a fifth wheel because they always tow so much nicer.

If you want a fiver just for the improved towing performance consider a Hensley or Pro Pride hitch. They do make a huge difference. My fiver does not tow any better than my Hensley equipped TT.
Yes those hitches are expensive but they do work. Much cheaper then buying a fiver.

clubhouse wrote:

JCasper wrote:
You're all right. I have 3 girls, 12, 8, and 5. Always Bikes, a dog, and firewood. As far as budget goes, I'd like to stay at or under about $40,000. I've seen some toy haulers I really like, but not for $60,000.

If you get a 5er where do you haul your dog? Firewood? Generator? Bikes?

We are also a family of 5 (kids 8, 5, 1) and a 90 lb dog. Dog rides in crate in PU, along with firewood and generator and bikes on the back of our TT... Couldn't figure out a way for us to haul a 5er.

If I get a Fiver, here is my thoughts. Not sure how good they are yet. For the dog I will probably have a low profile kennel built that is bed rail height, it can go between the hitch and tailgate. Firewood can be stacked between the hitch and my transfer flow. Generator will be in the front compartment of the fifth wheel.

I've towed my trailer for probably 25,000 miles or more and haven't had any issues, but after towing many goosenecks and a few fifth wheels I really want a fifth wheel because they always tow so much nicer.

clubhouse wrote:

JCasper wrote:
You're all right. I have 3 girls, 12, 8, and 5. Always Bikes, a dog, and firewood. As far as budget goes, I'd like to stay at or under about $40,000. I've seen some toy haulers I really like, but not for $60,000.

If you get a 5er where do you haul your dog? Firewood? Generator? Bikes?

We are also a family of 5 (kids 8, 5, 1) and a 90 lb dog. Dog rides in crate in PU, along with firewood and generator and bikes on the back of our TT... Couldn't figure out a way for us to haul a 5er.

I agree 5'ers do come with passenger space issues.
Family of 4. 2 kids one dog. No more room. If there were 5 of us we would not have a fiver.
We take a 2nd car if the kids bring friends.

JCasper wrote:
You're all right. I have 3 girls, 12, 8, and 5. Always Bikes, a dog, and firewood. As far as budget goes, I'd like to stay at or under about $40,000. I've seen some toy haulers I really like, but not for $60,000.

If you get a 5er where do you haul your dog? Firewood? Generator? Bikes?

We are also a family of 5 (kids 8, 5, 1) and a 90 lb dog. Dog rides in crate in PU, along with firewood and generator and bikes on the back of our TT... Couldn't figure out a way for us to haul a 5er.

Jayco makes the Eagle HT the 27ftr is a bunkhouse...

Forest river makes the Flagstaff super lite 8528bhws, that gives the bunko use its own head...
and 8528TBWS,

rockwood has a few fivers too

there is a start

Because the biggest market for fivers is for couples who want a big house to live in full time, or at least several months at a time with seasonal moves.

If more families were looking for fivers for camping, you might find a shift toward less living space, more bunks. But the familes also need to be willing to pay the extra cost of building a big fiver, and as you say yourself, too much $$$$.

There are more TT bunkhouses simply because they are more affordable. TT's are the best value in the RV world and can be towed by a less expensive truck.

Bunkhouses are for kids and families. There are lots of family needs and many families simply can't/won't afford the cost of a 5'er bunkhouse and truck capable of towing it.
My prior combo was a 36' 11k GVW TT towed with a Ford Excursion. It was a fantastic combo capable of taking and sleeping lots of kids.
The old combo was coupled with a Hensley Arrow hitch and towed just as well as my current fiver
The current rig is great too. However it cost significantly more, requires another vehicle to carry passenger if we exceed five people, requires more space and is not as nimble, does not fit into sites the old combo did.

In the end the 5'er combo is more expensive and less capable than my prior TT.
combo.

TT bunkhouses are more plentiful because they are a better value and thus more affordable for families.

Younger families just starting out get a lot more bang for their buck with a TT bunkhouse vs. a 5'er bunkhouse.

DutchmenSport wrote:
JCasper!

Don't just settle for the "best deal." Keep looking. You need to go visit as many dealerships as possible with your "dream" floor plan in mind. But also go with an open mind when you do.

When we purchased our Outback we had 2 very specific floor plans in mind, 2 very specific campers. The dealer showed us the one we "really" wanted, which didn't hold a candle to the one's we were so dead-set for getting. I was annoyed when the dealer started drilling us what we were looking for. But he put the pieces together. He showed us what we came for, but he also showed us what we really wanted based on our description. When we walked in it truly was the "AH HA! moment!" We had 3 more dealers we planned on visiting that day too. We did not pass "go" and we did not collect $200! We went straight for the gold! I'm so glad he listed to us, and then showed us what we were really wanting.

You do the same. Don't just "settle"! Wait for the "AH! HA! moment!" And when it happens every other camper will be just that ... "another camper!"

I won't settle, but those are my two favorite so far. I haven't found that AH HA trailer, but their close.

YnotTurbo wrote:
We have a bunk house fiver... lots of room.

i like all that but it's too big and too much $$$ for what I want. If my kids weren't in to horses and I wasn't going to need a living quarters horse trailer down the road also I'd consider it.