Forum Discussion

Chuck___'s avatar
Chuck___
Explorer
Jan 02, 2014

RV purchase: 5th wheel or trailer?

I am looking for advice.

We have had a used 1992 lance 24 ft. 5th wheel for pass twenty years and the wife said it time to move on/ upgrade. I read were a RV normally losses 50% of their value after five years and that is why it is money wise to purchase a good used RV. So we are looking to purchase a used 5th wheel or trailer approximately five years old. This time around I would like a 30 ft. max. RV that is not so cheaply constructed that it is a night mare to work on or repair. Don’t get me wrong we cannot afford a Rose Royce/ Lexus quality unit but would like to have something in a Toyota Camry range. Something we can have for ten years plus without having a major headache each time we go to use it. I am an electrician and know how to use a tool or two so I can and do my own maintenance.

Something I been toying with is getting two 125/250 Yamaha style trial motorcycles so the wife and I can run them on the back mountain roads darning camping trips; no dirt biking for us. I am concerned that I would not have room to haul them if I purchase a 5th wheel. That is the big reason we are will to consider a trailer this time around. Possible haul the bikes in the back of the truck bed. Not really keen on toy haulers but it is not totally ruled out.

1. What brands would you recommend and why?
2. What brands to avoid.
3. Which way to go, 5th wheel or trailer?
4. Anything good advice would be of help.
  • Cyclops69's avatar
    Cyclops69
    Explorer
    Jan 03, 2014
    ckwizard777 wrote:
    I am just the oposite, We went from a 5th wheel to a tt and now I am looking to go back to a fifth wheel.
    Even with my Pulrite hitch I like the 5th wheel better because they tow much better and are less of a hassle to hitch up and have considerably more storage space than any travel trailer.
    Even when I had a 5vr I still stored plenty in the bed of the truck but I have always had long beds so that does make a differance.
    Just my 2cents
    Cheers


    I'll give ya that. There is much more storage in a 5er. That said it took me awhile to figure out that I really didn't need to haul all that stuff around (been simplifying my camping for awhile now) plus I do enjoy having my golf cart with me at the campgrounds which with the fifth wheel wasn't possible without going to a toy hauler and that seemed like a big waste of space when the golf cart fits so nice in the bed of the truck. A 38 foot toy hauler and a 28 foot TT have the same usable living space for me other than the headroom and the TT is about 7-9K lighter again just my opinion based on my way of camping. Everybody's is different
  • Lowsuv's avatar
    Lowsuv
    Explorer
    Jan 03, 2014
    i prefer a travel trailer pulled by a diesel pickup and a snug top canopy .
    i load the heavy gear into the pickup .
    9200 # gvw is better towing 7280# gvw than 7280# gvw towing 9200 # gvw .
    my best buddy has a 5th wheel and prefers that .
    he carries his stuff in the 5th wheel .
    the gross combined weight is lighter using a conventional trailer versus a 5th wheel .
    it just is .
    my observation :
    the guys who buy a pickup heavy duty enough to handle a 5th wheel do just as well towing a TT .
    too many folks skimp on the tow vehicle for a TT .
    the experienced guys who step up and buy a heavier duty pickup are happy towing a conventional TT .
  • ckwizard777's avatar
    ckwizard777
    Explorer
    Jan 02, 2014
    I am just the oposite, We went from a 5th wheel to a tt and now I am looking to go back to a fifth wheel.
    Even with my Pulrite hitch I like the 5th wheel better because they tow much better and are less of a hassle to hitch up and have considerably more storage space than any travel trailer.
    Even when I had a 5vr I still stored plenty in the bed of the truck but I have always had long beds so that does make a differance.
    Just my 2cents
    Cheers
  • Cyclops69's avatar
    Cyclops69
    Explorer
    Jan 02, 2014
    I have had both. Had a 31 Rockwood TT then a 36 Open Road FW and now back in a 28 Grand Suveyor TT. My two cents worth I like the TT better. Easier to use and the truck bed is open for all the extra crap. A good equalizing hitch is a must but the TT for me is a better choice
  • dadmomh's avatar
    dadmomh
    Explorer
    Jan 02, 2014
    Agree that a TT would be better if you want to haul the bikes. Have you considered a toy hauler?? Seems like that would be lots easier to load the bikes than into the bed of the truck. Happy shopping!
  • jaycocreek's avatar
    jaycocreek
    Explorer II
    Jan 02, 2014
    I have had both, a 35ft Jayco fifth wheel and my largest trailer was a 34 ft Terry. The fifth wheel pulls easier. Less bucking and sway from wind and semi trucks but you can't haul your extras like the 25 gallon propane tanks/atv's or other things you need when you get there.

    I prefer the trailer for that reason only. Cargo space.
  • campigloo's avatar
    campigloo
    Explorer
    Jan 02, 2014
    What a fun project! That is one of the only shopping experiences I enjoy. I like the TT because we use the bed of the truck so much. Firewood, fishing gear, bikes, grandkids, etc. Never pulled one, but from what I read a fith wheel is not really easier to pull, just different. I don't have any problem pulling my 35' trailer. The older we get, the more we like the flat floor front to rear. FW probably has more exterior storage space. If you can find one, maybe rent a bumper pull and see if you are comfortable with the towing setup.
  • jmtandem's avatar
    jmtandem
    Explorer II
    Jan 02, 2014
    I am looking for advice.

    We have had a used 1992 lance 24 ft. 5th wheel for pass twenty years and the wife said it time to move on/ upgrade. I read were a RV normally losses 50% of their value after five years and that is why it is money wise to purchase a good used RV. So we are looking to purchase a used 5th wheel or trailer approximately five years old. This time around I would like a 30 ft. max. RV that is not so cheaply constructed that it is a night mare to work on or repair. Don’t get me wrong we cannot afford a Rose Royce/ Lexus quality unit but would like to have something in a Toyota Camry range. Something we can have for ten years plus without having a major headache each time we go to use it. I am an electrician and know how to use a tool or two so I can and do my own maintenance.

    Something I been toying with is getting two 125/250 Yamaha style trial motorcycles so the wife and I can run them on the back mountain roads darning camping trips; no dirt biking for us. I am concerned that I would not have room to haul them if I purchase a 5th wheel. That is the big reason we are will to consider a trailer this time around. Possible haul the bikes in the back of the truck bed. Not really keen on toy haulers but it is not totally ruled out.

    1. What brands would you recommend and why?
    2. What brands to avoid.
    3. Which way to go, 5th wheel or trailer?
    4. Anything good advice would be of help.

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Chuck


    If the motorcycles are important, a travel trailer gives you the full bed of the truck. And most TT hitches and tongue weights are less than a similar sized fifth wheel. The floor of a TT is level, the steps into and out from the ground usually less, and in most cases the TT is not as tall. Height can be an issue with branches for taller fifth wheels. You owned a fifth wheel prior so you are well experienced in fifth wheel towing. Rampage makes a lift that makes it easy and effortless to load motorcycles into the bed of pickups. Might look into that as well.

About Travel Trailer Group

44,026 PostsLatest Activity: Jan 26, 2024