TT’s. How long is too long?
I looked through the old threads and didn’t find any that addressed this specific issue, so I thought I’d start one. There was a discussion in another thread about one of Jayco’s new Eagle Premier ...
Forum Discussion
I appreciate all the feedback. This is an example of the fact RV people are among the most helpful people out there. I’ll keep checking back as we continue our search.
For djgarcia, we’ve looked at 5th wheels really hard and we haven’t completely ruled them out. The biggest factor for us was price. To get what we wanted (the must haves) in a 5th wheel versus what we found in some TTs, in some cases the cost was double unless we went preowned. Then there’s also the issue of payload when it comes to hitch weights for 5th wheels. Almost everything we’ve looked at that we liked and has what we want is in the 2,000 lb. plus (dry) hitch range. With a payload of just over 3,000 lbs. that doesn’t leave much leeway. One of the advantages though, as you said, is a 35’ fiver only has about 31’ in back of the truck.
To John’s point, one of the TTs we’ve looked at (one of the top contenders) is just over 35’, has a dry weight between 7,500 – 8,000 lbs. (depending on options), a dry TW in the 1,000 to 1,200 lb. range, and a GVWR of 10,000 to 10,500 lbs. Maxed out (the way I figure it), that’s a loaded TW of around 1,500 lbs. (give or take).
Our TV has a payload of 3,000 lbs. One of the reasons I went with a 2 WD is we gained about 300 lbs. here over a 4x4, since as John points out the Duramax eats payload. So, on the high side, adding up a full tank of fuel, me, and the other half that’s about 700 lbs. (me and the fuel making up most of that). Now we’re down to 2,300 lbs. of payload, not counting other “stuff”. Subtract the maxed out tongue weight of the TT and there’s about 800 lbs of leeway. Throw that 2,000 lb. plus (dry—not loaded) hitch weight for the fiver in the bed (plus a couple grandkids in the backseat) and we’re right on the brink (or overloaded)—unless I’m figuring this wrong. Assuming payload is calculated at the factory with a 150 lb. driver and 250 lbs of fuel, we can add 400 lbs. of payload back in, but that still leaves a LOT more leeway with the TT.
Just to be clear, this is all based on comparing a 5th wheel and a TT that are more or less interchangeable as far as the floor plans and features we want.
So…to the original question of how long is too long, I guess there’s more to consider here than just length. In our case, given what we’re looking for, longer is also going to mean heavier and at least to some degree more difficult to maneuver.
We bought this new TV because our other set-up was way too taxing on me and the truck plus we were too limited in what we could upgrade to. I’m not getting any younger and have my limits (which has to factor into this) and this new TV has limits (as John correctly points out). There’s no reason to push me or the truck any harder than necessary. Based on the input you’ve all given here, we’re going to visit a couple of RV shows over the winter, do some more looking, and see what we come up with.
For djgarcia, we’ve looked at 5th wheels really hard and we haven’t completely ruled them out. The biggest factor for us was price. To get what we wanted (the must haves) in a 5th wheel versus what we found in some TTs, in some cases the cost was double unless we went preowned. Then there’s also the issue of payload when it comes to hitch weights for 5th wheels. Almost everything we’ve looked at that we liked and has what we want is in the 2,000 lb. plus (dry) hitch range. With a payload of just over 3,000 lbs. that doesn’t leave much leeway. One of the advantages though, as you said, is a 35’ fiver only has about 31’ in back of the truck.
To John’s point, one of the TTs we’ve looked at (one of the top contenders) is just over 35’, has a dry weight between 7,500 – 8,000 lbs. (depending on options), a dry TW in the 1,000 to 1,200 lb. range, and a GVWR of 10,000 to 10,500 lbs. Maxed out (the way I figure it), that’s a loaded TW of around 1,500 lbs. (give or take).
Our TV has a payload of 3,000 lbs. One of the reasons I went with a 2 WD is we gained about 300 lbs. here over a 4x4, since as John points out the Duramax eats payload. So, on the high side, adding up a full tank of fuel, me, and the other half that’s about 700 lbs. (me and the fuel making up most of that). Now we’re down to 2,300 lbs. of payload, not counting other “stuff”. Subtract the maxed out tongue weight of the TT and there’s about 800 lbs of leeway. Throw that 2,000 lb. plus (dry—not loaded) hitch weight for the fiver in the bed (plus a couple grandkids in the backseat) and we’re right on the brink (or overloaded)—unless I’m figuring this wrong. Assuming payload is calculated at the factory with a 150 lb. driver and 250 lbs of fuel, we can add 400 lbs. of payload back in, but that still leaves a LOT more leeway with the TT.
Just to be clear, this is all based on comparing a 5th wheel and a TT that are more or less interchangeable as far as the floor plans and features we want.
So…to the original question of how long is too long, I guess there’s more to consider here than just length. In our case, given what we’re looking for, longer is also going to mean heavier and at least to some degree more difficult to maneuver.
We bought this new TV because our other set-up was way too taxing on me and the truck plus we were too limited in what we could upgrade to. I’m not getting any younger and have my limits (which has to factor into this) and this new TV has limits (as John correctly points out). There’s no reason to push me or the truck any harder than necessary. Based on the input you’ve all given here, we’re going to visit a couple of RV shows over the winter, do some more looking, and see what we come up with.
