If you rent a truck and travel trailer, if its not set up properly you will get the wrong impression about stability. When you rent, get someone who is experienced in TTs to drive it and verify that the setup is good or who can set it up properly. You won't know a good setup without experience. Personally, I have a Hensley Arrow and never had a sway or "semi pushing" issue. Others have said they also have stability with cheaper systems set up properly.
Fifth wheels are inherently better without any set up due to the hitch point being over the truck axle. However, a properly set up TT will be just as good, but it will require some experimentation.
Fifth wheels weren't an option for us due to our large family requiring a Suburban to fit everyone.
As for motor homes, that's a whole different class. You are paying for a complete drivetrain in addition to the living area. So a 30' motor home will be more like a 24' trailer in length. Also, drivetrains don't like sitting for long periods of time so a motor home is best for people who use them often. Then you will probably need a toad unless you want to unhook for every trip into town. We don't camp often enough to justify a MH or its heftier price. However, if we were full timers then I would consider it.
I agree with Soundguy that you should do some local camping first to get the TT setup properly and learn how to back up and drive the combination. This will also let you get used to the features and quirks of the TT and truck. When we got our first TT 14 yrs ago, I stayed with a few hundred mile radius of home the first year.
I have found that you don't really know what you want in an RV until you have had one for at least a year.
Steve
