Who has downsized from a fiver

We "downsized" from a 34 ft. 5th wheel to a 35 ft. travel trailer. For us, it was a definite win-win-win!

No more hassles with climbing in/out of the truck bed to install/remove/store a heavy 5th wheel hitch. Now we only have to stand at the rear of the truck and move a 20 lb. hitch ball receiver to a workbench drawer. With the 5th wheel hitch gone, the entire bed of the truck opens up for storage.

Much easier and quicker to hitch and unhitch. Not to mention, if the landing gear motor/drive assembly goes out on a 5th wheel, you could be in very deep trouble. With a TT, a quick, 3-bolt swap of a 3500 lb. tongue jack and you're good to go.

As for towing stability, outside of a slight push and pull when a large 18-wheeler passes too close, our TT is stable as the 5th wheel---even in high cross-winds. Our tongue weight sits around 15-16%---that definitely helps.

With our TT there's no more hassle with height. Our 5th wheel was over 13' high. Always had to be on the outlook for anything low hanging. Its height limited our fueling opportunities---especially at smaller, Mom & Pop gas stations. On the freeway we were limited to primarily truck stops (diesel). Our fueling opportunities are much improved with our TT--it's only 11 ft. high.

No more going up and down steps to access the bedroom and bathroom.

Our two a/c units cool down the TT much faster than the 5th wheel. The 5th wheel was much taller---much more internal air space to cool vs. the TT which has much lower ceilings.

The only two downsides we've noticed with the TT is a more limited basement storage area and no improvement in fuel economy. Even though our TT weighs 2,000 lbs. less than the 5th wheel we get the same fuel economy---probably due to a TT's increased wind resistance. We do miss the larger, 5th wheel basement area. However, with some creative storage ideas, we've managed to get everything tucked away just fine inside the TT.

We also went from a 35 foot 4 slide 5th wheel to a triple slide TC could not be happier, no more wheel bearings, trailer brakes, hitches, trailer tires, property taxes or trailer registrations and we can go just about anywhere, and the TC is large enough for longer stays off the truck. the fifth wheel was our third trailer after to TT's and the truck camper now is perfect for us . of course we don't have the storage we had in the fifth wheel but we have learned less is more and that we never used most of the stuff we carried in the trailers, maintaining the truck is the same as towing so that's no different.
Mike

We went from a 32' fiver to a 10.0 truck camper. Yes, it is an adjustment but we can tow our trike in the trailer or the sxs on the open trailer. I, the wife, has no problem driving or towing even though DH sometimes thinks I am an idiot and can't do it. He likes driving or he is scared of my driving. Lol.. We do find that we do spent more time outside enjoying camping. We also have more choices now when selecting our campsites. I realize we did go to extremes but anything smaller would of been ideal. Good luck!

I went from a 32 ft TT to a 40 ft 5th w for one season and now back to a 32 ft TT. I much prefer the TT as there are less steps to climb and I love having the use of my PU bed with a shell over the bed. My TT tows as well as any of the 5th ws {5} that I have owned

We are on our 3rd RV, first a 34’ TT, upgraded to a 39’ 5er and now back down into a 30’ TT. Our needs have changed over the years as my family has grown. A truck was no longer a suitable TV so we now have an Excursion. Taking two vehicles on vacation was not an option so we are just cozier now together in the smaller TT. But we also like camping in places a large 4 slide 5er just wasn’t going to get in to. We don’t spend a ton of time hanging around inside so the smaller TT doesn’t bother us. I don’t know if we will ever go back up to a 5er as kids grow and go their separate ways. I like our setup and we will probably just get a different TT when it is time for just me and the DW.

A 32 foot 5er and truck will be about the same length as a 25 foot TT and truck. I did purchase a small 17 foot TT to use but kept the 32 foot 5er. I just enjoy being able to camp in more remote/small areas. Space is not a issue because I'm outside most of the time. Like having the truck bed available as well or the option to use the SUV as a tow vehicle.

Pretty new to trailering, but so far very happy with our choice of a 27 foot TT. Find the layout you want and for two people, It seems like a ton of room. Having the truck bed is very nice and the major reason I went TT instead fo fifth wheel (even though I got the fifth wheel prep package when I bought the truck).

I don't know if you could call it downsizing but went from a 34' FW to a 38' TT. it seems easier to hook up and drives about the same.

When my wife and I bought our first (& current) TT we chose a 26' Skyline Koala. We have over 27k miles just over 4 years and find it to be just to our liking. We were babes in the RV woods, and still made a great choice for the way we travel. I'm lusting after an ORV 26RLS, but it's almost the exact floor plan to which we are accustomed, just more better. Of course that would require the requisite F250. :B

If you have realistic expectations, and you find that just right floor plan, you'll do fine. There's adequate space in a 25-26'er especially with slides.

Just sayin'.