Forum Discussion

garycq's avatar
garycq
Explorer
Jul 06, 2015

Wondering about TT

Presently I have a 30' '07 Arctic Fox 29-5T which I bought when married. No longer married and just turned 75 and that 5'ver no matter how much I like her is just to much for me. I recently took her out and towing it was not comfortable like it used to be. I don't want to give up RVing and I have been at odds in myself what to do. I'm considering getting a Wolf Creek 850 camper which would be nice. A number of people have suggested I get a small TT and I did see one Nash I kind of liked a 17K small and easy to handle.
My question is I have never pulled a TT and I am tired of pulling a large 5'ver is pulling a 22' TT much easier? That Nash 17K is bigger than a camper but would be easier to live in while "out and about". I am getting to the point of exasperation, one second I want to do this and then do that!! I just don't want to pull that big heavy 5'ver any more. Just to much work! I really never have mastered the art of pulling that 5'ver and wonder if a small TT would be easier. Any suggestions or opinions would be greatly appreciated.
Gary
  • Timtation's avatar
    Timtation
    Explorer
    Jul 08, 2015
    I have not looked at anything for several years but...
    our first camper was really a 10X7X7 box and I saw a 5ver that was the same camper but had the bed over the hitch so there was no need to sleep where you sat, you did not have to go outside to change your mind and all the advantages of small were not lost to the disadvantages of small. This was probably a 15 to 17' 5ver. Not sure if there are any available but downsizing without changing what you are used to has advantages. Essentially this was a really large slide in camper with wheels and a bumper.
  • garycq's avatar
    garycq
    Explorer
    Jul 07, 2015
    I wish to thank all of you for your comments. I haven't yet made up my mind on which direction to take but I'm leaning towards a camper. Yes, there may be a future problem of climbing into the cab over bed but then maybe not. I have my truck and I wish to use it. I have come to appreciate that truck and its continuing diesel reliability. That 5'ver is just so big for me alone and when I sell it I pray the person who gets it uses it is a family who enjoys it.
  • nypatnva's avatar
    nypatnva
    Explorer
    Jul 07, 2015
    We have a 23 foot trailer and tow with a 1500 Silverado and equalizer hitch. Tows like a dream. Big enough for comfort but small enough to boondock. I'm seventy.
  • RedRocket204's avatar
    RedRocket204
    Explorer
    Jul 07, 2015
    If you can see yourself easily navigating the stairs, for multiple years, with the Wolf Creek 850, that's what I would do. Get it set-up with power jacks and that would be perfect and comfortable for a single person... or maybe two if you wanted to bring along a companion.

    Biggest advantage... the ease of navigating roads where it would be difficult to get a TT or 5th in. What that means to me is that you can more easily escape the crowds and find your own slice of heaven... if that is what you are looking for. And at 2000 lbs, your CTD Ram should have no problem with it even at altitude.
  • coolmom42's avatar
    coolmom42
    Explorer II
    Jul 07, 2015
    colliehauler wrote:
    I don't know how nimble you are at 75 but a truck camper might be a challenge for climbing in and out.

    As Gbopp suggested a class b or c might be a viable option.

    I don't think you will gain much going from a 5th wheel to a TT in size reduction.


    I agree a truck camper is not the best for an older person.

    I'm planning to travel by myself (mostly) and have looked long and hard at all the options---including truck camper, small travel trailer, & motorhomes. I have some mobility issues with my back and a not-so-good knee. I've reached the conclusion that a small B+ or a real B is the best option in terms of safety, comfort & convenience. Since I would like to have grandchildren travel with me at some point, the B+ with a little more room is what I've settled on.
  • colliehauler's avatar
    colliehauler
    Explorer III
    Jul 07, 2015
    I don't know how nimble you are at 75 but a truck camper might be a challenge for climbing in and out.

    As Gbopp suggested a class b or c might be a viable option.

    I don't think you will gain much going from a 5th wheel to a TT in size reduction.
  • jmtandem's avatar
    jmtandem
    Explorer II
    Jul 07, 2015
    Presently I have a 30' '07 Arctic Fox 29-5T which I bought when married. No longer married and just turned 75 and that 5'ver no matter how much I like her is just to much for me. I recently took her out and towing it was not comfortable like it used to be. I don't want to give up RVing and I have been at odds in myself what to do. I'm considering getting a Wolf Creek 850 camper which would be nice. A number of people have suggested I get a small TT and I did see one Nash I kind of liked a 17K small and easy to handle.
    My question is I have never pulled a TT and I am tired of pulling a large 5'ver is pulling a 22' TT much easier? That Nash 17K is bigger than a camper but would be easier to live in while "out and about". I am getting to the point of exasperation, one second I want to do this and then do that!! I just don't want to pull that big heavy 5'ver any more. Just to much work! I really never have mastered the art of pulling that 5'ver and wonder if a small TT would be easier. Any suggestions or opinions would be greatly appreciated.
    Gary


    If your major issue is maneuverability and drivability get the truck camper. It only takes one parking spot, albeit a large one. A 17 foot travel trailer tows no better than a 30 foot one. It backs up more difficult than a 30 foot trailer as the longer the trailer the easier to back up. As far as refueling at diesel stations or even gas stations most have pumps out in the back or side so refueling is typically not an issue bigger than you encountered with your fifth wheel. The truck camper is smaller inside but drivabilty is far easier than any fifth wheel or travel trailer. What you will experiecne with a travel trailer is the same things you experienced with a fifth wheel only on a different scale. Some travel trailers even tow worse than a fifth wheel. You are essentially trading one set of issues for another. Since five feet of your fifth wheel is over the pickup bed and all of a travel trailer is behind the truck, the overall length of the truck and trailer might not be all that much shorter than what you have now.
  • steve-n-vicki's avatar
    steve-n-vicki
    Explorer
    Jul 07, 2015
    I went from a small TT to a big TT and then to a bigger 5er and now back ta a small TT, , I guess I have been lucky or I have a good setup as I have not experienced bad sway , just the usual wind buffeting from passing trucks
  • Stormpeakco's avatar
    Stormpeakco
    Explorer
    Jul 07, 2015
    Clearly not for everyone but our collapsible TT, can be towed w/ your everyday (SUV/Van) vehicle with tow package/WDH, may be stored in a regular garage and opened/closed by one capable adult.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kie4t976KG0

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