5th wheel or TT best in the 26-28 length living area?

[salesjer]

We are looking for either a TT or 5th wheel camper with 26-28 feet of living area. We previously owned an AR-ONE 17RD TT and want more space. Just my wife and I camping but plan to camp 8-10 weeks per year.

We are not finding a lot of 5th wheels in this size and some salesmen have told us that in this size they recommend a TT over a 5th wheel.

Looking for input from experienced campers.

Thanks, Jerry

[TGPILOT]

Nope, no safety chains, just a break a way cable incase the trailer breaks loose of the TV.

[mileshuff]

Searching_Ut wrote:
I feel the push of diesels in with my 5er just as much as with my assorted TTs over the years, and must admit I notice it even when the I'm not towing anything.

Its a matter of how it is felt, not if. With a TT you'll often have the pull then push effect as a semi rig passes. First it pushes against the TT and thus rear of the TV which causes the TV to be pushed toward the semi. Then as the rig passes it begins to push against the TV. True that with a proper setup much of this can be eliminated. Its easier to get rid of such effect with a 5'er.

With a 5'er this effect is nearly unheard of. It pushes on TT and TV as one unit together, no push/pull effect.

[Searching_Ut]

While we have debated to death the advantages of TT vs. 5er, it doesn't appear we've actually provided the OP much useful information as to what to look for in a 5er in the size range he is looking for. I looked back at the recommendation I had made and it would appear they are somewhat bigger than I remembered them being when I looked at them during the last RV show. I can't think of anything new I've looked at in the size range being looked at that I would call a quality unit. When it comes to TTs however there are many...

I'm not sure why, but it seems that they don't make much in the quality 5er range much under 40 foot. The wife and I just purchased our "retirement" rig, and we didn't actually succeed in getting something under 35 feet although we came close and kept it under 36. I think I'm going to have to agree with the argument that for this size class you need to look primarily at TTs.

As for all the discussions on which is better, I'm still a little confused about the arguments about how much better the 5ers tow. I've found even when towing bumper pull doubles with a total length pushing the 65 foot limit, that sway, or diesels pushing me around weren't really an issue when I set things up right. I feel the push of diesels in with my 5er just as much as with my assorted TTs over the years, and must admit I notice it even when the I'm not towing anything. It hasn't ever been significant enough to be a issue though. Personally, since back up cameras came about I prefer backing up a bumper pull now that I can max out my turn without worrying about contact between the TT and back of the truck. Of course hooking up is easier with the cameras as well. Both systems seem pretty quick and simple to me.

[ol_Bombero-JC]

Charley67 wrote:
If you have at least a 3/4 ton truck, I think you will be much better satisfied with a 5th wheel. I've had several of both, and in my judgment, there is daylight and dark difference between them.

Have also had both, but between the dark and daylight - there's other considerations:

A TT doesn't require a pickup for a tow vehicle.
(Ex: Suburban would be fine.)
So - do you need a different tow vehicle?

If you breakdown - need a friend to give you a tow?
Almost every "serious" vehicle has a receiver.
*Not* every pickup has a 5th wheel hitch in the bed.

Towing a 5th - you "loose" the majority of your pickup bed for toys or?

Plus side for 5th wheel - besides the living space over the hitch and bed of the tow vehicle.....compared to a TT, towing really *IS* as different as night and day!

Towing a 5th is a "breeze" - as compared to the one you get when a semi passes you while towing a TT...:W

Whatever works best for you - is what you need.

~

[shepstone]

One advantage of a TT is a wider range of tow vehicles , from cars to vans to pickups. Plus they have less of a learning curve for backing up with. There are also TT's with basements in them as well.

[davidaf]

5er would always be my first choice If I could find the right length. Higher celling, more storage, easier tow. The hardest part is finding a short 5er with the right floor plan. There are very few short ones so you are stuck with the few floor plans that are available. We spent the entire weekend at the RV show looking at smaller (<26ft) rigs. I don't think they had one 5er under 28ft at the show. One sales guy said the demand isn't there. Would have had to go back to his lot to see the only short one they sell.

[edhensley]

I think your question was about size. I have a 26ft fifth, it is a nice size for weekend and vacation as for any size the effective length of the fifth wheel is less than a TT. I used to full time in a 32 ft TT, it was a lot harder to tow and set up.

[rhagfo]

mtofell1 wrote:

mileshuff wrote:

mtofell1 wrote:

5th cons:

Hook-up is more time consuming

Not sure I follow this one. With a 5'er you simply back in until it clicks and you're done. No WD bars, chains etc. to deal with. I leave my hitch in the bed 90% of the time so I rarely take time to put it in or take it out. When I do its easy to just leave it hanging from the king pin and drop it in as needed.

I'm talking about hooking up at home - empty out my bed, pull out the piece of plywood that covers the hitch rails, drag the hitch out and put it in the bed and then... finally..... hookup. Yes, once the hitch is in place it's easier. Due to my work I leave my hitch in my bed 0% of the time so it's always a big job for me.

So would you take your tools for work if you had a TT?? If yes, i see the issue, if no, it just became a push!

[mileshuff]

DutchmenSport wrote:
You know, I've never paid attention, or never bothered to really take a look, but ... with a 5er, are some kind of safety chains required, like with a standard bumper hitch trailer?

No chains required. They do require the same break-away brake cable.

[DutchmenSport]

You know, I've never paid attention, or never bothered to really take a look, but ... with a 5er, are some kind of safety chains required, like with a standard bumper hitch trailer?

[mtofell1]

mileshuff wrote:

mtofell1 wrote:

5th cons:

Hook-up is more time consuming

Not sure I follow this one. With a 5'er you simply back in until it clicks and you're done. No WD bars, chains etc. to deal with. I leave my hitch in the bed 90% of the time so I rarely take time to put it in or take it out. When I do its easy to just leave it hanging from the king pin and drop it in as needed.

I'm talking about hooking up at home - empty out my bed, pull out the piece of plywood that covers the hitch rails, drag the hitch out and put it in the bed and then... finally..... hookup. Yes, once the hitch is in place it's easier. Due to my work I leave my hitch in my bed 0% of the time so it's always a big job for me.

[mileshuff]

We really enjoy our Winnebago Lite Five/Voyage 26FWRKS. They only made this model from 2013-2015. Outside length is 29'. Didn't want anything bigger. Tons of storage and counter space. Huge step up from our older 22' Hybrid TT.

[mileshuff]

mtofell1 wrote:

5th cons:

Hook-up is more time consuming

Not sure I follow this one. With a 5'er you simply back in until it clicks and you're done. No WD bars, chains etc. to deal with. I leave my hitch in the bed 90% of the time so I rarely take time to put it in or take it out. When I do its easy to just leave it hanging from the king pin and drop it in as needed.

[mileshuff]

Anmacc2 wrote:
I don't like driving a pick-up. I don't like hitching or setting up a fiver. Again, just my preference others obviously prefer a 5th wheel.

Very true. I'm the opposite though. I've had several TT's and now with a 5'er I'm much happier. The 5'er is so much easier to hitch. Just back it in and you're done. Got tired of the hassle with the WD bars etc. I can easily hitch or unhitch in a fraction of the time without breaking a sweat!

Some don't like stairs in a 5'ers bedroom or the generally higher height of a 5'er. We love the benefit of much more outside storage space of most 5'ers.

[rhagfo]

mtofell1 wrote:
The 5th wheel vs. TT debate is a tough one. I'm right in the middle of it myself as I'm looking at an RV change in the next few months. I've owned both and there are pros/cons to each - at least for my usage.

Here's my list:

TT pros:

Maintain usage of the entire truck bed while on the road (firewood, bikes, tools, etc.)
Easy to hookup - no anvil to lift in/out of the bed
Less TV needed for a given size
Elevated part of the 5th provides nice separation and a generally better floor plan IMO. :h

TT cons:

Long overall combination (common to find spots in campgrounds that won't take a 30' + TT - RV Parks generally more accepting), also more difficult to back a similar sized unit into a given tight spot.

5th pros:

Better overall towing experience with the weight over the axle vs. hanging on the bumper
Better floor plan flow with upper level
Better storage options on the 5th (but the TT leaves better in the truck so it's kind of a toss-up) :h

5th cons:

Hook-up is more time consuming
Hitch is a lot to deal with both while on the road while setting up/breaking down
More tow vehicle needed
5ths seem to be generally more $$ compared to a similar TT

It's a REALLY touch call (for me anyway). I still use my truck for work more than fun so it's even tougher. If I were out with any regularity it would be a 5th for sure. It just gets old emptying the tools out of my truck and lugging the hitch in and setting up.... especially since my outings are more likely to be a weekend.

Well your last statement makes a bit more sense of the two head scratchier above.

To the longer hitch time, that is debatable! Even having to put the hitch in the bed tales about 5 minutes tops with a rail system, and likely easier than lifting a WD head in to that 2" or 2.5" receiver. My TV isn't a work truck, so the hitch is already in the bed much of the time.

It is all personal choice, but a 5er makes more sense to me, we are able to keep all we need for a weekend or a week or more in the 5er all the time with the exception of perishable food.

Our best time from me leaving work, to having the 5er in tow leaving the storage yard, is one hour and fifteen minutes. That included driving the eight miles from work to the storage yard, with a stop at the house. At the house, I picked up DW, the dogs, perishable food from refer, installed the hitch, and aired up the rear tires to towing pressure. Once at the yard, less than 15 minutes to place food in the 5er, hitch up remove tire covers and double check all connection. Did you notice NO Cloths!! Yep weeks worth in the 5er all the time.