Bumper Tow or Fifth Wheel

[ThruTraffic]

Newbie First Post

I'm doing my homework and I thought a good starting place would be what type of rig would best fit my current vehicle:

2011 Ford Super Duty F-250
Crew Cab 6-3/4' Ft Box
Four Wheel Drive
Gas/Ethanol V8
6.2L/379hp
Trans Type 6, Automatic
3.73 axle ratio
Trailer tow pkg
GVWR 9600/4355
Front GAWR 4800
Rear GAWR 6100
Max GCWR 19000

Would be interested in hearing from the experienced on what their opinions are and what other first off questions I should consider in deciding on 5th wheel or bumper tow with this specific vehicle.

TIA

[wowens79]

5ers are super nice, but for us we went with a TT because typically carry 4 bikes in the bed of the truck, and 4 kayaks on a rack above the bikes. With 2 kids and the things we like to do, the TT really is the better choice for us.

[laknox]

ThruTraffic wrote:
Newbie First Post

I'm doing my homework and I thought a good starting place would be what type of rig would best fit my current vehicle:

2011 Ford Super Duty F-250
Crew Cab 6-3/4' Ft Box
Four Wheel Drive
Gas/Ethanol V8
6.2L/379hp
Trans Type 6, Automatic
3.73 axle ratio
Trailer tow pkg
GVWR 9600/4355
Front GAWR 4800
Rear GAWR 6100
Max GCWR 19000

Would be interested in hearing from the experienced on what their opinions are and what other first off questions I should consider in deciding on 5th wheel or bumper tow with this specific vehicle.

TIA

For me, having towed enough bumper pulls of all kinds and a triple-axle gooseneck, I had zero desire for a TT as an RV. I knew I'd lose the truck bed, but I tend to travel pretty light and the few occasions we do travel "heavy", it's < 200 miles to our campsite. The ease of hitching and towing stability, were the key factors, with stability being the #1 factor, by a long way. Would I have done things differently after RVing for a few years? You bet. Would have got a SRW 3500 D'max instead of a 2500 and would NOT have got a low-profile FW. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, you just have to decide what's most important to you as far as RV type. Floorplan and decor leave to what's most important to HER! 🙂 If it's a deal-breaker, though, having reefer and bathroom access when slides are closed, is always something to look at and the main reason I won't consider an RV with a kitchen island.

Lyle

[Bill001]

I just bought a 5th wheel and truck. I feel I definately made the right choice with the 5th wheel. Itt is excellent to tow. I've also had a TT years ago. To make sure brakes were right I did panic stops from 70mph.

It was amazing. The rig stops so fast, and perfectly straight; I mean perfect. I love the control of the 5th wheel. Note I also have a long box.

Hope that helps.

[BarneyS]

No need to worry about stability or sway with a travel trailer. You can purchase a hitch that will eliminate the possibility and make the trailer tow as well as a 5th wheel.
Hensley "Arrow" hitch
Barney

[goducks10]

I have had both with the same truck. Both have their pro's and con's. Storage inside and out on a 5th wheel is greater. Yes you do lose most of the bed space, BUT you can put way more gear in the front basement of a 5th wheel. More interior cabinets as well.
Pro's on the TT are more RV for the buck. Less money. One level floor.
Cons for the 5th are few. Interior steps, pin weight and loss of truck bed space.
Cons of a TT are less storage, somewhat harder to hitch up, requires a WD hitch and sway control, and the one that no one ever mentions is that with a TT when you're hitched up and want to get from one side of it to the other, you either have to climb over the tongue or walk all the way around. When a 5er's hitched you can walk between them. IMO it makes it easier when setting up or taking down.

with that being said it seems that lately the DW and I are starting to lean more towards a TT on our next purchase. We want more room and with our trucks limits on payload we can get a larger TT that will weigh less. Draw back is that the whole setup will be longer. With a 5er you're about 4' shorter going down the road. That 4' also comes in handy when looking for a camp spot.
As far as towing goes. 5th wheels win hands down as they're a simpler design. With a TT you need to dial the truck and TT in and if thats not right then you fight the whole setup. Yes you can still have a good tow with a TT but everything's got to be right.

[jerem0621]

I tend to lean towards a TT. I like the flat floor, generally less entry steps. Lighter hitch that doesn't require holes being drilled in the bed (factory 5th wheel prep or not).

I like being able to use the bed of my truck while towing (not just 3/4 of it)

TT's tend to be lighter...I.e. The biggest TT 's generally gross around 12k...fivers can start at 12k lbs but there are becoming more and more lightweight fifth wheel options. I like the weight distribution hitchs. A properly adjusted weight distribution hitch with a properly loaded travel trailer and a properly loaded truck will have a great experience. The hitches generally come apart in three pieces, two spring bars and one hitch head.

I did leave off that if you want a really high end product then a fiver is the way to go because it's hard if not impossible to find a really high end TT other than an Airstream. There are some really nice TT's made today but not a whole lot at the Mobile Suites or Jayco Pennicle type levels.

They sell a lot of TT because the barrier to entry is much much lower financially.

Oh, I also forgot...there are more vehicles that can tow a TT...so if you get in a tight spot and need to pull the TT with a Full Size SUV or Van you can. With a fiver you have to have a truck with a fifth wheel hitch. Just something to think about.

Either will serve you well...it's whatever strikes your fancy.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

[rhagfo]

downtheroad wrote:
A basic question first:
Do you want to keep using the bed of your truck while you are towing the trailer for something like bikes, firewood, gear, whatever?

This is only valid if the TV does double duty as a work truck with a canopy loaded with tools.
If the TV is primarily for the trailer then what space you "loose" in the bed, you gain in the basement of the 5er. The advantage is that if it primarily camping stuff, then it can leave it in the 5er between trips. With a 5er the bed is still usable to the top of the hitch.

[ScottG]

A TT is lower and flatter so it's easier on your legs and knees.
OTOH, a fiver can be easier to hitch for those with mobility issues.

[N-Trouble]

Smaller ~12klb GVWR 5er would be my first choice

[ThruTraffic]

I've always guessed that a fiftwheel would be safer and better handling.

I think I can give up most of the bed. Even with the fifthwheel there will still be omse room left I think for a few items. And I have the back area of the crew cab so I can toss the seats and build in a locakable area and also keep some of the heavier items in there to help push wieght forward.

It's just me an maybe a dog or two. 🙂 I'll be 65 before I drive off into the sunset in whatever I buy.

Thanks for the responses folks. I was leaning towards fifthwheel to begin with. So far y'all haven't swayed me from that.

Now off to read a ton of posts and decide on 'the' right camper for me. 🙂

[azdryheat]

In windy conditions I see too many bumper-pulls swaying side-to-side. Can't be fun.

[the_bear_II]

As both of us are now in our 60s with bad knees we are beginning to think about moving towards a flat floor RV. The steps up to the bathroom/bedroom of our 5th wheel are beginning to feel like we are climbing Mt Everest each time we go up.

I've towed several TT and a couple of 5th wheels and the 5th wheels seem more stable and safer due to the in bed hitch. However I do miss having a campershell (cap) and full pickup bed to carry stuff in. It's nice to be able to lock stuff in the campershell out of sight.

[MFL]

Welcome to the forum!

It depends on family size, where you plan to camp, and how big of trailer you are considering. Your truck could handle a mid size FW, with a GVWR of around 12,000 lbs., or less.

Jerry

[JKJavelin]

5 months ago I was in the same boat as you... except I didn't have a truck. First we looked into Class B's.
Then Class C's.
Then we looked at travel trailers-- a bunch of them.
Then I asked what fifth wheels are about. I looked and looked at them. My wife said I was getting compulsive about it. If you keep doing your homework it'll become clear to you what's best for you. Happy hunting!!
JK

[donn0128]

You will be able to pull more weight that you can load in the bed.
Fifth wheels will place more weight on the truck that a TT. So keep that in mind. With a gas motor neither type is going to give you very good fuel economy.
I would suggest first off you load the truck up like your going camping and hit a set of scales to get some accurate weights. From that you can figure out exactly how much loaded weight you can safely handle.