Fifth Wheel or TT

[Kyaker]

We are new to Rving and have a 30ft. Open Range TT towing with a Ford F150 with towing package. The ride is very jerky. We've got the anti sway hitch. Does going to a fifth wheel make for a smoother ride?

[Hazey33]

I'd like to refer you to our blog, we started with a 35ft Open range TT, the axles on the Open ranges and the weight in the rear can be a challenge.

http://peripatetical.com/2013/11/07/the-ins-and-outs-of-towing-what-we-experienced-and-how-to-avoid-it/

We have since upgraded to a Fifth wheel and the change is amazing.

[milo]

OP .... after reading the comments on here from you & others..since your a newbie...the best advice would be for you to find someone in your area (that you can trust) that knows RV's & how to setup the tow vehicle up with the trailer and have them work with you & help you set it up or have them set it up & you learn from them. Would be much easier than trying to get the info from here. JMO

Milo

[Bamaman11]

I have a F250 crewcab 2wd with the camper package, etc. It doesn't even have the capabiilty to handle the heavy tongue weights and total weight of many fifth wheel trailers.

I've been interested in fifth wheels like the Big Country or Big Horn, but they need a F350 dual rear wheel trucks.

My family really has no desire to deal with dual wheels for day to day driving.

[anaro]

Kyaker wrote:
Thanks anaro. Please remember I am a newbie and not blonde (lol), but How is the hitch adjusted? and what is WDH? It will take several weeks to do this since my tt is in the shop for warranty work. I will get back to you. Thank you

Wdh= weight distribution hitch. Do you have one? Does it have integrated sway control? If not do you have friction sway bars? What wdh do you have? What hitch you have will affect adjustments. I had a reese dual cam. The height was adjustable, the hitch head can be adjusted forward and backward tilt and the chains were adjustable. Equal-i-zer adjust differently, same for Anderson, Hensley, etc. I think you need to check these threads out....
How wdh works

Travel trailer hitch set up


And we were all new once. I'm currently new to 5ers.

[RedJeep]

My experience was with a Ford Excursion and a 36' TT. When we put too much weight on the rear then it swayed, bucked and porpoised. It sucked to drive even with WD hitch and a sway bar. Learned my lesson. Put more weight up front (a visit to the scales is a good idea). Ride also improved when I added a second sway bar. At 30' two sway bars might be a good idea.

WD = weight distribution hitch. Two arms (in the shape of an "L") are added to the hitch in a manner to increase the weight placed on the front of the TV.

To answer your original question. We went to a 40' fifth wheel and dually. It is a 100% improvement in highway stability over the TT even with two sway bars and WD.

The physics involved with a fifth wheel make it inherently more stable.

[Kyaker]

Thanks anaro. Please remember I am a newbie and not blonde (lol), but How is the hitch adjusted? and what is WDH? It will take several weeks to do this since my tt is in the shop for warranty work. I will get back to you. Thank you

[anaro]

hmknightnc wrote:

Kyaker wrote:
Thank you all for your responses! I know we would need a bigger truck for a fifth wheel. This is what I have now:

This is the info from the tag on the truck. 2006 Ford F150;Front: GAWR 3450, Rear GAWR 3850
We do have the brake assist.

The trailer is a 2013 Open Range Light 274rls
Base Weight (lbs / kg): 6660 / 3021
Carrying Capacity (lbs / kg): 2140 / 970.7
Hitch Weight (lbs / kg): 800 / 362.9
Number Of Axles: 2

By jerky I mean like a dolphin.

Porpoising is an indication of improper Weight Distribution Setup. Go to a CAT Scale and weigh the entire rig with WDH attached, then weigh just the truck by itself. Report the weigh numbers back here and we can help you with that. One caution though, with an approximate 8k# TT you might find you are overloaded on that F150.

X2 on this. Only I would make multiple passes (1st weigh will be $9-12, any subsequent passes in a 24hr period will be $1-2, give them the ticket number for a reweigh). All weights are fully loaded as ready to camp and with a full tank of fuel.

Pass 1 just truck, no trailer. Put front axle on 1st scale pad and rear axle on 2nd scale pad. (Bring a long stuck as the button to push is pretty high, when asked for number tell them private vehicle, if they still want a number you can pick your favorite number).

Pass 2 truck with tt and no wdh. Truck same as pass 1, both tt axles on 3rd scale pad

Pass 3 truck with tt and wdh on. (Set on scale same as pass 2).

Your goal is now to return your front axle to as close to unloaded/unhitched weight as possible without going heavier. Bring your tools and your chock blocks. Disconnect, adjust hitch, weigh again until weights are right. Once weights are right, try driving your tt and see what it feels like. If good, you are done. If not good, reassess symptoms and report back here or on the towing thread for help. Also check out the wdh sticky threads on the top of the towing forum.

[hmknightnc]

Kyaker wrote:
Thank you all for your responses! I know we would need a bigger truck for a fifth wheel. This is what I have now:

This is the info from the tag on the truck. 2006 Ford F150;Front: GAWR 3450, Rear GAWR 3850
We do have the brake assist.

The trailer is a 2013 Open Range Light 274rls
Base Weight (lbs / kg): 6660 / 3021
Carrying Capacity (lbs / kg): 2140 / 970.7
Hitch Weight (lbs / kg): 800 / 362.9
Number Of Axles: 2

By jerky I mean like a dolphin.

Porpoising is an indication of improper Weight Distribution Setup. Go to a CAT Scale and weigh the entire rig with WDH attached, then weigh just the truck by itself. Report the weigh numbers back here and we can help you with that. One caution though, with an approximate 8k# TT you might find you are overloaded on that F150.

[owenssailor]

Kyaker wrote:
Thank you all for your responses! I know we would need a bigger truck for a fifth wheel. This is what I have now:

This is the info from the tag on the truck. 2006 Ford F150;Front: GAWR 3450, Rear GAWR 3850
We do have the brake assist.

The trailer is a 2013 Open Range Light 274rls
Base Weight (lbs / kg): 6660 / 3021
Carrying Capacity (lbs / kg): 2140 / 970.7
Hitch Weight (lbs / kg): 800 / 362.9
Number Of Axles: 2

By jerky I mean like a dolphin.

What weight distribution system are you using?
Have you weighed your setup at a CAT scale?

That info would help.

[Seattle_Lion]

N-Trouble wrote:
Time to upgrade to a 3/4 ton. A 30ft TT is not going to tow nicely behind any 1/2 ton regardless of how well it's setup.

We towed a 27' TT that weighed 7,000 lbs with our Ford F150. We upgraded to a 36ft 5'er that weighs 13,500 lbs and a Ford F350 diesel.

[Kyaker]

Thank you all for your responses! I know we would need a bigger truck for a fifth wheel. This is what I have now:

This is the info from the tag on the truck. 2006 Ford F150;Front: GAWR 3450, Rear GAWR 3850
We do have the brake assist.

The trailer is a 2013 Open Range Light 274rls
Base Weight (lbs / kg): 6660 / 3021
Carrying Capacity (lbs / kg): 2140 / 970.7
Hitch Weight (lbs / kg): 800 / 362.9
Number Of Axles: 2

By jerky I mean like a dolphin.

[tomkaren13]

fla-gypsy wrote:
You should start with providing complete info on what you currently have. There is no reason a TT should be jerky if set up correctly

Definately need more info! Such as weight of TT? Then we can advise.

No to 5th wheel on 1/2 ton truck. Oh we know, yes we know!

[jerem0621]

Lots and lots of speculation here.

OP....can you clairify what year F150 you have, what motor, cab, drive, and axle ratio do you have. Also, can you provide info on your brake control.

What about your WD hitch with either dual friction sway controls or integrated sway controls.

I pulled a "gasp" 31 ft TT with a F150 all over Tennessee and never once felt unsafe or out of control. I actually felt comfortable and enjoyed the ride. The brake controller was properly set up and the WD hitch was ideally set up for my truck. I used dual friction sway control as as well.

The answer to some towing problems may be something simple....tires, hitch, worn parts.... So many get the "gottahaveits" and just buy a bigger truck, replacing a perfectly good and capable truck. Which is fine.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

[owenssailor]

Our trailer is 31 feet overall, 28 foot cabin. Loaded it weighs 6600 lb.
We traveled 13,000 miles with it last winter. It does not jerk. There is also no push/sway effect from passing or meeting transport trucks. I can feel some effect from strong crosswinds - nothing uncomfortable.

I am towing with a 1500 Chev.

If the OP supplies the info requested by many others he may be able to get assistance in getting his rig set up to tow properly