FIrst Excperience Towing 5th compared to TT

[rowekmr]

I have been towing my travel trailer for 8 years and other small trailers a little longer. I am really accustomed to hitching and unhitching by myself and travelling long distances with it. After towing a 5th wheel I am really impressed with the simpler and more robust hitching process (that you can see from cab) and the stability is like night and day. Not that I ever had my TT dangerously swaying down the highway but it never tracked as solid as the few 5th wheels I have towed. One thing I happily miss is hooking up WD and sway bars and that loud creaking noise from the WD when driving through a quiet campground while turning.

[Scott_85]

I guess I was lucky, our first camper was a 5th wheel but I towed many trailers. There is no comparing the the way a gooseneck or 5th wheel compares to a bumper pull.

[bfast54]

brett_robin wrote:
A little trick I like to use while hooking up by myself is using a telescopic magnet. Get a strong one and place it on the top of your ball. Back your truck up, tailgate down, when it tips off you are lined up over your ball. Of course that is if you are using a goose hitch.

Very few use a goose neck...
The great thing about a fifth wheel hitch, many can see the hookup point,out back window,or rear view mirror.


I love the stability .

[Cummins12V98]

AlmostBoatless wrote:

N-Trouble wrote:
Made the switch last fall and will never go back to a TT. I have seen the light...

We will be hitching for the first time in a couple of weeks. Had a TT and now have a 32' 5er. Very nervous about backing up and learning this. Any advice appreciated!

Only thing you will miss about the TT is backing up! Just take your time with the 5er. It does not respond as quick as a TT.

[AlmostBoatless]

N-Trouble wrote:
Made the switch last fall and will never go back to a TT. I have seen the light...

We will be hitching for the first time in a couple of weeks. Had a TT and now have a 32' 5er. Very nervous about backing up and learning this. Any advice appreciated!

[N-Trouble]

Made the switch last fall and will never go back to a TT. I have seen the light...

[milo]

Good for you. We've done the same thing. With 30+ years dragging tagalongs around this country we downgraded to a 5er. Was comfortable pulling TT's & never had any worries with em. With that said, we enjoy pulling our new 5er.

[Allworth]

Stromberg tailgate!

[rowekmr]

I won't ask but that is something I double check every time. Actually I was going to compose a before and after hitching checklist so I don't forget anything. Coming from aviation I have found that the mind/memory is infallible and repairs on new truck/trailers are expensive so I want to minimize them.

Bamaman1 wrote:
Just don't forget to drop the tailgate before backing the truck under the trailer. And drop the tailgate when unhitching. (Don't ask how I know.)

[Cummins12V98]

RedJeep wrote:
I just switched from a dually with 40' fifth wheel to a class A gas. I sure miss the stability of the fifth.

Enjoy!

Followed friends with their 40' Class A from Palm Springs to Phoenix in 45 mph winds. When we arrived i was relaxed since I had a very smooth controlled ride. He said he was fighting it the whole way and looked very tired!

There is a reason actually MANY reasons they say "stepping up" or "upgrading" to a 5er!

Only ONE thing better about a TT is they are easier to backup!

[brett_robin]

A little trick I like to use while hooking up by myself is using a telescopic magnet. Get a strong one and place it on the top of your ball. Back your truck up, tailgate down, when it tips off you are lined up over your ball. Of course that is if you are using a goose hitch.

[Bamaman11]

Just don't forget to drop the tailgate before backing the truck under the trailer. And drop the tailgate when unhitching. (Don't ask how I know.)

[RedJeep]

I just switched from a dually with 40' fifth wheel to a class A gas. I sure miss the stability of the fifth.

Enjoy!

[rowekmr]

Hope it never happens...you and me both since these trailers aren't mine and any damage I pay for lol

I have made some sharp turns without any problems but one day want to go to a large lot and turn to the limit both in forward and reverse so I can see how sharp I can turn.

i5trucker wrote:
Part 3, first experience jack knifing a 5th wheel. LOL, just joking, hope it never happens.

[rowekmr]

With the wheels further back they have a different pivot point than I am used to but am getting used to it. Actually hauling different trailers from 25' to 37' so learning a lot.

Grandpere wrote:
Glad that it is going so well, can't wait for part 2 "First Experience Backing a 5th compared to TT".

[Learjet]

rowekmr wrote:
I have been towing my travel trailer for 8 years and other small trailers a little longer. I am really accustomed to hitching and unhitching by myself and travelling long distances with it. After towing a 5th wheel I am really impressed with the simpler and more robust hitching process (that you can see from cab) and the stability is like night and day. Not that I ever had my TT dangerously swaying down the highway but it never tracked as solid as the few 5th wheels I have towed. One thing I happily miss is hooking up WD and sway bars and that loud creaking noise from the WD when driving through a quiet campground while turning.

Just made the switch myself after 47,000 miles and 10 years of towing a TT. only towed the 5'er a couple of times, but I have the same thoughts as you. I Really like the 5'er