We had started out looking at 25' TTs but then went to 5'ers,A. Because we like to have decent kitchen counter space, especially since we will be living in it for about 6 months while we remodel our house and also another 6 months in CA to see if we really want to move there. B. We like the higher ceilings (but this may be negotiable)It seems that in general...the 5er's start at around 30', but the ones with decent counter space have been closer to 35.' I wonder if this is overkill, for two empty nesters in their early 60s whose primary reason for buying a TT or 5er is to tour around the country to visit the NPs? I am concerned about the gas mileage to tow a 35' 5'er vs a 25'-28' TT. It would take a bigger truck to tow the 5er than the TT, which would most likely give worse gas mileage. I know...some have said, "If you are towing an RV, don't even think about gas mileage. That is a moot point!" But...we would love to be able to do it as frugally and yet as comfortably as possible. We want to hit the "sweet spot." So...we are looking at these types to scenarios (Dry weight):1. 28' TT - 6,000 lbs.2. 35' 5er - 11,480 lbs.3. 32' 5er - 8,777 lbs.Have any of you had experience in this area...where you may have towed both TTs and 5ers to show the difference in gas mileage?Thanks in advance!

MookieKat wrote:I know...some have said, "If you are towing an RV, don't even think about gas mileage. That is a moot point!" Thanks in advance!Trouble is, it is true....and you will enjoy the adventure a lot more when you accept it.Basically, you are going to get between 8 and maybe 12 mpg towing any of the choices you listed while towing around the country to national parks.Good luck with your choice.

RV transporters report fivers beat smooth sided TTs, which beat aluminum sided TTs, using the same tow vehicle.

TT is usually lighter and lower profile with less wind resistance. FWIW, I get an honest 11.5-12.5 MPG towing my sig 5th wheel, sometimes I will see up to 13+ on flat level ground. Our older, smaller 5th wheel actually got worse MPG towing, I think more frontal resistance.

Our new Winnebago Lite Five 26FWRKS is 30' outside dimensions. Love the rear kitchen that gives us plenty of counter space and a more open living room. Dry weight on ours is 7800lbs.We looked at shorter fifth wheels but they were not nearly as nice and priced almost the same. Our prior trailer was a 5000lb Hybrid 21'. No difference in mpg towing the heavier fifth wheel. While smaller the TT had a flat frontal area. Our fifth has rounded front cap. Wind drag has more to do with mpg than does weight. Many newer fifths are better designed with regards to wind drag than years past. Winnebago's are considered mid height which is high enough for a stand up front bedroom. I would assume the larger full height fivers get lower mpg.

The fiver you chose will probably be towed most efficently and easily by a Diesel engine, it is heavy and will definitely suck gas. Diesel fuel is harder to find on the byways but highways there are diesel fuel stations every so many miles. Buy the Next EXIT book and it tells what is at each exit like diesel fuel and food etc. Fivers have more storage for the most part, wider living space.

Gas mileage comparison between towing TT and 5'er?

downtheroad
Explorer
Sep 05, 2013
MookieKat wrote:

I know...some have said, "If you are towing an RV, don't even think about gas mileage. That is a moot point!"
Thanks in advance!

Trouble is, it is true....and you will enjoy the adventure a lot more when you accept it.

Basically, you are going to get between 8 and maybe 12 mpg towing any of the choices you listed while towing around the country to national parks.

Good luck with your choice.
Snowman9000
Explorer
Sep 05, 2013
RV transporters report fivers beat smooth sided TTs, which beat aluminum sided TTs, using the same tow vehicle.
Alley_Fox
Explorer
Sep 05, 2013
TT is usually lighter and lower profile with less wind resistance. FWIW, I get an honest 11.5-12.5 MPG towing my sig 5th wheel, sometimes I will see up to 13+ on flat level ground. Our older, smaller 5th wheel actually got worse MPG towing, I think more frontal resistance.
mileshuff
Explorer
Sep 05, 2013
Our new Winnebago Lite Five 26FWRKS is 30' outside dimensions. Love the rear kitchen that gives us plenty of counter space and a more open living room. Dry weight on ours is 7800lbs.

We looked at shorter fifth wheels but they were not nearly as nice and priced almost the same. Our prior trailer was a 5000lb Hybrid 21'. No difference in mpg towing the heavier fifth wheel. While smaller the TT had a flat frontal area. Our fifth has rounded front cap. Wind drag has more to do with mpg than does weight. Many newer fifths are better designed with regards to wind drag than years past. Winnebago's are considered mid height which is high enough for a stand up front bedroom. I would assume the larger full height fivers get lower mpg.
RVER
Explorer
Sep 05, 2013
The fiver you chose will probably be towed most efficently and easily by a Diesel engine, it is heavy and will definitely suck gas. Diesel fuel is harder to find on the byways but highways there are diesel fuel stations every so many miles. Buy the Next EXIT book and it tells what is at each exit like diesel fuel and food etc. Fivers have more storage for the most part, wider living space.
K_Charles
Explorer
Sep 05, 2013
We had a 28 ft TT and went to a 34 ft TT about 2 years ago. Our mileage stayed at 8 to 10. We say that we're anytimers not fill timers. and it's only the two of us about 4 or 5 months a year. No it's not overkill to have extra counter space if you want to be happy staying in it. What difference does the mileage make if that's what you want to do.
MarkTwain
Explorer
Sep 05, 2013
There are many good 5th. wheels out there. I would suggest you look at Heartlands line of 5th. wheels. I bought the 33' Big Horn with 3 slides and we have found it to be roomy, comfortable and easy to tow. I especially like the hydraulic front jacks and electric rear stabilizers. We are livening in our rig about 6 months a year. Heartland's customer service and warranty issue fixes have been outstanding for us, others may have had different service. Towing with a Dodge 3500 Diesel , 6spd. manual and get 12 to 13 mpg on the average.
PS. If you get or have a diesel truck already, I would strongly recommend you contact "Transfer Flow" in chico Ca. to get a larger diesel fuel tank. They will mail the tanks to your area and give you the name of a shop who can install it. I replaced the original 34 gal tank with a 60 gal tank. Minimizes worry about finding diesel and allows you to pick the best priced diesel.:)
MookieKat
Explorer
Sep 05, 2013
K Charles wrote:
We had a 28 ft TT and went to a 34 ft TT about 2 years ago. Our mileage stayed at 8 to 10. We say that we're anytimers not fill timers. and it's only the two of us about 4 or 5 months a year. No it's not overkill to have extra counter space if you want to be happy staying in it. What difference does the mileage make if that's what you want to do.

Did the extra room in the 34' make a difference in your level of comfort?
MookieKat
Explorer
Sep 05, 2013
At what weight of TT or 5er do we need a diesel? We still have to buy the truck to match the trailer.
MookieKat
Explorer
Sep 05, 2013
RVER wrote:
The fiver you chose will probably be towed most efficently and easily by a Diesel engine, it is heavy and will definitely suck gas. Diesel fuel is harder to find on the byways but highways there are diesel fuel stations every so many miles. Buy the Next EXIT book and it tells what is at each exit like diesel fuel and food etc. Fivers have more storage for the most part, wider living space.

Thank you! Will that book give more info than a smart phone? Is there an app to find diesel on the road?

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Gas mileage comparison between towing TT and 5'er?

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