Good reasons NOT to go with 5er over TT....

[TNrob]

My Ram 2500 is capable of playing nice with a 5er up to 11,500. We can have the same floor plan with a TT, minus interior stairs and the big basement and pass through. Given the difference between a 30' TT and a 30' 5er, is there any good reason to go with the TT rather than the 5er?

I guess what I'm asking is if there is any advantage to a TT over a 5er if the TV can both haul and tow the 5er? I see the TT being longer for the effort, and the 5er being shorter and more maneuverable.

If one can haul a 5th wheel hitch, is there any advantage to choosing a bumper pull instead?

[eDUBz]

kohai wrote:
TT can handle rougher roads.... handle bigger dips and hill crests. This is the one thing that makes me think of going to a TT. I can't get that far off the pavement before I'm stressed of hitting my bed.

For us we love our camper shell on the back of the truck and using the bed.

[kohai]

TT can handle rougher roads.... handle bigger dips and hill crests. This is the one thing that makes me think of going to a TT. I can't get that far off the pavement before I'm stressed of hitting my bed.

[dedmiston]

The OP mentioned towing 11,500 pounds. Here in CA he would need to upgrade his driver's license for either a 5er or a TT. For the 5er he would need the RV Endorsement, but for the TT he would need a Non Commercial Class A.

[Cummins12V98]

2oldman wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
A lot of people have issues with anything associated with physical exertion!

LOL, except curling a fork.

HAAAAAAAAAA

To be clear I am not being critical of disabled people. It's just society seems to be getting softer and softer!

[Terryallan]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

Nevadastars wrote:
Maybe I'm missing something, but I don't understand a lot of folks issues with steps in a 5er. Unless of course you have mobility issues. While we don't have one yet, we have looked at several, and honestly I didn't even think about the steps being a problem and I'm no kid at 63 years old. I have to admit, they seemed to bother my wife though. She kept saying, "when we get older". Well, if I'm that bad off I can't walk up 2 or 3 steps, I will probably stay home.

A lot of people have issues with anything associated with physical exertion!

OR it could be that many of us led full active lives when we were young. We played baseball, We played basketball, football, water skied and we swam / dove, doing MANY crazy tricks. Often we landed the wrong way. Many snow skied. And in truth ALL of those fun activities take a toll on your body. My back pain partly comes from playing basketball, going for the ball, falling, and sliding backwards into the wall in the gym. My knee pain comes partly from sliding into bases, and trying to look cool, standing up as the end on the slide. Also from sliding too late.

Have to remember. EVERYTHING you do when you are young. You pay for when you are old. SO. The 4 steps up into a 5er, and the 3 or 4 steps into the bedroom / bathroom bother me, and IF I had to do it over, and over, it would not be worth the pain. So a TT fits me better.

Hopefully you will never have joint problems. However if you do. I guess you will just stay home in the recliner as you said. Me. I'm goin.

Now to the real question. Do I regret playing hard and being put up wet? Nope. I loved every minute of it. Except maybe that time I fell waterskiing, and the ski belt came up my chest, and nearly smothered me, Or the time I broke my collar bone playing softball. Or maybe the time I broke my arm, or the gym thing. Other than those minor details. I'm good

[laknox]

If so many of you like, and have, TT's, why are you hanging out in the FW forum? :h :B

Lyle

[goducks10]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

Nevadastars wrote:
Maybe I'm missing something, but I don't understand a lot of folks issues with steps in a 5er. Unless of course you have mobility issues. While we don't have one yet, we have looked at several, and honestly I didn't even think about the steps being a problem and I'm no kid at 63 years old. I have to admit, they seemed to bother my wife though. She kept saying, "when we get older". Well, if I'm that bad off I can't walk up 2 or 3 steps, I will probably stay home.

A lot of people have issues with anything associated with physical exertion!

I was at the local Spring RV show this year and watched an overweight outta shape older lady fall out of a 5th wheel. She took one step going out and boom. On the floor. Wife and I were thinking, "what is she even doing in there"? So I can see the argument for too many steps for some people.

[goducks10]

rhagfo wrote:

goducks10 wrote:
One reason that never gets mentioned why a 5er might be better or more convenient is that when hitched up you can walk between the truck and 5er. I remember having our 31' TT and our current 22' truck. Any time I needed to be on the other side I had to either walk around the TT or truck, or climb over the coupler, which was always uncomfortable. Not that it's that big of a deal or anything but it's one thing that makes setting up or taking down camp easier.

NOT!
Our first 5er a 1986 King of the Road, had less than a foot between the bumper and front of the 5er. I could not squeeze through.

New one has about 2'!

To the backing problems, one needs to antipathetic and start correcting early. Once I have the 5er turning I start to straighten out as the 5er will continue to turn for a bit.
It is just a learning curve, I do well most of the time! :B

Seriously? I can back up with my tailgate down. That's more than 2'. I've got about 4-5" after the tailgates down.

[Cummins12V98]

transamz9 wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
"Ron,'sorry you still have an issue backing up your 5er.:B"

Tell you what, I wish I had a TT just for trying to back into a spot a couple days ago in a RV/Park Model park that was built in the late 60's. I finally gave up and had to see if anyone else had a lot for rent. New site was better but doing all this in 110 degree heat and getting frustrated I ended up too close to the shed on the site with the door slide. Thankfully my wife when putting out the slide stopped and checked. Yep I was 5" too close, she is my hero! Hooked back up and tried to move over about one foot. That was a no go and more frustration. Wife said move the rocks on the other side of the road and pull into grass. I finally did so and got it moved over. Now there are two tire rutts in the lawn.

A TT would have been a breeze to back in with the same conditions because of the fact when you turn the truck the TT turns. 5er is MUCH slower to respond.

What is it with people having an issue with steps inside a RV?

Let me guess.......you are now hauling those rocks in the front walk in closet. LOL Time to go to the cat scales...:B

Too funny! But so true.........

[2oldman]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
A lot of people have issues with anything associated with physical exertion!

LOL, except curling a fork.

[Cummins12V98]

Nevadastars wrote:
Maybe I'm missing something, but I don't understand a lot of folks issues with steps in a 5er. Unless of course you have mobility issues. While we don't have one yet, we have looked at several, and honestly I didn't even think about the steps being a problem and I'm no kid at 63 years old. I have to admit, they seemed to bother my wife though. She kept saying, "when we get older". Well, if I'm that bad off I can't walk up 2 or 3 steps, I will probably stay home.

A lot of people have issues with anything associated with physical exertion!

[2oldman]

goducks10 wrote:
5er is easier to type than TT.

Much of the time it's 5ver, which has never made sense to me.

[TurnThePage]

goducks10 wrote:
One reason that never gets mentioned why a 5er might be better or more convenient is that when hitched up you can walk between the truck and 5er. I remember having our 31' TT and our current 22' truck. Any time I needed to be on the other side I had to either walk around the TT or truck, or climb over the coupler, which was always uncomfortable. Not that it's that big of a deal or anything but it's one thing that makes setting up or taking down camp easier.

Best reason yet!!! That is a huge pain, and with an Equal-I-zer brand hitch, I'm sure to get grease on something when I climb over the hitch.

However, trailers fit under low branches much better than 5ers. Trailers also track behind the tow vehicle, allowing you to turn corners without having to swing so wide.

[rhagfo]

goducks10 wrote:
One reason that never gets mentioned why a 5er might be better or more convenient is that when hitched up you can walk between the truck and 5er. I remember having our 31' TT and our current 22' truck. Any time I needed to be on the other side I had to either walk around the TT or truck, or climb over the coupler, which was always uncomfortable. Not that it's that big of a deal or anything but it's one thing that makes setting up or taking down camp easier.

NOT!
Our first 5er a 1986 King of the Road, had less than a foot between the bumper and front of the 5er. I could not squeeze through.

New one has about 2'!

To the backing problems, one needs to antipathetic and start correcting early. Once I have the 5er turning I start to straighten out as the 5er will continue to turn for a bit.
It is just a learning curve, I do well most of the time! :B

[goducks10]

One reason that never gets mentioned why a 5er might be better or more convenient is that when hitched up you can walk between the truck and 5er. I remember having our 31' TT and our current 22' truck. Any time I needed to be on the other side I had to either walk around the TT or truck, or climb over the coupler, which was always uncomfortable. Not that it's that big of a deal or anything but it's one thing that makes setting up or taking down camp easier.