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?

[tinner12002]

Personally I've towed both a 30ft TT and a 30ft 5th wheel, with my Ram and the 5th wheel pulls much easier/nicer/smoother loaded or empty than did the 30ft TT.

[jffnkrn]

I have maintained my CDL even after my retirement as one would think "WHO KNOWS" if i would ever need it for something. So often thought about those people that drive or pull big stuff if some day a requirement would be in the works. I guess for me, i will do some checking on it. But good info, thanks! Good Luck & Be Safe ! ! !

[Njmurvin]

N-Trouble wrote:
Bet 99% of those on the road towing 5er under 15K lbs only have a Class-C and nothing else. Yes these laws are on the books but highly overlooked and rarely enforced.

Agreed. But it would be just my luck to be pulled over by that ONE CHP officer who knows the law.

I just got my restriction 41 stamp last month. I was fortunate to get a DMV clerk that had "heard" about it. Even so, it took her, another clerk and their supervisor to find the right test and process it correctly.

The intent of my post wasn't to necessarily draw attention to the law, itself, as much as the possible DIFFERENT license requirements as they apply to 5ers vs. TTs (at least in CA).

[N-Trouble]

Bet 99% of those on the road towing 5er under 15K lbs only have a Class-C and nothing else. Yes these laws are on the books but highly overlooked and rarely enforced.

[Njmurvin]

Be aware of driver license requirements for the different kinds of trailers. In California, for example:

1) A TT rated with a GVWR over 10,000lbs requires a class A non-commercial license (health questionnaire, written test, skills test).

2) A 5th wheel trailer rated with a GVWR between 10,000lbs and 15,000lbs requires an endorsement (actually called "restriction 41") on your class C license (written test). 5th wheels over 15,000lbs require a class A non-commercial license.

It could be that California is the only state with these laws, but it would be worth checking out your state's requirements.

[TNrob]

Thanks for the thoughts. This has been fun to read.

[Cummins12V98]

Happytraveler wrote:
The only thing my sister hates about her 5th wheel are the high ceilings and it came with two air conditioners and a very pretty ceiling fan. When the outside temps gets over 100 degrees they have a very hard time keeping the inside cool. To help with the problem she bought 2 fans to circulate the air inside and outside window coverings.

I have high ceilings and 3 AC's with the temps at 120 here in SoCal 75 was not hard to maintain. The 3rd AC was worth EVERY penny!

[wing_zealot]

Personally I like the 5er's, they keep the tree limbs cleared so I don't hit them and damage my TT.

[Happytraveler]

The only thing my sister hates about her 5th wheel are the high ceilings and it came with two air conditioners and a very pretty ceiling fan. When the outside temps gets over 100 degrees they have a very hard time keeping the inside cool. To help with the problem she bought 2 fans to circulate the air inside and outside window coverings.

[ediemarie]

saw a couple mentions but the ONLY problem I have with our 5er is the sheer height of it. ripped the antenna off twice now. having that S-O-B removed!
been to several GC's that I won't have a chance to stay in simply because the trees aren't trimmed up enough. other than that wouldn't trade for anything else.

safe travels

[kohai]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

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.

WHY does a TT handle rougher roads better than a 5er? I agree on the dips and crests.

I put a small dent in my tailgate top just getting out of an RV park in Mexican Hat Utah. The road to RV park had that much angle even though it was paved. (Yes, I have 7"-8" of clearance.)

We were going to camp in Valley of the Gods but my father-in-law didn't think my 5th wheel would make it (he had a shorter TT so no issue for him). I was game to try it but he just balked and we ended up staying down the road. Later we drove through the area without trailers and did see one 5th wheel in there but all of the rest were TT. I think I would have been ok entering from the East side. I wouldn't have had those doubts or questions with TT.

[colliehauler]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

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.

WHY does a TT handle rougher roads better than a 5er? I agree on the dips and crests.

I would say it's size dependent. A long low TT cannot handle dips and crests any more then a long low 5th wheel. I would agree that a short high clearance TT will go places you would never take a 5er.

[Cummins12V98]

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.

WHY does a TT handle rougher roads better than a 5er? I agree on the dips and crests.

[Shepherd]

I believe the vertical clearance would be the biggest issue.