Towing difference between 37 and 42ft FW

[Sinton4616]

DW and I have been trailerless since Hurricane Harvey decided to destroy our TT. We're looking at FW and still discussing (READ: arguing) the floor plans.

Realizing there will be a difference between towing a 34ft TT and a FW, how much of a difference have you noticed between a 37ft and a 42ft FW? Is there much of a difference in handling? Figure GVWR of what we are looking at is between 14-15.5K.


(Not worried about weight. Truck is an F350 DRW with 5,490lbs CC according to the door jam and a 3.55 read end. I've also purchased a 20K B&W Companion hitch after reading review and listening to advice here.)

[Alxcook]

The FW will tow easier and smoother in almost all conditions.

[Cummins12V98]

IdaD is correct, I went from 38-42' overall 4-5k heavier but handles the same but not as easy to find a place to park.

"(Not worried about weight. Truck is an F350 DRW with 5,490lbs CC according to the door jam and a 3.55 read end. I've also purchased a 20K B&W Companion hitch after reading review and listening to advice here.)"

Well at least you listened to our advice about the hitch!!! 😉

[3_dog_nights]

Michelle.S wrote:
Not mentioned, but you'll have to remember to swing wider on turns with the 5er vs your TT or you'll be clipping curbs.

Just keep an eye on the 5'ver tires in your mirrors, you'll quickly learn the spacing.

[ACZL]

Toolguy5 wrote:

IdaD wrote:
I would agree that towing won't be any different. Parking is where you'll notice the extra length.

Agree we went from a 36 foot fifth wheel to a 42 foot.
Backing up into sites and turning corners are the only difference I experienced.

Pretty much the same here as well. However, this year we added into the mix a 8' box as previous trucks all were short boxes. Just take it slow and easy and use the GOAL (Get Out And Look) system if need be.

[Toolguy5]

IdaD wrote:
I would agree that towing won't be any different. Parking is where you'll notice the extra length.

Agree we went from a 36 foot fifth wheel to a 42 foot.
Backing up into sites and turning corners are the only difference I experienced.

[bucky]

You will find that the 5er takes longer to swing backing up and then can quickly turn too much unless you reverse the steering wheel and follow the turn. Find a parking lot and practice.
Be very aware of opposite side obstacles while you are in the follow the turn phase of getting into a site as they can bite you while you are looking the other way.

[Lexx]

We just got back from a 2.5 mo 6k mi trip. It was our first. What we learned was that some campsites are on the narrow side so I couldn't park the truck to the side of the camper.

So there were times that when the camper was positioned ideally for the slides to come out and so all my utilities could easily reach, that there was barely enough length left on the site to park the truck.

Of course one could always park in the parking spaces but that's not as convenient.

Also with some sites, a longer trailer will have a tough time making the turns. In Okanagan, B.C., we had a site with narrow pad AND narrow access road. My truck was barely able to make the turn without the camper swiping up against the trees.

Yes, one could always choose a longer and wider site. But this was all that was left. We had to make a route change during our trip due to unforeseen circumstances.

[Bierp]

I made a very similar jump this year with almost the same truck. My gears are 3.73 which helps a little. Using the 25k B&W.

Just did about 5k of towing and had no issues. The sway is non-existent with the 5er, though it wasn't terrible with the TT on this truck. As others have said, backing up is a whole new ballgame. I was pretty slick with the TT, but the 5er has made me look bad a few times. The pivot point is further forward and the axles are further back. That changes everything.

Enjoy your new rig!

[Michelle_S]

Not mentioned, but you'll have to remember to swing wider on turns with the 5er vs your TT or you'll be clipping curbs.

[okiefatman]

Would be better if you had 4:10 gears there is a major difference between 3:55 and 4:10 gears. Allow extra time when passing, also when backing the tail end of the trailer doesn`t react as fast with the extra length.

[Sinton4616]

Thanks for the confirmation. Looking to pull the trigger on a 2018 Sandpiper 357DSOK. If I don't have any calls this weekend, might go make an offer. If not and the RW is gone, oh well. There will be another.

Thank you all for the responses. Just have to learn how to back it up.

Little nervous about getting a Class A non-professional license as the GVWR of both the truck and FW will be over the 26,001lb limit from Texas. But planning on three things.....practice, practice and yet even more practice.

[3_dog_nights]

went from a 30' TT to a 40' 5ver, only difference was backing up, It's a learning curve, but once you pass it, it's a lot easier.

[WeBeFulltimers]

Not that much difference but you will need to watch that tail swing in tight spaces.

[Merrykalia]

If you have been towing a 37' TT and go to a 42' FW, the towing difference will be easier. The length will be about the same, probably less since much of the additional length will be above the truck bed. I will think it will be a much easier tow for you and your vehicle should easily handle it.

We used to tow a 35' TT and our 42' FW tows so much easier with little to no "push" when we are passed by large trucks.