TT or Fifth Wheel-opinions wanted

[Californiadrea1]

Hello fellow RVers,
My husband and I are RV newbies and recently retired. We currently have a 20 yo TT that we've used for a year and will be selling. Too small for us. We have a new Ford F-250 so towing options are open. My husband has never towed a fifth wheel. We've looked at over 100 RVs but still undecided between purchasing a TT or FW. Our friends all tow a FW. We would appreciate opinions between purchasing a TT or FW as our next upgrade, around 30' in length. Also undecided to purchase new or used.
Thank you!

[laknox]

Californiadreamers wrote:
Hello fellow RVers,
My husband and I are RV newbies and recently retired. We currently have a 20 yo TT that we've used for a year and will be selling. Too small for us. We have a new Ford F-250 so towing options are open. My husband has never towed a fifth wheel. We've looked at over 100 RVs but still undecided between purchasing a TT or FW. Our friends all tow a FW. We would appreciate opinions between purchasing a TT or FW as our next upgrade, around 30' in length. Also undecided to purchase new or used.
Thank you!

Don't let Don scare you. The vast majority of FWs are pulled by 250/2500 series trucks. You absolutely have to know your numbers on your payload, which is the limiting factor to the 3/4 ton trucks. It's not how much you can tow, it's how much you can CARRY; never forget that. If you want a 35+ foot FW, then don't even think about your 3/4 ton; if you want to stay in the ~30' range, then the newer 3/4's will work in most cases. There =are= ~30' FWs that are so heavy on the pin that you simply need a 1 ton to be sure you don't exceed the payload capacity. I did not know this when I bought my FW and I'm very glad we didn't get the next one larger, which we really wanted, or I'd be seriously overloaded. There are any number of weight-related threads here, so do search them out and read them.

When we were looking, I told DW that I would not consider a TT at all, having towed too many "loose" trailers over the years, and would only get a FW. I already had experience towing a gooseneck, so had the "feel" of that style of towing under my belt. A FW will give you more space for the same overall length and you'll have =much= more storage. Overall towing stability is much greater with a FW, too.

Lyle

[Stefan]

Californiadreamers wrote:
Hello fellow RVers,
My husband and I are RV newbies and recently retired. We currently have a 20 yo TT that we've used for a year and will be selling. Too small for us. We have a new Ford F-250 so towing options are open. My husband has never towed a fifth wheel. We've looked at over 100 RVs but still undecided between purchasing a TT or FW. Our friends all tow a FW. We would appreciate opinions between purchasing a TT or FW as our next upgrade, around 30' in length. Also undecided to purchase new or used.
Thank you!

If your friends 'all tow fifth wheels', then I think you know what your answer is... Buy lightly used and save some cash, or new if that huge 1 yr warranty is important.

[C-Bears]

dahkota wrote:
Before you start looking at 5ers, go outside and look at the sticker on your truck that states payload capacity. Without knowing that, suggestions you get here may be all over the map and may not be useful. Our F250 diesel had a 2000 lb. payload capacity. Once we added passengers and stuff, we could carry a 5er with a loaded pin of about 1600 lbs. You'll find maybe one of those on any rv lot.

The above information would be your next logical step IMHO. Try to figure out a good load limit range for your new F250 and then start shopping for that used FW.

I wouldn't just limit my search to dealer's lots. Once we figured out the make and model of our first used FW we also expanded our search range out to about 300 miles. Found an extremely nice unit on Craig's List and saved a ton of money dealing with private owner.

[jamnw]

I had a TT for 9 years. This past weekend I traded on a 5th wheel. I could not believe the difference in how they pull. Its about an hour drive for me half interstate from the dealership. Go with a 5th wheel if you can. And there are a lot of options for your F250.
Now backing it is going to take a little getting used to. Its different.

[rhagfo]

n7bsn wrote:

rhagfo wrote:
..

Where did you get the idea that 5ers get worse fuel mileage?
...

Experience. The primary cause is wind resistance.

My current 5er is 13 ft tall, the additional 2 ft in height dropped the MPG by 2.

Does your owners manual have a section on frontal area under towing? I know my F250 with a 460 and a C6 did, not to exceed.

I looked and looked in my Ram Cummins owners manual for the same limit, could not find one. :B

I will say the Cummins12V98, got his 2011 down to 5 MPG doing 75, into a 40 mph head wind!

[dahkota]

Before you start looking at 5ers, go outside and look at the sticker on your truck that states payload capacity. Without knowing that, suggestions you get here may be all over the map and may not be useful. Our F250 diesel had a 2000 lb. payload capacity. Once we added passengers and stuff, we could carry a 5er with a loaded pin of about 1600 lbs. You'll find maybe one of those on any rv lot.

[dapperdan]

Californiadreamers wrote:
Thank you all for your wise replies. After much discussion with hubby this morning, and measuring an area in the backyard to store the unit, we are now leaning towards a used FW. We have a 2015 F-250, 6.7 turbo-diesel, supercab, longbed. Any suggestions as to a good used FW? Brands, models, ones to steer clear of? We prefer a floor plan with a rear kitchen, at least one slide-out or more, no bunk beds as we will only bring two grandchildren at a time 😉
Thanks so much for your replies.

We had a Montana and it served us well. They're very popular, you should be able to find a good used one I would think. Are you sure about a rear kitchen? Being at the end of the trailer there will be a fair amount of "bouncing". I'm just throwing that out there, to each his own. I'm NOT saying they're bad just something to consider.

Pay attention to the slide outs, can you access the fridge, the bathroom, or the bedroom WITHOUT having to put one or more of the slides out? We picked our Montana because we could get into the fridge without having to slide out for making lunch on the road, same for the bathroom and bedroom. It's not necessary but may come in handy. Again personal preference, lots to think about and consider.

Dan

[n7bsn]

As for brands, I'm partial to Northwoods (on our second one, if this one lasts like the 99 it's also our last). New Horizons, NuWa and Excel by Peterson.

Also, for used who maintained it, and how well, counts for a lot. We once saw a 5 year old New Horizon (probably the best made 5er there is) that was trashed, as the owner didn't take care of it. We also saw a 20 year old Fleetwood that looked like it had just rolled out of the factory, because the owners did.

[n7bsn]

rhagfo wrote:
..

Where did you get the idea that 5ers get worse fuel mileage?
...

Experience. The primary cause is wind resistance.

My current 5er is 13 ft tall, the additional 2 ft in height dropped the MPG by 2.

[Californiadrea1]

Thank you all for your wise replies. After much discussion with hubby this morning, and measuring an area in the backyard to store the unit, we are now leaning towards a used FW. We have a 2015 F-250, 6.7 turbo-diesel, supercab, longbed. Any suggestions as to a good used FW? Brands, models, ones to steer clear of? We prefer a floor plan with a rear kitchen, at least one slide-out or more, no bunk beds as we will only bring two grandchildren at a time 😉
Thanks so much for your replies.

[rhagfo]

n7bsn wrote:
Everything has a good point and a weak point
5er tow better, an anti-sway system on a bumper pull is to make them more "5er like"
5er's get worse gas-milage, due to their added height

The list goes on and on.

What's your budget? How long will your trips be? How much on-the-road vrs parked?

Where did you get the idea that 5ers get worse fuel mileage?
There have been several reports on this forum of those who have gone from a smaller (slightly) to lager and heaver 5er and the. Getting better mileage.

You can find a decent 5er to fit that F250, and it will FAR more enjoyable to tow than any TT!

[NMDriver]

Well those are the rationals in a nutshell, but until you pull something yourself and try living in it you will only be hearing other peoples priorities.

Try renting a TT and pulling it, I doubt if you can find a 5er for rent but who know, everything under the sun is available in CA.

One other advantage, of a TT, you can pull it with something besides a pick-up.

I too recommend used to start.

I choose a 5er after pulling a TT to Florida for a month. I prefer the stability while driving down the road. However, I am now in a travel-every-day or so, not a staying-for-a-week mode, so I am looking for a Motorhome.

Almost forgot, ask over in the TT forum for their opinions.

[dapperdan]

FW for sure!! Yeah you'll be limited as to what you can pull as far as fifth wheels and weights go but trailering a fifth wheel out west in the wind, hands down way better than scaring yourself pulling a TT. Just MHO tho, it's YOUR money and YOUR comfort level.

Going up three steps in the FW isn't an issue for us yet but we're "young", I'm about to turn 62 and the missus is 56. :B

Dan

[samsontdog]

I have had both. Currently have a 34 ft TT as I need the use of the p/up bed to haul "stuff". I have a topper over the bed where I keep generators and other things under cover. The DW and I are pushing 80 and the extra steps in the 5th w
are a pain to climb. I still have a 40 ft 5th wheel that I got tired of rather quickly. It is used as a rental here in Yuma. The 5th w and the TT have there good and bad points. I still think the TT tows as well as the 5th w if it is properly equipted. I have no problem hooking up to the TT by myself. In over 55 years towing all types of RVs I still prefer the Class A DP and the TT second over all the RVs that I have owned. I have a F250 Ford Super Cab that I tow with and it does a great job towing the 10,000 pd TT