I've been online window shopping specifically at the Jayco models at the moment. Their HT (half ton) line is missing a few (lux) options, but appears otherwise very comparable to the regular line. In fact the HT's have an optional rear hitch, rated to tow 3000 lbs, where as the regular line only has an optional carrying rack. The website lists their construction details identically, right down to the frame and insulation. Is the only difference that the HT line lacks a few amenities, and is slightly smaller, but is significantly lighter and ultimately more capable? I must be missing something...

Weight........5th wheels are towed AND carried (pin weight)For 5th wheel to be carried by a '1/2 ton' it has to be fairly light due to limited payload capacity of truckWeight.......

Old-Biscuit wrote:Weight........5th wheels are towed AND carried (pin weight)For 5th wheel to be carried by a '1/2 ton' it has to be fairly light due to limited payload capacity of truckWeight.......Normally weight is associated with strength. In this case the lighter unit is warrantied to tow an additional trailer, where as the heavier unit is not. THAT I guess is my real question. Do they have the same frames, etc?

That whole "lightweight" thing is a bunch of malarkey, in my opinion. I think in just about every case, you'll find that the "lightweight" units are simply SMALLER. As you point out, construction is virtually identical. Take a closer look-see at those numbers; I especially encourage you to add up the cubic footage, then divide that number into the weight. Weight per cu. foot is likely nearly the same for regular and "lightweight" models.

Subscribed, as I too am curious about the differences. I am also looking at the Jayco HT line. The 29.5 BHDS and 29.5 FBDS are high on my list.

What's the difference between regular and light 5th Wheel?

Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Oct 25, 2014
Weight........
5th wheels are towed AND carried (pin weight)
For 5th wheel to be carried by a '1/2 ton' it has to be fairly light due to limited payload capacity of truck
Weight.......
closurdo
Explorer
Oct 25, 2014
Less Calories :)
TurnThePage
Explorer
Oct 25, 2014
Old-Biscuit wrote:
Weight........
5th wheels are towed AND carried (pin weight)
For 5th wheel to be carried by a '1/2 ton' it has to be fairly light due to limited payload capacity of truck
Weight.......
Normally weight is associated with strength. In this case the lighter unit is warrantied to tow an additional trailer, where as the heavier unit is not. THAT I guess is my real question. Do they have the same frames, etc?
Francesca_Knowl
Explorer
Oct 25, 2014
That whole "lightweight" thing is a bunch of malarkey, in my opinion. I think in just about every case, you'll find that the "lightweight" units are simply SMALLER.

As you point out, construction is virtually identical. Take a closer look-see at those numbers; I especially encourage you to add up the cubic footage, then divide that number into the weight. Weight per cu. foot is likely nearly the same for regular and "lightweight" models.
Baja_Man
Explorer
Oct 25, 2014
Subscribed, as I too am curious about the differences. I am also looking at the Jayco HT line. The 29.5 BHDS and 29.5 FBDS are high on my list.
valhalla360
Navigator
Oct 25, 2014
Mostly, it means the marketers wanted to sell to folks with 1/2 ton trucks.

They generally are a little lighter but that's mostly because they are smaller with fewer slide outs.

The fact they have a hitch on the trailer doesn't mean a lot. 5th wheels are typically limited by the pin weight (not the pulling power). A small utility trailer on the back of the 5th wheel has very little effect on the pin weight (technically it probably pulls 50-100lbs off the pin weight since it pulls down on the back of the 5th wheel). Most 1/2 ton trucks can pull a lot more than they can carry.
Dayle1
Explorer II
Oct 25, 2014
Generally, besides shorter lengths, the lite versions will also save weight by replacing the electric or hydraulic bed slide with a cable operated wardrobe slide.
houseoffools
Explorer
Oct 25, 2014
I was going to post this exact same question. Went to the RV show a couple weeks ago and the one model we all liked was the Jayco Eagle HT 29.5 FBDS. Personlly I wouldn't even think about towing this with a half-ton for anything other than short distances, but that's just me.
tegu69
Explorer
Oct 25, 2014
The larger units in that group have a cargo limit of 1400 lbs? The smaller ones, over 3000. Must be on the same axles. GVWR of 9950 plus 3000 pound trailer pulled by 1/2 ton. Impressive.
TurnThePage
Explorer
Oct 25, 2014
Just to be clear. I'm not interested in towing one with a 1/2 ton truck. Just wanted to know where the differences lie. Is it all based on extra size and a few more conveniences? The comment about the wardrobe slide being potentially much lighter than an equivalent bed slide makes total sense to me.