Why a 5th wheel over a tow trailer?

[Chuck___]

Want are the big advantages of the 5th wheel compared to a tow trailer?
I would like to be able to use my bed of my truck to haul things. My brother in-law says he can back up a tow trailer much easier than a 5th wheel and the trailers track with no problem. He has worked for a construction company and has used many tow units and likes tow trailers and owns a 27 footer.

Here is want I have below but, I still wished I could pull more safety, like a used 30 foot Dream Suit 5th wheel or a Alpenlite unit that weights around 11,500 dry weight.

I have a 1999 Dodge diesel 2500, Long bed, auto trans, cub cab, 2 wheel drive. The owner manual on page 148 says that this truck can tow maximum trailer weight of 10,200 with 3.54 axle ratio and 12,000 lbs maximum trailer with 4.10 axle ratio. The GCWR is 16,000.

Most everyone on this forum and others said I can only haul a trailer around 9,000 lbs. "Dry Weight" safety and do not max out my truck! I plan on being safe.

[jerem0621]

Me Again wrote:

jerem0621 wrote:


Nice looking set up. Please refer to #5 on my list. :B

OK, I will not then tell you that we just bought a new 5th wheel to go with the new truck we bought in the fall! Chris

Sounds like lots of fun. Seriously...Congrats!

I really enjoy this forum and think of the VS threads as a tongue and cheek.

As much as I hate stairs I am willing to try a fiver just for the great towing experience.

I pretty much like everything to do with RV'ing which makes it really hard to pick a favorite anything. And it's expensive regardless of what kind of rig we choose.

Thanks!

[Me_Again]

jerem0621 wrote:


Nice looking set up. Please refer to #5 on my list. :B

OK, I will not then tell you that we just bought a new 5th wheel to go with the new truck we bought in the fall!

Telling people in the 5th wheel section that bumper pulls are better does not fly very well here! Just saying!

Chris

[jerem0621]

Me Again wrote:

jerem0621 wrote:

Well, for those who use their trucks for something other than a trailer hauler the hitch would get in the way....which is why most remove them when not in use.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

I remove my 270 assembly with my thumb. Chris

Nice looking set up. Please refer to #5 on my list. :B

[goducks10]

N-Trouble wrote:

rhagfo wrote:

wing_zealot wrote:
4 pages and no one mentions that for any given truck, you can tow a bigger and heavier TT than a 5 er.

Yes, but longer heaver TT, the more the tail wags the dog. I have stated I would rather see a 1/2 ton pulling/carding an5er slightly over limits (Not Tire), than towing a long heavy TT within limits, FAR more stable!!!

+1. Whoever thought hanging a load 2ft off the back bumper is a good idea really needs to go tow a 5er and see what they are missing. My 12k lb 5er tows way better than my previous shorter lighter 7500lb bumper pull with the same truck.

x2

[N-Trouble]

rhagfo wrote:

wing_zealot wrote:
4 pages and no one mentions that for any given truck, you can tow a bigger and heavier TT than a 5 er.

Yes, but longer heaver TT, the more the tail wags the dog. I have stated I would rather see a 1/2 ton pulling/carding an5er slightly over limits (Not Tire), than towing a long heavy TT within limits, FAR more stable!!!

+1. Whoever thought hanging a load 2ft off the back bumper is a good idea really needs to go tow a 5er and see what they are missing. My 12k lb 5er tows way better than my previous shorter lighter 7500lb bumper pull with the same truck.

[Me_Again]

jerem0621 wrote:

Well, for those who use their trucks for something other than a trailer hauler the hitch would get in the way....which is why most remove them when not in use.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

I remove my 270 assembly with my thumb. Chris

[jerem0621]

avvidclif1 wrote:

mtofell1 wrote:


BUT, it takes my WAAAAAY longer to hook the 5th then any TT. Just the time I spend standing holding my finger on the landing gear switch I could have hooked/unhooked my TT and WDH 3X. Not to mention lugging the anvil (I mean hitch) in and out of the bed. True, the actual act of backing the truck up and having the 5th jaws snap into position is quick and easy but the 5th is just more complex when you go from start to finish.

Why does it take waaay longer? Chock tires, raise front end, remove cord, pull handle, and drive off. You can't even get your WDH undone before I'm finished. My hitch never comes out of the bed, why should it?

Well, for those who use their trucks for something other than a trailer hauler the hitch would get in the way....which is why most remove them when not in use.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

[jbarkley]

Semi Trucks and there are many out there use a 5th wheel type system, probably for good reason.

[avvidclif1]

mtofell1 wrote:


BUT, it takes my WAAAAAY longer to hook the 5th then any TT. Just the time I spend standing holding my finger on the landing gear switch I could have hooked/unhooked my TT and WDH 3X. Not to mention lugging the anvil (I mean hitch) in and out of the bed. True, the actual act of backing the truck up and having the 5th jaws snap into position is quick and easy but the 5th is just more complex when you go from start to finish.

Why does it take waaay longer? Chock tires, raise front end, remove cord, pull handle, and drive off. You can't even get your WDH undone before I'm finished. My hitch never comes out of the bed, why should it?

[DSteiner51]

rhagfo wrote:

wing_zealot wrote:
4 pages and no one mentions that for any given truck, you can tow a bigger and heavier TT than a 5 er.

Yes, but longer heaver TT, the more the tail wags the dog. I have stated I would rather see a 1/2 ton pulling/carding an5er slightly over limits (Not Tire), than towing a long heavy TT within limits, FAR more stable!!!

X100 If a TT needs bandaids to be safe such as a WD bars or/and sway control, it is over weight no matter what bandaids are installed. There are possibly millions of trailers being pulled without bandaids and are safe. In the RV industry bandaids have become accepted because so many people think they need to pull overloaded.

Sure the scales makes one feel good since all numbers meet the sticker but safe is much more then a stupid sticker that says: THIS VEHICLE CONFORMS TO ALL APPLICABLE FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS IN EFFECT ON THE DATE OF MANUFACTURE SHOWN ABOVE but has been promptly modified with temporary bandaids to carry more then it was designed for 5FT AFT of the axle. The operators manual clearly states, in most truck manuals, where the center of gravity belongs for safety.

[Lantley]

rhagfo wrote:

Lantley wrote:
5'ers while more expensive and often have more amenities. Larger tanks, more storage,540 amp service. Automatic leveling, more headroom, more CCC.
5'ers generally tow better right out of the box, no fussing with WDH required

Lantley, what gauge of cable and what type of plug do you need for that 540 amp service??? :B
I want that then could have a Sauna, and Hot Tub!! :B

Yea I saw my mistype I was too lazy to go back and delete that 4!

Figured the extra power was advantage for 5'er

[justme]

5th wheel trailers are generally more luxurious, the main limitation is travel height. They are more difficult to back up, but experience and tricks solve that problem. Also, 5th wheel trailers are more road worthy and more stable in windy situations.

[rhagfo]

wing_zealot wrote:
4 pages and no one mentions that for any given truck, you can tow a bigger and heavier TT than a 5 er.

Yes, but longer heaver TT, the more the tail wags the dog. I have stated I would rather see a 1/2 ton pulling/carding an5er slightly over limits (Not Tire), than towing a long heavy TT within limits, FAR more stable!!!

[Me_Again]

wing_zealot wrote:
4 pages and no one mentions that for any given truck, you can tow a bigger and heavier TT than a 5 er.

Who pray tell makes a heavy TT? Never heard of one weighing 19K. Maybe they exist over in the Travel Trailer forum area. There might we an issue finding a receiver hitch to tow the monster bumper pulls of which you speak?

Chris