5th wheel vs. travel trailer

With my truck's rear camera that is incorporated into the handle of the tailgate I can get within 2 inches of a trailer tongue and then move it into position and lower it over the ball. Piece of cake and much easier than working with a second person doing hand signals.

With a 5th wheel you lose the use of bed for all practical purposes. Lots of people pulling travel trailers use the bed for an ATV, motorcycle, jetski, kayaks, canoe, boat, etc. and putting on a fiberglass cap and a rack and you have a place for gear you want to have after you unhitch at a campsite.

With a 5th wheel you have more space and a walk around bed but how important is that to a solo traveler? I would get a 28' Airstream trailer and a cap for the pickup and add a rack for boats, etc. and not over think it.

If over all length is an issue with you then the 5th will give you more living space than an equal length tt as part of the length of the 5th is over the bed of the truck. Having had both my vote is for the 5th.

Jim Shoe wrote:
Sounds like you're a solo traveler. If that's true, I'd suggest a 5er instead of a TT. Its a lot easier to back a truck bed under the 5er than backing a tow vehicle to a trailer hitch that you can't see from the driver's seat.

If your tow vehicle has a back up camera it's much easier. I always hook up my TT by myself, back up perfect each time thanks to the nice big screen and high resolution back up cam on my Ram. Without a backup cam though, it's very difficult.

If you taking a motorcycle I would consider a toy hauler, be it TT or a her

5er's a great way to go. Just make sure you get the proper tow vehicle that can handle it.

Nobody here can really answer that question for you. Take your time. Visit the shows. Visit the dealers. Look, look, look. Do lots of research online. Don't buy a mistake.

Sounds like you're a solo traveler. If that's true, I'd suggest a 5er instead of a TT. Its a lot easier to back a truck bed under the 5er than backing a tow vehicle to a trailer hitch that you can't see from the driver's seat.

What you describe is a pretty large RV and should be a TH to accommodate a full size motorcycle. Something that large almost has to be a FW and need a diesel dually to carry it. Make sure you include the appropriate Tow Vehicle in the cost of your adventure

Having owned a TT for 18 yrs I can tell you a 5er is easier to hookup and a lot easier towing. We had what was called a "Garden Tub" in the TT, more like a oval at 45 degrees with a seat in the corner. I've learned to cope with the shower in the 5er. Being on one leg I use my crutches to get in and out without placing them on the shower floor. Once inside I have a shower stool that I use.

There are a lot units with islands in the kitchen. I would like one with wheels under the island making the space more useable when not cooking.

You don't say what size motorcycle. Most will tell you a garage or toy hauler is what you need. If you add a motorcycle to a rear rack on a TT you will be taking weight off the tongue, which can create sway. A rack on a 5er will be fairly high off the ground.

Slides: If the bed is inline with the front and back of the trailer you could still walk around it without a slide. Our 5er has 3 slides, one for just the bed which moves about 2ft making room to walk by the end of the bed to a full double closet in the front (a common layout in 5ers). In the kitchen & living area we have 2, 14ft long opposed slides that extend 3ft each and turn the thing into a ballroom. Love it.

If you go 5er the pin weight is usually 20/25% of the total or Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). Most 3/4 ton trucks have rear axle tires rated just over 3,000 each or 6,000 lbs for the axle. So if you get a 10-12,000 lb 5er with 2500 lbs of pin weight this will only leave you being able to have 3500 lbs for the trucks rear axle, with the hitch, fuel, people and whatever else you have the need for. My trucks is a dually, the 5er is 13,500 lbs GVWR. I am well under my weight limit, it's a gasoline engine and with 4.10 gears I am right at my towing limit. Anything larger and I would need to go with a diesel engine.

You'll see a lot of single rear wheel trucks pulling very large 5ers. With diesel engines they can easily tow this amount of weight but most of them pay no attention to the payload ratings and are overloaded on their tire capacities.

Good luck picking what will work for you. I hope you enjoy new life style to the max.

you need ot post what you'll be towing with and its specs.

overall, a 5th wheel is way more suited to extended living lifestyle.