Pulling A Fifth Wheel vs. Bumper Pull

myredracer wrote:
A lot of folks just don't know how to minimize sway in a TT or take the time to set things up right.

Our TT is "only" 29' but have no issues with sway or handling. Have a Reese DC WDH but also added shocks to the TT and put HD Bilsteins in the F250. The truck has a longer wheelbase with reg. cab & 8' bed which also helps. All tires are inflated to sidewall max. except fronts on the trucks (@75). Took me a whole season of fiddling with the DC WDH to get it all optimized. We tow at 65 mph max. NO problem with sway (ever). I love mountain curves at 65 mph - TT & TV together handles like sports car (well, sort of,lol). The only times it gets challenging is when there is a strong gusting side wind and any TT/WDH setup will be affected and a FW also. We were on one stretch of interstate in Wa. that often gets high gusting winds and we were told by a local that he has seen many FWs blown clear over due to being taller.

We would hate to lose the space in the back of the truck. It's always got lots of "stuff" in it - firewood, campfire in a can, recliners, sat. dish, sewer hoses and more.


Some insist a FW is the only way to go and some will insist a TT is better. Glass 1/2 full, six of one, all depends... We like everything being on the same level in a TT. DW has had on-going issues with vertigo and I have a bad back and the extra steps in a FW wouldn't work for us. FWs *seem* to be better appointed inside and have stronger frames. Some ultralite TTs can have issues because they are built the least substantial possible in order to save weight. If you look at the total package cost of a FW/TT and truck, a TT will be less. You could take the savings and buy a nicer truck or TT...

Only took a full season to get it dialed in! :S

Our 5er was almost dialed in on the 250 mile drive home from the dealer.

The Loosing the Bed, unless you are like the Dutchman and your livelihood is in the canopy on the bed, that is bogus. Your list of stuff, is what I carry in the basement, and don't need to pack and unpack each trip. The stinky slinky is in a fence post under the 5er.

We have a best time of 1.5 hours from off work to out the gate of the storage yard for an unplanned weekend.
Heck we came back from a two week Christmas visit to Ireland and 7.5 hours after stepping into the house after the flight home were once again out the gate to the coast. We needed to eat and take a couple hour nap before leaving.

To each their own, but a 5er is naturally more stable, simple physics. There is a reason that 5er don't need sway control devices.