I've been researching travel trailers and I'm not sure yet whether I want a fifth wheel or a bumper pull trailer. I've read more than once that a fifth wheel is easier to handle/more stable on the road. I've heard others claim there's not much difference if they are set up correctly. Part of my hesitation on going with a fifth wheel is losing the truck bed, the additional tow capacity needed, the additional height, the additional cost. But they are nice. And I will probably put several thousand miles per year on it so doing that with more tranquility would be nice.Can some of you who have pulled large trailers (over 35 feet) of both varieties give me your opinion about the difference in feel on the road?(Moderator, if this would be better under General RV or somewhere else feel free to move it)ThanksSteve

We started with a 36' 5th wheel and now have a 41' 5th wheel toy hauler. We love the towing stability, even in the strongest of crosswinds of the 5th wheel. Wife and I take turns driving. These things are pretty close to being as tall as an 18 wheeler so you really gotta watch where you're driving. I find 5th wheels are much easier to maneuver and back up than a bumper pull. Keep in mind the largest bumper pull I've towed was the trailer for my 24' boat so I can't comment on a large travel trailer.

TT or 5er? 20075er v TT Oct20145er vs TT June 2016

Fivers are way more stable. A bumper pull van be made stable, but it takes thousands of dollars to achieve. Two main reasons fivers are better....... hitch pin location. Directly over the rear axle vs three or more feet behind the rear axle. Higher hitch pin weight is the second biggie

You are absolutely correct. Properly set up, BOTH should tow flawless! My TT DOES tow flawless! Especially with the integrated brake controller in the truck, with my 3500 diesel duly, pulling around 10,000 pounds, it really does tow like its not even there!Trailers take a bit more to hitch up because of weight distribution bars. But with 5er's you've got to be aware of the space between the bed rails and the bottom of the trailer overhang.You hit the nail right on the head with the truck bed. That is THE reason we stayed with a trailer and not a 5er, especially since I keep a shell on the truck bed and use the truck for more than just towing a trailer. I use the bed space for hauling too much lumber, plywood, stuff like that.In the end, it really is a matter of what YOU prefer and what YOU are looking for for your situation and needs.Remember though, you also hit another nail right on the head ... 5ers have 2 floors, and very tall. That means you have more steps, and constantly moving between the 2 floors. Don't know your age, but my knees can't take stairs any more. If you are aging, or even thinking about aging with this camper, this IS something to think about!But for all practical purposes, it seems for full timing, Motor Homes with Toads, and 5ers are the most popular choice.

DallasSteve wrote:I've been researching travel trailers and I'm not sure yet whether I want a fifth wheel or a bumper pull trailer. I've read more than once that a fifth wheel is easier to handle/more stable on the road. I've heard others claim there's not much difference if they are set up correctly. Part of my hesitation on going with a fifth wheel is losing the truck bed, the additional tow capacity needed, the additional height, the additional cost. But they are nice. And I will probably put several thousand miles per year on it so doing that with more tranquility would be nice.Can some of you who have pulled large trailers (over 35 feet) of both varieties give me your opinion about the difference in feel on the road?(Moderator, if this would be better under General RV or somewhere else feel free to move it)ThanksSteveProperly setup either will tow fine, the travel trailer has a significant advantage with stability given it's low center of balance and less side area to get pushed in heavy winds. The fifth wheel is harder to setup 'wrong'.It more boils down to what do you want out of the trailer far as I can see.

Pulling A Fifth Wheel vs. Bumper Pull | Good Sam Community

Redterpos3
Explorer
Apr 21, 2017
When I first began looking at RV's I thought I would want a 5th wheel with its space, and storage. After having my trailer for a few years I want back and looked at 5th wheels, and they didn't have the same cache for me. My trailer does exactly what I need, and I get the use of my truck bed. Now 5th wheels aren't as much a draw as I thought they would be (plus more $$). Now if I was traveling for long stretches, or full-timing I might be more interested again.
Lantley
Nomad
Apr 21, 2017
IBcarguy wrote:
I don't know. Never weighed it.

I would consider weighing a starting point.
Knowing not guessing,estimating or brochuring your weights will let you know where you stand within the parameters of your combo.
Good or bad the actual weights is valuable information if you are serious about finding a lasting solution.
IBcarguy
Explorer
Apr 21, 2017
I don't know. Never weighed it.
Lantley
Nomad
Apr 19, 2017
IBcarguy wrote:
RCMAN46 wrote:
IBcarguy wrote:
I've owned both. In my opinion, the bumper pull travel trailer towed smoother. My new 5th wheel is very jerky (chucking) back and forth motion after hitting a bump or dip in the road. This is a common problem with 5th wheels. Also I think backing is easier with a travel trailer. Backing a 5er is a different technique that takes some practice. Nevertheless, we're still happier with the 5er. Much better layout than most TTs.

Curious what is your pin weight percentage with your 5th wheel?

Unloaded it's about 18.5%. I've been told that's a little light in the front end.

Unloaded doesn't really matter. When will you tow your fiver empty? What is the loaded pin?
IBcarguy
Explorer
Apr 19, 2017
RCMAN46 wrote:
IBcarguy wrote:
I've owned both. In my opinion, the bumper pull travel trailer towed smoother. My new 5th wheel is very jerky (chucking) back and forth motion after hitting a bump or dip in the road. This is a common problem with 5th wheels. Also I think backing is easier with a travel trailer. Backing a 5er is a different technique that takes some practice. Nevertheless, we're still happier with the 5er. Much better layout than most TTs.

Curious what is your pin weight percentage with your 5th wheel?

Unloaded it's about 18.5%. I've been told that's a little light in the front end.
RCMAN46
Explorer
Apr 18, 2017
IBcarguy wrote:
I've owned both. In my opinion, the bumper pull travel trailer towed smoother. My new 5th wheel is very jerky (chucking) back and forth motion after hitting a bump or dip in the road. This is a common problem with 5th wheels. Also I think backing is easier with a travel trailer. Backing a 5er is a different technique that takes some practice. Nevertheless, we're still happier with the 5er. Much better layout than most TTs.

Curious what is your pin weight percentage with your 5th wheel?
IBcarguy
Explorer
Apr 18, 2017
I've owned both. In my opinion, the bumper pull travel trailer towed smoother. My new 5th wheel is very jerky (chucking) back and forth motion after hitting a bump or dip in the road. This is a common problem with 5th wheels. Also I think backing is easier with a travel trailer. Backing a 5er is a different technique that takes some practice. Nevertheless, we're still happier with the 5er. Much better layout than most TTs.
DallasSteve
Nomad
Apr 17, 2017
Thanks again for the feedback on this thread. It gives me a lot to think about. I'm planning to use mine for full-time living and my travel schedule will be mostly flexible, plus I don't plan to travel more than 1 or 2 hours per day (usually) and not every day. So I will try to avoid heavy winds by delaying my departures when necessary, but I'm sure sometimes I'll encounter them. When it feels really bad I might pull off to a rest area or just pick an RV park for the night; or I may decide the heavy winds don't bother me and my rig so much.
horton333
Explorer
Apr 17, 2017
troubledwaters wrote:
Very interesting conclusion. Totally blows away all previous held theories about what happens when the center of gravity is higher vs. lower.

It's a true revolution for physics. Formula 1 will switching to trucks with 2' lift kits as soon as they hear about this discovery!
:B
troubledwaters
Explorer III
Apr 17, 2017
rhagfo wrote:
While a TT is lower to the ground, and is not as tall as a 5er. I believe part of the reason that a 5er, is still very stable in a cross wind is the fact the hitch is as much as 2' to 2.5' higher than that of a TT, thus raising the point of rotation of the trailer. That would make the wind induced tipping force on a 5er less than the entire side of the 5er, where with a TT the hitch is on the same level as the bottom of the side wall so the entire side has wind induced tipping force. That said the driver of the 5er's TV, should also feel that force as a lateral more than a TT. I don't think this line of difference between lateral and tipping wind force would be a level line the length of the 5er rather run diagonally from the pin to the lower rear corner of the 5er.
Very interesting conclusion. Totally blows away all previous held theories about what happens when the center of gravity is higher vs. lower.