After years of camping and back packing along with a growing family, 3 kids, we decided to move up to an RV trailer this season. I'm aware of the towing differences already between the travel trailer and a 5th wheel. Our first thought is to get 2500 conversion van along with a jayco white hawk 28dsbh. This way there will be more room while traveling. Other option is to upgrade my current half ton truck to a 1 ton and get a jayco eagle ht 29.5 bhds. My wife prefers the 5th wheel, which I admit seems better built. I prefer having more space while traveling. 3 kids side by side all day makes the day longer. Any life experience or thoughts on the manner would be greatly appreciated.

Personally having had the conversion van and now an SUV, I would take a properly equipped conv van. More room, like you said, which is more comfortable. A pick up truck with 3 kids will not make for a fun trip! Heck a 2 hour trip will be hard let alone a 2 week trip! Another option, which is what I should've done from the beginning was to get a large class C or a class A MH! Then all you need is a towable SUV/minivan.

You're gonna get a multitude of responses saying the 5th will tow a lot better, BUT...Match the TT to a proper tow vehicle, load the TT and TV properly, get a good WDH hitch with sway control and you will have a great tow. I would go TT with Conv Van too.

Due to the cost of a typical conversion van I would go with a crew cab truck and 5th wheel. The kids will learn how to travel. As a kid our family of six would travel cross country in a suburban with only a front and rear bench seat. I learned to like reading books during those trips.

I'm assuming you've done the payload math with the truck (and the van for that matter) and are not just relying on the published towing weight specifications. Most truck tow ratings are made with the assumption that there's next to no weight in the truck.My personal preference would probably be the van route. Besides more interior room for people, it also gives more space for cargo stuff and usually a greater payload capacity than a similarly specced truck. I rather like the Nissan NV vans--while not conversion vans, the passenger version does have relatively nice seats and much more flexible seating arrangements than other vans.A motorhome is rather more convenient for actual travel than any trailer; you have more ready access to the comforts of home, like the potty and the fridge.

If you really want the FW there are "adapters" (dollys really) to allow a FW to be pulled with a VAN or SUV. I'm not sure how the double towing laws look at them.The Automated Safety Hitch is one such device.If you don't need a HD truck otherwise or need 4wd I'd probably go with the van. Particularly if I could find a GM van with the Duramax diesel. But, if you're only using this for the occasional towing it may not be worth the extra money.

Truck and 5th wheel or conversion van and TT | Good Sam Community

RvNewbieFl
Explorer
Jan 18, 2017
https://youtu.be/e8nQTWk1rFQ

This video is the most informative information I have found on the Internet.
He really breaks down the pro's and Con's of each Class Type... it helped me make my personal choice back in November. Anyone debating which option should really view this video first, and then decide what's right for you.... Goodluck and happy hunting..
Bill___Kate
Explorer
Jan 06, 2017
The two best places I have found for used Quigleys is eBay and the "For Sale" section on Quigley's website http://www.quigley4x4.com/ . There is also a Facebook page called "4x4 Vans" or something like that which has lots of information .....
Mordred
Explorer
Jan 06, 2017
Looked at vans today and with the Quigley I think I'm sold. I'll probably get a commuter car for most tasks though. It just seems like The ideal way we'd like to travel.
Bill___Kate
Explorer
Jan 06, 2017
Vans aren't too good in the snow - but neither are empty 2WD pickups. When we had 2 wheel drive vans, I would put about 250 lbs of sand bags behind the rear seat which helped a lot. The last two vans have had the Quigley 4WD modification, and while that pretty much solved the problem, now that I am retired, I prefer to take the van somewhere where I can park it under a palm tree in the winter.
campincandice
Explorer
Jan 06, 2017
We loved traveling in our conversion van towing a TT. Lots of room for kids and dogs. It was actually more stable from the wind when the TT was hooked up! That said, I HATED driving it in the snow!! It was a real dog... Something to consider if this will be a daily driver since you are in MN. We ultimately traded for a Suburban 2500. Kids are grown now, so we have a truck.
Mordred
Explorer
Jan 05, 2017
Have not thought of Class A or C, the vehicle would also serve as my DD or weekend vehicle if I also got a small car.
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Jan 05, 2017
Have you thought of a Class C or A and towing a car? You'd have plenty of room while traveling and no stopping for potty breaks or snacks.
Mordred
Explorer
Jan 05, 2017
I wish they kept making duramax vans.
Grit_dog
Navigator
Jan 05, 2017
Duramax van FTW!
dodge_guy
Explorer II
Jan 05, 2017
And as far as towing a TT, the van has a shorter axle to ball distance which is more stable for towing. As long as you don't get an extended length Ford. I think you will be buying used for a traditional conv van because they stopped making them and now offer the new style vans which I'm not familiar with, nor do I really like!