Truck and 5th wheel or conversion van and TT

[Mordred]

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.

[Grapehound]

You'll get as many opinions on this topic as responses. Each solution has advantages and disadvantages. A van provides for roomier travel but just having the weight of a travel trailer hitch out on the end of your bumper creates some instability in high wind situations. Fifth wheels tow with more stability without a $1,000 custom tow hitch but the pickup truck has less cab room for passengers. A Class A motor home provides comfortable travelling but costs five times what a new travel trailer might cost. So there are many plusses to whatever camping option you choose and usually a few minuses. Take your time and decide what is most important to your comfort while travelling. (i.e., if your kids are 15-16 years old, they may not be travelling with you that much longer so don't commit yourself to a van which you use just for the two of you in a few years)

[KD4UPL]

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.

[DrewE]

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.

[the_bear_II]

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.

[RedRocket204]

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.

[dodge_guy]

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.