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5W vs. Bumper Pull

Askibum02
Explorer
Explorer
After giving my search a break for the summer, I'm back at it. Not super serious right now, but if I find the right RV, I'll probably buy it. I know that I'm limited in the size of 5W I can pull, so I'm considering a bigger bumper pull. I've also adjusted my budget a little, with the upper range being $35K for a 5w and $25K for a bumper pull. Is this even a reasonable budget for a 1-7 year old RV? I decided to buy used for my first RV in the long, partially because it is my first RV, and partially because I will be upgrading my truck in 3-4 years, so I will want to upgrade to bigger RV. Is this a wise plan? Sorry if I'm all over the place, I'm basically starting my search all over again.
Brett
'17 Chevy Silverado 1500 LTZ Z71
2001 Coleman tent :B
29 REPLIES 29

TomG2
Explorer
Explorer
rhagfo wrote:
.....snip..... One more thing using the basement, reduces the the actual weight carried by the TV.


How much weight do people carry in their basements? Out of five hundred pounds, some of that weight would be felt by the rear suspension of the tow vehicle. And of course, some by the trailer suspension. Weight that is forward of the rear axle in the truck bed is actually carried in part by the front suspension. I don't see the basement weight being a big advantage. Weight is weight.

ScottG
Nomad
Nomad
rhagfo wrote:
ScottG wrote:
TomG2 wrote:
I said I was not being critical, just observing. I live in the RV world and the only people that I hear using the term "bumper pull" are folks with Fifth wheel trailers or motorhomes. If size matters, you can pull more square feet of travel trailer than fifth wheel trailer with your pickup. Less steps and lower overall height, are a couple of other advantages.


And all the great storage in the back of the truck.
This is the main reson I have a TT. It's wet around here for 7+ mos a year and it's great to have a truck canopy and all the space under it for hauling projects and what ever.

Many newer 5ers have basements that hold nearly as much as the truck bed. That and they can stay packed after the current trip for the next, also you still have use of the bed up to the rails. One more thing using the basement, reduces the the actual weight carried by the TV.


That's fine but a fiver, no mtter how much storage it has, will not allow me the covered storage in back of the truck that I enjoy in the off-season in our wet climate.
For some of us, a TT makes a lot more sense.

rhagfo
Explorer III
Explorer III
ScottG wrote:
TomG2 wrote:
I said I was not being critical, just observing. I live in the RV world and the only people that I hear using the term "bumper pull" are folks with Fifth wheel trailers or motorhomes. If size matters, you can pull more square feet of travel trailer than fifth wheel trailer with your pickup. Less steps and lower overall height, are a couple of other advantages.


And all the great storage in the back of the truck.
This is the main reson I have a TT. It's wet around here for 7+ mos a year and it's great to have a truck canopy and all the space under it for hauling projects and what ever.

Many newer 5ers have basements that hold nearly as much as the truck bed. That and they can stay packed after the current trip for the next, also you still have use of the bed up to the rails. One more thing using the basement, reduces the the actual weight carried by the TV.
Russ & Paula the Beagle Belle.
2016 Ram Laramie 3500 Aisin DRW 4X4 Long bed.
2005 Copper Canyon 293 FWSLS, 32' GVWR 12,360#

"Visit and Enjoy Oregon State Parks"

ScottG
Nomad
Nomad
TomG2 wrote:
I said I was not being critical, just observing. I live in the RV world and the only people that I hear using the term "bumper pull" are folks with Fifth wheel trailers or motorhomes. If size matters, you can pull more square feet of travel trailer than fifth wheel trailer with your pickup. Less steps and lower overall height, are a couple of other advantages.


And all the great storage in the back of the truck.
This is the main reson I have a TT. It's wet around here for 7+ mos a year and it's great to have a truck canopy and all the space under it for hauling projects and what ever.

TomG2
Explorer
Explorer
I said I was not being critical, just observing. I live in the RV world and the only people that I hear using the term "bumper pull" are folks with Fifth wheel trailers or motorhomes. If size matters, you can pull more square feet of travel trailer than fifth wheel trailer with your pickup. Less steps and lower overall height, are a couple of other advantages.

Askibum02
Explorer
Explorer
ScottG wrote:
TomG2 wrote:
Since the OP refers to travel trailers by the negative term "Bumper pull" and is willing to spend $10,000 more for a fifth wheel trailer, I think his mind is already made up. Not being critical, just noticing.


Agrreed.
Either that or the OP is naive to how heavy a TT is and that it is in no way a "bumper pull".

I think TT's tow fine when set up properly (dont buy the cheapest hitch!!!) but as they get much longer and heavier, a fiver pulls nicer without causing the TV to be pushed around the road.


I don't have a negative opinion of travel trailers (is that a proper description?) I just know I'm limited by weight, and I'm wondering if I would be better off with a smaller 5W or a larger travel trailer given family size? I don't have a huge selection of local dealers, and when I posed the very same question at the local Camping World, he didn't even want to show me travel trailers, only $45k plus 5W.
Brett
'17 Chevy Silverado 1500 LTZ Z71
2001 Coleman tent :B

ScottG
Nomad
Nomad
TomG2 wrote:
Since the OP refers to travel trailers by the negative term "Bumper pull" and is willing to spend $10,000 more for a fifth wheel trailer, I think his mind is already made up. Not being critical, just noticing.


Agrreed.
Either that or the OP is naive to how heavy a TT is and that it is in no way a "bumper pull".

I think TT's tow fine when set up properly (dont buy the cheapest hitch!!!) but as they get much longer and heavier, a fiver pulls nicer without causing the TV to be pushed around the road.

TomG2
Explorer
Explorer
Since the OP refers to travel trailers by the negative term "Bumper pull" and is willing to spend $10,000 more for a fifth wheel trailer, I think his mind is already made up. Not being critical, just noticing.

LadyRVer
Explorer II
Explorer II
I have a 2500 Ram, CC, LB, 5.7 Hemi... tow almost 10,000 and this is the most I would want to tow with that vehicle. Just me and my cocker spaniel. 31'FW. 2013 Ram with towing package.

With the children, IMO, I would look at a Bunk House or a Toy Hauler for the extra space. Making up a dinette or sofa each night and morning would be a hassle for SWMBO... or even if you do that job, still a chore.

My preference is a FW over a travel trailer, but we each have our own preferences.

Good Luck.

Edited by Barb

Artum_Snowbird
Explorer
Explorer
Here is a handy chart for you to check through.

ram towing capacity
Mike
2012 Winnebago Impulse Silver 26QP
2005 16.6 Double Eagle
2018 Jeep Wrangler JK
previously Snowbird Campers,
Triple E Motorhome and Fifth Wheel

Lwiddis
Explorer II
Explorer II
Try again, Ask. 2016 Ram 2500 Trademan CTD is insufficient information about your truck. Guessing? I don't believe you are serious and don't care where you will store it.
Winnebago 2101DS TT & 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 LTZ Z71, WindyNation 300 watt solar-Lossigy 200 AH Lithium battery. Prefer boondocking, USFS, COE, BLM, NPS, TVA, state camps. Bicyclist. 14 yr. Army -11B40 then 11A - (MOS 1542 & 1560) IOBC & IOAC grad

Askibum02
Explorer
Explorer
Go Dawgs wrote:
First off need more information:
1. What size TV do you have? or do you plan to buy that also? TV dictates the RV you get.
2. Family size, what type of use, etc?
3. Base your buying decision on what the GVWR your TV can handle, loaded with all your stuff and people you will carry. DON'T go buy dry weight. It means nothing.
4. If buying used (a good idea on your first purchase) have someone with experience look at it or have it inspected. I won't let friends buy used unless I look at it or they have someone do that. Lessoned learned for me.
5. Are you storing it on site or do you need to find storage?
6. Do you have any DIY skills? A must in owning an RV.

Good luck on your search and be sure to ask questions.


1. 2016 Ram 2500 CTD

2. Myself, SWMBO, 14, 11, German Shepherd, and Beagle

3. I'm guessing somewhere around 13k-14k pounds

4. I have a friend that has been RVing for quite a few years that I would take with me.

5. I would need to store it off-site.

6. I don't have "serious" DIY skills, but have experience with car/truck engines, suspension, and electric. I have limited experience with "home" type repairs, we were renters until a little over a year ago, and I haven't had to make any repairs on the house yet.
Brett
'17 Chevy Silverado 1500 LTZ Z71
2001 Coleman tent :B

TomG2
Explorer
Explorer
The older and more used the RV, the more DIY skills required. I buy new for the warranty as I prefer traveling to repairing these days.

Why the $10,000 premium for a fifth wheel? What you are buying is fun and price is secondary. Get what works of you. I buy mostly travel trailers as they provide the most utility for the buck. My point is that $10,000 is not going to matter if you don't enjoy it. There are differences and advantages between the types of trailers and cost is only one of them.

Go_Dawgs1
Explorer
Explorer
First off need more information:
1. What size TV do you have? or do you plan to buy that also? TV dictates the RV you get.
2. Family size, what type of use, etc?
3. Base your buying decision on what the GVWR your TV can handle, loaded with all your stuff and people you will carry. DON'T go buy dry weight. It means nothing.
4. If buying used (a good idea on your first purchase) have someone with experience look at it or have it inspected. I won't let friends buy used unless I look at it or they have someone do that. Lessoned learned for me.
5. Are you storing it on site or do you need to find storage?
6. Do you have any DIY skills? A must in owning an RV.

Good luck on your search and be sure to ask questions.
2004 Ford F350 Lariat 4x4 Dually
2017 Grand Design Reflection 303 RLS

corvettekent
Explorer
Explorer
I would not limit the search to seven years. There are some great trailers built between 2001 and 2008.
2022 Silverado 3500 High Country CC/LB, SRW, L5P. B&W Companion Hitch with pucks. Hadley air horns.

2004 32' Carriage 5th wheel. 860 watts of solar MPPT, two SOK 206 ah LiFePO4 batteries. Samlex 2,000 watt Pure Sine Wave Inverter.