Best choice for long road trips

Rv Tripper wrote:
We are looking for advice on choosing between a 5th wheel and a Travel Trailer.
We are keeping the length less then 31 Ft.
We would like to know which of the two styles is best suited for long distance traveling. (long open roads, mountains, etc.)
We do not currently have a vehicle to pull either one.
We are not asking opinions on manufacturers but just towing and handling conditions.

Hope this makes sense!

RV Tripper

I'm in a 43' Motor Home so a Coach would be first - but between your two choices - the 5th wheel will WIN hands down.

JMHO,

"but between your two choices - the 5th wheel will WIN hands down."

I agree with that, I've never had one but if you are on the road a lot then a Class A/B/or C would be best but then they have major problems once you camp. 5th wheel is the best of the two worlds.

Fifth Wheels are much more immune to sway over any TT because the hitch pivot point is directly over the axle. We currently have a DP but if we were to go back to a towable it would definitely be a 5er.

It depends on what you have for a tow vehicle

Buss has his opinion - "your two choices - the 5th wheel will WIN hands down..

I have mine - prefer a TT pulled by an SUV. Have no issues with sway.

agesilaus wrote:
"but between your two choices - the 5th wheel will WIN hands down."

I agree with that, I've never had one but if you are on the road a lot then a Class A/B/or C would be best but then they have major problems once you camp. 5th wheel is the best of the two worlds.

I'm curious what sort of major problems motorhomes have when camping? Are you referring to not being able to get around locally with the tow vehicle, or...?

Anyhow, I would certainly agree that for being on the road, a motorhome of some sort is more convenient than any towed RV. Having ready access to the fridge, restroom, etc. is very nice. A fifth wheel would generally be more comfortable towing than a travel trailer, though with a good tow vehicle the travel trailer is not at all bad. Fifth wheels (and particularly class A motorhomes) tend to be rather taller than other RVs, which does require a bit more care in avoiding low overpasses and the like, but that's not a great burden.

Less sway with a 5th wheel shorter overall for the same useable living space.

5th wheel, my choice. I currently have a 31' fifth-wheel. Handles very good. I don't think I would want to tow a travel trailer unless it was under 25'. Since I am solo, hooking up and disconnecting is super easy.

It really depends on what you need. A TT doesn't automatically mean you'll have sway (I have NONE), especially when you use a good hitch. The best thing about a TT is all the storage you have in the back of the truck. If that is important to you then a TT makes sense. If it isn't and you have no issue with an extra step or two (important to some with disabilities), a fiver would work great.