Opinion needed if you've owned a TT and a FW

[Weeluvdis]

If you've owned a FW and a TT which one do you like better and why? In your opinion is one easier then the other to back up and hook up.

[mowermech]

I have owned two different TT's, several truck campers, have lived in a triple slide fifth wheel, had a 29 foot Class C, and three different Class A's.
Our current Class A is the best for us, IMO.
However, to directly answer the question, given the choice between a fiver and a TT, the fiver would win hands down.
Then I would trade it for a Class a DP!

[txdutt]

5'er hands down, much easier to hook up, set up & tow...I still cringe when I see folks working with those manual stab jacks on each corner..

[Lauren]

We had three TT's - started at 23' with Blazer in 1998 and got to 38' with Suburban (one of the dumbest things I ever did - over 62' long - had it a year and my neighbor loved it and GLADLY sold it to him). Got a 5er with a dooley in 2001 and downsized to 5er and SRW in 2006 (we like SRW so we can drive more places in the boonie!).

Bottom line - 5er without question. Well, until it comes to backing up. I WILL get the hang of it and not jackknife all the time! 🙂

[PA12DRVR]

Had a 32' TT and a 40' FW. Appropriate tow vehicles for both. Really enjoyed the room and amenities of the FW (fairly high-end). After a bit, towing and backing were about equal. It was much easier to hookup to the FW.

All other things being equal, I've decided that I just have too much use for an open pickup bed and the next rig will be a TT.

[Weeluvdis]

Thanks for all the opinions so far. I think the best thing is to chew on this till early next year. If we decide to get a FW we will get one during the big RV show in Feb. When I researched, they had the best prices at that time of year. We are simple people, so it wouldn't be anything fancy or expensive. I just want to simply things and feel like the FW would allow us to get hooked up and unhooked faster to have more time to enjoy ourselves and maybe even allow us to go on trips alone which we could never do with this TT, it takes two without a doubt. Someone once said that camping is for lazy people. If they ever saw all the work going into packing up hooking up and setting up then doing it all again when you leave....then tell me it's for lazy people!

[FunnyCamper]

we owned both. 1 truck camper, 3 TT and 2 FW. (yea we change alot).
loved both.

hubby is more FW cause of towing, turning, backing etc. I don't think ever going back to TT is an option for him, in fact up to MH is next in his mind.

I miss the space in the bed of the truck for bigger things I wanted to bring.
Solution, hubby got me a toyhauler 5th wheel 🙂 🙂 win/win for me.

Plus the master bed in a 5th is 'more' private most times than a TT with just a 1/2 wall separation and doors. It 'seems' more private to me in the 5th at least. something about the stair separation makes it more of my space vs. a TT setup (well, the ones we owned).

[macsplinter]

Two pop ups, two FW's and two TT. liked them all but a TT is our favorite for us.

[johnm1]

We've had 2 5er's and we just went to a TT this spring. The TT is about the same overall length as our old 5er (~33'). I got the bed of my truck back, it tows just fine with my truck (see sig), I get a little bit better mpg (the TT is over 2k lbs lighter), I don't have to worry about bridge height ... as much and it fit's next to my house better than the 5er did. There's not as much storage in the TT but it's ok as I carried too much "stuff" anyway. It is harder to hitch up but that's such an extremely small portion of my camping experience that I don't worry about it.

As other's have said ... buy what fits your needs and have fun!

[TenOC]

A used TT (less $) with a Hensly Arrow or a PP Hitch. This leaves the pickup bed empty to store items or as a "tent" (with a sleeping bag) for a day or two back country camping.

However, there are more 5th on the road and therefore you maybe able to purchase a used one at a better price that a TT

[MTPockets1]

Op asked price of hitch and value of TT:

Depends on hitch. New/installed anywhere from $1500 - $2500. As far as trailer, Depends on how good a deal you got on it. For a dealer trade, You'll probably get at least what you paid, BUT, you'll pay list for the 5vr. It all boils down to the difference and what you are willing to pay. My best guess is, you should get a new 5vr for 30% off list, but your trade will lose that 30% as well.

[JEBar]

Weeluvdis wrote:

96bounder wrote:
FW hands down winner in towing and handling,as has been mentioned backing up can be a little hard at first but it quickly becomes second nature.

I would recommend at least at 250/2500 series truck for a smaller Fw and go with a dually on the larger ones.

We have a ford f250 power stroke 6. 0. Gvwr 9600 I think, doesn't give us much with FW but if we trade TT don't want to also take a loss on truck, I'm sure there is something out there though.

the only important opinion in answer to your question of 5er or TT is, which best meets your wants/needs .... as a general rule, hooking up a 5er is quicker and easier than a TT .... your truck would be fine for towing some 5ers like the Rockwood Signatures and Jayco's Eagle HT or lighter units in their Eagle lines .... 5ers usually have more storage and until recently more slide-outs .... TT's are lower profile and with modern hitching like the ProPride 3 can be every bit as stable as a 5er .... I'd suggest looking for floor plans and finding the one you like best .... after that, look for in in both TT's and 5ers ... after doing so you will get a feel for the direction you wish to go .... I do feel it is important to realize that the quality of construction of all campers isn't equal .... don't let glitz keep you from look at guts

Jim

[Weeluvdis]

Does anyone know how much a FW hitch costs and how much of a hit we will take if we trade in the TT? We bought it new in 2013 and it's a 2014 Keystone Hideout.

[lawnspecialties]

We've had everything from a 30' TT to a 45' 5th wheel toy hauler.

As for towing, I think both are fine. Today's WD hithces make towing big TTs a breeze if you know what you're doing. In all honesty, I can actually back a TT into a tighter spot than a FW.

To me, I'd get which one you like the best. Not based on 5er or TT but based on what floorplan, amenities, etc. they come with.

[sayoung]

We have had a pop-up,mh,TT,& now 5er.its a 5er hands down for us.

[Campinfan]

Weeluvdis wrote:

96bounder wrote:
FW hands down winner in towing and handling,as has been mentioned backing up can be a little hard at first but it quickly becomes second nature.

I would recommend at least at 250/2500 series truck for a smaller Fw and go with a dually on the larger ones.

We have a ford f250 power stroke 6. 0. Gvwr 9600 I think, doesn't give us much with FW but if we trade TT don't want to also take a loss on truck, I'm sure there is something out there though.

Lots of people tow with that. You should be able to find a good rig for that.