TT VS 5thWheel

[djcjc]

I am sure this has been discussed before but going to throw it out there anyway. We have a TT 3 years old ( our first since pop up years ago) Friends just bought 5whl and of course there opinion only way to go. My point of view I dont like layout of 5whls I like our layout, the TT fits in my shed 5whl would be to high (only 12 ft eave on shed), I have topper on truck that i use for storage and dont want to give that up by having hitch in middle of bed, I have a dually which got rid of sway issues from old truck. Are 5whls built better for the long haul or is one no different than the other? I have pulled our Jayco 29QBH to Tn twice, Florida once, and numerous trips around Il. Just retired and we are going to Bristol in Mar and out west in June.

[colliehauler]

Some people like apples and some like oranges, I like both. The ceiling in my bedroom in my TT is 81". What's the height of the ceiling in your 5er bedroom?

[Lantley]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Lantley

Did you tow the TT with a Dually?

OP

Sounds like you have a combo that works for you. In my opinion a Dually will make a huge difference towing a TT.

It is no fun having a TT pass you on the freeway. I know! 5ers tow with ease, TT's need mass in front of them much more than a FW does.

I towed my TT with a dually for 1 season. I purchased the Dually in anticipation of getting the 5'er. I did eventually trade the TT in for the fiver in my signature.
Most of my TT towing was done with a V-10 and 7.3 PSD Ford Excursion.

[Cummins12V98]

Lantley

Did you tow the TT with a Dually?

OP

Sounds like you have a combo that works for you. In my opinion a Dually will make a huge difference towing a TT.

It is no fun having a TT pass you on the freeway. I know! 5ers tow with ease, TT's need mass in front of them much more than a FW does.

[Lantley]

willald wrote:

northmeck0255 wrote:
The big advantage a fifth wheel has over a bumper pull TT is simply physics. The pin sits directly over the pivot point of the truck, so there is zero "moment arm" magnifying the force of wind gusts. This makes the fifth wheel tow like a dream compared to a TT.

Yes, I know all about Hensley hitches, WDH's, etc. but they are all various and sundry ways to try to handle the physics that are working against the TT.

..You say you know about Hensley hitches, etc., but your statement after that suggests you do not.

A Hensley (or ProPride) does not 'handle the physics' as you suggest, its more like it changes the physics altogether.

You're talking about anti-sway devices (Dual cam, friction bars, Equalizer, etc). Entirely different animal from high end hitches like Hensley, ProPride or Pullrite.

The Hensley actually changes the physics of a TT and makes it nearly the same if not better than a 5er. Pivot point is projected forward close to rear axle, so it handles just like a 5er. Sooo, you get the towing physics similar to a 5er, but with a trailer that typically has a lower center of gravity (not as tall). Soo, actually, truth be told, a TT with a Hensley tows every bit as well as a 5th wheel, if not better due to lower center of gravity. Doesn't really cost anymore overall, either, when you consider the fact that 5ers typically cost several thousand more than a comparable TT.

Bottom line: With high end hitches like Hensley, ProPride, and Pullrite, towing stability is no longer a factor between the two. Either can tow solid as a rock now. The decision comes down to all the other factors already mentioned (floorplan, storage, use of pickup bed space, truck choice, etc).

Will

I don't want to Hijack this thread but I agree with a premium hitch a My prior TT towed just as well as a 5'er.39' 11K GVW TT towed just as well as my current 5'er using a Hensley Arrow.

I do prefer the 5'er for the tall ceilings and additional storage

[milo]

Ok Mr. Fordsooperdooty... I take it from your comments, cuz I didn't read anything in that article bout RV's, that in your opinion 5'er owner are highlanders and/or uppity types & us travel trailer owners are lowlanders and/or low lifers. That's the way I take it. JMT

[willald]

northmeck0255 wrote:
The big advantage a fifth wheel has over a bumper pull TT is simply physics. The pin sits directly over the pivot point of the truck, so there is zero "moment arm" magnifying the force of wind gusts. This makes the fifth wheel tow like a dream compared to a TT.

Yes, I know all about Hensley hitches, WDH's, etc. but they are all various and sundry ways to try to handle the physics that are working against the TT.

..You say you know about Hensley hitches, etc., but your statement after that suggests you do not.

A Hensley (or ProPride) does not 'handle the physics' as you suggest, its more like it changes the physics altogether.

You're talking about anti-sway devices (Dual cam, friction bars, Equalizer, etc). Entirely different animal from high end hitches like Hensley, ProPride or Pullrite.

The Hensley actually changes the physics of a TT and makes it nearly the same if not better than a 5er. Pivot point is projected forward close to rear axle, so it handles just like a 5er. Sooo, you get the towing physics similar to a 5er, but with a trailer that typically has a lower center of gravity (not as tall). Soo, actually, truth be told, a TT with a Hensley tows every bit as well as a 5th wheel, if not better due to lower center of gravity. Doesn't really cost anymore overall, either, when you consider the fact that 5ers typically cost several thousand more than a comparable TT.

Bottom line: With high end hitches like Hensley, ProPride, and Pullrite, towing stability is no longer a factor between the two. Either can tow solid as a rock now. The decision comes down to all the other factors already mentioned (floorplan, storage, use of pickup bed space, truck choice, etc).

Will

[Trlrboy]

The reasons that I like a 5th wheel are you have a much higher ceiling which gives great feeling of spaciousness. Floorplans suited us better. Towing of 5th wheel compared to a trailer is much, much better with zero sway. I would disagree that having a dually eliminates sway since the hitch point is the same. But like others said you get what you want. Nice that you have a shed that will hold your trailer, that will keep it clean for many years.

[northmeck0255]

The big advantage a fifth wheel has over a bumper pull TT is simply physics. The pin sits directly over the pivot point of the truck, so there is zero "moment arm" magnifying the force of wind gusts. This makes the fifth wheel tow like a dream compared to a TT.

Yes, I know all about Hensley hitches, WDH's, etc. but they are all various and sundry ways to try to handle the physics that are working against the TT.

[Terryallan]

rhagfo wrote:

fordsooperdooty wrote:
There are actually research studies that would tend to indicate that owning a 5th wheel is actually healthier than owning a Travel Trailers.

Seriousily!

The real difference in a Travel Trailer and a 5th wheel is that scientifically speaking, a 5th wheel RV owner will live longer than someone with a Travel Trailer. This is a quote directly from research from such prestigious Universitys as Harvard.

According to this report, your life span can increase at higher attitudes..such as a 5th wheels bedroom area which sits 6 or so feet above an average travel trailers bedroom.

I translated this from the article which was in Peruvian.

HERE!

"5th wheel owners died from heart disease at less than half the rate of the lowlanders. Death rates were 61 percent lower for the men, 54 percent lower for the women."

At least thats the way I read it. But then I don't read, write or speak Peruvian.

This man, for example...is 105 years old!

I doubt that it has anything to do with sleeping at higher altitudes. More likely due to less strain in hooking up the trailer.

OR it could be from the stair climbing exercise.

[CavemanCharlie]

You know, I have a TT. It's a shorter one, it works for me just fine, and I love it. But, everybody talks about losing bed space in there pickup with a 5th wheel. My brother has a 5th wheel and converted his over to what I call the Farm Style 5th wheel hitch. By that I mean there is just a big ball in the bed of his pickup and the receiver part of the hitch is on the trailer. This eliminates the problem with the bed of the pickup being used up because he can just pull the ball out of his pickup bed, flip it upside down, and then the pickup bed floor becomes flat. I wonder why more people don't do this?? It is a little harder to hook up because as you back up you have to align the ball in the bed of the pickup and the hitch on the trailer closer but, it's not that much harder.

[rhagfo]

fordsooperdooty wrote:
There are actually research studies that would tend to indicate that owning a 5th wheel is actually healthier than owning a Travel Trailers.

Seriousily!

The real difference in a Travel Trailer and a 5th wheel is that scientifically speaking, a 5th wheel RV owner will live longer than someone with a Travel Trailer. This is a quote directly from research from such prestigious Universitys as Harvard.

According to this report, your life span can increase at higher attitudes..such as a 5th wheels bedroom area which sits 6 or so feet above an average travel trailers bedroom.

I translated this from the article which was in Peruvian.

HERE!

"5th wheel owners died from heart disease at less than half the rate of the lowlanders. Death rates were 61 percent lower for the men, 54 percent lower for the women."

At least thats the way I read it. But then I don't read, write or speak Peruvian.

This man, for example...is 105 years old!

I doubt that it has anything to do with sleeping at higher altitudes. More likely due to less strain in hooking up the trailer.

[PawPaw_n_Gram]

djcjc wrote:
My point of view I dont like layout of 5whls I like our layout

The single most important factor in choosing a TT/5er/MH in my opinion is a floor plan your wife likes.

If she doesn't - you have nothing but years of aggravation ahead.

The difference in layouts is really minimal today. My TT has a 5er opposing slide layout. You can find one slide 5ers.

In general the biggest difference on a numbers basis is the location of the bathroom. Many TT layouts have rear baths - some very large. All 5ers I've seen, except for front living layouts and a few toy haulers, have the bath at the top of the stairs. Many have 2 baths or 1 1/2 baths.

djcjc wrote:
the TT fits in my shed 5whl would be to high (only 12 ft eave on shed), I have topper on truck that i use for storage and dont want to give that up by having hitch in middle of bed

All perfectly valid reasons.

----------------

Except for one Open Range model with a full width basement under a rear bedroom - 5ers have more exterior storage than TT. This is both a blessing and a curse. No matter what storage folks have - almost everyone packs it full. We could all (me included) likely get rid of about 1/3 to 1/2 of that stuff and be just as happy.

Open Range even sells one 5er with over 200 cubic feet of storage. A small front basement under the living area and a basement big enough for 2 kayaks and four bicycles under the rear bedroom.

----------------

The stairs in a 5er are health issues for some folks.

I know four couples who were 5er 4ever that have moved to a Class C and three TT in the past 18 months. Two due to knee surgery issues, one due to Parkinson's, one due to a fall and broken leg. They need a flat floor.

Another 87 year old friend fell down his 5er stairs last June and his wife put the truck and trailer up for sale the next week. Sold them quickly. He still insists he is getting another 5er, she says no way in ......

[DustyR]

Terryallan wrote:
Yep. YOU are the only one you have to please. Get what you want. 5ers are nice. Especially if you like climbing stairs. They are higher to get in, and once in, It's up and down to everything you want.
5ers do have more storage space. Honestly. That is the only advantage I see. And it is negated by having to give up the truck bed.

X-2

I agree with the above I replaced my unit in 2012 and main concern with me was the steps necessary to get in the unit (I had two arthritic knees). I didn't want to deal with the steps from/to the bedroom half asleep I could see a tumble down those **--** steps on a bathroom run. My knees-have been rebuild and a fifth wheel would be a consideration now..........although I lose my in-bed secure storage.

I am definitely jealous of all of the storage a fifth wheel has to offer.

There is no right or wrong decision, it is whatever you want and do you have a truck and wallet tough enough to take it on the road and enjoy....

[SooperDaddy]

There are actually research studies that would tend to indicate that owning a 5th wheel is actually healthier than owning a Travel Trailers.

Seriousily!

The real difference in a Travel Trailer and a 5th wheel is that scientifically speaking, a 5th wheel RV owner will live longer than someone with a Travel Trailer. This is a quote directly from research from such prestigious Universitys as Harvard.

According to this report, your life span can increase at higher attitudes..such as a 5th wheels bedroom area which sits 6 or so feet above an average travel trailers bedroom.

I translated this from the article which was in Peruvian.

HERE!

"5th wheel owners died from heart disease at less than half the rate of the lowlanders. Death rates were 61 percent lower for the men, 54 percent lower for the women."

At least thats the way I read it. But then I don't read, write or speak Peruvian.

This man, for example...is 105 years old!