Fifth Wheel vs Travel Trailer

[bosworthj]

This is probably a loaded question, but here goes. Is there a fifth wheel that is safely tow-able by a 1/2 ton truck? I have a 2007 Sierra 1500 with the tow package and I am pretty sure my tow capacity is 7700#. My wife and I have an 18' TT, but would like something closer to 24'. We would like more space for when it rains and a bed we can both sleep in 🙂 instead of everyone (including the dog) having a separate bed right now. We are also confused by what appears to be the lack of windows in TT's these days. The wife really digs how a lot of 5th wheels have the big window in the back (which is why we are considering them). I know most people I see pulling 5th wheels have 2500's or 250's or better. I also know I probably won't get a straight answer from a dealer. So here I am.

Thanks in advance!

[jerem0621]

OP... There is nothing wrong with running a TT. I love fifth wheel's but I will not cull a TT that meets my needs. Set up the Weight distribution hitch properly, size the truck to the trailer properly, make sure you use sway control.

However, stepping up to a 2500/250 truck or even a 3500/350 opens up your options significantly. Now is a great time to buy.

Have fun, this is supposed to be fun.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

[4Kellys]

Towing capacity is a useless number. On my former vehicle (2011 F-150 Eco-boost max tow), the towing max was 11,500 but I was out of payload with my 7800 TT. And the payload sticker on the door is about as useless. Mine was 1796 but when I weighed it with me and a full tank of gas it was only 1450. TW on my trailer is 1,050, max hitch weight is 1150 so I was real close to being overweight. Bottom line, do the research, go to a CAT scale. Plenty of help available out there.

I now have an F-350 2WD DRW and 5,660 payload. Happy Holidays to all!

[temccarthy1]

Take a look at a Keystone Bullet Ultralite. They make a Rear Living 27 footer (269RLS)that is less than 6000 lbs with a 550 tongue weight. Has a large rear window and 2 leather rockers. I have a 2014 285RLS and love it! Bullet owners on this site give them high marks and you can pull it with a 1/2 ton! Check them out!

[tnrv_er]

coolmom42 wrote:


I wish smaller trailers had more/bigger windows, too.

Check out Outdoorsrv Creekside 20FQ

[Bumpyroad]

RPreeb wrote:

bosworthj wrote:
That Jay Flight is almost exactly what we would be looking for I think. Gross weight of 7000 concerns me a little with my tow capacity only being 7700. I am sure we can find similar, I know the build quality of Jayfligh is usually pretty decent though...

Dry weight of that Jay Flight is 5220, so if you don't get crazy loading it, you should still have a decent margin.

yep, folks misusing the GVWR and reject a suitable RV. I rather like that floor plan myself.
bumpy

[BillB800si]

bosworthj wrote:
That Jay Flight is almost exactly what we would be looking for I think. Gross weight of 7000 concerns me a little with my tow capacity only being 7700. I am sure we can find similar, I know the build quality of Jayfligh is usually pretty decent though...

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

Keep in mind that many Jayco models have a short (RV) queen bed in them.
RV Queen is 60" wide by 72" long.
Residential queens are 60 X 80 "...
Look around and visit some RV Shows to look things over.
Happy trails,

[RPreeb]

bosworthj wrote:
That Jay Flight is almost exactly what we would be looking for I think. Gross weight of 7000 concerns me a little with my tow capacity only being 7700. I am sure we can find similar, I know the build quality of Jayfligh is usually pretty decent though...

Dry weight of that Jay Flight is 5220, so if you don't get crazy loading it, you should still have a decent margin.

[bosworthj]

That Jay Flight is almost exactly what we would be looking for I think. Gross weight of 7000 concerns me a little with my tow capacity only being 7700. I am sure we can find similar, I know the build quality of Jayfligh is usually pretty decent though...

[IdaD]

BB_TX wrote:
New 150/1500 trucks have considerably more payload capacity than a similar 10 year old truck. A new 150/1500 can handle some of the lighter pin weight 5ers. But that doesn't help you for your current situation. When the time comes to upgrade the truck, then it would be best to go to a 250/2500 or 350/3500.

I agree. The guy I bought my Andersen Ultimate hitch from was using it in a newer F150 EB with max tow/HD payload. He said it worked okay, but he upgraded to a diesel Ram and said it was night and day better. The new truck had FW prep so that's why he was selling the rail mount Andersen. So you can do it with the right fiver and the right half ton, but if you are starting from scratch with the truck you are much better off buying a HD model. They don't cost much or any more but are far more capable.

[RPreeb]

bosworthj wrote:
Thanks again for all of the info. I knew I could count on the community. It sounds like a TT with a rear living space will be our best bet. I'm in that middle class America reality of only ever being able to update one thing at a time :)so the trailer and truck would be 5 to 10 years apart from each other.

I just remember when I was younger the big windows on the front with the cover that bee's always made nests in and a bunch more windows around the outside. It just seems like with the sleeker sides they have moved away from putting as many windows in. Maybe it is just the models I have been looking at, but it seems more and more prevalent these days...

Look at the Jay Flight SLX 245RLSW. Nice windows on 3 sides of the rear sofa, and another over the dinette. Walk around bed in a separate room (mostly) in the front, dinette slide. Gross trailer weight 7000; dry hitch 540 lbs; length 28' bumper to ball.

[BB_TX]

New 150/1500 trucks have considerably more payload capacity than a similar 10 year old truck. A new 150/1500 can handle some of the lighter pin weight 5ers. But that doesn't help you for your current situation. When the time comes to upgrade the truck, then it would be best to go to a 250/2500 or 350/3500.

[bosworthj]

As much sense as that makes, I don't think I could get it to fly with the DW! 🙂

[IdaD]

bosworthj wrote:
Thanks again for all of the info. I knew I could count on the community. It sounds like a TT with a rear living space will be our best bet. I'm in that middle class America reality of only ever being able to update one thing at a time :)so the trailer and truck would be 5 to 10 years apart from each other.

I just remember when I was younger the big windows on the front with the cover that bee's always made nests in and a bunch more windows around the outside. It just seems like with the sleeker sides they have moved away from putting as many windows in. Maybe it is just the models I have been looking at, but it seems more and more prevalent these days...

Or, upgrade the truck and keep the current trailer. When you're able to upgrade the trailer, you'll have the truck to do so.

[bosworthj]

Thanks again for all of the info. I knew I could count on the community. It sounds like a TT with a rear living space will be our best bet. I'm in that middle class America reality of only ever being able to update one thing at a time :)so the trailer and truck would be 5 to 10 years apart from each other.

I just remember when I was younger the big windows on the front with the cover that bee's always made nests in and a bunch more windows around the outside. It just seems like with the sleeker sides they have moved away from putting as many windows in. Maybe it is just the models I have been looking at, but it seems more and more prevalent these days...