I know it's been asked before..Do you regret a TT over a FW?

[DinTulsa]

I know the question has been asked a million times before, but I'm struggling on what type of RV to purchase. My wife and I are looking for a RV that will be used extensively in the summer at the lake. With that being said we plan on pulling it on vacations up to 1500 miles each way. I have read and understand the differences in hooking up and backing the units. I have decided on a TT or FW in the 32-33 ft range. I will be pulling with a F250 PSD, I am fully aware that I will be limited to some extent with my payload. My question is.. Do you regret getting a TT instead of a FW, especially those with longer TT's? I like the floor plans of the TT and I like having my bed available for firewood and coolers, but I like the storage and maneuverability of the FW. So I'm really just looking for opinions from people that have or had one or the other and what they see as benefits. Any info would be appreciated.

[LuckeyUs]

We love our 32' Jayco tt, but we have the Hensley Arrow hitch, so it's easy to pull. The only thing we'd look for in our next rv is better insulation & a bigger ac unit.

[JIMNLIN]

As you probably have seen we can pull doubles (2) or (3) triples here in Oklahoma.
We had truck campers in the late '50s until early '70s. Decided to go the TT route. Lasted 35 days as no towing doubles (2 TTS) back then. we had to use two trucks to get the boat and 5er to the lake then so went with a 5th wheel trailer for that reason.

[mtofell1]

I've had both and am open to buying either one in the future (currently in a TT). The pros/cons have been well listed already. With choices like this I like to really think through how/what are the pros/cons and how long/much they impact me.

For example - The lack of using your truck bed is a minor annoyance while on the way to your annual site where you keep your trailer all year and much prefer the livability of the 5th. The 5th is a no brainer.

Example #2 - You are on the road often and really like to bring your bikes and other things that have no good place in the truck with a 5th attached. The TT is the way to go.

Once you really prioritize how you use the trailer the choice should become clear.

For me, I love the way 5th tows and prefer the floor plan and livability. But, I go out often for short periods and usually short distances and with kids/bikes/firewood. So, the TT is the clear winner. I'll likely end up back in a 5th some day when I'm working less, out for longer periods and likely w/o the kids. Unless, of course, I go nuts and spring for a diesel pusher :).

[Boondoc]

I have only ever owned a TT, but my dad has a 5er. I like the TT because I can use the bed for many things: generator, firewood, all the family bikes, extra water, etc. I can also put a canopy on it for dry storage. I have a nice flat trailer with a good floor plan and less wind resistance.

[TomG2]

Like a couple the others, I have owned both. I prefer the TT for the obvious reasons that have been mentioned, plus they are the best bang for the buck with their simpler framing and lower weight. An electric tongue jacks makes hitching as easy as the FW, and a competent tow vehicle and well engineered hitch make towing safe and easy.

[Gdetrailer]

Comes down to personal preferences.

My Dad had slide ins for many years, then when he retired bought a FW since my parents were planning to travel a lot and even snow bird to Florida.

That FW was one huge 32 ft beast with a walk around Queen bed and you could stand up easily in the bedroom over the pin.

I bought a bumper pull since I didn't want to give up my truck bed for gen, bikes, firewood, grill and other stuff that I didn't want to haul in the trailer.

Another thing I didn't like about my Dads FW was the steps it took just to get into it! It had two outside steps and three inside steps for a total of five steps just to get into it! Then the bathroom was also accesses by two steps and then past that was the bedroom which was also accessed by an additional bunch of steps..

My TT, I have only ONE external step up and no internal steps, everything is on one floor level.

Sadly, your F250 diesel is going to be rather short on payload for a FW, most likely nearly 1000 lbs less than a similarly equipped gas version of the same year. That may make finding a FW with a pin weight that will be within your payload when loaded a lot harder.

[rtaylor0830]

Ask the same question in a fifth wheel forum and watch the answers change lol

[colliehauler]

After reading Stufarmer post I would like to add that it is one of the main reasons I take the smaller TT over the 5er. Remote areas that I can get the TT into and small campgrounds.

A truck camper or van camper would be even more flexible but not a option with 3 collies.

[goducks10]

dfm wrote:
The most storage of any TT is in the Open Range 340 FLR. The same amount as a 5'er and I still have all my truck bed.
We love it !!

That is probably one of the coolest TT's out there. A local dealer had one at the last RV show. Wife and I really like it. We currently have a 5th wheel and prefer them over TT's but that TT would be the one to make us change. The rear storage is huge. Great layout.

[Tequila]

Yeah a Truck camper or a Class B is best. Problem with a Truck Camper is they are not so friendly to the old & decrepit.

[stufarmer]

We've had both. each unit has it's pro's and con's. We've found the Travel Trailer to be more flexible. Many parks aren't as 5th wheel friendly, either by the size of camp sites or the tighter twisty roads with lower hanging branches. Pro's, the higher ceiling and the larger bedroom plus the extra basement storage makes the 5th wheel feel more like a small apartment. All in all, both have given us the chance to get away with a little comfort when the opportunity arises. Now to us, the best of all RV's is a Truck camper. They're the simplest and most versatile of all.

[Steeljag]

I'm not anti FW, just not ready to give up the truck bed space! The TT is just fine for the wife and I.

[Tequila]

Can't take my ATV with a 5er

[rbpru]

We towed 14 weeks last year, the other 38 we use the TV on a daily basis. I sure am not going to take the truck cap off and mount the Fifth wheel every time we decide to tow.

We also limited our TT to 25 ft. so we could fit in most any camp ground and tow with a half-ton.

I have seen a lot of really nice 5vers but they do not fit our RV style.

[DinTulsa]

Thanks for the quick replies. We are leaning towards a tt for most of the reasons stated above. The stairs are not really an issue, as my wife and I are in our mid-thirties right now. But with a 3yo son, we pretty much have to pack the house whenever we go anywhere. So storage is a huge consideration.