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.

[carl2591]

On a trip to florida several years ago we did a travel game called,, Count the RVs. We kept track of MH, TT, 5ers, Popups.. On the way down I-95 S from NC we counted over 300 units.. It was a sat in late march so it might have been "flocks" of northbound snow birds, 🙂

Of the types we counted some 150 MH, and appx 150 TT/5ers, it was split almost 50/50 between TT and 5ers.

now this is an unscientific endeavor but good for around the campfire convo.

[Hannibal]

I prefer backing a TT. For all else I prefer a 5th wheel. We carry our spare tire, fire wood, spare LP bottle and sometimes a cooler in the bed of the truck. The bikes ride on a bike rack on the rear receiver of the 5th wheel. Our next RV could be a TT or 5th wheel. I'd be happy with either. Either way, I don't want anything that requires more than a simple hitch.

[Samsonsworld]

Not for me. My tt is over 35'.

[DinTulsa]

Would it change anyone's opinion if the trailer I was looking at was 35-36 overall? We have looked at a lot but keep coming back to the opposing sides in the rear that makes a bedroom, front bedroom that is closed off with a door, couch and u shaped dinette, outside kitchen and island. It seems the only trailers that fit the bill are 33+. I'm trying to buy my 3rd trailer first. We have a lot of experience with a 31 ft motor home so we know what we want.

[TomG2]

As a single person, I really appreciate how much easier it is to hitch/unhitch with the travel trailer. My tow vehicle is big enough that it does not require a WD hitch. (2500HD) Using a tailgate mirror, I back up until the ball is covered by the hitch. Get out, press the electric jack button to lower the hitch, plug in and ready to go. I am headed out of the park while the 5th wheel guys are doing a test pull. removing their chocks, retrieving their blocking, and raising their tailgates.

[MM49]

Dcarner wrote:
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.

I pull a 30' Sunnybrook glass sided TT. The TV is a 2500 RAM longhorn 8'bed 4wd 6.4L a/t. The pulling experience is quasi fifth wheel. It is so good that I couldn't imagine going with a fifth wheel. For me the only decision to go fifth wheel would be when you want a really big rv in in the 35 to +40'range
mm49

[myredracer]

Totally love our TT. Have looked at lots and lots of FWs at RV shows and have no interest in one whatsoever. Some of them are pretty cool though, esp. the newer ones with living area at the front.

Our TT has an arched ceiling with lots of headroom. It is SO nice having everything at the same floor level. Towing not an issue since we have a good hitch. I would never be able to have a FW hitch taking up the space in the bed of our truck - I use the bed far too often when not towing for hauling around lots of different things.

A TT can often be towed with a 1/2T TV, and usually a 3/4T at most. Unless you have a small FW, you need at least a 3/4T, and often a 1T. Sometimes even a 1T isn't enough. A FW can put you into a lot more $$ up front before even going camping. The basement storage in a FW doesn't compensate enough for the bed of a truck along with a canopy. FWs more prone to being blown over in high side winds due to height of FW.

Don't know about quality differences anymore as I don't follow FW forums now but I would assume similar. I do know that some FWs can have some serious frame issues, like the pin box separating from the frame. If you do some googling or checking on various forums, FWs can have lots of issues with frames. If you have the option, stay away from a Li**ert frame on any trailer.

Choose wisely...

[goducks10]

For me a 5th wheel is more convenient. Most everything is stored in the front cargo holds. If we're not dry camping then the only thing that's in the truck bed is a 4' ladder and maybe firewood. Bikes are on the back of the 5th. All camping equipment is in the cargo holds. If we're dry camping then three 7 gal water jugs, firewood and a 2 gal gas can are in the truck bed. When I return from a camping trip I have to only get the ladder out of the truck. Unless its from a dry camping trip. You still have to unpack clothes and food in either so that's a wash.

Hitching and unhitching is easier with a 5th. Only one set of front landing gear on a 5th. No spring bars or WD to deal with. Doesn't matter if the sites uneven or not. Just lower the 5th in the front, back into the 5th hitch, close the handle, raise the front landing gear and done.

OAL is shorter. If I had a TT with the same sqft then it would be 31'+. Now add in my CC LB truck at 22' and I'm at 54' OAL. Need to figure a 1' for the WD. My 5th is 28' but overlaps the truck by 4' so now my OAL is 46'. 8' shorter than a comparable TT setup.

Is my 5th the best trailer for us? Most times. Would I like a TT better?. Sometimes. Biggest issue is heat. The upper bedroom tends to get a lot hotter than the lower living area. We don't have AC in the bedroom. So we rely on our fantastic fan to cool down at night. Most bedroom AC's are noisy unless you pay some big $$$ for the 5th. I don't think I'd like to hear an AC roaring being only 6-7' from me.

As far as the extra steps go, that's totally understandable. We don't get tired of them, but I could see how they might be a hindrance to some.

For us it boils down to what a 5th gives in a comparable length TT. More storage inside and out and a shorter OAL, coupled with easier hitching/unhitching.

[badercubed]

I use my truck for work. No chance I am removing and reinstalling the 5er hitch every time I go so a TT is pretty much it.

[GaryWT]

Never owned a FW, wife says the cabinets are too high. Love the TT, never an issue towing, setting up or hooking up, all is easy. TT is 35 feet. Get a bunkhouse room and there will no storage issues for you son.

[Terryallan]

For me. too many steps in a 5er. My knees don't like steps.

[Crabbypatty]

Now on my second TT and I would like a fiver however we pull with a 2500 Suburban so we have to buy a pick up. Why would I switch I am told the difference in towing is amazing and this is probably why the tractor trailers are just big fivers and not towing. Secondly the fiver offers more ceiling height, king size bed, bigger bathrooms with real showers, more storage and bigger kitchens with island options. As far as size my new TT is 32 feet long and that is a long way down the mirrors and takes longer to get into tight cg spots. That would be my size limit. There still is room in the bed of the pick up after hooked provided you don't restrict the hitch.

That will be our next rig but for now the Sunnybrook 298 BH is it. We love it except for the tight bathroom, but we also are only in it around 20 nights per year. When we were on the road a lot it was 40 nights. When we get closer to retirement time will increase and the need for a bigger rv will also increase.

[mike77leprechau]

I would rather a FW but can't justify spending more and losing the bed of the truck.

[ScottG]

We chose carefully and our TT serves our needs as perfectly today as it did when we first bought it in 2004.
No regrets what so ever.