Lets Talk - TT Vs Fifth Wheel

[jerem0621]

Greetings,

I have been considering moving from the Minivan/Pup combo back to a hard sided trailer and a full size TV. The pup experiment failed miserably. Coming from a TT.

Really been considering a Fiver and a 3/4 or 1 ton truck. Still may go with the fiver…

but… I am starting to lean back towards a TT again…mostly because of how familiar I am with WD hitches and how they work and how to set them up.

Anyway.. why did you choose a TT over a Fiver?

Thanks!

Jeremiah

[Lantley]

brulaz wrote:
Think I've seen some new Open Range 5ers with GooseNeck extensions from the factory.

If that works better for you, I think many 5ers can be converted to a GooseNeck?

I think the models promoting the goose neck are light models. My rig has a standard pin.

[IdaD]

brulaz wrote:
Think I've seen some new Open Range 5ers with GooseNeck extensions from the factory.

If that works better for you, I think many 5ers can be converted to a GooseNeck?

That's controversial to add conversions to fifth wheels although I will say my dad has done it on his smaller fifth wheel with no issues for 20+ years now. He had the adapter installed before he even brought it home.

I think the Anderson is a better solution, though, and it doesn't take up much more bed space. I just bought the rail version. I haven't used it yet, but I'm very impressed with the way it's constructed.

[brulaz]

Think I've seen some new Open Range 5ers with GooseNeck extensions from the factory.

If that works better for you, I think many 5ers can be converted to a GooseNeck?

[Lantley]

I think it is his hitch. My hitch head pivots 4 ways. front to back and left to right. Not all 5'er hitches pivot in this fashion.
Some do not pivot at all some only front back. 4 way pivots makes a huge difference. I have no problems with uneven sites.

[eichacsj]

Lantley wrote:

eichacsj wrote:

fitznj wrote:
Part of the reason I am even considering a fifth wheel is for the ease of hook up..(versus a TT)

I've read this a 100 times on this forum that TT are hard to hitch up. I don't get it? So much in fact that the last 3 times I hitched upi my TT, I got out a stop watch and timed myself. It took me less than 3 minutes to hitch up and go.

Line up the TV, reverse, drop the TT, hook up chains/WDH/electrical and go. It takes me 2 shots to line up the TV using the side mirrors.

Am I missing something here? Why do so many people say it's so difficult?

BTW - back to original discussion; I prefer TT over 5vers for the following:

1 - I don't need the space - a 24ft TT is perfect for the wife and me
2 - I prefer the "light" weight of the TT - makes it easier to tow
(accelerating/hills/rural roads etc)
3 - I can get into some pretty tight/desolate areas
4 - storage - less space required and shorter
5 - lots of places I go to have a 25ft limit on TTs

X3 I just don't see how a TT is any harder to hock/unhook that a 5er. In fact we mostly boon-dock, 5ers I have seen have difficulties if their rig is not close to level. IMO a TT is better;
1 - For boon-docking due to levelness
2 - Due to height - I just couldn't take a 5er with the ~ extra foot of height where I take my TT.

The ease of hitching the fiver comes from the fact you can actually see the hitch when hooking up. No camera or gadgets required.

There is also no weight distribution hitch to deal with. No chains , no grease,no removing/storing,shin banging etc..

The differences are subtle but I believe the 5'er is easier to hitch up.

Thanks for the comparison. On thing I have been curious about on a 5er. I have been in the drilling industry and towed goose necks and with my buddy that I go boon-docking with his fifth wheel hitch setup he needs to be close to level to disconnect level and reconnect otherwise it binds up (disconnecting) or won't reconnect. So when I go with him we have to choose a site that will work for him.

Is that the hitch he is using? or are all hitches that sensitive?

[Terryallan]

jerem0621 wrote:

Terryallan wrote:
I like 5ers. I have a TT. Why? One reason, I don't need as much truck to have the same size living area.
Two. I use my truck bead for bikes, wood, and such.
Three. And this is big. It is UP, or DOWN stairs every where you go in a fiver. There are way more steps to get into, and out of it. Once inside, It is up stairs to the bathroom, upstairs to the bed.
Stairs are really hard on your knees.

TTs on the other hand are flat. No pain involved in walking to the bathroom, or to the bed room. I look for ease, and comfort in my life. TTs are easier, and comfortable.

Thank you for the reminder on the Stairs...I had forgotten that part. I'm not exactly graceful, especially when I am sleepy...one of the reasons I built a single level home. I do not like stairs.

I like your TT as well... That's one I am really considering. I like how low they are to the ground...only a step or two to get in.

My next vehicle will have to do split duty...it will need to be a daily driver (70-80 miles round trip commute) and a TV. I'm really thinking hard about a 1500 series crew cab. That means I will need to be more careful about my weights...but hey, I am coming from a PUP where how much the Cooler weighs matters. Lol

I also appreciate that the hitch weight is much more manageable with the TT. My dads fifth wheel slider hitch had to be broke into to two or three pieces and it took both of us to get it in and out of his truck.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

My sig TT weighs dry 4811lb, It is 30' long. It tows like a dream. It is in the loaded 6000lb range, depending on where it is going. It sleeps ten. We really like it.

We tow it with the F150 in my sig. I have no sway period. And plenty of power. It handles the TT with ease.

[lgarcia]

1/2 ton TV is a daily commuter. We are weekend campers. A little 18ft TT is luxury compared to a tent, and all we were looking for was a hardsided tent with an indoor bathroom/shower. We knew that was an easy size to get around in at campgrounds or boondocking since we also have a similar sized boat.

[PAAK]

I have to agree with most. I camp in some tight areas and most 5er cant get into. TT is easier in that respect. It doesn't take me long to hook up and go, I done see how any one would say its to hard. I back up with the camera in one shot, chains, drop, wt distribution. To easy.

[wrvond]

My wife and I really enjoy going to the dealerships and looking at all the 5er's. There are some incredible floorplans with appointments that surpass stick and brick living. If I was in a 5er with a rear living and huge back window, I doubt I'd ever want to go outside or go home! But as far as owning one, since I have an actual house, a 5er seems kind of redundant. 😉
Using a tent is camping; using a pop up qualifies as camping too. TT's start to cross over to staying at a cottage. A 5er, OTOH, is bringing your whole house with you!

[Lantley]

eichacsj wrote:

fitznj wrote:
Part of the reason I am even considering a fifth wheel is for the ease of hook up..(versus a TT)

I've read this a 100 times on this forum that TT are hard to hitch up. I don't get it? So much in fact that the last 3 times I hitched upi my TT, I got out a stop watch and timed myself. It took me less than 3 minutes to hitch up and go.

Line up the TV, reverse, drop the TT, hook up chains/WDH/electrical and go. It takes me 2 shots to line up the TV using the side mirrors.

Am I missing something here? Why do so many people say it's so difficult?

BTW - back to original discussion; I prefer TT over 5vers for the following:

1 - I don't need the space - a 24ft TT is perfect for the wife and me
2 - I prefer the "light" weight of the TT - makes it easier to tow
(accelerating/hills/rural roads etc)
3 - I can get into some pretty tight/desolate areas
4 - storage - less space required and shorter
5 - lots of places I go to have a 25ft limit on TTs

X3 I just don't see how a TT is any harder to hock/unhook that a 5er. In fact we mostly boon-dock, 5ers I have seen have difficulties if their rig is not close to level. IMO a TT is better;
1 - For boon-docking due to levelness
2 - Due to height - I just couldn't take a 5er with the ~ extra foot of height where I take my TT.

The ease of hitching the fiver comes from the fact you can actually see the hitch when hooking up. No camera or gadgets required.

There is also no weight distribution hitch to deal with. No chains , no grease,no removing/storing,shin banging etc..

The differences are subtle but I believe the 5'er is easier to hitch up.

[eichacsj]

fitznj wrote:
Part of the reason I am even considering a fifth wheel is for the ease of hook up..(versus a TT)

I've read this a 100 times on this forum that TT are hard to hitch up. I don't get it? So much in fact that the last 3 times I hitched upi my TT, I got out a stop watch and timed myself. It took me less than 3 minutes to hitch up and go.

Line up the TV, reverse, drop the TT, hook up chains/WDH/electrical and go. It takes me 2 shots to line up the TV using the side mirrors.

Am I missing something here? Why do so many people say it's so difficult?

BTW - back to original discussion; I prefer TT over 5vers for the following:

1 - I don't need the space - a 24ft TT is perfect for the wife and me
2 - I prefer the "light" weight of the TT - makes it easier to tow
(accelerating/hills/rural roads etc)
3 - I can get into some pretty tight/desolate areas
4 - storage - less space required and shorter
5 - lots of places I go to have a 25ft limit on TTs

X3 I just don't see how a TT is any harder to hock/unhook that a 5er. In fact we mostly boon-dock, 5ers I have seen have difficulties if their rig is not close to level. IMO a TT is better;
1 - For boon-docking due to levelness
2 - Due to height - I just couldn't take a 5er with the ~ extra foot of height where I take my TT.

[goducks10]

Asking someone what is better a TT or 5er is like asking everyone what color truck should I get. Each person has their own reasons for their decisions. Self analysis is the best way to decide.

[TurnThePage]

For some reason my Equal-I-zer hitch can sit on the back of either of my pickups without interfering with the tailgate. It can be left there while unhitched and driving around too, sway bars and all.

Last summer I watched and old pro hitching up his fiver. He dropped it on his pickup bed, causing massive damage. I understand this is fairly easy to do.

Unless going really big, I don't see enough advantages of a fiver to offset my perceived negatives.

[rbpru]

I am sorry but in my opinion, justifying a 5ver because the WD hitch is too heavy or bulky; and claiming an F-250 is no more expensive to maintain than an F-150 is just plain silly.

You buy the TV that will do the job and live with the costs and ride; and you by a 5ver because it has the features you require or want.

My DW thinks our F-150 has a harsh ride since the day we bought it and compared to her van it does. She also knows that it goes along with towing a TT and the ride is fine when it is under load.

You do not need any more of a reason to buy the RV you want, than it is a good fit for your needs.

[DutchmenSport]

I did not read every post on this forum thread, and this question has come up many times. I have my preference (see my signature), enough said about that.

Not sure how others have responded, but looking at your question form a different angle ... what do you use your truck for when NOT towing a trailer? Do you need the bed of your truck covered, uncovered, will a 5er hitch be in the way of the truck bed when you're not camping? And then again, if you are full timing or just a week-end warier will determine the usage of your truck also.

I prefer to have a shell over my truck bed. It has a ladder rack which is great for transporting our canoe. For us, it's a trailer with a truck shell.