More Fifth-wheels than TTs?

[LeBout]

In an EXTREMELY unscientific study that I conducted while on our 3,700 mile/18 day trip this month I concluded that there were FAR more 5th wheel trailers on the road than TTs. I found that interesting because in the last large-ish trip we took, I felt the TTs out-numbered the 5ers. In addition, on the RV sales lots, I seemed to see more 5th wheels for sale and typically situated in the more visible places on the lot.

Anyone know whether ownership trends are moving toward 5th wheels?

[punomatic]

LeBout wrote:
In an EXTREMELY unscientific study that I conducted while on our 3,700 mile/18 day trip this month I concluded that there were FAR more 5th wheel trailers on the road than TTs. I found that interesting because in the last large-ish trip we took, I felt the TTs out-numbered the 5ers. In addition, on the RV sales lots, I seemed to see more 5th wheels for sale and typically situated in the more visible places on the lot.

Anyone know whether ownership trends are moving toward 5th wheels?

My statistics prof would call it an "error of random sampling." That's why "scientific" studies need to be read with careful attention to the details of the study design. The most accurate studies are those that have had the most variables eliminated. In this case they would include time, location, definitions of TT, 5er, etc. In addition, the larger the sample size, the more accurate the findings. Still, informal tallies are fun...especially when your own chosen RV style comes out on top!

[goducks10]

Jetta03 wrote:
Not sure of official trends but here in Alberta it is almost all 5th wheels on the road and and at the campsites. I think its an Alberta thing, if you go to BC or Nova Scotia you'll see many more smaller rigs, suv's towing, and tent trailers.

Honestly I never figured out why you'd go 5th wheel, you lose all that bed space for packing stuff. With all the towing help now, weight dist, sway control, electronic sway/stability aids standard on newer trucks, the argument that 5th wheel tows better doesn't seem relevant any more.

Not everybody needs the bed space. I have 2-3 times the cargo space in the 5'er as I did in our TT. I really have nothing to put in the bed except fire wood. Everything else can go in the 5'er. I have the same exact amount of sq ft and the 5'er is 3' shorter, along with being 1/2 in the bed, I lost 6+' in OAL. Much easier to hitch and unhitch. The other reason people go with 5'ers is not too many 3/4-1 ton trucks can tow 35' 14,000lb TT's. In fact no one makes them. Looking at TT's and 5'ers in the same length the 5'er will have more sq ft inside because you're not adding 3' for the tongue. Plus you don't need all the WD stuff to mess with. Just hitch and go. No dialing in anything, Maybe the king pin/hitch height initially. When your done you don't have to take off spring bars and a WD head. My 5'er tracks perfectly straight behind the truck. Semi's, wind etc doesn't faze it. Most TT's will get some push pull feeling.
5'ers are less susceptible IMO. At least with mine. I'm not towing a 35' or bigger one either so can't comment on the big behemoth's.

They have their own virtues I guess.

[pbohart]

Here is my 2 cents.

Full time or Part Time RVers seem to gravitate toward 5th wheels due to the better towing over long distances and the fact that 5th wheel floor plans are geared toward this type of use (RK, RL, Rear-Entertainment).

TT's seem to appeal more toward the weekend campers: Lower price, less expensive hitch options, floorplans geared more toward kids (bunkhouses).

As such - on a long trip you would expect to see more 5vers because these owners tend to take longer trips or are more nomadic, whereas if you roll through a state park on a weekend in the summer you will see many more TTs vs. 5vers. I have found this to be true.

[kaydeejay]

BB_TX wrote:

netaq wrote:

kaydeejay wrote:
NOT a good reason to buy a fiver. Most fivers will track even further into a corner than the same sized TT.

Lol so much for what I know...thought a similar length 5er would have the rear axles closer to the truck and therefore not track in as far.

All has to do with the pivot point being over the rear axle rather than behind the truck.

PLUS the pivot point does not swing out in a turn like the rear bumper does when pulling a TT.

[69_Avion]

My guess is that it is a regional thing. I would think that full timers may use 5th Wheels more and weekend RVers would use the TT much more. If you go where full timers are, you will probably see more 5th wheels.

[BB_TX]

netaq wrote:

kaydeejay wrote:
NOT a good reason to buy a fiver. Most fivers will track even further into a corner than the same sized TT.

Lol so much for what I know...thought a similar length 5er would have the rear axles closer to the truck and therefore not track in as far.

All has to do with the pivot point being over the rear axle rather than behind the truck.

[LeBout]

Ron Gratz wrote:
My guess is that TTs tend to travel shorter distances, so the likelihood of seeing them on the highway is less. And, they seem to be on the roads more during the summer months than during the rest of the year.

I agree with you Ron!

[2hams]

The DH understands that I am an engineer by nature, and accommodates my 'travel game' of keeping a count of campers by type. Guess retirement is getting to me, since I have not (recently) transposed the numbers to a spreadsheet.

So, observations. Of course you see a lot of Class A and big 5ers when you travel toward FL in March.

We see more TTs and PUPs on Friday/Sunday. Lots more PUPs in the northeast. Lots more TCs in the west. Mostly As, large Cs, 5ers during the week, especially 10am - 2pm. Lots more everything on the interstates.

We saw more 5ers than TTs traveling to/from FLA in Feb/Mar. We saw more TTs than 5ers a couple weeks ago traveling to central VA. As long as we stay off the roads on the weekends, definitely see more 5ers than TTs. Will be interesting to see the #s from our Maine trip this year.

[Ron_Gratz]

2013 RV Wholesale Shipments by Month (Units in 000)

Travel Trailer shipments out-numbered Fifth Wheel shipments by almost 3 to 1.

But, I agree with the OP regarding what is seen on the road.

We've averaged about 8,000 miles per year for the last 8 years traveling across the country.
When we're on the move during the week, we tend to see more 5ers than TTs.
On the weekends, we tend to see more TTs depending on where we're traveling.

My guess is that TTs tend to travel shorter distances, so the likelihood of seeing them on the highway is less.
And, they seem to be on the roads more during the summer months than during the rest of the year.

Ron

[netaq]

kaydeejay wrote:
NOT a good reason to buy a fiver. Most fivers will track even further into a corner than the same sized TT.

Lol so much for what I know...thought a similar length 5er would have the rear axles closer to the truck and therefore not track in as far.

[Jetta03]

Not sure of official trends but here in Alberta it is almost all 5th wheels on the road and and at the campsites. I think its an Alberta thing, if you go to BC or Nova Scotia you'll see many more smaller rigs, suv's towing, and tent trailers.

Honestly I never figured out why you'd go 5th wheel, you lose all that bed space for packing stuff. With all the towing help now, weight dist, sway control, electronic sway/stability aids standard on newer trucks, the argument that 5th wheel tows better doesn't seem relevant any more.

[JIMNLIN]

We just came off a 4235 mile trip through OK/TX/CA/NV/UT/WY/CO/KS including memorial weekend.

The wife and I both commented we saw more TTs than other RV types. However on the interstates we saw more 5ers than TTs.

[LeBout]

JJBIRISH wrote:
according to RVIA…

VERY interesting facts!! Thanks for posting!

[JJBIRISH]

according to RVIA…

Fast facts about RVers from the Profile:
•The typical RVer was 48 years old in 2011, one year younger than the 49 years recorded in 2005 and 2001.
•Median income of RVers: $62,000
•39% of RVers had children under 18 living at home.
•RV owners aged 35-to-54 posted the largest gains in ownership rates, rising to 11.2% in 2011 from 9.0% in 2005.
•Ownership also edged higher among those aged 55 or older, rising to 9.3% from 8.6% in 2005.
•Among those under age 35, ownership rates were flat - 4.9% in 2011 vs. 5.0% in 2005.

Shipments of all RVs (motorhomes, travel trailers, sport utility RVs, truck campers and folding camping trailers) totaled 285,749 units in 2012 — a 13.2% increase above the previous year total. Forecasts for 2013 see additional gains of 7.5%

For 2013 for the first 4 months about 100,000 non motorhome RV were shipped this year, and about 12,500 motorhomes were shipped…
While it is fluid, I don’t think there is any major shift in the type of RV sales right now…