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?

[fla-gypsy]

On the road on a day to day basis I would expect to see more Class A's and 5th wheels as these seem to be the preference of full timers. Actual sales numbers would probably give the edge to TT's though I have no empirical data to support that. Does anyone have a link on sales of RV's by type over the last few years?

[thomasmnile]

dadmomh wrote:
We did the same unscientific study coming back from FL and found a much higher # of BIG Class A's and 5ers were just about neck and neck.

Get a kick out of the winter months where I store our TT. The population of Class A DP's goes Waaaaaaay up until April. Puzzled by this, I asked the owner of the storage facility why the owners park 'em instead of live in them. He explained most of the owners use the MH as their commuter vehicle to get to Florida, park 'em in storage, then stay in their beachfront condos for the winter. One guy there stores what I guess is a 42' Allegro Bus (beautiful MH) and has his own metered power connection so he can keep it plugged in whenever he's parked in storage.

[LeBout]

RCMAN46 wrote:
People do not seem to take Class A's out in the boondocks camping.

Except at Wal-Mart. I see a LOT of Class-A's spending the night for free. 🙂

[JJBIRISH]

our recent trip of a little more than 1200 miles had very noticeably more class A’s than anything else… I think there were more TT than 5er’s but I don’t actually count them… the last several years had many more TT and 5er’s than this year…

might explain why all the RV’s I saw pulled over with flat tires were also class A and one C…

[RCMAN46]

I spend my winters in Yuma,Az. My exercise routine is to ride a bicycle around all of the neighborhoods. Yuma is a RV mecca. In the area I live in RV's account for close to 90% of the living space with Homes about 10%. I would say the 5th wheel trailer is number one with the Class A Motor Home a close second and travel trailers a distant 3rd.
On a recent 200 mile trip on Memorial day with many returning from various camping adventures the 5th wheel was about 3/4 of the units I saw and travel Trailer about 1/4 with Class A motor homes the balance. People do not seem to take Class A's out in the boondocks camping.

[hammer21661]

kaydeejay wrote:

netaq wrote:
I think a 5er may be in my distant future. The only think I don't like about my TT is sharp turns. The trailer tracks so far into turns, its sometimes difficult making right hand turns.

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

Big time.

[dadmomh]

We did the same unscientific study coming back from FL and found a much higher # of BIG Class A's and 5ers were just about neck and neck. TTs next, then a small # of C's and a slim # of HTTs. An insignificant # of B's and truck campers. It would be interesting to know what the real numbers are, but when you look at a large lot, seems like the 5ers way out number the others.

We just moved from our beloved ROO 23SS hybrid to a TT and know this is the right move for us. I did look and found 1 small 5er that would have pushed our TV to the limit, but our DS#1 could not begin to handle the steps going up to the bathroom. So that eliminated it from the running before it was even seriously considered. Granted, he only goes with us one time a year, but we treasure that time and want him to be as comfortable as possible.

[Dtaylor]

I have noticed on I-95 going thru SC there seems to be an equal number of MH, TT and fifth wheels. Not as many pop-ups

[mlts22]

I've seen a fairly even mix on the roads. Given a choice, and I had a decent TV for it, I'd take the fiver over a TT, just because they usually come with generators and more basement storage, and it is a lot harder to steal a fiver than a TT. I toss a kingpin lock on a fiver and pull the fuse to the landing gear, it is staying put.

[Passin_Thru]

I don't like them. Bang my head on the ceiling and too much wasted space back of the nose. Just not for me. Rather go to a MH. I pulled 53 ft trailers with the axles all the way back and can get my 31 ft Arctic Fox anywhere you guys can get a 5er.

[kaydeejay]

netaq wrote:
I think a 5er may be in my distant future. The only think I don't like about my TT is sharp turns. The trailer tracks so far into turns, its sometimes difficult making right hand turns.

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

[BB_TX]

In our travels mostly thru TX, CO, OK, and NM we see more 5th wheels than TTs. Far more??? I don't know, but definitely more.

[netaq]

I think a 5er may be in my distant future. The only think I don't like about my TT is sharp turns. The trailer tracks so far into turns, its sometimes difficult making right hand turns.

[wkswenson]

Interesting topic - we were out last weekend and during our walks around the state park I made the same observation - so I counted - and it was 55/45 split with 5ers winning out over the TT. I didn't count motorhomes and such. Just seemed like a larger than normal amount of 5ers...

[TomG2]

It depends on the time and place. A ton of Class A's leave the Southland in the spring and return in the fall. Summer weekends are populated by travel trailers, popups, and many smaller rigs as families get out to enjoy camping. A related question might be, "Which type was the most likely to pass you, if any?" My answer would be Class A's. I tow a travel trailer.