Truck Camper vs. Fifth Wheel

[jefffoxsr]

For those of you who have owned a fifth wheel and a truck camper would you say that the truck camper requires less overall work year to year?
We are considering buying a truck camper for several lifestyle reasons. One thing we are hoping is that a truck camper is much less work year to year to maintain, etc.

What else in general should someone like me who has never owned a truck camper keep in mind that non truck camper owners don't know but should know?

We already own a suitable truck on which to mount the truck camper.

Thank you very much for your insight and experience. :):)

[Sheriffdoug]

Take a look at the Eagle Cap 1160 floorplan?

[mena661]

Never owned a TC but DW and I looked at them before we decided on our "old" 5er. Main reasons for not getting one were: FW and GW tanks too small and interior space just a bit too small. Just recently I discovered Eagle Cap with their 3 slide model, 75 gal FW tank and a friggin kitchen island. If I would've known about that one, we would have gotten that instead of the 5er.

[Kidoo]

jmckelvy wrote:
A North/South bed is one which you sleep oriented along the front to back axis of the truck/camper. An East/West bed is one in which you sleep perpendicular to the front to back axis. This orientation requires the person sleeping most forward to have to climb over the other person if also in bed.

I really like my truck camper and the freedom it gives. I just recently purchased a moderate sized 5er but intend to keep the TC at least til I am sure I am happy with the 5er and whatever restrictions it may place on our preferred camping style.

I found that a East West bed is easier to make up And, it is not that bad to have the wife to climb over...,.

I think fifth will is more for long term camping, truck camper for the on the road type of traveler and for one that likes the possibility to tow anything, to camp anywhere and a lot less woory about reservation, you fit anywhere.

[serpa4]

I'd prefer a large, multi slide TC vs. medium TT/5er.
TomG2 has a really good point, traveler or squatter?
I'm a traveler, a large TC is great. My parents are squatters and large 5er is best for them.

[TomG2]

I don't see where maintenance should be the determining fact at all. Are you a traveler or a squatter? That is the big thing with me. See an interesting museum, or restaurant? Want to check it out? Want to park in a buddy's driveway for a couple of nights? Which works best for that? Want to explore a national forest? Or, prefer to sit in a nice commercial campground? Those are the things to ask and the answer will be easy. I just finished a two thousand mile trip in a Class B motorhome and I really enjoyed the mobility and convenience of not towing.

[JIMNLIN]

I've owned a few of both over the years and their apples vs oranges in upkeep IMO.

My current 5er weighs 11200 lb with 2200-2400 lbs on the trucks rear axle. With 11200 lbs getting started is harder on the truck. Same with getting stopped even with a exhaust brake on the Cummins.

As mentioned the trailers tires/wheels/axles/springs/bearings have to be maintained along with the hitch in the bed issues (removal/upkeep). The trailer has a lot more issues from body/frame flex with frame cracks and cracks in the exterior.

I could go on but you get the picture.



IMO the biggest decision you will have to make is interior room. You either need a 8' wide x 8'-16' long box or a 8' wide x 25'-40' long box to stay in and move down the road and maintain.

[jimh406]

I owned a trailer and now have a tc. The trailer was a little more work, but not double the work.

Obviously, not all TCS are equal. Ones with 1, 2, or 3 slides and basement model can be huge compared to the shortest no basement, non slide models, but also have more maintenance with the slides and more size.

[dadwolf2]

Jeff,
I had an extra 4 tires, brakes and trailer bearings to deal with on the 5th wheel plus cost of annual registration. But if you have four or more people in your party the TC is going to feel really cramped and I wouldn't care about how much $ I saved.

IMO, the 5th wheel was more work to travel with and my wife would never drive with the trailer hooked up. With the TC we just drive it like it's a normal truck.

[joe_b_]

We are about 6 weeks into our 3 month summer trip to the mountain west. Last summer we brought our 31 ft 5er with us but this year we have our Lance 845 TC. The Lance came this summer so we could tow our Jeep Wrangler here to western Colorado to run the jeep trails. A TC is much easier to tow a specialized vehicle, be it a small compact or other type.

We are parked now for a month and would sure like to have the room of our fifth wheel. Our two young grandsons have come with us, both this year and last year. Four people in a TC for 90 to 100 nights can get somewhat close. LOL

Maintenance on theTC is about a third or less than our fifth wheel. We spend about 150 nights a year in the TC and the fifth wheel combined. The only major difference is the running gear under the 5th wheel. Electric brakes and I have never gotten along, on the 5 th wheel or a prior one we owned.
Bearing and brake work takes about a day every year, if all goes well. Caulking the trailer yearly takes longer just because it is larger. Having the 5th wheel bed rails in the truck all the time is a bit of a pain also. TC jacks and tie downs have never been a source of maintenance problems. Our current TC is the 5th one we have owned. Seldom has a TC been the only RV we owned at a time. Most of the 35 years we have owned a TC, we have also had a Class C or A unit or a fifth wheel.

For the most part our current 2008 Lance TC has been trouble free, with just the standard yearly maintenance required.

[serpa4]

camper jack, IMO, are more of a hassle than wheel bearings.

[NMace]

Truck camper requries about a 1/4 time in maintenance. No tires and axles, and much less sq ft inside and out.

[tuna_fisher]

I've had them all and they all have advantages and disadvantages, get what suits your style of travel. I have a 5er and TC and the TC gets used 90% of the time. I only use the 5er when I'm going to 1 place and park it. The 1 problem I have with the TC is if you want to go somewhere for a few hours or to town for supplies you have to pack up everytime, I can live with that or take my motorcycle which I carry up front.To bad they both need wash and waxing, lol.

[rjsurfer]

If we could have, we would have kept both but we decided to stay with the fiver because of the extra space.

The 5th wheel is a lot more work, remember you have another set of wheels which means work on suspension, tire, brakes, bearings and of course a pin box and hitch to contend with. Tougher to keep clean also.

So if time working on the camper is an issue. a truck camper is the way to go.

Ron W.

[69_Avion]

As far as maintenance goes, with similar options all of them will require similar
Maintenance. The trailers will have axles that need to be maintained and
TCs will have the jacks and tie downs that will need to be maintained.
Get what suits your needs. TCs are very convenient.