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So what tows better ? Travel Trailer or 5th Wheel ?

A

Acesneights1

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I have a 26ft Travel Trailer but was considering getting a 5th wheel Instead. Which is easier to tow and which is easier on the truck ? It would seem to me the 5th Wheel would be better but opinions ? I'm picking up a CCDRW Chevy with a 6.5TD so I could conceivably install a 5th wheel. %th Wheels seem to go cheaper than a comparable Travel Trailer. I always figured because anything can pull a Travel Trailer but need something big for a 5th Wheel. It seems to me anything over 26ft should probably be a 5th wheel. What do you guys say ?
 
Any would it make the truck work harder or easier ? was just thinking trying to picture.. Do the Dually fenders cause any clearence issues with a 5th wheel on turns ?
 
No clearance issues. 5th wheels tow easier in my experience, no sway like a bumper pull.
 
All those I've known say a 5th wheel tows much better and backs easier. Clearance CAN be an issue...some have damaged their trucks forgetting to adjust the slide back...also backing around or up a hill or drive can get dicey.

I happen to need the back of my truck for tools...hence the topper. Maybe someday when I grow up...

I have no issues at all with my 37' trailer and Duramax...damn near breaks the tires loose at 45 and tows like a dream. A good setup is everything.
 
Yeah now is the time to sell. I may put mine up for sale. Lot's of 5th wheels cheap around here. BTW Never seen the hitch up close. Does it just bolt to the bed or does it bolt through the bed to the frame ? How hard is the 5th wheel hitch to install ?
 
5th wheel. Hitch bolts through to the frame. Get a dual-pivot hitch if you can... I like the ones with the rails running front-back so the hitch slides in.

Shouldn't damage your cab ever unless you have a short-box and forget to slide it back, or get really dumb when backing up... I could turn more than 90* under mine without coming close to touching.
 
no problem. Never, ever, EVER seen one hit.

Measure radius from the pin to the front of the trailer box - where the tanks go - and then sxribe a circle around from the hitch. It won't come close to anything.

You have a lot more probability of jacknifing a bumper-pull into something.
 
The Travel Trailer doesn't have much of a turning radius either when the Weight Dist is hooked up. I'm really liking the thought of a nice 5th wheel behind my soon to be Dually...:D
 
With both types, you just have to be careful where you are trying to get backed into... 5'ers (especially long ones) take a little room to swing around, just like a bumper-pull. The distance between the articular point and the axles is the factor to watch, not from the bumper to the axles.
 
spend the money and get a B&W gooseneck hitch....and the companion 5th wheel hitch...thats what I have and love it....that way you can still tow a gooseneck equipment trailer should you ever get one....and when you are not towing your bed is void of any type of hitch rails so you can use it to haul things in the truck bed
 
JiFaire said:
With both types, you just have to be careful where you are trying to get backed into... 5'ers (especially long ones) take a little room to swing around, just like a bumper-pull. The distance between the articular point and the axles is the factor to watch, not from the bumper to the axles.
Click to expand...

Drove a Lowbed in NYC with oversize equipment for years...No prob...:thumbsup:
 
Acesneights1 said:
Drove a Lowbed in NYC with oversize equipment for years...No prob...:thumbsup:
Click to expand...

Yeah, I figured you knew... so then the only thing to watch is axle placement, and you already figured on that.

Have fun with your truck and trailer!
 
5ers are easier to tow but if I do it again I will get a bumper hitch so I can have a choice of using the Suburban or Truck but I would prefer a Coach; diesel pusher class A
 
I had a 27ft Fleetwood TT and now have a 32Ft Outback TT. Never had any problems with either one. The smaller trailer was pulled mostly with 1/2 ton trucks with a simple weight distributing hitch with a friction sway control, the Outback has a Reese dual cam setup. My 16 Y/o son drove it on I-75 in southern GA last December for about 100 miles and at the time only had his learners permit. Maybe its just good genetics for us that we have mad skills ? ):h
 
I had a 30' jayco fifth wheel and loved it. I then went to a 28' cougar fifth wheel because I got a good deal on it and it was newer. I put a hitch on the back of it and tripple tow with it. The fifth wheel you won't feel the sway at all. I have talked to alot of guys with tt's and they say with a side wind that they get sway. I would get the fifth wheel if I were you.
 
I have a towing question for those of you that already tow a 5th wheel.

Is the turning arc for a 5th going to be the same, or close to the same, as a similar size bumper pull IF the hitch pivot point to axle distance is close to the same? The reason for my question is this. I live on a narrow country road and have a narrow driveway to pull into. The driveway has a fence on each side (not mine) so I have no chance of fudging my turn. My current bumper pull is 29' and with a wide swing I make it with inches to spare. I do not like the trailer and would like to eventually replace it with a shorter one. I'm seeing a lot of same length to slightly shorter length 5's on CL for reasonable prices.

Don
 
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