5th wheel or trailer

[Washalaskan]

We are in the process of adding a smaller RV for our weekends (we live in a Montna 3580RL 5th wheel...we don't tow it) Dilemma: for a 26-28' rig, what will b e easier to pull, park, etc. We had a 22' Nash previously so that was no problem. Looking for some comments from those of you who pondered 5th wheel vs. trailer. Thanks

[hankaye]

Washalaskan, Howdy;

Had some of those thoughts cross my mind last Winter.
I'm thinkin' I might make a permanent 'home in N.M. and
it would be 'nice' to have one that I could take for week-long
or weekend 'camping' trips to explore the more remote areas
of that or neighoring States to slake my urge to fish... As it's
just me and Rascal. I was thinking along the lines of a smaller "5er".
The stability during towing is a major factor for me.

hankaye

[Washalaskan]

I think we'r talking the same language! Maneurverability! Thanks

[Festus2]

Washalaskan -
Since you already have a 5th wheel and a truck, you are familiar with the way it tows and parks. As hankaye has pointed out, a 5th wheel may be more stable when towing and not prone to as much sway as a TT. But a TT with the proper towing setup should be quite stable as well.
For some folks who have difficulty with stairs, a 5th wheel may not be the best option. They usually sit higher and they also have additional interior steps leading up to the main bedroom.
Having had experience with both, I prefer a 5th wheel over a TT but what works for me doesn't work for others.

[rhagfo]

I think a smaller 5er would be the way to go. I love the way the 5er tows and handles makes negotiating a parking lot easer.

[f6bits]

I’d totally go with a fiver if I was in your shoes. Higher ceilings and better basement storage.

[flc]

I'm one of the few that greatly prefer a TT over a fiver. Over the years I've owned several trailers and never had the least issue with towing or sway. I might add that I go the extra mile to get a TT/TV hitch perfect. I've mostly used Equal-i-zer on mine. I did go to a very nice big Everest fifth wheel for a couple of years and never felt any advantage over my TTs when towing. I had an excellent TV for it and must admit it was a great RV. What I didn't like was climb into and then again into the bedroom area and the fact that it used up the majority of my truck's bed. And did I mention the climb?

Being older and pretty arthritic really causes the climb to bother me some days and, as I said earlier, when properly tuned I never had an issue towing a TT. The shortest I've towed over the years has been a 21' and the longest a 35'. I think my current 28/29' model is about perfect for my wife and I considering where we like to camp.

[hankaye]

flc, Howdy;

Wonderin' when that fella at the bottom is gonna be done beatin' the air inta submission...

hankaye

[christopherglenn]

For the open road, or large campgrounds, 5er all the way. For twisty roads and dodging trees, TT. The 5er can turn sharper, the TT tends to follow in the TV's tracks better at low speeds.

[SAABDOCTOR]

I have towed with both. i only had a sway issue once it was about 50 mph side wind on a bridge. and if the other guy with the tt was there he would have swayed too. i prefer the 5er over all. the first time i backed up the 5er I look like an idiot but ive gotten better! but as far as getting into places i have had no issues. just remember with a short bed truck you most likely will need a sliding hitch.

[flc]

50 mph winds. I'm gonna be parked!

[JRTJH]

Originally Posted by flc

50 mph winds. I'm gonna be parked!

We just went to a family reunion in Ohio, then across Inidana, Illinois, Iowa and into Nebraska to visit friends in Nebraska City. Indiana wasn't too bad, but about half way across Iowa last Monday and Tuesday, we had "head on quartering" winds about 35MPH gusting to 50. Of course fuel mileage went down dramatically, but sway was almost non-existant. I did get tired of pointing the truck into the other lane, but the rig was significantly more stable than even our Airstream in the same situation.

We left Neb City prepared for more of the same, but haven't hit any more winds greater than 10MPH or so through Kansas, Missouri, Tennessee and now back in Illinois on the way home. 2 more days and we'll be back in the land of "cool" yesterday in Memphis it was 103 with a heat index of 112. Thank goodness for the solar scrren I made to cover the big back window. It was like a blast furnace before I dug it out and stuck it on the outside of the window.

I'm definitely a fan of how much more stable fifth wheels are than conventional travel trailers.