We are going to buy a toy hauler RV. Fifth wheel or travel trailer?

[kelvin1]

We are going to buy a toy hauler RV. Fifth wheel or travel trailer?
We are buying an RV to use for both weekend trips with our off-road toys, and on longer trips of up to a month. we will be purchasing a new diesel tow vehicle also, so we can go either way. While we have owned travel trailers we have never pulled a fifth wheel. Any pros or cons of one over the other (other than loss of truck bed with a fifth wheel)? Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. ,,,

[JRTJH]

You don't say anything about the tow vehicle you have or plan to use as a tow vehicle. Your choices of RV can be severely limited based on what pulls it.

[leonandlisa]

Not a lot of information to go on, but since you plan on staying up a month in the trailer I wouldn't think you are going to go 20' more like 30' or over.

My family went from a 21' bumper pull toyhauler to a 34' 5th wheel.

Bumper Pull
1. We had to dismantle trailer and put everything up and out of the way to pull our Polaris Ranger in, made for mid trip overnight stops a pain in the butt. The wife also didn't like bringing in a dirty rig into the living area as it did make a mess going down the road.

2. Fairly Easy to get in and around campgrounds, in boon docking areas didn't have to watch for bed rail clearance issues.

3. Wind made travel white knuckled, even with sway control, which I had the Reese Dual cam set up which worked awesome and made it much easier, when you would get gusts it still pushes you around.

5th wheel
1. we bought the smallest one we could find with a garage, separate living and garage has been very nice in both mid trip stops and having a nice staging or storage area while camping.

2. The extra length has made some campgrounds off limits, out in the open though it has not been a problem, so far the bed clearance has not been an issue. Setting up the truck and trailer for level towing can be challenging, it isn't just getting a drop hitch.

3. My first long tow with a 5th wheel was up to Wyoming and back which was about 2300 miles round trip. The comparison in towing is night and day, much more stable even with wind and when passed by big rigs. Turning which a 5th wheel and backing is very different with a bumper pull, once I get as much experience with the 5th wheel it will be the same, just a new learning curve.

We loved our bumper pull and love our 5th wheel, for our type of traveling the 5th wheel was more practical. It depends on how big of a trailer you need, how far you are traveling, and where you are setting it up for access reasons.

[kellydog98]

I think I can say it in one easy phrase. The 5th wheel is 'easy on, easy off.'

[therink]

I've owned two fifth wheels, and 5 tow behind trailers. Each has plusses and minuses but the fifth wheel wins hands down in my book. They are heavier and require a tow vehicle that can safely handle the 20 percent pin weight. For what you describe, a 1 ton SRW or DRW is in order (depending on the gvwr of the fiver you are seeking). Word of advice, don't go small on your truck if you plan some serious Towing.
Fifth wheels are a pleasure to tow and maneuver, very easy to hitch and have tons of storage.
I have had many white knuckle experiences Towing longer travel trailers, even with properly equipped tow vvehicles and hitches. For that alone I will stick with fifth wheels.
Good luck on your pursuit and let us know what you decide.

[Hoojs12840]

Having owned both. Get the 5th wheel. More storage, much easier to tow.

As for toy haulers themselves. I found the fuel stations not worth the hassle, but if you have a on board generator it may run off the fuel tank. 5thwheel toy haulers will make loading unloading as simple as loading on a utility flatbed trailer. Travel trailers and overhead bunks make for roll cage tear downs before loading. I found using a tarp under my toys made clean up simple.


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