Fifth Wheel versus Travel Trailer

[Stircrazy]

wow, can't believe the issues people are having with their 5th wheels, I have a crew cab and no cameras for backing up, yes I had to take the middle head rest out to get a good view, but that's what I have a good view when backing up. I am only 5 foot 10 and I can pull the handle no issues from the ground on my hitch. but even if I couldn't a little step stool like you usually keep in the rv would work wonders, also different hitches have different handles, but most are removable and can be replaced with a different length or shape.

for people with Anderson hitches, be clear they are not a normal 5th wheel hitch, they are more related to a gooseneck adaptor and hence it is why you need safety chains a proper 5th wheel hitch doesn't need safety chains.

a 5th wheel does tow way better than a travel trailer and it is 100% related to where on the vehicle it connects. a travel trailer connects behind the rear tires which acts as a pivot arm and any resistance from the trailer is transferred in an exaggerated manor to the truck with an increased moment arm so when turning on a corner the travel trailer will try to keep going strait and the trucks traction pulls it around the corner.. you want to see the extreme case of this, start breaking on a downhill sweeping corner that is covered with ice. there is a good chance the trailer is going to cause the truck to slide in the rear end and jack knife. a 5th wheel that moment arm acts at or ahead of the rear tires so it doesn't act like a leaver multiplying the force. you will probably still spin out but it will take a lot more before you lose traction. plus it isn't making your front end lighter. yes this is extreme case but we could easily come across a similar situation on a old dirt road when it is raining, or a gravel road..

as for tracking yes there are differences, the 5th wheel will actually track a little tighter than a travel trailer as the pivot point is at the rear tires not behind the bumper. so I can turn my 40 foot 5th wheel around in a tighter radius than I used to be able to turn my 28 foot bumper tow around. This also means you have to watch you leave enough room on the side your turning to or you'll run over the curb a time or two. backing I find the 5th wheel is initially a little slower to respond, but ones it starts it can be spun much faster because of the ability to jack knife it with out damaging anything. I have been able to get my 5th wheel into spots I wouldn't even have tried to get my travel trailer into, but yes that does take a little bit to get used to how it turns and how to use it to your advantage.

just driving down a highway, the 5th wheel doesn't bounce or get pushed around by wind as bad as a travel trailer, so all in all I would say yes it tows much better, and I would never go back to a travel trailer.

 

[1hammer2]

Thanks for all the feedback! Now that I understand how to use the weight figures to calculate what I need to know, we have decided we will probably look at a few 5th wheels in the 7,800-8,500 range.

I also looked at going to a 2500HD but it would only gain us 200-250 cargo capacity compared to our current vehicle.

Thanks again, will let you know how it turns out!

 

[NH_Bulldog]

Thanks for all the feedback! Now that I understand how to use the weight figures to calculate what I need to know, we have decided we will probably look at a few 5th wheels in the 7,800-8,500 range.

I also looked at going to a 2500HD but it would only gain us 200-250 cargo capacity compared to our current vehicle.

Thanks again, will let you know how it turns out!

I am not sure how GM markets their trucks, but since said you currently have a Sierra 2500 (gas) when you say that you are looking at a 2500HD, I am guessing you are referring to diesel? For what it's worth, the term HD is typically used to refer to a 3/4 ton (2500) or 1 ton (3500) truck, so HD would apply to both gas and diesel.

Anyway, the reason for the small difference in cargo capacity between a 2500 gas and a 2500 diesel is because the diesel engine weighs so much. If you are looking into a truck upgrade, I would strongly suggest going to a 1 ton (3500) model. The extra cost is minimal, but you gain a lot of "headroom" on your cargo capacity. My brother has a GMC Sierra 3500HD (gas) and has around 4,000 lbs. of cargo capacity

 

[1hammer2]

I am not sure how GM markets their trucks, but since said you currently have a Sierra 2500 (gas) when you say that you are looking at a 2500HD, I am guessing you are referring to diesel? For what it's worth, the term HD is typically used to refer to a 3/4 ton (2500) or 1 ton (3500) truck, so HD would apply to both gas and diesel.

Anyway, the reason for the small difference in cargo capacity between a 2500 gas and a 2500 diesel is because the diesel engine weighs so much. If you are looking into a truck upgrade, I would strongly suggest going to a 1 ton (3500) model. The extra cost is minimal, but you gain a lot of "headroom" on your cargo capacity. My brother has a GMC Sierra 3500HD (gas) and has around 4,000 lbs. of cargo capacity

Yes, I was looking at the 2500HD diesel with max towing package. Our current vehicle does not have the max towing and no fifth wheel prep. I guess that’s a whole other thing to research.

If we’re not happy with what we’ve looked at online after seeing it in person we might consider the 3500. Thanks for the input.

 

[JRTJH]

Yes, I was looking at the 2500HD diesel with max towing package. Our current vehicle does not have the max towing and no fifth wheel prep. I guess that’s a whole other thing to research.

If we’re not happy with what we’ve looked at online after seeing it in person we might consider the 3500. Thanks for the input.

GM did some really shocking weight adjustments in their GVWR ratings in the past couple of years. There is one member here who has a 2500 with the same GVWR and same payload as a similar 3500 truck. Yes, you read that correctly. GM produced last year (2024) with the same GVWR and payload ratings on both a 2500HD and a 3500HD. We were discussing in a thread on the forum, about how his 2500 would limit the ability to tow the trailer he was looking to buy and that he'd need to upgrade to a SRW 3500 . When he posted the weight placard for his truck, it was in the "one ton ratings" not in the "3/4 ton ratings"...

So, look carefully at your truck placard and if you need to get a "bigger" tow vehicle, you may find another of those "unicorns that GM built last year".... In other words, with some of the "magic GM did" you may be able to find a 3500 in 2500 skin.....

 

[chuckster57]

I’ve had a fiver since 1989, and 2 different trucks. Wouldn’t think about a bumper pull. First was an extended cab long bed. Current is crew cab, long bed Dually. No issues backing into spaces just have to anticipate your moves. Yes I may get out and look once or twice but it’s not a problem for me, others get dependent on the camera monitor and then wonder why the truck ran into something while backing in….JMHO, YMMV.

 

[1hammer2]

After looking at several brands and models we decided to go with the Cougar 23MLE, which is well within our truck’s ability. I wish we had done this before we spent 8 days in Colorado Springs last week, but that trip is what made us decide we really needed more storage space.

We may eventually decide to go with a bigger truck and fifth wheel, but I’m happy with our compromise for safety reasons for now.

Thanks again for the advice!

 

[Cajun Couple]

Wife and I went the other way around. We had 2 fifth wheels before downsizing to a Cougar 25RDS travel trailer. I miss the auto leveling...larger tanks and not having to crawl on the ground to reach the dump valves. The fifth wheels tow much better especially with a dually as the tow vehicle. For taking short trips and bringing maybe one grandson our camper is big enough except for no slide in the bedroom that has a king size bed. Using a F250 diesel so mileage is in the mid 11's compared to mid 9's with the taller 5th wheels. Years ago my Dad had a 23ft Class C Mini Jimmy motorhome late 70's model with a generator. Took that thing all over the South even with no slide out on it!!

 

[David Greenwell]

My husband and I have been camping in travel trailers for the last 25 years, starting with a 19’ Surveyor pulled with a Nissan Frontier. From there we went to a 24’ pulled with an F150 Ecoboost, and now have a 30’ Bullet Premier pulled with a GMC Sierra 2500 (gas engine).

We are now considering a small 5th wheel. My husband is in his late 70s but very fit and active. Even so, he’s not as strong as he used to be and it seems a 5th wheel might be easier for hooking up and setting up camp.

Two questions:
1. For those that moved up to a 5th wheel, do you find it easier to tow, hookup, and back up?

2. We have narrowed our search down to two possibilities, one is 33 feet and 9,515 pounds. The other is 34 feet and 11,697 pounds. I’m a little confused on if our truck can easily handle either one. Attached is a pic of the weight sticker.

Thanks for any advice!

Definitely prefer a fifth wheel as it is extremely easy to hitch and rides much better than a bumper pulled trailer. No sway even when the big rigs blow by you on the interstate.

I have a GMC 2500HD diesel and pull a Keystone Cougar 28RKS with no issues. It is a 10,000 lbs gross loaded rig.

 

[johnmyster]

No idea about the weight of my 28' 7" fifth wheel. Probably 8000-8500 loaded. I pull with a one ton and I kinda miss a bumper pull. I use an Andersen Ultimate (steel) hitch and hate climbing up into the bed after hookup or unhooking to connect the tow chains

My trick with the andersen was to hook the shackle end of the chains to the chain points in the bed of the truck and let them live there. (We had a B&W with the spring loaded chain points.) You can store the hooks on the flattened ends of the andersen's beams. Hitching and unhitching, I could reach in over the side of the bed, grab the hook, and clip to the rings on the side of the hitch adapter. Not once did I slide into the bed when we had our FW.

For the OP - we "downgraded" from FW to TT. Our TT rides smoother than the FW did, absent of the fore-aft motion that the FW setup had. Lighter weight FWs will tend to have flex in the upper deck which sets up an additional ride dynamic. I also don't miss the low ceiling height in the bedroom (which was specific to our lightweight FW class) and constantly going up/down stairs to the bed/bath. I do miss the shorter overall length of the rig when towing.

 

[Oilfan97]

I went from an old 5th wheel (and old truck), to a newer bumper pull (then new truck).

As others are saying, 5th wheel pulls better, no question.

With my old truck (2006) and 5th wheel, I could easily see the hitch in the bed and it was a breeze to hook up by myself. When I switched to the bumper pull, I needed a second person every time. Even on the new truck, with a backup camera, it's a two person job (still learning).

Another thing to consider, is the length / wheel base / bed size of your truck. I'm not up to date on the modern 5th wheels, but if your truck has a standard size bed, there may be clearance issues with the cab and trailer body. Plenty of people have dented the cab or shattered the rear window with a tight turn. They do make sliding hitches, some automatic, but they are typically heavier and more expensive which might be an issue.

As for towing a bumper pull, I've found that a longer wheel base makes a significant difference. I've towed my 27' trailer with three different trucks. One was a diesel super cab regular box (short truck) and the others were crew cab long box (gas). The diesel had power to spare, but the sway & stability was noticeably worse with the short truck.

 

[hondapro]

Our fifth wheel tows much better than our previous travel trailer, in my opinion it is easier to hitch up. It does back up differently but once you get the hang of it is no problem. And we like the space inside the unit better, we will not go back to a travel trailer