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Old 09-04-2021, 10:09 PM   #1
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5th Wheel vs Travel Trailer for dispersed camping

As mentioned in. another thread, I put a deposit on a 250RKS. But, I am having second thoughts. Not about the brand... just the model.

Part of the issue is that when we are in FL, the 250RKS can not be used in the resort that we live in. That is not a huge deal because we have the Motorhome... but if something happens to the MH, it would be nice to have the 5th wheel to fall back on. In addition, if family comes to visit, we can put them up in our resort.

We really like the floorplan of the F27MKS Mid-Profile – Titanium Series 5th wheel. It is 32' long from pin box to ladder. The 250RKS is 31' 2" from hitch to back of the ladder. So, not a huge difference.

Because we plan to do some camping in state parks and dispersed camping, I really wanted to stay at 30'. Both are a bit over.

Is the 5th wheel too big to take up a mountain road? Are we limiting ourselves?

-B
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Old 09-05-2021, 09:58 AM   #2
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With a 2500 pound dry weight difference, getting up on high elevation, 7-9% grades will be appreciably better with the Blackstone TT over the Glacier 5th's 9875#...
Then when you load up the Glacier to its max carrying weight of 3120#(including fresh water, black water and grey water... then your stuff...)
That 2500 pound difference from the TT will really show up on a mountain pass...

If you're going to haul with your Class A, weight of the Glacier will put you really close to your max tow capacity, as well... (plus it will be a little awkward to hook up... Unless you have a goose neck...)
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Old 09-05-2021, 06:18 PM   #3
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With a 2500 pound dry weight difference, getting up on high elevation, 7-9% grades will be appreciably better with the Blackstone TT over the Glacier 5th's 9875#...
Then when you load up the Glacier to its max carrying weight of 3120#(including fresh water, black water and grey water... then your stuff...)
That 2500 pound difference from the TT will really show up on a mountain pass...

If you're going to haul with your Class A, weight of the Glacier will put you really close to your max tow capacity, as well... (plus it will be a little awkward to hook up... Unless you have a goose neck...)
I should have mentioned that I will be towing the 5th wheel with a new F450 dually with a 6.7 diesel. Towing weight (on the highways) is not going to be a problem.

-B
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Old 09-05-2021, 07:21 PM   #4
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I should have mentioned that I will be towing the 5th wheel with a new F450 dually with a 6.7 diesel. Towing weight (on the highways) is not going to be a problem.

-B
I should have added that I am looking into an RV hauler bed for the F450. I am not sure that a regular pickup bed would provide the clearance needed for mountain roads.

-B
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Old 09-05-2021, 08:26 PM   #5
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Our GP is 33 ft pin to bumper. Never have had a issue with it’s length at any RV park.

But I do a lot of research if visiting a site I’m not familiar with. Don’t forget you can usually back further to gain some space.

In your shoes I would reconsider the trav trailer for the fifth wheel. Long bed pickup is best.
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Old 09-05-2021, 10:07 PM   #6
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Our GP is 33 ft pin to bumper. Never have had a issue with it’s length at any RV park.

But I do a lot of research if visiting a site I’m not familiar with. Don’t forget you can usually back further to gain some space.

In your shoes I would reconsider the trav trailer for the fifth wheel. Long bed pickup is best.
Are you suggesting that I get a travel trailer and NOT a 5th wheel?

I am mostly concerned with BLM and State parks.

I'm in Moab this weekend and have visited a lot of state parks. There are plenty of 5th wheels in the state parks around here.

I spoke to a couple that has a 36' 5th wheel. He takes it up mountain roads to state parks. He said a 32' 5th wheel would be great.

B
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Old 09-06-2021, 08:08 AM   #7
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Quote:
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Are you suggesting that I get a travel trailer and NOT a 5th wheel?

I am mostly concerned with BLM and State parks.

I'm in Moab this weekend and have visited a lot of state parks. There are plenty of 5th wheels in the state parks around here.

I spoke to a couple that has a 36' 5th wheel. He takes it up mountain roads to state parks. He said a 32' 5th wheel would be great.

B
Get a fifth wheel if you have a good tow vehicle. I go up two lane mountain roads (paved) all the time.
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Old 09-06-2021, 08:57 AM   #8
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Hands down the 5th wheel. Better handling, storage and it's actually shorter overall when hitched so you can squeeze into shorter spots if needed and not unhitch if needed.
Obviously you're not talking about dirt road back woods driving if you're using a DRW truck. On normal roads the 5th wheel will be a joy to tow.
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Old 09-06-2021, 09:46 AM   #9
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If you want to take your Harley with you (or carry a SXS for off road excursions) then you may want to stick with a bumper tow trailer. Otherwise, yes, a 5th wheel of similar length will maneuver into tight spots easier than a bumper tow.
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Old 09-06-2021, 06:19 PM   #10
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Depending on where you camp, my concern for you would be the overall height of the 5'r vs. the TT. I have seen some really tall fifth wheels.

Safe travels.
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Old 09-06-2021, 10:30 PM   #11
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Hands down the 5th wheel. Better handling, storage and it's actually shorter overall when hitched so you can squeeze into shorter spots if needed and not unhitch if needed.
Obviously you're not talking about dirt road back woods driving if you're using a DRW truck. On normal roads the 5th wheel will be a joy to tow.
I am talking about backwoods roads. The roads may NOT be paved or well maintained. I spoke to a couple of folks while I was in MOAB this weekend. As many here said, good roads.... go with the 5th wheel. Bad roads, uneven roads, rutted roads, go with the TT. They all pointed out that you have to be careful with their 5th wheel hitting their bed rails anytime that the truck and trailer are on different planes. For that reason, I am back to the 250RKS.

-B
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Old 09-07-2021, 09:25 AM   #12
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I am talking about backwoods roads. The roads may NOT be paved or well maintained. I spoke to a couple of folks while I was in MOAB this weekend. As many here said, good roads.... go with the 5th wheel. Bad roads, uneven roads, rutted roads, go with the TT. They all pointed out that you have to be careful with their 5th wheel hitting their bed rails anytime that the truck and trailer are on different planes. For that reason, I am back to the 250RKS.

-B
Makes sense. I wasn't sure exactly what type of off roading you had in mind.
TT definitely has better articulation that a 5th wheel.
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Old 09-07-2021, 10:00 AM   #13
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Makes sense. I wasn't sure exactly what type of off roading you had in mind.
TT definitely has better articulation that a 5th wheel.
For sure.
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Old 09-07-2021, 11:42 AM   #14
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Quote:
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I am talking about backwoods roads. The roads may NOT be paved or well maintained. I spoke to a couple of folks while I was in MOAB this weekend. As many here said, good roads.... go with the 5th wheel. Bad roads, uneven roads, rutted roads, go with the TT. They all pointed out that you have to be careful with their 5th wheel hitting their bed rails anytime that the truck and trailer are on different planes. For that reason, I am back to the 250RKS.

-B
Off road the bed rails is an issue for 5th while the departure angle is an issue for bumper pulls.

I've been into many places that I've dragged the receiver when crossing drainage cuts in a road so I couldn't take a bumper where I've taken our 5th.

Ground clearance on the front jacks on our trailer is 20" and our bed rail clearance is 7".

A bumper pull doesn't allow the truck trailer to turn 90 degrees which you need to turn around in tight areas.

A bumper pull takes the weight off the front wheels so there is less traction.
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