Why buy a bumper pull vs fifth wheel?

[JimInAlabama]

Hey y'all, it's me again with another rookie question!!

You guys have tutored me back to reality, we started out looking at older motorhomes, then looked at big fifth wheels, both of which are not right for us. So now we're shopping for a smaller camper in the 28-32 foot, 10,000 pound range to be pulled with our F250.

I'm surprised at how many fifth wheels are available in that size range and wondering if I'm missing something? Other than the hitch costing more and taking up bed space, if price, size, and amenities are about the same are there other reasons why anybody would prefer a TT over a fifth wheel?

[George Schweikle]

Coming from a motorhome owner, so maybe not a valid comment; one thing that comes to mind is height. Some of the 5th wheel trailers that I see on the road seem really tall so at some point might have bridge/underpass clearance problems or be more susceptible to side winds.

Absolutely not trying to start a flame war and no offense to 5th wheel owners who will surely join in with real world experience.

Originally Posted by JimInAlabama

Hey y'all, it's me again with another rookie question!!

You guys have tutored me back to reality, we started out looking at older motorhomes, then looked at big fifth wheels, both of which are not right for us. So now we're shopping for a smaller camper in the 28-32 foot, 10,000 pound range to be pulled with our F250.

I'm surprised at how many fifth wheels are available in that size range and wondering if I'm missing something? Other than the hitch costing more and taking up bed space, if price, size, and amenities are about the same are there other reasons why anybody would prefer a TT over a fifth wheel?

[Southboun]

I think height may be a problem in some eastern cities, but, having trucked eastern, Midwestern and western states and provinces, all 5th wheels are below the 13'4" clearance, that I know of. I've trucked, of course pulling with a kingpin and 5th Wheel hitch and like the manueverabilty of the 5er. The TT is not connected to your truck bed and is also a limited turn with the equalizer hitch. My opinion only...hands down 5er over TT, but totally personal choice.

Cheers
Keith

[4x4ord]

Bumper pull trailers have many advantages:
They tend to be lighter not as tall and cheaper on fuel to pull
Many are cheaper than similar length fifth wheels
They allow you to use the space in the back of your truck to haul stuff or motorcycles etc (so long as you have a truck with the weight carrying capacity to accommodate both hitch weight and "stuff").

The advantages of the fifth wheel are that many of the higher quality rvs are fifth wheels
fifth wheels have a heavier pin/hitch weight and they tow much nicer than tag trailers.

A good anti-sway weight distributing hitch for a tag trailer is probably going to cost similar to a decent fiver hitch.

[Lantley]

The biggest reason to get a TT vs. a 5th wheel.
1. No interior steps TT has a level floor throughout the entire unit.
2. Empty truck bed while camping. Ability to bring golf cart or or other bulky items in
truck bed.
3. Ability to put a cap or toolboxes on truck.
4.Lower height vs. a fiver TT is able to get under low clearances.
5. In general TT's are smaller and lighter which means they can be towed with a
smaller truck.
6. TT can be towed with a SUV or other vehicle. Thet do not have to be towed with pick up

[NLOVNIT]

That pretty much sums it up.

[Parafango]

I've had 3 5th wheels and 2 TT.
The first 5th wheel was about 27' (Sunnybrook) And we used it for about 4 seasons and concluded the floor plan was terrible. It had a Very open bathroom you had to go through to get to the bedroom, which meant no privacy in the bathroom.
We bought a 2008 Arctic Fox 24-5L and used it for about 6 season and decided that we were done not being able to stand up next to the bed.
I convinced my wife to get a Arctic Fox 25W TT which worked really well for our life style. I notice a little more sway initially, but changed the tire range from D to E and added wet bolt shackles and the sway went away. We towed that from Idaho to Key West and then to Acadia NP in Maine the next year. Very smooth, no issues.
The most recent rig is a 29' 2020 Arctic Fox 27-5L and it is also a dream to tow, but about 1500 heavier, just the trailer. Yes it's 2 feet taller than the TT so now I'm extra vigilant about trees and other overheads. Unfortunately, adding a vent cover over the bedroom vent, has put us at 13'6"...
I don't really notice a difference in fuel mileage, it's still between 9 and 11 MPG depending on headwind.
Good luck with your search!

[TravelSolo]

5th wheels have more exterior storage, more weight on the tow vehicle, shorter interior height in upper deck (unless larger full profile 5er), but many allow double towing, tows easier, turns easier and is more stable.

TTs are lighter on the tow vehicle, have consistent and taller interior height where upper deck would be, flat floor, less exterior storage, generally can't double tow, less stable (only slightly less if WDH setup right and trailer properly loaded) when it comes to both sway and bounce, but have an empty truck bed yet can be more complicated to hitch up, fewer have auto level. Can be easily towed by most others in an emergency.

[Parafango]

Originally Posted by Parafango

I've had 3 5th wheels and 2 TT.
The first 5th wheel was about 27' (Sunnybrook) And we used it for about 4 seasons and concluded the floor plan was terrible. It had a Very open bathroom you had to go through to get to the bedroom, which meant no privacy in the bathroom.
We bought a 2008 Arctic Fox 24-5L and used it for about 6 season and decided that we were done not being able to stand up next to the bed.
I convinced my wife to get a Arctic Fox 25W TT which worked really well for our life style. I notice a little more sway initially, but changed the tire range from D to E and added wet bolt shackles and the sway went away. We towed that from Idaho to Key West and then to Acadia NP in Maine the next year. Very smooth, no issues.
The most recent rig is a 29' 2020 Arctic Fox 27-5L and it is also a dream to tow, but about 1500 heavier, just the trailer. Yes it's 2 feet taller than the TT so now I'm extra vigilant about trees and other overheads. Unfortunately, adding a vent cover over the bedroom vent, has put us at 13'6"...
I don't really notice a difference in fuel mileage, it's still between 9 and 11 MPG depending on headwind.
Good luck with your search!

The real big difference for me was the amount of time I consumed hooking up the travel trailer and setting it up at the campsite. The 5th wheel has a auto level system which includes auto set up to reconnect to the truck! Set up at the campsite seems to be Much faster than with the TT.

[Sam 3]

Have owned two pop ups prior. DH tows it with a F250 Super Duty Crew cab. The truck has a cap on it. Plenty of room in the bed for spare tires,Dump tote.tools and sometimes fire wood. My mobility scooter and ramps fit in the truck bed and drinking water. You have to look in the mirrors to make sure the HiLo is still there. Plenty of outside and inside storage. Three adults.Our daughter with Autism sleeps on the dinette bed. We use flip flops to shower at the campground. The shower is small. This is the second HiLo we have owned. No sway when towing. We average 10MPgallon. The awning is 18ft and serves us well while at the picnic table. Many drawers and wardrobe for hanging clothes. Six extra cupboards above the queen bed, Not all cupboards are full.

[xc-mark]

the closer you get to the weight ratings on the truck/trailer your going to notice stabilty issues. Every RV is close or over to its GVW rating once its loaded to travel. 5th wheel you can travel beside semi trucks for hours and not think about being pushed around. Cross winds and 32' travel even with a 1 ton single wheel truck with a good sway control hitch can be a hand full with cross winds and Semis passing. Storage outside with 5th wheels are much better (you will be surprised at how fast you can fill that basement with grills, chairs, propane and stuff.

[JimInAlabama]

Thanks for all the replies. Sometimes my OCD kicks in and causes me to think a decision to death.

[traveldawg]

my 2 cents..... having owned a few of each (TTs, 5th, & class A gas & pusher).

Nothing is more stable on a road than a 5th wheel. TTs get pushed all over in the wind and when passed or passing a big rig. Even large Class A's get pushed - you even use to see one brand that had steering that self centered itself because of having to "crab' the wheel/tires in steady wind.

Other than that foot for foot a 5th wheel acts shorter than a TT as a good amount is over the truck bed.

If going short distances or staying in one place a long time then a TT is fine. There are even hitches that remove most of the sway.

As for height, not all 5th wheels are tall. And, in case some haven't noticed, class a's have reach the same heights as drop frame, full profile 5th wheels. But it isn't an issue as trucks are just as tall and most roads accommodate them. Campgrounds and trees - that's a whole 'nother topic.

Sounds like the OP is caught in 'analysis paraalasis'. Tough spot to be in. But he is looking in the right place with a 250 and trying to stay under 32' and 10k. Plenty of those around.

My choice - 5th wheel. Best tow experience, storage, variety of floor plans.

[Cumminsfan]

I've had both. I now have a TT. Main reason was bang for buck. 5th wheels generally cost more. Towing wise the 5er wins hands down. It was much easier to hitch and unhitch. No dialing in sway bars or dealing with a greasy (Sometimes) WDH after unhitching.
Only issue is if you use your truck for other things when not towing then you need to remove the 5th hitch, which depending on model can be easy or difficult.

A 5th wheel stores more stuff in the front cargo bays. When we had our 5er I had almost all of our camping gear stored in the front cargo bays. It stayed there after we got home until the next trip. Now with the TT I have to unload that same stuff every time.
Interior wise there's usually more storage as well. Yeah there's steps inside but IMO thats no big deal. If you have trouble with those inside steps then you'll have trouble with the outside steps too.

You get more usable room inside with a 5th wheel foot per foot.

And a big bonus that no one mentions is the ability to walk between the 5er and truck when hitched. How many times do you have to walk around the truck or trailer to get to the other side when hitched? Anytime you're setting up you have to walk around the truck to get to the other side when still hitched. Not a big deal but many times an inconvenience.

You can also throw something on the rear of the 5er without it interfering with TT sway issues. Speaking of sway issues, there's almost zero sway concerns with a 5er. It's a much more relaxed towing experience. At least it was for me.

Needless to say I have regrets about buying our TT after owning a 5er.