5th wheel compared to travel trailer

[meterguru]

I have always towed a fifth wheel since I started RVing 30 years ago, but I am having problems with my legs, and the steps are more difficult now than they used to be. My local RV dealer showed me a travel trailer toy hauler that would fit my needs, but I was wondering how much more work it is to hook up and unhook since getting down on my knees is difficult but can be done. Is maneuvering a travel trailer into a spot any more complex than a fifth wheel? Only because a 5th wheel can be brought around to almost 90 degrees when backing in. Is hooking up with the antisway bars that much work?

[Portsider]

As another 5ver guy, I don't have an answer for you, but they do make retrofit kits so you can sit or stand and be lifted into your current RV. It's gotta be cheaper than replacing your 5th wheel. I'm sure there's other options out there that could be retro-fits into your current 5th wheel. If you're looking to upgrade, there's RV manufacturers that make ADA trailers and motorhomes as well (no idea of the cost).

Here's a link to the standing lift, there's a couple of videos mixed in with the pictures: https://www.startrackslifts.com/standinglifts.html. Hope that helps.

[MFL]

You have had the ease of hookup to FWs for many years. I don't think you are going to like the weight and hassle of a WDH and bar hookup.

A TT is not hard to back, but getting into some spots, may be easier, after you remove the bars. If you get a small TT, you may not need a WDH, or sway control, if you have a HD truck?

[meterguru]

That would help with the large obstacle of the outside steps, but I still have to contend with the inside steps. I am looking for a new trailer since my wife passed away two years ago, and I can no longer ride my motorcycle. I am downsizing from my 45-foot toy hauler to something in the 30 to 35 Ft range. That why I have started asking to see what option others have found to deal with the challenges I am now dealing with, Plus I am on oxygen so I am attached to a machine or portable bottles. I am just trying to decide whether I can handle going it alone.

[Old Scout]

WOW--you are experiencing what many of us dedicated RVers will eventually go thru as we age. Clearly, you have all the skill sets from your current toy hauler to handle whatever you decide to do--but you may not have the physical capacity. My only thought is that as RVers, its really doesnt take a very large unit to accommodate our basic travel needs. Its nice to have lots of room and all the "bells and whistles," but how much do we really need. To me, a 30+ foot trailer would still be challenging for you. Depending on your financial situation, I would try to think outside the box and look at Class Bs or Cs or smaller trailers. Yup--smaller units will likely have some compromises, but they may allow you to stay on the road for a while longer. Good luck.

[DR60]

we bought a TT because I wanted the truck bed clear, and because I wanted a flat interior floor. without the wife I could be happy in a 21 to 25 ' TT. That size is a lot easier to move around.
The only bending and stooping I do is putting down the stabilizer jacks, and every couple days dumping the holding tanks. I use a battery drill to put out the jacks so only about one min each corner.

I would just like to add, Congrats! if downsizing keeps you out there doing what makes you happy, I say go for it! and enjoy the ride! DR

[NRR]

I know where you are at. I am there also. I have been the route of; TT, TT, class A, Class C, Class C and now class B.

My class B, see sig, has lower first steps all the way around it. That is why I bought it. I ain’t pretty getting in or out of it, but I can. I do not need to tow a car. But I can tow my Terrain if I need to. The Road Trek has all the basic stuff for one or two people (max).

Just a thought to consider.

[Marine359]

If traveling alone, ask yourself if you really need the “home-on-wheels” features of a fiver or even a large TT. Many folks like myself, traveling alone have gone through several downsizings. Personally, I went from MHs (with kids) to Class C, to small TT, and now to TC Topper. I’m in my seventies and have artificial hips and knees, diabetes and advanced heart disease. Government has deemed me 100% disabled. I needed simplicity. Hooking up and towing anything anymore became a non-starter for me. Now I can go places RVs can’t go, and when I camp, I just drop tailgate and ladder and get in. Maybe pop my top, sometimes not. My spouse can no longer travel. You’d be surprised about how comfortable you can be for long periods of time with no spouse aboard. A Class B, or TC, or built-out Topper can give you all the conveniences you want, all the appliances, and all the comfort for long trips with none of the hassle or effort of a towable, or a MH with toad. When you want to go somewhere other than your campsite, just raise the ladder/steps hop in and go. Of course, if you’re full-timing and staying in one place for long stretches, nothing beats a fiver.

[Stircrazy1]

I have had both, I would never go back to a travel trailer, the 5th is so much faster and easier to hook up and tows so much better.

I never got on my knees , well maybe knelt, if I was having an issue, but its a lot of in and out of the truck if you are hooking up by your self, some times with the wife guiding you also haha.. then like you know you have to crank the jack down, half the time you have to get back in the truck to pull ahead slightly to position the ball properly, then lock it, hook up the chains, then you have to install the torsion bars and tighten them up, that's where I usually was kneeling so I could get them up strait.

backing up, its different, you have to learn how that trailer moves in relation to the truck so when you start your turn, how much room you need to make the turn and stuff is all different. I can get my 40 foot 5th wheel in tighter spots than I was able to get my 30 foot trailer into, but it was easier to find a spot for the trailer as it was only 30 foot long..

towing and speed and ease of hook up are the advantages for me over the trailer.. the 5th is way more stable going down the highway, especially in cross winds, than my trailer was.

[Jay D.]

there's only a couple things i remotely dislike about my T/T. and never owning a 5 wheel i can't say anything about them. my weight dist. hitch, the head part that fits in the truck receiver is relitivly heavy and hard to handle. i have seen handles that fit to them making it easier to get a hold of and easier to handle, i'm going to make one. i usually don't pull the W/D head out until i get home. if we are day tripping i leave it in. the bars are really no problem. except one of mine won't release from the head like it should. the other drops right out when i pull the little spring tab out. other than this, i really like the travel trailer.
Jay D.

[meterguru]

If I can get enough strength in my legs, then I will stay with my 5er. TYYYhew lungs are the other issue, and for that reason, I will always need a good source of power so Solar will be great, but a generator is a must, and they fit into a 5er so conveniently. I have to agree for me there hook up and disconnect are easier with my 5er. So hooks for utilities will be the only other challenge. I think with the use of a walker, I may be ok.

[meterguru]

You just work with a truck cap and not even a slide in camper? I will be trying to full time it and travel with 2 dogs, need a little room.

[Stircrazy1]

Originally Posted by meterguru

I have always towed a fifth wheel since I started RVing 30 years ago, but I am having problems with my legs, and the steps are more difficult now than they used to be.

one thing I have never seen in a rv is a stair railing. I wonder if you could stay with a 5th wheel but go to a toy hauler to get the ramp in and out of the rv its self, but then install stair rails on both sides of the stairs going up to the bedroom. if you can do that most toy haulers will have a half bath in the garage area so the only time you would need to go up stairs is to go to bed for the night.