5th wheel to a TT to get the storage space in the truck?

[oldryder1]

We are camping more and longer as we are both retired now. Present rig is a 30' 5th wheel pulled by an F250 crew with Godzilla motor 6.5' bed. We don't consider a 8' box an option as its already hard to find parking when we go places with the current truck.

We are always short of storage space (admittedly I'm something of a pack rat). IMHO Max for my truck is about 14000 GVW. For a given length TT are much lighter.

One option we are considering is going to a TT which gives us all the space in the truck bed. with a 34' TT which we are considering the total rig would be a LOT longer than current and considerably less maneuverable. I believe the stability of the longer TT wouldn't be a problem with my F250 and on windy days I'd just drive slower. I could be wrong about the stability.

I'm not worried about parking but am concerned about maneuvering a much longer rig thru gas stations.

looking for advice or comments from folks that have been there done that.

 

[Derby6]

Sway will be an issue. Like you said especially in wind.
I don’t think gas stations much of concern. Some will be an issue but you should see that before your in there.
Also keep in mind if your putting heavy stuff in bed that adds to things. May want/need airbags.

 

[Kirk]

That length is from the coupler to the back bumper. As a rule of thumb for comfortable towing, for the first 110" of wheelbase, allow 20' of trailer. For each additional 4" of wheelbase, this gets you 1' more of trailer length.

 

[rvlifer]

Every rv has plusses and minuses. Consider what you would be giving up that you currently have in the 5th wheel. For storage space it is hard to beat a class a.

We chose to travel in 2 vehicles with an extra small trailer to gain storage space rather than give up the interior space and comfort we get in our 5th wheel

 

[oldryder1]

Thx. we never considered 2 vehicles and for long stays it's an easy option.

 

[Lou Schneider]

A conventional trailer will offtrack less than a 5th wheel so maneuvering into tight spaces like campgrounds and gas stations may not be as much trouble as you think. With the conventional hitch pivot several feet behind the rear axle, the overhang moves the hitch ball towards the outside of a turn, offsetting some of the trailer's longer wheelbase. 5th wheel trailers don't do this since the hitch point is directly over the rear axle.

 

[rvlifer]

Thx. we never considered 2 vehicles and for long stays it's an easy option.

I think my post came across a lot stronger than i intended. Not trying to convince you to stay with the 5th wheel. 2 vehicles was a good solution for us but it came with a big downside. You will always need 2 drivers to move so if one isnt feeling well it can impact plans more.

When my wife had her stroke my son flew from pa to phoenix to help me get back home cause my wife wasnt able to drive.

Lots of options out there so the good news is that you will certainly be able to find a solution. The downside is that compromise thing that seems to be everywhere concerning rvs

 

[Laura & Charles]

Storage space in the truck bed notwithstanding, isn’t storage space in a TT generally less than a 5th wheel? (I have zero experience with either, so pardon the question if it’s obtuse.)

 

[rvlifer]

Storage space in the truck bed notwithstanding, isn’t storage space in a TT generally less than a 5th wheel? (I have zero experience with either, so pardon the question if it’s obtuse.)

My tts had more exterior storage space (usually not by a lot) but the 5th wheels had a lot more interior storage.

 

[Derby6]

My fiver has much more storage than my TT.

 

[Lou Schneider]

Many 5ers have several large storage bins including a large pass-through storage just behind where the exterior rises to clear the pickup bed. While a few pull trailers have some pass through storage they won't be anywhere near the size of the storage in a 5th wheel.

 

[IBTripping]

With that big of a trailer, you'll definitely should use a weight distribution even with an F250.

 

[TonyL]

We've had travel trailers and fifth wheels in the UK, both pulled with Nissan Frontier equivalents. Before we went to the fifth wheel, the storage space in the back of the truck especially with a truck top was cavernous. Remember that UK travel trailers only place about 165lb on the ball, so you can use the trucks payload as you want.
Basically, you pays your money and make your choice.

 

[No cats]

For us, a smaller trailer with a 4x4 CC pickup works the best. I can pack dirty stuff in the bed of the truck, firewood, gas cans and generator (I normally don't take my gen with me). Anything I can think of. Want a BBQ? no problem, I even took a portable fire pit to Quartzsite this January. With a camper shell (topper), I can cram an enormous amount of stuff back there. My trailer also has a pass through, so more room there. My shell has Yakima racks that can carry kayaks or other large items.

While not a jeep, my ram 4x4 has seen many off rod trails and explored many places most people will never see. Parking for my truck has never been a problem as we don't camp in cities.

Our style of camping is not for everyone, but it works for us.