Switching from 5th Wheel to Travel Trailer: Maneuvering and Accessibility Concerns

[oldryder1]

We're older and increasingly unhappy with the high steps to access the bath and bedroom. 5th wheel is about 31' 10,000 gvw. Tow truck is F250 7.3L gas. much more than adequate for towing. rated tongue weight for the truck is about 2200 lbs.

Considering a TT. With amenities we want a typical TT is going to be close to the same 10,000 gvw and 34 to 38' long.

Looking for advice from others that have made the same transition. concerned about parking and gas station maneuvers with the longer trailer since I'll be accessing gas pumps.

thx to anyone taking the time to offer advice.

 

[Derby6]

I have both. Personally better backing the bumper pull.
MY BUMBER PULL 28’ and fiver 38’.
34-38’ trailer will be much longer. You have to add another 3-4 feet for hitch where you subtract that much with a fiver.
Definately doable but in side winds that big trailer will not tow as well could be a white knuckle drive.
Gas stations should be fine—just like you did with fiver beware before you enter.
It will rule out a few back in sites but again doable IMO.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

I don't think there is a lot of difference at the "big picture" level, but there are some details:

• TT is almost surely lower in overall height (a plus)
• TT is easier to back up - it responds very quickly to steering wheel input (another plus)
• TT swings wider moving forward, i.e. tends to follow the track of the tow vehicle, whereas the 5W cuts the corner somewhat. That can be pro or con, depending on the situation
• TT's tend to have somewhat less ground clearance (they are lower)
• TT's often have less external storage, but it's model specific
• Most people find the TT flat floor to be a plus.
• Lower entry step on the TT
• For a given usable interior size, the TT overall length is greater because of the A-frame front end
• The overall length under tow is longer for a TT (hitch is behind the tow vehicle - no overlap)

 

[DutchmenSport]

My "progression" went from a pop-up to a 24 foot (actual total length) travel trailer, to a 31 foot TT, to a 34 foot TT, to a 41 foot 5er.

The "overall" length of truck and trailer between the 34 foot TT and the 41 foot 5er was just about 1 foot. My truck is a long bed, crew cab diesel and measures about 23 feet by itself, resulting in wide turns. I also fuel up at auto gas stations and use auto diesel pumps. I avoid truck stops and truck lanes at all costs! I have never had issues maneuvering either trailer, but with both trailers, it takes some fore-thought how to navigate the logistics of the fuel station and to be completely confident of your own driving and towing and maneuvering skills.

(personally, I like the way the TT handles better than the 5er. But after 7 years with the 5er, I'm finally OK with it!) And if you have not figured it out ... actually ... the longer the trailer and the shorter the tow vehicle, the easier they are to back-up... fifth wheel or TT! Even though it's a fifth wheel, my 41 foot fifth wheel is much easier to back up than that 23 foot travel trailer.

 

[John From Detroit]

I will say this: One thing you should do with the TT And I think you won't need more than once or twice to figure it out. Using "Dunce caps" or something like in a big empty lot (Church/Mall) practice packing into a site.. I suspect you will "Adjust" very quickly no more than a few attempts.

Another fun fact... With the TT instead of a 5ER you can park a "Toy" (Golf car type toy or 4-wheeler) in the bed of the Truck (use ramps of course) for even more fun.

Or a "Cap" for more storage... or both