Travel trailer vs 5t Wheel

[dvinciguerra]

Hello,

I apologize if this is covered somewhere in the forum, I did a bit of searching and couldn’t find it. I did post this in the welcome page, but thought it may be more appropriate here.

I am a former camper, looking to return back to it. I live on the east coast (eastern PA). About 22 years ago my wife and I bought a camper. For 10 years we camped pretty regularly. We took the kids up and down the east coast ( many vacations as well as weekend getaways). As happens the kids got older and we stopped camping and we rid of our camper.
well as we approach retirement we would like to start up again (albeit slightly differently).
we went to the RV show in Hershey this past weekend with some friends who are actively looking for a camper.
I was very surprised at the change in campers today vs what we had in our 2000 model (Obviously some things remained the same).
Upon my return I specifically searched out a forums page looking for a bit of advice. I had a travel trailer (31’ StarCraft w/a Slide). As I look to get back into I have been primarily focused on 5th wheel trailers. I was wondering if I could get some insight from folks on the differences between the two.
i would like to hear from people who have experience with both. Are 5th wheel trailers truly easier to tow? Is the loss of the bed impactful? Are there other less obvious factors that I should consider?

My intention is to use the camper as I ret to go on some longer vacations Where I can spen more time exploring areas and having more of a home base than a hotel could offer. It would primarily be my wife and I with occasionally bringing some guest, granddaughter mostly.
glad to be part of this forum and I am looking forward to learning from your advice.

 

[Lou Schneider]

Welcome to the RV Forum! 5th wheel trailers ARE inherently more stable and easier to tow than traditional trailers. You need a truck properly set up to handle the trailer's weight but the 5th wheel hitch point directly over the truck's rear axle means there's no leverage for the trailer to "wag the dog" and start swaying the way side forces can affect a traditional trailer. It's why a relatively short commercial tractor has no trouble towing a 53 ft. box trailer at highway speeds.

Having more of the trailer's weight on the towing vehicle also helps make a 5th wheel more stable. Usually 5th wheels have enough storage under the raised part of their floor plan to hold stuff usually carried in the truck bed.

For these reasons you'll usually find larger sizes and more substantial construction in 5th wheels vs. travel trailers where the overall weight and balance is more critical.

 

[Kirk]

5th wheel trailers ARE inherently easier to tow than traditional trailers.

This is true when you compare trailers of similar size and/or weight. For smaller trailers it isn't as big a difference but most larger trailers are fifth wheel designed for that reason. In addition, when comparing trailers of the same size, the fifth well will have more storage space which will minimize the loss of the truck bed.

 

[dvinciguerra]

Thank you Kirk and Lou for your replies.
Lou,
That is interesting about the extra storage compensating for the loss of truck space. I have never heard of that.
Kirk,
Any sense on trailer length before 5er vs to becomes an issue?


thanks again

 

[Laura & Charles]

What do you plan to tow it with? Do you own a tow vehicle or would buying one be part of the plan?

 

[Lou Schneider]

Thank you Kirk and Lou for your replies.
Lou,
That is interesting about the extra storage compensating for the loss of truck space. I have never heard of that.
Kirk,
Any sense on trailer length before 5er vs to becomes an issue?


thanks again

Usually the raised portion of a 5th wheel's floor plan extends several feet beyond where the frame lowers behind the truck bed. That extra space is dedicated to storage.

 

[dvinciguerra]

What do you plan to tow it with? Do you own a tow vehicle or would buying one be part of the plan?

Thanks Laura & Charles,

I own a F150 supercrew. It has the 6 cylinder Ecoboost. I do have the tow package but need to confirm my towing capabilities.

 

[dvinciguerra]

Usually the raised portion of a 5th wheel's floor plan extends several feet beyond where the frame lowers behind the truck bed. That extra space is dedicated to storage.

That’s very interesting, thanks.

 

[Tulecreeper]

Thanks Laura & Charles,

I own a F150 supercrew. It has the 6 cylinder Ecoboost. I do have the tow package but need to confirm my towing capabilities.

What year is your Ford?

 

[dvinciguerra]

2018

 

[dvinciguerra]

According to my book my GCWR is around 12,800#’s. I don’t plan on getting to that limit. I am just trying to weigh the differences between a Ty and 5er. Narrow down that and then I can search what I want. Trying to learn some of the less obvious differences from those who have experience (not from a salesperson).
thanks

 

[Tulecreeper]

2018

Look through the charts on this page and find your truck. This should tell you what your payload and towing capacity is, but you need to know your wheel base (WB) and your rear axle ratio.

2018 Ford F-150 Towing Capacities

The 2018 F-150 had a pretty impressive maximum towing capacity of 13,200 pounds, if you had the proper tow equipment, engine, axle ratio, etc. equipped, which is mind-blowing for an F-150! As impressive as that

letstowthat.com

 

[Tulecreeper]

According to my book my GCWR is around 12,800#’s. I don’t plan on getting to that limit. I am just trying to weigh the differences between a Ty and 5er. Narrow down that and then I can search what I want. Trying to learn some of the less obvious differences from those who have experience (not from a salesperson).
thanks

GCWR is your Gross Combined Wheel Rating, the maximum total combined weight of your trailer and your tow vehicle. If you know what your GVWR is for your truck, then subtract that from 12,800# and that is roughly your towing capacity.

 

[dvinciguerra]

What do you plan to tow it with? Do you own a tow vehicle or would buying one be part of the plan?

Sorry realized I only answered part of your question.
my wife and I are ready to retire. We plan to use it to go on trips. We figure 2-3 weeks in length being able to take our time and explore areas.

Will probably go fo long weekends as well. We have one granddaughter and would love to bring her for some of the shorter trips.

 

[dvinciguerra]

Look through the charts on this page and find your truck. This should tell you what your payload and towing capacity is, but you need to know your wheel base (WB) and your rear axle ratio.

2018 Ford F-150 Towing Capacities

The 2018 F-150 had a pretty impressive maximum towing capacity of 13,200 pounds, if you had the proper tow equipment, engine, axle ratio, etc. equipped, which is mind-blowing for an F-150! As impressive as that

letstowthat.com

Thank you for this chart.

 

[Ex-Calif]

According to my book my GCWR is around 12,800#’s. I don’t plan on getting to that limit. I am just trying to weigh the differences between a Ty and 5er. Narrow down that and then I can search what I want. Trying to learn some of the less obvious differences from those who have experience (not from a salesperson).
thanks

Don't feel like you are being grilled here. We often play 20 questions when it comes to towing, getting all up in your business quoting numbers and formula etc.

While that is certainly gonna happen as long as you are willing to play I like to cut to the bottom line with some generalities.

With a 150/1500 class modern truck you are loooking at a tow capacity up to around 9,000# depending on the details. My Ram 1500 will tow 8600#.

This leads me to a TT in the 24-25 foot range.

With a 250/2500 class truck (depending on details) IMO you are good to about 30-31 feet trailers and some 5Ws.

Above 30 feet the 5W has the distinct advantage, but in that realm you are quickly running from a 250/2500 to a 350/3500 class truck to tow the largest of 5Ws.

Bottom line in my opinion for you, you should not be considering 5Ws unless you are committing to changing your truck to at least a 250/2500 class truck.

Finally my personal preference is that beyond 30 feet is simply too much truck, tow and needs for me. I prefer to stay with a hitch pull and have the load flexibility to use the truck bed for things like generators, gas cans and so on. I also use my truck extensively around my "little ranch" and need the bed way more than I need a 5W.

 

[Lou Schneider]

According to my book my GCWR is around 12,800#’s. I don’t plan on getting to that limit. I am just trying to weigh the differences between a Ty and 5er. Narrow down that and then I can search what I want. Trying to learn some of the less obvious differences from those who have experience (not from a salesperson).
thanks

GCWR is the Gross Combined Weight Rating, the most the truck and trailer can weigh as a unit. You have to subtract the weight of the truck to see how much trailer you can potentially tow.

For example, if your truck weighs 6800 lbs loaded with everything and everybody you're taking with you, you can only tow a trailer weighing 6000 lbs or less.

 

[Tulecreeper]

Bottom line in my opinion for you, you should not be considering 5Ws unless you are committing to changing your truck to at least a 250/2500 class truck.

Finally my personal preference is that beyond 30 feet is simply too much truck, tow and needs for me. I prefer to stay with a hitch pull and have the load flexibility to use the truck bed for things like generators, gas cans and so on. I also use my truck extensively around my "little ranch" and need the bed way more than I need a 5W.

Ex-Calif is correct.

In my particular case, we are in the market for a travel trailer, not a 5th-wheel. Even though I have towed every conceivable trailer out there and had a CDL for 30 years and am very comfortable towing many tons behind me, I draw the line at a maximum of 31-feet, hitch-to-bumper, for the TT we are going to buy. With that length, I can get a 27' - 28' box. And because I gotta have something to base my decision on, I equate weight with build quality, and I can get one with a GVWR of 9000 - 10,000 pounds and tow it with ease because my towing capacity is over 15,000#s leaving a lot of room for safety. And I don't have to worry about payload/cargo capacity because mine is almost 2 tons and I will never have that much junk in my truck. I've added about 200# of toolbox, tools, and tonneau cover to my truck since I bought it and still have 3600+ pounds of cargo capacity left.

 

[RedForeman]

I'm in the "I have enough truck to haul anything I want" group, so usually don't get into the weeds with these capacity discussions. As you approach those capacity limits, it becomes a question of your comfort level with the rig, and how much long distance driving over what terrain.

My last 1/2 ton was an '02 Chevy extra cab short bed. At the time my usual load was an 1800lb car trailer with a 3000lb race car on it. Around my immediate area it was fine. Road trips were tiring and the 5.3L would drop a gear on slight uphill grades here in the southeast, never mind any actual grades. After a few of those, I upgraded the truck and have no regerts.

Regarding the 5W vs TT discussion, I just went through this and went with a TT. I was considering 25 to low 30's length, and zeroed in on the make and floor plan I liked. Then made the mistake of inviting my bride to tour the 5W version parked next to it. She really liked the 5W, just not as much as she disliked the $20k+ price bump. To be fair, the 5W did have some additional interior/floor plan features driving that price difference, it wasn't all in the frame and running gear.

Lesser considerations included height and stairs. My TT is still tall at 12-4, but nearly all the 5W campers are over 13'. It's not much, but will definitely reduce overhead obstacles. My wife also has minor mobility challenges and stairs aren't her friend. Still have to climb into the camper, but once inside the TT, no more stairs.

What I got is a 34' TT. It's a toy hauler with big tanks and a genset, so also a pig. 9k lb empty, max 13k lb. Towed just fine straight on the ball hitch up to NE GA for a shakedown trip last weekend. I wouldn't tow it on a half ton, nor a bigger SRW pickup without a WD hitch.

 

[Lou Schneider]

I agree with RedForeman on not being able to have too much truck. I have a 1999 Ford F350 with single rear wheels and the 7.3 PowerStroke diesel. It's marginal for towing a 5th wheel due to the single rear tires but it pulls my 29 ft. Sunnybrook travel trailer with ease and is not bad as a solo driver. I use an equalizing hitch, not because the truck needs it to carry the hitch weight, but because the equalizing bars flexing over bumps and such dampens the up and down pitching motions inherent in a truck and pull trailer combination.

I weighed the combo at an Escapees' Smart Weigh event at an Escapade several years ago and I was at less than 80% of capacity on everything from individual wheel weights to GCWR. Even with the pickup bed full of construction tools and miscellaneous stuff.

The Sunnybrook is fairly short and combined with the camper shell on the pickup makes a fairly aerodynamic combination. It consistently gets better than 10 MPG towing and the truck averages around 18 MPG solo.

I paid $7500 for the truck and $6500 for the trailer at separate times several years ago and feel it's the most bang for the buck I could have gotten for less than $15k.