Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
Jayco RV Owners Forum
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 10-28-2011, 10:22 PM   #1
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Royal Oak, Michigan
Posts: 77
5th Wheel Vs. Large Travel Trailer?

I assume roominess is the biggest advantage of a 5th wheel versus a large TT, but are there any other benefits?

I'd be interested in knowing the plusses and minuses of both and why people choose a 5th wheel over a large TT.

Thanks.
Ray
Ray364 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-29-2011, 07:44 AM   #2
Senior Member
 
3'senough's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: New York
Posts: 2,210
We had a 30ft, 33 overall TT prior to our 5th. Being 6' 3" in a TT feels a little close to me. Showers were all outside with the exception of one due to the eleveated bath. The high ceilings were a huge plus in our opinion. The towing is night and day for me. No "wagging the dog". You can go heavier and larger in a 5th with the right truck since the weight is over the axel of the TV. hitching is a lot easier. Tighter turning radius. More storage capacities in certain models, i.e. basements. Some can hold built in gennys. Overall lengths are longer since you have some of the trailer over your TV keeping it under the 65ft total length limit of some states hwys.

Minuses would include decreased bed capacities for hauling gear. Only able to pull with a pickup or bed type vehicle. Height restrictions on certain roads. More to clean and wax! Some cabinets can be a reach for shorter people in the galley.

I would find it hard to go back to a TT for me but they may come out with something in coming years that changes my mind. Until then...
__________________

2014 375 BHFS Eagle Premier
2014 Ram 3500 Longhorn DRW CC
6.7 CTD, Aisin, 4.10's
Yamaha EF3000iSEB
3'senough is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-29-2011, 08:04 AM   #3
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: AZ, SSA (Squabbling States of America)
Posts: 1,432
The advantages of a fifth wheel include:
1. Easier to tow
2. Easier to hitchup
3. Easier to back up
4. More storage space
5. Can have a generator
6. Frequently better constructed
7. More likey to have space for a washer dryer
6. Frequently more luxurious
7. Usually better insulated

Disadvantages include:
1. Heavier
2. Usually requires a larger tow vehicle than the equivalent travel trailer
3. Requires a heavy hitch that sets in the bed of the tow vehicle
4. Have steps one has to go up and down on the inside
5. Set higher above the ground requiring more clearance under bridges, etc.
5. Usually cost more than travel trailers

Advantages of travel trailers include:

1. Usually lighter
2. Usually less expensive
3. Can be towed with a lighter tow vehicle
4. No hitch in bed allowing the tow vehicle to be something other than a pickup or to allow one to have a shell on a pickup bed
5. Less overhead clearance needed

Disadvantages include:

1. Usually not as well constructed
2. Less storage space
3. Usually less luxurious
4. Not as easy to tow
5. Not as easy to back up
6. More work to hitch up
7. Harder to find a place for a washer/dryer
8. Usually not as well insulated


Everyone has different needs and preferences so which is better is a personal decision each person or family has to make. One disadvantage may trump all the advantages of either a travel trailer or fifth wheel. Factors to consider when making a decision include:

1. Is the tow vehicle also the only vehicle in the family. One may not want to use a 3/4 or 1 ton pickup for a grocery getter, for long didtance commuting to work, or a soccer mom's taxi.
2. How often does one move the RV? For frequent and/or long distance moves, a fifth wheel might be a better choice over a travel trailer because it is easier to tow, back up, and hitch up. However, a travel trailer will be more economical to move since it is lighter and can use a lighter (and less expensive to own and operate) tow vehicle.
3. If one has a pickup, how valuable is the bed space?

In my case, I'm single and have only one vehicle. I do not want to pay more for a heavier pickup to be able to lug around a fifth wheel nor to feed and park such a beast. Even though I plan on fulltiming, I will move the RV no more than two to four times a year and no more than 200 miles when I do tow it so ease of towing, backing up, and hitching is of less importance to me. I'm not getting any younger and having to climb steps once inside is not very appealing to me. The final nail in the fifth wheel coffin for me is the hitch in the bed. I have a nice shell (Leer 100R) on my current pickup that has built in tool boxes along the side where the side windows would normally go. I'm in love with that thing (imagine what the children will look like)! There is no way on God's green Earth I am ever going to give up having a shell like that up! So choosing to have a travel trailer is a no brainer for me. But, that's just me. Your situation could (or even more likely) be completely different.
__________________
Jeannie
Lady Fitzgerald is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-29-2011, 09:58 AM   #4
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Gilmer, Texas
Posts: 1,053
Smile

We have had tagalongs,motorhome,and now a 5thwheell.Wont go back.i have other uses for my truck so I use a "gooseneck" adapter and a hidden hitch in the bed so when not towing its just a pickup truck,no hitch taking up room.
i pretty much agree with all the pluses/minuses that have been posted.
poohbear is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-29-2011, 11:33 AM   #5
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: North Idaho/Arizona
Posts: 5,446
We traded our Montana 5er for our Jayco 330RLTS travel trailer. I don't miss anything about that 5th wheel. It all really depends on your particular wants and needs. For us one level was a big deal and I now have my truck bed back so I don't have to tow another trailer behind the 5er to haul our toys. Contrary to what some people claim, our travel trailer tows and manuevers just fine.
__________________
2011 Eagle 330RLTS with just about every option.
2017 Silverado 1500 4x4 5.3 with tow package. (no, we don't tow the Jayco with it.)
2018 Surveyor 265RLDS well equipped.
Life in the slow lane is still life.
clutch is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-29-2011, 02:02 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
cekkk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Pahrump
Posts: 4,036
I have the same feeling about my truck bed and Leer top as Lady F and, like Clutch, my 320RLDS pulls just fine with the 3P hitch, although I have my problems with it. One dissapointment when I bought the Eagle TT is that they no longer offer a Polar package on their TTs. I notice the furnace cycles very frequently in the 30s, and I probably wasted my money buying the thermal windows. But to be honest, my RV barn is just over 12' high, so any 5er we'd consider wouldn't fit under it, and that also was a deal breaker for the fivers.
__________________
'11 Eagle 320RLDS
'02 F350 PSD Dually 4WD
DW's Ride, '13 Expedition
'14 Denali XL
cekkk is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-29-2011, 03:47 PM   #7
Senior Member
 
Seann45's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Saskatoon Sask Canada
Posts: 10,714
I much prefer a TT to a 5er but that is a personal thing... The big plus I see for a 5er is a shorter overall length for the same size this makes getting into small spaces that much easier.. eg Natl Parks. The biggest negative for a 5er is that sail over the cab eating fuel.. yep it cost more to drag it around... I tow over 6000 miles a year and even a 1% savings in fuel adds up.

My TT leaves the bed of the truck open to carrying my toys

I just wish that RV manufactures would make TT's with the same appointments as 5ers...
__________________
Seann
2004 Chev Silverado Duramax optioned past the max. 2009 Jayco Eagle 308 RLS 900watts of solar, Lithium batteries (400amp hour), 2000 watt (4000 surge) whole house inverter.
145days boondockinig in2023 2022/151 2021[/COLOR]
93/2020,157/2019219/2018 206/2017,215/2016, 211/2015, 196/14, 247/13, 193/12

Seann45 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-29-2011, 06:08 PM   #8
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: AZ, SSA (Squabbling States of America)
Posts: 1,432
Quote:
Originally Posted by cekkk+ View Post
...One dissapointment when I bought the Eagle TT is that they no longer offer a Polar package on their TTs...
Curious. According to Jayco's website, a glacier package is offered on both the Eagle and Eagle Super Light TTs and a thermal package is offered on the Jay Flights.
__________________
Jeannie
Lady Fitzgerald is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-29-2011, 06:11 PM   #9
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: AZ, SSA (Squabbling States of America)
Posts: 1,432
Quote:
Originally Posted by Seann45 View Post
...I just wish that RV manufactures would make TT's with the same appointments as 5ers...
Can I hear an Amen?! It infuriates me that fivers get better construction, insulation, and appointments.
__________________
Jeannie
Lady Fitzgerald is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-29-2011, 06:21 PM   #10
Senior Member
 
David472's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: SW Ontario
Posts: 1,393
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lady Fitzgerald View Post
Can I hear an Amen?! It infuriates me that fivers get better construction, insulation, and appointments.
I think part of the feature difference comes down to weight considerations. 5ers are heavier than a similar length TT.
__________________
2013 Jayco Eagle 31.5RLDS
2018 Silverado 2500 HD Duramax
David472 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-29-2011, 08:31 PM   #11
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Birmingham, AL
Posts: 62
The hitch we have for our 5th is not an issue. When we are not towing, the hitch sits out. As far as truck bed, we still have plenty of room in our truck bed for bikes, coolers, and firewood. We just switched from a travel trailer to a 5th wheel this summer. So far, I don't miss a thing about the TT and can't think of any reason to go back.
Above all, it is UNBELIEVABLE how much better the 5th wheel tows.
__________________
The Prell Family
2012 Jayco Eagle SL 30.5 BHLT
2008 Chevy Silverado 3500HD Crew Cab Diesel
PrellFamily is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-30-2011, 01:22 AM   #12
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Aldergrove British Columbia
Posts: 815
Im with the travel trailer crowd. Like having the canopy on the truckbed as mentioned prior. Economis, was the motivator for the travel trailer, but have no biases toward owning a fiver. Open Range makes a high end trailer, but agree with the others who say that by comparison fivers tend to be more opulent. I wish Jayco would build a top of the line 30 foot. travel trailer, with a partial basement and appoint it similar to their fancy fiver.
__________________
Richard
2011 Jay Feather Select 28U
2007 Silverado Crewcab LT 6.0L
Happily married and father of
two university students.
Cancer survivor
Murphie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-30-2011, 07:21 AM   #13
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: AZ, SSA (Squabbling States of America)
Posts: 1,432
Heck, I just wish they would make the Eagle TTs the same way as the Eagle fivers instead of cheaping out on the insulation and roof construction.
__________________
Jeannie
Lady Fitzgerald is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-02-2011, 12:44 PM   #14
Senior Member
 
TexasA&M's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Ft. Worth, TX
Posts: 388
Price and floorplan were the biggest reasons that we went with a TT over a 5th wheel. Bunkhouse models are not as easy to find in a 5th wheel, and when you do, they are sometimes twice as much $$ as a comparable TT. I sure would like the storage that is available on a 5th, but we've done pretty good without it so far. No complaints in the towing department either, but I've never towed a 5th, so I don't have anything to compare it to.
__________________
'11 G2 32BHDS
TexasA&M is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-17-2011, 09:06 AM   #15
Junior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Corvallis, Mt.
Posts: 15
I've had several TTs & one 5th wheel. The main negative I found with the TT is hitching up. It's more work. The main negatives for the 5th wheel is the weight & maneuvering. I had a one ton diesel pickup & still found it was hard to pull & stop. I didn't like the way I had to swing wider to make a turn.

The 5er that I owned, in my opinion, was built cheaper than the TT that I presently have.

The fact remains, both have their advantages & disadvantages.

Generally, there is a progression as we age. First a TT, then a 5th wheel & lastly a Motor home.
__________________
2010 Jay Flight 23FB
99 Silverado 3/4 ton 6 liter 3.73
08 Polaris quad
Billy Dean is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-17-2011, 09:23 AM   #16
Senior Member
 
bounder's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Calif.
Posts: 381
Quote:
Originally Posted by Billy Dean View Post
I've had several TTs & one 5th wheel. The main negative I found with the TT is hitching up. It's more work. The main negatives for the 5th wheel is the weight & maneuvering. I had a one ton diesel pickup & still found it was hard to pull & stop. I didn't like the way I had to swing wider to make a turn.

The 5er that I owned, in my opinion, was built cheaper than the TT that I presently have.

The fact remains, both have their advantages & disadvantages.

Generally, there is a progression as we age. First a TT, then a 5th wheel & lastly a Motor home.
We went from a Motorhome to a 5th wheel to a Travel Trailer. We like the room inside the TT (330rlts) & I can utulize the bed of my truck.
__________________
Ernie
Cancer survivor, retired, living life to its fullest with my lovely wife Nancy and our dog Abbey.
2011 Eagle 330RLTS trailer
Reese straight line dual cam
17k wd hitch
2005 GMC diesel
Crew cab long bed
:Flag:
bounder is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-17-2011, 12:25 PM   #17
Senior Member
 
edatlanta's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Maplesville - Home Base
Posts: 3,059
I read frequently about poor fuel economy while towing a 5'er. I have one of the heaviest 5'ers around and I consistently get 12.0-12.5 mpg towing. Why is this possible? No jack rabbit starts and I tow between 50 and 55 mph. No tuners on my engine either.

If you see me ahead of you, Go Around. I will be in the right hand lane enjoying he ride and not burning a bunch of fuel. When I'm on a two lane road, I will pull over and let others pass when there is a good spot to do so.
__________________
Ed
KM4STL

2006 GMC 2500HD CCSB 4x4 Duramax/Allison, Titan 52 gallon fuel tank, Prodigy Controller, B&W Companion Hitch
2010 Jayco Designer 35RLTS, Cummins/Onan RV QG 5500 EVAP, Progressive Industries EMS-PT50X, TST Systems 507 TPMS, RV Flex Armor Roof
edatlanta is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-17-2011, 02:06 PM   #18
Senior Member
 
Seann45's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Saskatoon Sask Canada
Posts: 10,714
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lady Fitzgerald View Post
Heck, I just wish they would make the Eagle TTs the same way as the Eagle fivers instead of cheaping out on the insulation and roof construction.
got that right LF... those in TT's are made to feel like the poor cousins.
__________________
Seann
2004 Chev Silverado Duramax optioned past the max. 2009 Jayco Eagle 308 RLS 900watts of solar, Lithium batteries (400amp hour), 2000 watt (4000 surge) whole house inverter.
145days boondockinig in2023 2022/151 2021[/COLOR]
93/2020,157/2019219/2018 206/2017,215/2016, 211/2015, 196/14, 247/13, 193/12

Seann45 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-17-2011, 04:47 PM   #19
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: North Idaho/Arizona
Posts: 5,446
Quote:
Originally Posted by Seann45 View Post
got that right LF... those in TT's are made to feel like the poor cousins.
Seann, do you sometimes feel like a red headed step child?
__________________
2011 Eagle 330RLTS with just about every option.
2017 Silverado 1500 4x4 5.3 with tow package. (no, we don't tow the Jayco with it.)
2018 Surveyor 265RLDS well equipped.
Life in the slow lane is still life.
clutch is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-17-2011, 06:34 PM   #20
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: AZ, SSA (Squabbling States of America)
Posts: 1,432
Quote:
Originally Posted by edatlanta View Post
...If you see me ahead of you, Go Around. I will be in the right hand lane enjoying he ride and not burning a bunch of fuel. When I'm on a two lane road, I will pull over and let others pass when there is a good spot to do so.
God bless your heart (and all your other internal organs)!
__________________
Jeannie
Lady Fitzgerald is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Jayco, Inc. or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 02:05 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright 2002-2016 Social Knowledge, LLC All Rights Reserved.