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Old 10-10-2014, 07:09 PM   #1
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Towing a 33 Foot Trailer vs 33 FT Fifth Wheel

We have been looking to upsize our trailer and had always figured it would be to a 5th wheel.

But then I came across the 2015 Jayco White Hawk 33RSKS Summit Edition and it had a couple of key features we have been struggling to find in a 5th wheel (that isn't a bunk model)-- that being an outside kitchen and less importantly, but still cool, an outside TV.

It also has many features of the larger 5th wheels on the inside. Opposing slides, theatre seating, fireplace, island kitchen etc, etc. It's also considerably less expensive than a similarly equipped 5th wheel.

http://www.jayco.com/products/travel...e-hawk/33rsks/

However, I do worry about hauling such a long trailer and am thinking pulling a similarly sized (or perhaps even larger) 5th wheel would be a lot easier. So I'm curious to hear from folk who pull a long trailer like this? What do you tow it with and have you had a 5th wheel in the past?
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Old 10-10-2014, 07:12 PM   #2
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The same length FW is about 7 ft shorter since the pin is centered in the bed and will definitely handle better.
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Old 10-10-2014, 07:31 PM   #3
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I just went from 39 ft 4 slide fiver to my tongue pull 3 slide Jayco.
I have more room as two of the slides are bigger. I lost 5-6 thousand pounds. It has a lower profile and I'm getting better fuel use.
I now have the full use of my bed.
It cools lots better. I got used to the extra total length fast. I can haul a golf cart or RZR in my bed, or whatever.
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Old 10-10-2014, 07:48 PM   #4
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What he said. Except a Jayco White Hawk 33RSKS isn't 33' long, it is 36'11". Not sure if that includes the tongue or not. My 338 rlts is 36'10" and with the tongue it is 39'.
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Old 10-10-2014, 08:04 PM   #5
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What he said. Except a Jayco White Hawk 33RSKS isn't 33' long, it is 36'11". Not sure if that includes the tongue or not. My 338 rlts is 36'10" and with the tongue it is 39'.
And you tow it with a Tundra? Wow. We tow a 24FBS with out F150 and I can't imagine going any bigger. We are upgrading to a 2500 or 3500 soon, in anticipation of a larger unit.
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Old 10-10-2014, 08:13 PM   #6
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And you tow it with a Tundra? Wow. We tow a 24FBS with out F150 and I can't imagine going any bigger. We are upgrading to a 2500 or 3500 soon, in anticipation of a larger unit.
Yep, just added the Roadmaster suspension. The Tundra is rated at 11,000 lbs towing capacity. With the factory tow package it has 4.30 rears with a 6 speed auto, 380 hp and 400 ft-lbs torque. It pulls it with no problems at all. I have several friends with 3/4 tons and I can't tell much difference except the diesel has more pulling power going over the hills and the 3/4 ton rides rough as heck. Of course the Tundra has 3/4 ton running gear anyway. The only thing it is lacking is the springs which the Roadmaster suspension takes care of that and better than 3/4 springs. Very little sag and it rides better than stock. That being said, if I get a bigger TT or 5er I will be getting a dually.
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Old 10-10-2014, 08:49 PM   #7
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i just purchased the 33rsks and pull it with my silverado 1500 with upgraded rear suspension,,i dont have any problems pulling that trailer,sometimes i forget its even there,and the trailer is awesome inside,and the outdoor tv makes for great football watching,
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Old 10-11-2014, 05:45 AM   #8
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My Eagle TT is in the +30' category and after I few miles I dont even think about it.. EXCEPT when backing into a National Park camping spot.. as few of them are made for 30+ footers but that is not what you asked about..
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Old 10-11-2014, 08:25 AM   #9
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Our Eagle is almost 36' ball to bumper and with the truck, air bags and Equalizer all properly set up I don't have any trouble at all. I guess half-tons have changed a whole bunch since I drove one long ago, so I'll leave those comments to those that understand them. If you have the TV for it and the proper setup, you may be anxious for a while, but after a few uneventful pulls you should do fine.
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Old 10-11-2014, 03:19 PM   #10
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We have had both. We prefer fifth wheel. Both have advantages and disadvantages. Fifth wheels generally tow much better and are easier to maneuver with the pivot point being in the center of the bed. You get a longer trailer without a longer rig.

However, a floor plan you like should be more important. None of the advantages of a 5er over a TT outweighs a floor plan. You can learn to tow a longer TT.
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Old 10-11-2014, 07:08 PM   #11
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UPCamper said it very well. A 5er is generally considered an easier tow, however, if you upgrade to a 2500, and add an "equalizer" type hitch, the TT will tow just as nice, and weigh/cost much less. PS tongue weight on a TT will be less than "pin weight" on a 5er. In other words-that size TT can be towed with a 2500 and WD/sway bars very easily, a 5er that size is better to be mated to a 3500. (Yes a smaller truck can and will tow either, Im just saying what will be a more comfortable towing experience).
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Old 10-12-2014, 05:09 AM   #12
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I have a 1500 Silverado pulling my 2014 Jayco 28BH and power is not the problem the "bounce" is. Even with an equalizer hitch the bouncing up and down gets annoying. What suspension packages are available that would help with this problem?
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Old 10-12-2014, 06:31 AM   #13
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If your bouncing up and down I would recommend changing ball height or torsion bars position or both. Something is not right. Tonge weight is not correct or height or combination of both.
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Old 10-12-2014, 06:38 AM   #14
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As we live in the foothills of the Rockies it does get a bit breezy from time to time. I am glad on those days, and there are many, that I am pulling a fifth wheel and not a travel trailer.

There are advantages and disadvantages with one or another but white knuckling it on my very rare vacation days is not worth it to me.

Regardless of what you end up with.....enjoy.
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Old 10-13-2014, 09:54 AM   #15
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Originally Posted by tawoo View Post
I have a 1500 Silverado pulling my 2014 Jayco 28BH and power is not the problem the "bounce" is. Even with an equalizer hitch the bouncing up and down gets annoying. What suspension packages are available that would help with this problem?
I put a Roadmaster suspension on my Tundra and it made a huge difference. No bounce now! I bought mine off Amazon for around $350. Just make sure you order the model for your pickup.
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Old 10-13-2014, 11:26 AM   #16
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Hey yk,
Your question is kinda like asking a question on religion or if a dog or a cat is a better pet.
Anyway, we've owned a small HTT and loved it but knew from the beginning it was our "starter" and we'd upgrade to something larger pretty quickly (if we liked trailering). I was drawn to the 5th and we love it. That said, "TexasHigh" makes some great points about mileage, weight and having the pickup bed available (I'm starting to wish I could haul a golf cart). Towing the 5th always feels smooth and stable and one of my favorite features of the 5th (over a bumper pull) is the basement. It seems like a 5th will cut a corner more than a bumper pull but I think I'm getting the hang of it.
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Old 10-13-2014, 01:17 PM   #17
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^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Yes really, there are many pros & cons for each type of RV (including TTs, 5ers, Mhs). As I said earlier, "Most folks who have towed both (TTs & 5ers), generally like the way a 5er pulls over a TT." After that it is strictly user preference. Some folks like the added storage of a 5er, while others dont like the added steps of a 5er. ETC. The list goes on & on. As does the list of trailers vs motorhomes, and even class As vs class Cs. Or gas vs diesel.

Basically every type of RV does what it is designed to do - very well. The question is, "What do YOU want your RV to do"? Think about that, then look for the RV that YOU want! Everyone on this board will be very happy for you REGARDLESS of what you end up buying.
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Old 10-13-2014, 05:33 PM   #18
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5th versus TT

I tow a 32BHDS 35.5' TT w/ a 2500HD Silverado Durmax Diesel 6.6 V8. I use a W/D Hitch w/ 2 sway bars. Set the W/D tension bar chains in the proper link to level the TV and TT and sung down the sway bars and you are off and running. The trucks don't pull you in and push you off if you have your running gear properly set. Have never towed a 5th so can't comment on that. However, I do believe a broadside wind with gusts will give you problems with both.
I'm led to believe that MPG is a bit better with the 5th. The reason I say that is the person that owned my tuck for the first 32k miles pulling a 5th got 12 to 13 and can only get 10.5 to 11.

I'm 74 years young and the 5th is looking better all the time due to set up and breakdown.
effort.
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Old 10-22-2014, 01:35 AM   #19
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5'er vs TT

My brother has a 5'er and myself a TT. We were sitting under the clear Arizona stars last winter by his rig and he said something all towable RV'rs should consider. When enjoying the great outdoors and not having to move the next day one may tend to throw back a few more beers than normal. Once, when getting out of his chair he quipped, next time I'm getting a TT. I don't have to go up two flights of stairs to take a pee

Marlin

Ps: I've never towed a fifth wheel but I talked with my brother quite a bit. He's got A LOT of money invested in his hitch setup to make it a smooth tow. But I'd bet because of the items mentioned above (lighter & lower) that once you got your Equal-i-zer or better adjusted properly you'd find the TT tows just as good or maybe even better in the wind.
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Old 10-22-2014, 05:47 AM   #20
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Marlinmikes who goes in the camper? I just walk in the woods...
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