What should I do?

[SouthportJoe]

We(my wife and I in our 70s)are considering upgrading to a 30+ ft trailer that we will be using about 6 months a year. We will normally be driving less that 500 miles to our destinations and staying a week or so before returning to our home in Steamboat Springs, I am trying to choose between a TT vs 5W. Looks like I will need a 3/4 ton either way. Looking at a Jayco Eagle 330 rsts. I have never pulled anything near that big before. Do you think a TT would be a good choice for us? Or should we be looking for a 5W? Thanks

[Colorado]

Welcome to the Forum

A fifth wheel will be a more enjoyable towing experience and easier to hook up too.
It sounds like you do NOT have the truck yet. I would take a 2 prong approach here.
FIRST, Determine the camper you will buy THEN figure out the PIN WEIGHT and GVWR of the camper. This I can be extremely tricky because often manufacturer listed weights are not accurate. The reason these two weights are important to you is because you’ll need to have this information when determining whether you’re going to do a 3/4 or 1 ton truck.

SECOND After you have the camper picked out and feel you have a reasonable idea of the pin weight and GVWR of the camper you can determine what model truck you need. A 3/4 ton truck (F250) has substantial towing capacity, The problem you will run into with a 3/4 ton truck is payload. See the following link: https://www.curtmfg.com/towing-capacity. The link will clear up a lot of abbreviations that are extremely important.
Payload gets gobbled up very quickly when compared to towing capacity.

Good Luck with your adventure.

[curver900]

or just buy a dully!!!

[mini4mw]

I'd go with the 5th wheel considering
- more storage space available
- easier to pull and park
- part of the entire length is over the truck instead of behind it
- tanks normally larger( fresh, grey, black)
- generally feels more like a home

TTs have great features, but if you are looking for a home on wheels the FW wins out in my opinion. I think most people have to chose one or the other based on the truck they already have. Since you are starting from scratch you can pick the TT/FW first and then get the truck needed to pull it.

[DanNJanice]

Rather than an 3/4 ton if you are even "thinking" about going with a 5vr, get the 1 ton. You can thank me later, when you don't have to upgrade.

There are a few downsides to 5vrs.
1) Usually need a 1 ton to handle pin weight (depends on side of 5vr)
2) More expensive hitchgear.
3) Back of truck is full of hitchgear. Everyone I see, leaves the hitch installed.
4) Height. 5vrs are generally 1-2 ft higher than trailers. If you boondock a lot, that can become an issue. We occasionally are brushing branches with our TT. If we had a 5vr, we would have to just find another spot to boondock.

Having said all that. The DW is rumbling about wanting a toy hauler 5vr with the party deck. Sure wish I would have bought a 1 ton

[ALJO]

500 miles is not much. Half ton trucks still drive like Cadillac's, special as a daily driver and you still can pull a 30 feet lite-weight TT or a similar 5er. Not ideal but it does the job for the few miles pulling a TT. With all the answers you get, you're able to make an informed decision.
Why waist more money on an RV, than the money pit already is!

[kayakterp]

I agree with DanNJanice
5ers take up too much room in the bed of the truck
usually need to add a bunch of extras, airbags, leaf springs, bigger tires, etc.
Many times the newer trucks sit too high and need modified to keep from hitting the bed rail sides.
5ers have stairs inside that many senior citizens try to avoid on a daily basis (from bed to kitchen to bath, etc.)
I don't have any issues pulling a long travel trailer nor backing into tight spots...but I used to drive a truck (even though it was a straight-truck not an 18 wheeler), you just get used to it after some practice!
Whatever truck you decide on, keep in mind trucks are in hot demand right now and purchasing a used truck may be hard to find and prices have gone up recently. Buying a new truck you may be on a waiting list or have to order new with options from the factory meaning it may be a while before it arrives?

[craigav]

I started with a TT (the first two RV's in fact) and I certainly had more room in the truck bed, however when I purchased my first 5th wheel it was like night and day regarding the better towing aspect. If I go back to a towable RV one day, I would not even consider a TT at all, unless perhaps I planned to park it at a long term lease spot at a local lake, even then a 5er would work just as well for that purpose. ~CA

[Scott]

Welcome from Northeast Illinois!

Either would be good for your usage, but a 5th wheel is a more stable towing platform.