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Old 12-11-2012, 02:56 PM   #1
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Changing from a TT to 5th wheel

We have a 2012 White Hawk 27 DSRL TT that we pull with a Nissan Titan. The PU pulls the TT very well but does like gas. 9.5 mpg. We have had the TT for one year and took a three month trip from Florida to Maine and do love the TT. However we noted a lot of 5th wheels on our trip and the ease of backing in and unhooking. We are now thinking of trading in our TT for a Jayco Eagle HT 26.5 with rear living. Anyone out their have one or have any thoughts for us on making the move to a 5th wheel as we are leaving for a trip from Florida to the NE over six months in April of 2013.
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Old 12-11-2012, 03:14 PM   #2
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The Eagle HT's are nice FW's, and do weigh less than the other Eagle models.

Since you already have the TV of choice, I would load it up (fuel, passengers, cargo) and go to a CAT scale for a simple weigh-in ($9). You can compare the CAT scale weights with your TV's rear GAWR and GVWR, then you will know how much FW you can tow and support over the TV's rear axle. Keep in mind that the recommended loaded FW pin weight is 15% to 25% of the loaded FW weight (unlike 10% to 15% on TT's), but most FW folks use 20% as the target pin weight.

As you are aware we tend to tow heavier on the extended trips, so keep this in mind when you estimate your loaded FW weights.

Sounds like a nice trip planned, enjoy!

Bob
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Old 12-11-2012, 06:28 PM   #3
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As suggested, do some comparing of towing capacity statistics on your tv. You fuel economy will not change with a 5er.

Get some real info on loaded weights from owners of the fifth wheel you are considering. Remember to allow for cargo capacity and tongue weight of the fifth wheel.
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Old 12-11-2012, 07:35 PM   #4
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Norty1 "You fuel economy will not change with a 5er."

Really, I always assumed TT & 5er with the same weight and over all length MPG would decrease in the 5er simply for the extra frontal area?
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Old 12-11-2012, 08:47 PM   #5
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I agree the frontal area increase will decrease your milage- JMHO- DD
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Originally Posted by clubhouse View Post
Norty1 "You fuel economy will not change with a 5er."

Really, I always assumed TT & 5er with the same weight and over all length MPG would decrease in the 5er simply for the extra frontal area?
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Old 12-12-2012, 06:22 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rustic Eagle View Post
The Eagle HT's are nice FW's, and do weigh less than the other Eagle models.

Since you already have the TV of choice, I would load it up (fuel, passengers, cargo) and go to a CAT scale for a simple weigh-in ($9). You can compare the CAT scale weights with your TV's rear GAWR and GVWR, then you will know how much FW you can tow and support over the TV's rear axle. Keep in mind that the recommended loaded FW pin weight is 15% to 25% of the loaded FW weight (unlike 10% to 15% on TT's), but most FW folks use 20% as the target pin weight.

As you are aware we tend to tow heavier on the extended trips, so keep this in mind when you estimate your loaded FW weights.

Sounds like a nice trip planned, enjoy!

Bob
I too am thinking of trading in my TT for a FW. Still owe on the TT, but I like the 26.5 HT. I have a 2500 Dodge Ram diesel truck as my TV. Don't know anything about the hitch for the FW.
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Old 12-12-2012, 06:22 AM   #7
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Not to say it will not change, just that it would not be the prime reason to change to a fifth wheel. I have pulled 5 different fifth wheels with my present truck and the fuel economy is not significantly different. Never pulled a TT with it. Of course with a diesel that is pretty normal.

Head winds can make a huge difference in economy.
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Old 12-12-2012, 07:05 AM   #8
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I get the same fuel economy towing my 15,000 lb 5th wheel as I did with my previous 9,000 lb trailer behind my diesel truck.
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Old 12-12-2012, 08:33 AM   #9
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I actually got better gas milage with my 5th wheel then with my TT...go figure :-)
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Old 12-12-2012, 09:30 AM   #10
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Originally Posted by drfife View Post
I get the same fuel economy towing my 15,000 lb 5th wheel as I did with my previous 9,000 lb trailer behind my diesel truck.
Me too... BUT I love the way the 5er tows. I really hated and dreaded the days on the road with the TT as compared to the 5er.
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Old 12-12-2012, 09:37 AM   #11
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5th Wheel

I moved up from a 9,000 TT to a 15,000 365 BHS fifth wheel. I love my fifth wheel. I get better mileage pulling my fifth wheel than my TT. I just bought a used 2005 Dodge 3500 Dually and it is totally different pull! I should have bought a dually when I bought my fifth wheel 3 years ago. You have to watch out for low trees in the parks, you can hit the side of the roof very easy. Camping in a fifth wheel is so nice and I love the front bedroom.

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Old 12-12-2012, 03:02 PM   #12
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I get a little better fuel economy with the 351RLTS. 38 1/2 ft vs my old Sunnybrook, 31'.

I think it is due to the different aerodynamics of the front cap. They changed it in 2012.
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Old 12-12-2012, 09:10 PM   #13
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Hooking up and unhooking a 5th in my opinion is far easier. There's no weight distribution bars to worry about, no snap up brackets, and for many the hitch is viewable from the back window making hooking up a breeze. Once hooked up, the maneuvering is a little different than a TT, but it's easy to get used to.

Pulling a 5th down the road is an effortless experience and where 5th wheels really excel. It is easy to forget they are back there and the stability is really nice.

Once you get to your destination, unhooking is simple too. Drop the tail gate disconnect electrical connector, lower the landing gear, pull the pin and pull out. There is no raising of the hitch to make the snapup brackets easier to unsnap, no weight bars to store, just an overall better experience.

For the downside.... you lose the bed for holding cargo. I had a full cap on the bed of the truck and put the bikes in there along with other things. With the 5th wheel, that is all lost.

Assuming that your truck can handle a 5th wheel, I would highly recommend one and having a short bed, consider an automatic sliding hitch or a Reese Revolution pin to keep the trailer from hitting the cab when turning.
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Old 12-13-2012, 03:30 PM   #14
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We have had several TTs of different sizes, and now have our first 5er. What a difference ! We should have gone that route years ago. Everything is easier and more stable, and we wouldn't go back for anything. Fuel mileage is actually better with the 5er due probably to the fact that air is forced over the rounded front cap instead of being dammed up by the truck's tailgate. The only downside, temporarily, is getting used to the fact that you must make wider turns because the 5er cuts the corner. I got used to that after about 3 trips, and now automatically make the wider turns w/o thinking about it. If you TT can handle the 5er, go for it - you won't regret it.
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Old 12-13-2012, 08:51 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rdream View Post
We have a 2012 White Hawk 27 DSRL TT that we pull with a Nissan Titan. The PU pulls the TT very well but does like gas. 9.5 mpg. We have had the TT for one year and took a three month trip from Florida to Maine and do love the TT. However we noted a lot of 5th wheels on our trip and the ease of backing in and unhooking. We are now thinking of trading in our TT for a Jayco Eagle HT 26.5 with rear living. Anyone out their have one or have any thoughts for us on making the move to a 5th wheel as we are leaving for a trip from Florida to the NE over six months in April of 2013.
Make sure you get all the statistics to properly load your TV. I have had both TT & fiver and I can absolutely say the fiver is much more fun to tow. If you get the right TV and fiver together you won't know it's behind you until you hit a hill. I wouldnt go back to a TT.
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