I'm sure this is an old question but I'm new to this forum and I wanted to get some information as well as opinions regarding the pros and cons of both! Thanks!
RickandJanice said
09:53 AM Jun 24, 2011
We have had 1 travel trailers and are on our 3rd fifth wheel. We prefer fifth wheels by far over a travel trailer.
A travel trailer can be pulled by either a Pickup or a SUV and depending on layout will generally have less weight on the hitch and a lower overall profile. Also have a one level floor plan in most layouts and are generally less expensive. Hitching up will require more time as you will need an anti sway bar, 2 load bars and safety chains in addition to the hitch. They also take allot of skill to line up the hitch and receiver. Travel trailers are for the most part not as stable as fifth wheels when towing, especially in cross winds and when being passed by large commercial trucks and buses. Travel trailers also generally take longer to set up as jacks will need to be set on all four corners to stabilize after unhitching.
With a fifth wheel, you will need a truck large enough to handle the heavier pin weight and carry as many passengers as you want. You will loose allot of the bed space when towing due to both the hitch and the over hang on the trailer. The cost for a fifth wheel hitch will be more expensive and will cost more to install. Most fifth wheels will have a higher profile than travel trailers so need to watch overhead clearance allot more and all will have a two level floor plan. Fifth wheels are quicker to hook up and a one person job since you can see your hitch and, no safety chains, load bars or sway bars to connect. They are also allot more stable when towing and can turn tighter than travel trailers. Set up is quicker as less to disconnect and the landing gear used to raise the trailer also help stabilize the fifth wheel in front so two less jack that need set up. Fifth wheels generally have allot more outside storage and can carry more weight than most travel trailers.
In the end, it is a personal choice.
The Bear II said
10:54 AM Jun 24, 2011
RickandJanice is right....
5th wheels are more stable when towing, more storage and more overall room for livability.
TT provide a little more flexibilty in where they can go, because it's rare for a TT to be longer than 30ft. Where a 5th wheel will be in the 32 to 40ft range.
I'm sure this is an old question but I'm new to this forum and I wanted to get some information as well as opinions regarding the pros and cons of both! Thanks!
A travel trailer can be pulled by either a Pickup or a SUV and depending on layout will generally have less weight on the hitch and a lower overall profile. Also have a one level floor plan in most layouts and are generally less expensive. Hitching up will require more time as you will need an anti sway bar, 2 load bars and safety chains in addition to the hitch. They also take allot of skill to line up the hitch and receiver. Travel trailers are for the most part not as stable as fifth wheels when towing, especially in cross winds and when being passed by large commercial trucks and buses. Travel trailers also generally take longer to set up as jacks will need to be set on all four corners to stabilize after unhitching.
With a fifth wheel, you will need a truck large enough to handle the heavier pin weight and carry as many passengers as you want. You will loose allot of the bed space when towing due to both the hitch and the over hang on the trailer. The cost for a fifth wheel hitch will be more expensive and will cost more to install. Most fifth wheels will have a higher profile than travel trailers so need to watch overhead clearance allot more and all will have a two level floor plan. Fifth wheels are quicker to hook up and a one person job since you can see your hitch and, no safety chains, load bars or sway bars to connect. They are also allot more stable when towing and can turn tighter than travel trailers. Set up is quicker as less to disconnect and the landing gear used to raise the trailer also help stabilize the fifth wheel in front so two less jack that need set up. Fifth wheels generally have allot more outside storage and can carry more weight than most travel trailers.
In the end, it is a personal choice.
5th wheels are more stable when towing, more storage and more overall room for livability.
TT provide a little more flexibilty in where they can go, because it's rare for a TT to be longer than 30ft. Where a 5th wheel will be in the 32 to 40ft range.