I have a 2007 Tundra Crew Max (5ft bed), 4x4, tow package. I am close to buying a 27' travel trailer (ultralight 4,200 dry wt), but some experience "towers" are telling me to go with a 5th wheel with a goose neck hitch. They claim it's more stable. My issue is, I can't stay under the GVWR of 7,200 lbs with a 5th wheel. My truck curb wt is 5,930. Occupants is 540 lbs. Cargo about 150 lbs. This leaves 560lbs for tongue or pin weigt. Not enough for a 5er. So, is it better to be 500 - 1000 lbs over GVWR and pull a 5er or stay under the GVWR and pull a travel trailer with WDH? Thanks.
There are many threads discussing this and everyone has different opinions. Some say it is safer to be a bit overweight and have the advantages of the fifth wheel and others say it is much more dangerous to be overweight than to tow a bumper pull. My personal opinion is that a fifth wheel is much safer, especially if you are somewhat new to towing. Check out the fifth wheel towing weights thread and do a quick search here for "5th wheel" to get some good reading material that should help you make your decision. I also highly recommend hitting the scale with your family, a full fuel tank, etc. to get some real #'s rather than guessing.
A 5er will tow better than a travel trailer, but most 5th wheels will put you over your gvwr. Either way i woudl reccomend some LT rated tires and maybe airbags
__________________
old 2007 Tundra DC 8' bed 5.7 4x4
new 2008 ford f350 oil burner
I have a 2007 Tundra Crew Max (5ft bed), 4x4, tow package. I am close to buying a 27' travel trailer (ultralight 4,200 dry wt), but some experience "towers" are telling me to go with a 5th wheel with a goose neck hitch. They claim it's more stable. My issue is, I can't stay under the GVWR of 7,200 lbs with a 5th wheel. My truck curb wt is 5,930. Occupants is 540 lbs. Cargo about 150 lbs. This leaves 560lbs for tongue or pin weigt. Not enough for a 5er. So, is it better to be 500 - 1000 lbs over GVWR and pull a 5er or stay under the GVWR and pull a travel trailer with WDH? Thanks.
Here is a fly in the ointment, 5th wheel/goose neck towing with a bed length under 6' is not recommended (Toyota site and most hitch sites). There is one 5'er hitch that slides back close to 14" when manuvering but the brand name escapes me. Stay with the travel trailer and get a good weight distribution hitch.
2005 Rockwood 26' 5'er, Michelin LTX MS tires, 270 watts of solar on the roof, 4 T-105 golf cart batteries, Xentrex converter, Outback FX2012T inverter/charger.
If you can't take it with ya, why bother with an RV!
2000 Tundra (bought 9/9/99)
JBA Headers
Gone but not forgotten~
Thanks for the comments. I do plan on getting E rated tires and most likely air bags, regardless of TT or 5'er. I do have one other concern in addition to exceeding GVWR, and that is there enough distance between the rear axles and the back of the cab on a CrewMax to even attempt turning with a 5'er. I'll search this sight for 5th wheel related info as suggested, but if anyone has experience with a 5'er and a CrewMax, I'd love to hear about it.
TankerHank, you replied as I was replying and I missed your response. Thanks for the info on the 5'er incompatibility with a bed under 6'. I'll stick with the travel trailer as you suggested. Thanks all. This is a great site.
TankerHank, you replied as I was replying and I missed your response. Thanks for the info on the 5'er incompatibility with a bed under 6'. I'll stick with the travel trailer as you suggested. Thanks all. This is a great site.
Good plan. I pulled my 5'er with a 2000 Tundra for a few years and its bed is just under 6', even with a 9" slide I put the corner of the 5'er through the back window once.... opps! Now I removed that option as I have an 8' bed.
2005 Rockwood 26' 5'er, Michelin LTX MS tires, 270 watts of solar on the roof, 4 T-105 golf cart batteries, Xentrex converter, Outback FX2012T inverter/charger.
If you can't take it with ya, why bother with an RV!
2000 Tundra (bought 9/9/99)
JBA Headers
Gone but not forgotten~
I have experience with a crew max and a fifth wheel, one of these is REQUIRED. Even with the 22 inches of slide at the closest point when turning the trailer was about 3 inches from the cab. It works great and costs a lot. Is it worth it? Depends on who you ask. For my dad (the owner of said setup) yes because he wanted the big back seat to be more comfortable for the family on the cross country trips. Most people think it is not worth the $$$ though.
Pullrite, ya that is what I was thinking of, they for sure are not cheap over two grand if I recall right. With a box that is under 6' on a truck that is the for sure the way to go.
2005 Rockwood 26' 5'er, Michelin LTX MS tires, 270 watts of solar on the roof, 4 T-105 golf cart batteries, Xentrex converter, Outback FX2012T inverter/charger.
If you can't take it with ya, why bother with an RV!
2000 Tundra (bought 9/9/99)
JBA Headers
Gone but not forgotten~
It only slides that far if you go all the way to 90*. Going fast you cant turn sharp enough to make it slide so it only really moves when you are going pretty slow. I didn't even notice the weight shifting to the rear.
For that kind of money, I'll go with the travel trailer and be done with it (for now). For me, I bought the CrewMax for the family a couple of years ago. I just sold a Class C motorhome and am looking for a trailer to camp here in the Rockies of Colorado 4-5 times per year. I'm not expecting towing the trailer more than 150 miles from home on any trip. Thanks again for the info and helping me out.
Travel Trailer or 5th wheel (goose neck)????
Linear Mode
