Looking for some input on a possible upgrade from our Trail Crusier C-17 hybrid TT, to a fully enclosed TT or Fifthwheel. I have found a few Fifthwheels that will keep us just below max weight (still working on exact rawr for different models).
I guess my question is which will pull better when close to max weight, Fifthwheel or TT with proper WDH and sway control?
The 5er will tow better, all else being equal. Make sure you use ACTUAL (as in you weighed it) pin weights and GVWR's to determine where you are with respect to weight limits. Or just take 20% of the GVWR of the 5er and use that as the pin weight.
There aren't a lot of 5er's with pin weights low enough to be towed within the GVWR of any 1/2 ton, but there are some. Shop carefully.
Looking for some input on a possible upgrade from our Trail Crusier C-17 hybrid TT, to a fully enclosed TT or Fifthwheel. I have found a few Fifthwheels that will keep us just below max weight (still working on exact rawr for different models).
I guess my question is which will pull better when close to max weight, Fifthwheel or TT with proper WDH and sway control?
TV is 06' DC SR5 2WD
As I see it, there are several areas of comparison between a TT and 5er and which type of trailer is best for you depends on which area is most important:
Towing Stability: A TT equipped with a really top end WDH/Sway control (like the Hensley Arrow hitch) will be just as stable and sway resistant as a 5er. Without the top end WDH/Sway control, the 5er will be inheritantly more stable. But if the right equipment is used on the TT, this IMO is a toss up.
Trailer Weight: For a given Tow Vehicle, you can definitely tow a heavier TT than a 5er because the TT only puts 10% of its total weight on the TV (vs around 20% with the 5er), and with a correctly set up WDH, only 5% of the total trailer weight is on the TV's rear axle (vs 20% of the 5ers weight on the TV's rear axle). Big, big plus for the TT. Especially (as Tom notes above) when the TV is a 1/2 ton truck...very few have the GVWR (and especially the rear axle weight rating) to handle a 5er pin weight much over 1000 lbs (total trailer weight over about 5000 lbs).
Towing Length: Because 5 or 6 feet of a 5er's length is over the rear of the TV (vs a TT's hitch being a foot or two behind the TV), a 5er with the same overall length as a TT will result in a total combined rig length around 8 feet shorter. 8 feet makes a big difference when trying to maneuver around obstacles and finding parking. Big plus for the 5er.
Maneuverability in Tight Quarters (e.g. Campgrounds). The fact that the pivot point for the 5er is over the rear axle (vs 5 to 6 feet behind it with the TT) makes it enormously easier to back a 5er around sharp corners (like backing into a narrow campsite entrance). Big plus for the 5er.
Wind Resistance/Fuel Mileage: Unless the front living area of the 5er is very low profile (which typically means a crawl into bed area like in the front of Class C motorhome or overcab pickup camper), a 5er has a much greater exposed frontal area than a TT (the frontal area of which is semi tucked in behind the TV). And that frontal area will be right up in the wind blast coming off the windshield of the TV. Net effect: much greater wind resistance and much lower fuel mileage. This is one big reason why most 5ers are towed by diesel trucks. Definite plus for the TT.
Floor plan/bedroom ceiling height: A TT will have flat floorplan; a 5er always has steps up to whatever room(s) the manufacturer put over the pin. Also, unless the front area is very tall, the ceiling in that front area will be pretty low (think stooping/crawling to get into the bed area). If a 5er has a good ceiling height in the front, it will also have a huge frontal area (see above). All in all, probably a slight plus for the TT.
Underfloor storage: Nearly all 5ers have sizable storage areas (basements) behind the pin box and beneath the floor. A few TTs have a much smaller under bed storage pass through. If you want to carry lots of camping accessories and have an on-board generator, this is a definite plus for the 5er. Though all that under floor storage also means a much taller towing height (lowered mileage) and the potential for the trailer weight to skyrocket.
The bottom line is that in my mind there are big pluses and minuses for both trailer configurations. But when the TV is a 1/2 ton truck, IMO the biggest consideration is trailer weight and there the TT has a definite advantage.
__________________ Ray
Natural White '03 Access Cab V8 SR5 4X4 with TRD Off Road Suspension, Limited Slip Differential, and Towing Package
Towing & Performance Mods: JBA Headers, Gibson Muffler, 4.30 gears, Michelin LTX M/S Tires, Hellwig Anti-Roll bar, Prodigy Trailer Brake Controller, Autometer Z-Series Transmission Temperature Gauge, Magnefine Transmission Filter
Utility & Misc Mods: Genuine Toyota OEM Step (Nerf) bars, Peragon Tonneau Cover, TracRac Rack and Rail System, Muth Signal Mirrors, Pop&Lock tailgate lock, TruSpeed speedometer calibrator, "$20" RS-3200 Upgrade, Auto-Dimming mirror w/ Temp and Compass, Clear/Red/Clear Taillights with Silverstar Signal bulbs, 3M Clear Bra
Thanks for the replies. The manuverability and total length is the main reason I would like the fifthwheel. It is hard enough turning our 27' (boat, engine, trailer tounge) around at the house and storage, so that kinda rules out a TT in the 27-30' range.
The only traveling we would do with the fifthwheel would be 1 time (150 miles) from home to storage at the lake, after that it would be 4 miles from storage to campgrounds at posted limits of 45 mph and below. I have found 2 5ers locally, the first would keep me well underweight, the 2nd I would have to haul by myself ,empty to storage. Some #'s to see your opinion.
So that would leave 1369 lbs for pin wieght and be at max payload.
it would also leave 7369 lbs before reaching max gcwr.
Both 5ers are Rockwoods.
Ultralite 2320: 24' long,7 1/2 wide, 746 lbs hitch, and 4106 lbs dry. This should pull real nice, would fit inside storage (big plus for me) but does have a low cieling over the bed in front (less wind drag towing).
Signature Ultralite 8243S: 26' long, 8' wide, 1150 lbs hitch and 5741 lbs dry. This should be right about max on all #s except for still having some gcwr leftover (1628 lbs in reserve). Have to store outside, would need more truck if we ever did start taking "road trips", but would be our last RV.
We started in a tent, soon went to pop-up, soon after hybrid TT and would really like to get my last RV instead of tradeing up every few years and taking the hits on depreciation. Thoughts or comments.?
TT or Fiver
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