It seems the travel trailer plays second fiddle to the almighty 5th wheel in most circles. We disagree and here are a few reasons why.
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44 Comments
Great Video! I have been working on my own list of pros and cons…this helps a bunch!
Nice overview I agree. I can't decide over a 20ft or 30ft trailer? considering like mileage or for example manoverability. I'm afraid being stuck unable to get of a narrow passage or finding parking spaces. Thoughts?
Great points. We also have an Imagine. However, here's what I'd say. 1) Towability — you don't need a 3/4 ton truck to tow it, especially if you need to use that vehicle day to day. 2) As you said vehicle bed use, especially for those of us who can't store ours at home 3) Bang for buck — for those of us who don't rv full time or only limited number of times a year
Helpful video. Thanks
Great points, thank you!
Wow. You were up to 750 subscribers at the time this video was made. As of today, 10/06/20, you're up to 24.7k! Good job. 🙂
5th wheel 3 times more money? So you didn’t actually priced one….
Travel trailer pulls as well? So you have never pulled a 5th wheel…
Storage? So you’ve never really compared them…
1st rv was an old travel trailer, which I loved, i was tired of tent camping with small kids, but my husband hated pulling it, scared him to death, even with a great tow bar thingy. Got a fifth wheel 32' 5" bunkhouse and we love it, its easy for him to tow, its an ultra light, the bunks in the back with a half bath and we have a queen, with a great sized bathroom. You just have to do a lot of searching and you will find the rv that is right for you 😀
Good points made in this video, as well in the comments. Personally I’d prefer to but a 5th wheel. Of course they cost more. You’re for more engineering, a much more industrial-utilitarian design.
Naturally, if more people buy standard hitch mount trailers, there will be a bigger resale demand for those.
If I buy a 5th wheel, I have to be dedicated to my purchase and looking at keeping it, not the resale. (Kinda like if you buy a car with mostly resale in mind, you are less likely to put high mileage on it.)
True, 5th wheels are harder to the, hence the need for a tow rig that is 1-ton or bigger. I think 5th wheels are a safer tow, easier to back up and maneuver in campgrounds, and easier to mount & dismount, once you establish a system.
I happen to prefer 5th wheel floor plan. I like climbing up a few steps to the loft master bedroom.
When I buy a 5th wheel it will be the toy-hauler type with versatile rear cargo space/ ramped garage area. Many of those also have conversion systems for beds or a large bed that lowers from the ceiling.
I do appreciate this video, but for me, 5th wheels make more sense.
I can understand that weekend camping is much different than full-time RV living. My hopes are full-time, with membership to several campgrounds.
5th wheel trailers: They cost more, “you get what you pay for..”
After many years of tent camping we are moving onto an RV. We do have a F350 and know we can pretty much tow anything. Looking at Grand Design primarily. Our decision is coming down to crating our two labs while in transit. Haven’t found a solution if we have a fifth wheel. Thinking of possibly a TT and install a camper shell on the bed. Thoughts to what to do with the dogs while driving down the road?
Surprised you didnt mention the main reason ( besides box access ) that we've stuck with TTs. And that is mobility over uneven or rough terrain. The travel trailer can articulate much better than a 5th wheel. Without the fair of running your box up into the bottom of your 5th wheel. 🙂
Please explain what "payload" means. E-mail me at cgerard906@gmail.com
Thank you.
Reason number 4, access to the truck bed, outranks tow ability in my opinion
Use of the bed of the truck is a major thing. That can also count for storage.
I have a 25’ lite fifth wheel trailer that is a joy to own. It takes me 15mins tops to hook up and go. When I go camping with my buddy and his TT with the weight distribution hitch I got to give him at less a 30min head start and I always finish before him.
Great video! We have an imagine 3170bh and love it! Spot on with with everything you said. We're towing with a 2500HD gaser with no problems, just added airlift airbags to accompany the blue ox WDH. Definitely recommend. Safe travels 🍻
Great video! I appreciate it! We are looking to purchase our first RV. Still trying to decide what kind. What are some of the top manufacturers? Thanks
Good video. Still applicable today
I like your videos. This is my second one. The first one was why you traded in your diesel truck for a gas.
As for fifth wheels, I think the height is a major problem. Some of those newer fifth wheelers going down the highway look so tall!
Thanks,
Ram
Great presentation and a personal common sense view . #4 is my main reason. Just purchased a new 29’,one slide with a great Arctic package….Seems it will work out fine. Thanks
I love how you are so rational in your thought processes for weekend warriors. It’s a great reality check along with your practicality. God’s peace…
Price was a major consideration for us, making sure the truck we had was good and also the height of fifth wheels. Friend of mine has to trim branches to park his 5th wheel. Can do without that when I’m camping.
The idea of travel trailers looking better than 5th wheels is true for those smaller 5th wheels that shorter in height towards the rear, but when you get into those large 5th wheels and toy haulers with 3 axles and flat roofs, those look sick.
Started with a travel trailer, moved to a fifth wheel, had a couple of those. Went back to the travel trailer. I cannot tell the difference towing either one. I have towed trailers of all kinds over the years from 48 foot flatbed weighing 80000 pounds including the truck to a 5×10 utility trailer you can move by hand. If the trailer hitch is set up correctly you will have no problem with a travel trailer.
Fth wheels are easier to pull and less stress on the suspension and not to mention fuel economy is better with a fithwheel because it has a different pulling point a Travel trailer you are dragging it behind a fith wheel after it gets going you are just holding it there with little pressure and if you are a week end warrior then buy used for half the cost yea you don't get warranty but can still get a newer trail for a reasonable price
You make some good points, I just prefer the height of the fifth wheels. My wife and I bought ours. We looked at both options and the height in the travel trailer is just to low for us in my opinion. The fifth wheel even has a ceiling fan in ours.
In my state you need weighted registration/tags to pull a fifth wheel, regular tags to pull a travel trailer.
Thanks for taking the time to share this thought process. I got a kick out of your first reason. 🙂
Quality content! Thanks a lot.
Hey there , just watching some old videos , agree on everything . For us it was the height of filth wheels , I'm guessing about 2 feet or more . Not great for western national parks . …Rumor has it the China is in the beginning phases of negotiating for control of them . Just a rumor . 👌
Nice video. Lots of valid points. I am also a weekend warrior and believe in the same things that you spoke about. It was nice to hear somebody stand on the same ground as myself. Keep up the good work bud
Thanks for the information.
Few things here
"all rv's are going to lose their rear ends as far as depreciation goes"…. Wrong… Molded fiberglass units like scamp, Oliver, and escape hardly. Depreciate at all and I know some that are selling for more than they were new now. Rigs like carriage cameos or DRV hold their value very well.
Grand Design is not a well built unit. It's the same junk as all the rest that's being cranked out of Indiana…they just have a little more lipstick on them.
Most TT are not rated for full time use and you will lose your warranty. Some fifth wheels are specifically rated for full time use.
If you only camp on some weekends travel trailers are deff the way to go. But some of your comments are very inaccurate.
Good idea
It certainly is a personal decision. We love the looks, towability, storage and yes floor plan of our GD TT. We wanted all the living space to be on one level without the step of a fifth wheel. Also, to your good point, didn't want to lose the truck bed to the wheel. I think we agree on your choices as well!
I have a leer shell on my truck and I keep a lot of stuff in there
Never chose a TT over a 5th Wheel !!! TT's Are HORRIBLE !!!!!!!
It really didn't help me make any decision as to which one I should choose, but the video was very well done. The one thing that I really enjoyed was your comment about the floor plan. Because that is my biggest issue with the fifth wheel they always want to throw in a couch and 16 hideaway beds. Thanks for the video.
Pt #6. Vehicle Selection. With a 5th Wheel you're forced into a pickup truck. TT allow you to own a Tahoe/Suburban/Excursion. etc, OR a pickup
You pulled anything behind your Travel Trailor?
They are both better than sitting at home and watching TV.
5th wheel… front bedrooms with limited headspace….
Each to There own.
We like to boondock on forest roads and small campgrounds. 5th wheels are 11+ feet high and just love tree branches.