5er Or Travel Trailer?

Nice rig · June 20, 2007

I'm kicking around the idea of getting a towable RV. Besides the question of what my rig can handle, I don't know if I should go with the conventional travel trailer or a 5th wheel setup. I've looked at some that range from 5000-8500 lb dry weight, I just don't know what my rig can handle...don't want to burn up my tranny the 2nd time out with it. Any experienced rv'ers out there, I would preshate any info you can give.

asilverblazer · June 20, 2007

I'd go as big as your needs require and as small as you want to set up. Sure everyone wants to camp in a big travel trailer, but they get to be so big and burdensome its no longer worth it to take out for a weekend getaway. So you decide not to use it, when if it were smaller and easier to use it might be used more.

Make sense?

ThorsHD · June 20, 2007

I'd go with a fifth wheel. they pull very nice. I'd go 24-28 ft range. I wouldn't go bigger than 28 ft. We have a 33ft fiver and sometimes it is hard to get reservations for any thing over 28 ft. How many people will be camping with you?

C & A s Dad · June 21, 2007

We have been camping for about 6 years. Began in a 1,600lb pop up behind a Dodge Caravan and now am in a 29' Sunnybrook Sunset Creek Travel Trailer. I looked hard at 5vers but my wife really did not want to drive a pick up everyday. We ended up with the Yukon XL in my sig and of course at that point had to go with a Travle T.

I researched this too much but it seems the generl thought is if you tow a lot and will use it a lot like retired folks who live in them, a 5ver is the only way to go. On the other hand, for 6 to 8 weekends a year + one longer trip a year, the TT does great.

If you go with a TT, the WD hitch is the key. I went with an Equal i zer brand and love it. If you want to spend $3,000 on a hitch, the Hensley is the premium unit but I could not spend that.

If you have a good Mobile Scout or Sunnybrook dealer in your area, take a look. They are quality units. Ours is just over a year old and it has never been back to the dealer. Not one issue yet.

One other thing. If you are pulling in any real heat and do not live in a really cold climate in the winter, consider replacing your factory trans cooler with a larger unit. You can search this forum and see what I did or PM me. Just be sure to use the same stacked plate design as came on it. The design cannot be beat but the size needs to be larger IMO for any serious weight.

desrtrat · June 23, 2007

depends on how often you plan on using it. a couple weekends a year than i would go no more than 24' if just for 2 people. i have had 3 different trailers over the years, the best pulling/handling was a 5th wheel i had. i liked it, it was small for me being 6'3 kept hitting my head on everything

a lot has to do with how you feel in side of one. you may find that a 24' may feel cramped to you so you mat want to go bigger for the comfort. i have a 34' straight that is good for me, right now with a expand side witch gives me about 18' more side room. hell i sold my house and moved into the trailer full time and when i get fed up with it all, i can be out of town in 1 hr...

good luck in what ever you decide on, BUT shop around and you will find a good deal on what is best for you.

BTW.. STAY AWAY FROM MIKE THOMPSON RV CENTERS AND THOR FINANCAL

plainvanilla · July 1, 2007

My back alley way and the turns I need to make to park a RV were a big part of my decision to get a 23 ft Travel Trailer instead of a 5er. Plus with a TT I can pull it with my Burb or Truck. Also with a TT and my truck I can still lock all my stuff under the bed cover on trips cause its bumper pull.

on the other side, the 5ers pull so much more stable and are easy to back and have more room. They are nice, just not for me at this point in time.