Are you considering purchasing a 5th wheel? What are the benefits and drawbacks to the 5th wheel vs a travel trailer? Travel trailers and 5th wheels share a lot in common, yet they’re two different types of RVs.
The main benefit of a 5th wheel is that you’ve got much more stability when towing in comparison to a travel trailer. With a 5th wheel, you’re much more stable on the road. This makes them a lot easier to drive around, maneuver, and feel safer traveling long distances.
However, with a 5th wheel, the price per square foot is a little higher than you would have with a travel trailer. With those quick points, let’s dive into the 15 pros and cons for a travel trailer vs 5th wheel.
5th Wheel vs Travel Trailer
Pros
1. You eliminate sway
On a 5th wheel, the weight of the overhang presses down directly over the rear axle of your tow vehicle. For the most part with the weight centered above the rear axle, this helps to reduce and eliminate sway.
2. Easier to drive
With the large stabilizer arm, the 5th wheels are a bit more maneuverable and easy to drive. You can fit go around corners smoother and feel more stable on the highway. In general, a 5th wheel will always tow better than a travel trailer.
3. 5th wheels tend to have a higher amenity level
Some brands that make both 5th wheels and travel trailers, and yet their 5th wheels are built bigger and better.
4. Less strain on the truck suspension
A truck’s suspension system is designed to carry weight above the bed, not behind it. Your suspension, tires, axles, and everything are all right below the kingpin on a 5th wheel which helps to eliminate a lot of bounce.
5. More outside storage compartments
5th wheels tend to have some really large outside storage areas. You’ll never trade in a camper for the reason of too much storage.
6. Better for full-time RV living
If you plan on living in your RV full-time, then a 5th wheel is the better option. With a lot more time on the road and travel over longer distances, you’ll want a 5th wheel for the superior towing experience. This can also justify the ROI since you’ll be spending a lot more time with the RV.
The average camper who only goes on a few trips a year or on the weekends may be better off with a travel trailer.
7. More expansive, longer trailer options
Along with the higher amenity levels, you can find 5th wheels with a lot more length. Due to the towing arm design, they can safely handle being much longer. If you plan on sleeping a lot of guests, then a 5th wheel is the better option since you’ll have a lot more room inside your RV.
Cons
1. You need a heavy-duty truck
If you don’t already have a truck, then you won’t be able to use a 5th wheel camper. With a different tow vehicle, you’ll need to go with a travel trailer or another option.
Not to mention, it’s recommended to use a truck that’s at least 3/4 ton for smaller 5th wheels. For medium or larger 5th wheels, you’ll want to get a dualie or at least a 1-ton single rear wheel truck. With 5th wheels being much taller, you want that additional peace of mind that you’ve got the stability, braking, and payload capacity to support the additional weight they place on the back of your truck.
2. 5th wheels can look intimidating
For those shopping around for there first RV, most people gravitate towards a travel trailer. Large 5th wheels can seem intimidating with their massive size. You look at them and think you’re going to need a big truck to tow it (which in some cases depending on the camper weight, you do).
3. Committed to a larger size
Hands down 5th wheels, even at their smallest, are larger than the smaller travel trailers. In general, you’re committing to driving a larger truck and towing a larger trailer. Whereas with a smaller travel trailer, you can choose something that may be a little more compact and lighter weight.
4. More expensive per foot
If you were to compare a 5th wheel and a travel trailer that are both the same length, the travel trailer will cost less and weigh less. The travel trailers are smaller and require fewer materials, labor, and cost when being built.
5. Limited truck bed access
With a 5th wheel, the hitch does take up the majority of the truck bed. Whereas with a travel trailer, you have the entire bed of a truck open for cargo. This could include a kayak, generator, chainsaw, table, extra water, leveling blocks, outdoor carpet, and other miscellaneous camping gear.
6. Harder to purchase and resell
Since the 5th wheels cost more and require a less common heavy-duty truck set up to tow it, it makes it harder to purchase and resell. There are a lot more people out there that can tow and afford a used travel trailer than a 5th wheel.
7. More steps
If you’re older, had surgery, have a bad back, bad knees, or something along those lines, then you need to consider the extra steps in the 5th wheels. That extra step up and down every morning or every time you go to the bathroom, that’s going to get tiresome.
Whereas on a travel trailer it’s one flat deck. You have steps coming in the door, but you don’t have the constant up and down.
8. Not as pretty to look at
Some people find the overall design of a 5th wheel to be not as nice to look at. The lines on a travel trailer will tend to line up and look a lot better. In comparison, the lines on a 5th wheel tend to look like a broken travel trailer with the overhang design that goes above the truck bed.
Of course, this is so the 5th wheel sits over the rear axle for better towing, but it’s hard to make them look as sleek and as good as a travel trailer.
Conclusion
Overall it’s a very personal choice as to which type of camper better suits your needs. Neither RV is necessarily superior to the other. They’re different and serve different needs. Also, be sure to take a look at the various floorplan options you have on each in your size range. This can vary quite a bit between what they design in a layout for a travel trailer or 5th wheel.
Regardless of which option you choose, be it a 5th wheel or travel trailer, you’re sure to have a great time with your camper in the outdoors!