grampscamper
CANADA
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Joined: 07/30/2010
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I’m getting more confused the more I look and the more people I talk to. I have a 2008 Tundra Double Cab 5.7, looking to buy a trailer. I was ready to purchase a 29’ TT until a friend said buy a 5th wheel instead because it is much easier to tow. I have a few questions that I hope someone can answer.
Is the 5th wheel hitch easily removable?
What is the cost of a 5th wheel hitch?
Are there many 5th wheel trailers within my weight limits?
What are the advantages of a 5th wheel or TT?
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five'er
Canada
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Joined: 09/25/2006
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Is the hitch easy to remove? Most often not as easy as you would like, some are heavy. I believe it depends on the hitch
Cost of a 5th wheel hitch is anywhere from $500 to $over $5000 depending on how fancy you want to go. You can sometimes get this "Thrown in" if you buy new.
Can you pull many of them? This question will spark a lot of responses. My opinion is check the weights listed on your drivers door but I believe the answer is.. Not that many of the full profile ones you may have your eye on..
Advantages of a fifth Wheel? Consider this.. a 35' fifth wheel pulls the same length as a 27 or 28' TT because with a fifth wheel you don't have the 3-4' of tounge and the living area also extends into and sometimes over the truck. On top of that, it's more aero dynamic and in my experience pulls much easier than a TT of a smaller size.
Maybe not much help but there are a lot of choices out there.
Fifth wheels are often considered as a step above TT in quality however I think that is changing with time.
2009 1500 Dodge Sport QC, Prodigy Brake Controller, 2009 KZ 266 MXT
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samsontdog
Oregon, Wash Coast summer, Yuma Az winter
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I have owned both, the TT and 5th w and I have a 34 ft TT at the present time
plus a 40 ft 5th w on my vacation lot. A TT will tow as well as a 5th w if properly equiped IMHO. The 5th w hitch was a PITA to take out plus it is heavy !! With you owning a 5.7 Tundra {which I owned one at one time,} I would stick with a TT
samsontdog 
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Sandia Man
Rio Rancho, NM
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There are advantages and disadvantages to both as it is often discussed here on the forum but for your current truck you would be able to tow a longer TT as compared to the same size 5er since the 5er will put you well over you TV's payload capacity in most cases. There are some lighter weight 5ers out there so it's definitely doable but will require you to determine which 5ers your truck's available payload capacity can handle. Check your truck's specs and go shopping and don't let dealers/salespeople tell you what you can tow since their only concern is making the sale.
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powderman426
ohio
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I have had both, and I prefer a 5'er because I think they pull easier. The down side is you lose a good portion of the truck bed to carry things. If you go with a trailer, get the best hitch you can, as it makes a world of difference. BTW the 5th wheel hitch is heavy, I would guess mine weighs about 75 to 100 lbs, but they do remove easily as there are 4 slide pins that hold it to the bed rails. Also some people pull the hitch pins and leave the hitch connected to the trailer. That way you don't need to lift the hitch by hand. Good luck to you.
Ron & Charlotte
28' Prowler & 05 Ram QC LB
I started with nothing and I still have most of it left
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grampscamper
CANADA
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Thanks for the great info. I will need to check the specs. so I don't overload my truck. I don't need a very long 5th wheel so I may be O.K.
I'm finding it very difficult to decide. I plan to go to an RV show and gather as much info. as possible. Hopefully it will make my decision much easier.
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afrescop
San Antonio
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From what I can find the GVWR of your Tundra is anywhere from 6,800 - 7,200 pounds. A light 5th wheel might have a pin weight of about 1,500 pounds. Your truck has to weigh, conservatively, 5,000 pounds. Add to that the weight of passengers, full load of gas, the hitch and any cargo. You will be easily over the GVWR of your truck. Very few wise people tow a 5ver with a 1/2 ton truck. Most of us have 3/4 ton and up trucks. Lots of us prefer the diesel engine to gas for its unmatched towing ability. Remember, the real pin weight is about 20% of the actual weight of the 5ver with contents.
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fordsooperdooty
Southern California
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Forest River has an XLite 5th wheel that would work out for ya!
Nash from Northwood has several floor plans that will let you tow a 5er. HERE...
As long as your truck can handle the 5er pin weight when fully loaded and ready to camp, then you're good to go!
A 5er is the best at towing "right out of the box" without fancy equipment needed on some TT's to beat them into submission when towing! 5er's handle better, have more interior and storage volume, easiler to set up and hitch up, too! Good luck!
"Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and consciencious stupidity."
-Martin Luther King, Jr.
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PopsRacer
Okc, Ok
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powderman426 wrote:... BTW the 5th wheel hitch is heavy, I would guess mine weighs about 75 to 100 lbs, but they do remove easily as there are 4 slide pins that hold it to the bed rails. ....
That's alot lighter than I thought they'd be... My Equal-i-zer w/ 6" drop shank weighs over 100-lbs, I think close to 110-lbs if I remember correctly, maybe time to set it on a scale again....
Ultralight 5th wheels are a big advantage to having a pickup truck over an SUV, IMHO... A bunch of those 5'ers have alot to be envied... 
2005 6" Lifted Nissan Armada LE (Offroad Beast)
2007 Jayco Jay Flight 29BHS
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RRUGG
Newaygo, MI,USA
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I've had two fifth wheels and now have a TT and have had several. I do NOT find the 5er to tow any better than a TT if the truck and hitch are properly set up and are suitable for the weight involved. Which you buy is YOUR personal choice based on your wants & needs. Check both out, see if you can try towing both, and then decide for yourself.
RRUGG
2009 Chevrolet Silverado LTZ 1500 4x4 5.3L
2011 Kodiak 281RLGS travel trailer
2011 Egg Camper
2010 Chrysler Town & Country
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