Goostoff wrote:

If a bumper hitch was more stable I would think the trucking industry would have adapted to it decades ago. I mean a 53 foot van trailer that is 13 feet tall has just got to be crazy unstable right?

fulltimedaniel wrote:



The reason the 5th wheel was adapted is WEIGHT not stability. You cant put 30k on any bumper pull type system. ( this weight is in todays terms of course) As for space you get more space with a step down trailer such as a furniture van than with a flat floor higher trailer.

And if I am correct it predates the bumper pull system we have known for a very long time.

The problem I see is that some seem to feel a bit invincible with their 5th wheels because of mistaken notions like this. This only adds to the problems when the unexpected happens and they find out there are alot of things that can go wrong in a big hurry.

And a final word on stability a 5th wheel has a tremendous amount of weight much higher off the ground than the typical BP trlr. This raises the center of gravity and THAT is not good for stability.

Either type if loaded and balance and DRIVEN correctly are just fine. There is no hard evidence to say one is more or less stable than the other.

RandACampin wrote:



Can't put 30K on a bumper pull of any kind? BS! What about thisthis "bumper pull system"? or this other one ?

myredracer wrote:

A lot of folks just don't know how to minimize sway in a TT or take the time to set things up right.

Our TT is "only" 29' but have no issues with sway or handling. Have a Reese DC WDH but also added shocks to the TT and put HD Bilsteins in the F250. The truck has a longer wheelbase with reg. cab & 8' bed which also helps. All tires are inflated to sidewall max. except fronts on the trucks (@75). Took me a whole season of fiddling with the DC WDH to get it all optimized. We tow at 65 mph max. NO problem with sway (ever). I love mountain curves at 65 mph - TT & TV together handles like sports car (well, sort of,lol). The only times it gets challenging is when there is a strong gusting side wind and any TT/WDH setup will be affected and a FW also. We were on one stretch of interstate in Wa. that often gets high gusting winds and we were told by a local that he has seen many FWs blown clear over due to being taller.

We would hate to lose the space in the back of the truck. It's always got lots of "stuff" in it - firewood, campfire in a can, recliners, sat. dish, sewer hoses and more.


Some insist a FW is the only way to go and some will insist a TT is better. Glass 1/2 full, six of one, all depends... We like everything being on the same level in a TT. DW has had on-going issues with vertigo and I have a bad back and the extra steps in a FW wouldn't work for us. FWs *seem* to be better appointed inside and have stronger frames. Some ultralite TTs can have issues because they are built the least substantial possible in order to save weight. If you look at the total package cost of a FW/TT and truck, a TT will be less. You could take the savings and buy a nicer truck or TT...

horton333 wrote:

"To each their own, but a 5er is naturally more stable, simple physics. There is a reason that 5er don't need sway control devices."

As documented below considering the physics of the fifth wheel must have greater sway forces to both wind and torsional problems, that's why the manufacturers recommend at least twice as much weight forward (and so a much stronger truck) to compensate.
The other sway control method 5th wheels use is to move the pivot point to slightly forward of the rear wheels. This is highly effective at reducing sway but it dominates the use of the entire truck bed.
TT owners can use their bed, and buy a lot cheaper truck for the addition of some much cheaper sway control on the hitch itself.

rhagfo wrote:



Horton, I really hate to inform you that a fiver can use a great deal of the bed for coolers, fire wood, tool boxes generators, dog cages etc.
The important camping stuff, can be stored in the 5er basement, where it doesn't need to be packed and unpacked before and after each trip. Bikes can go on a pin box mount where they are safely out of the way and within sight while towing.

Recommended tongue and pin weights are like TT 12% to 15% and 5er 15% to 25% that is not twice as much, most 5er do well at 20% to 22%, while to cut back on sway a TT should be close to 15%.

I do realize that there are many good thing about TT, fewer steps lower ceilings. that said with long rigs lower to the ground as it's own issues dragging at driveways!!