Weight distribution vs Fifth wheel
03-29-2017, 07:34 PM
#11
Senior Member
The smaller the trailer, the more important the storage in the truck bed becomes. Since you are looking at large trailers, pick the one you like the best.
Myself, I have a 19 foot trailer. I looked at a fifth wheel, but losing the storage in the truck bed was a non-starter. I've owned fifth wheels in the past, but had a much bigger truck to do the job.
I'm shocked by your payload number, you are in 3/4 ton pickup territory. With my payload (1450), there were only a couple of 5th wheel trailers made that I could tow and stay within the payload. Meanwhile, my trailer has a tongue weight of 400 pounds, so I can stay well within the payload limit yet still have my truck cap and stuff in the truck bed (within reason).
2010 F150 Scab Lariat
2013 Escape 19 trailer
Myself, I have a 19 foot trailer. I looked at a fifth wheel, but losing the storage in the truck bed was a non-starter. I've owned fifth wheels in the past, but had a much bigger truck to do the job.
I'm shocked by your payload number, you are in 3/4 ton pickup territory. With my payload (1450), there were only a couple of 5th wheel trailers made that I could tow and stay within the payload. Meanwhile, my trailer has a tongue weight of 400 pounds, so I can stay well within the payload limit yet still have my truck cap and stuff in the truck bed (within reason).
2010 F150 Scab Lariat
2013 Escape 19 trailer
Last edited by thrifty biil; 03-29-2017 at 07:36 PM.
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Longwalker1973 (04-01-2017)
03-29-2017, 08:35 PM
#12
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Yeah Thrifty, I was kind of shocked too. I was actually looking for a 2016 XLT last summer but could not find one with the HDPP. I happened upon this leftover new 2015 XL, on autotrader of all places, with pretty much everything I needed. Just over $22,000, about $10,000 off sticker. Figured it would pull any trailer I was interested in. Had to drive a couple hundred miles to make the deal but I figured it was worth it.
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thrifty biil (03-31-2017)
03-29-2017, 08:44 PM
#13
Agree. But that's because you'll be towing the TT with an ordinary hitch, not a ProPride. The TT with a ProPride hitch tows just as good as a 5er. Yes, I've owned both.
To be a valid test, the TT would have to be towed with a ProPride hitch, properly set up and adjusted. That require hours to get it hooked up right, and only the adamant will go to that trouble.
As a general rule, TTs cost less than 5ers of the same size and quality. Enough less that you can buy the TT and the ProPride hitch for about the same price or less than the comparable 5er and 5er hitch.
Much more sophisticated engineering. The ProPride projects the pivot point to the rear axle of the tow vehicle, the same as a 5er, instead of several feet behind the rear axle. That's the main reason a TT with a ProPride tows as good as a 5er.
The big reason I prefer a TT with a ProPride over a 5er is I haul a camper shell on the back of the F-150 when towing my TT. You cannot haul a camper shell with a 5er. Items inside the shell are out of the weather and wind.
Another reason is 5ers have about 18% to 20% pin weight whereas TTs average only 13% tongue weight. That difference is enough to cause an F-150 or even an F-250 diesel to exceed the payload capacity with the 5er but not with the TT. Example: Smaller 5er that grosses 9,000 pounds will have pin weight about 1,620 or more. Big TT that grosses 9,000 pounds will have about 1,170 tongue weight. That additional 450 pounds hitch weight is significant when you are matching an RV trailer to a tow vehicle with single rear axles (SRW).
To be a valid test, the TT would have to be towed with a ProPride hitch, properly set up and adjusted. That require hours to get it hooked up right, and only the adamant will go to that trouble.
As a general rule, TTs cost less than 5ers of the same size and quality. Enough less that you can buy the TT and the ProPride hitch for about the same price or less than the comparable 5er and 5er hitch.
Much more sophisticated engineering. The ProPride projects the pivot point to the rear axle of the tow vehicle, the same as a 5er, instead of several feet behind the rear axle. That's the main reason a TT with a ProPride tows as good as a 5er.
The big reason I prefer a TT with a ProPride over a 5er is I haul a camper shell on the back of the F-150 when towing my TT. You cannot haul a camper shell with a 5er. Items inside the shell are out of the weather and wind.
Another reason is 5ers have about 18% to 20% pin weight whereas TTs average only 13% tongue weight. That difference is enough to cause an F-150 or even an F-250 diesel to exceed the payload capacity with the 5er but not with the TT. Example: Smaller 5er that grosses 9,000 pounds will have pin weight about 1,620 or more. Big TT that grosses 9,000 pounds will have about 1,170 tongue weight. That additional 450 pounds hitch weight is significant when you are matching an RV trailer to a tow vehicle with single rear axles (SRW).
Since he has nearly 3100 in payload he will have no issue with a 9k 5ver. Despite assurances otherwise you will have a much better towing experience with a 5ver vs WDH. Plus with convert a goose options out there now you can have no permenent hardware in the bed. Its much easier to hook up a 5ver in my opinion too. If you like 5th wheel trailers and want to you could easily do one with a GVW close to 11k. You truly have a HD F150, USE IT LIKE IT WAS MADE TO BE USED.
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Longwalker1973 (04-01-2017)
03-30-2017, 01:05 PM
#14
Senior Member
In this case I have to disagree with Smokey, which is rare.
I have towed both in a variety of situations and hitch set up and there is just no comparison. The 5er is a far better tow any way you cut it.
You just cannot beat having the hitch on top of the axle instead of many feet behind it.
It is all leverage here. The farther the hitch is behind the axle, the longer the lever you are giving the trailer to move the truck around. Good hitch or bad, you cannot overcome that leverage. You can compensate some with a really good hitch but that does not negate the massive amount of leverage.
Given the choice, assuming it suits your needs, the 5er wins every time.
Even Smokey noted his assumption was a top end TT hitch against a mediocre 5th hitch. Certainly not a fair comparison and one that I believe is flawed.
The 5er has drawbacks, not the least of which is the loss of use of the bed but the towing is head and shoulders ahead.
I have towed both in a variety of situations and hitch set up and there is just no comparison. The 5er is a far better tow any way you cut it.
You just cannot beat having the hitch on top of the axle instead of many feet behind it.
It is all leverage here. The farther the hitch is behind the axle, the longer the lever you are giving the trailer to move the truck around. Good hitch or bad, you cannot overcome that leverage. You can compensate some with a really good hitch but that does not negate the massive amount of leverage.
Given the choice, assuming it suits your needs, the 5er wins every time.
Even Smokey noted his assumption was a top end TT hitch against a mediocre 5th hitch. Certainly not a fair comparison and one that I believe is flawed.
The 5er has drawbacks, not the least of which is the loss of use of the bed but the towing is head and shoulders ahead.
Last edited by Dirttracker18; 04-02-2017 at 12:17 PM.
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Longwalker1973 (04-01-2017)
03-31-2017, 06:55 PM
#15
Senior Member
I loved towing a 5th wheel, liked the much shorter overall length, liked the added living space (no trailer tongue, every foot is usable).
My current truck just isn't rated to tow a very big one, and I really like my truck.
My current truck just isn't rated to tow a very big one, and I really like my truck.
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Longwalker1973 (04-01-2017)
03-31-2017, 07:42 PM
#16
Agreed here too on 5th over a BP/tagalong. I used to drive 18's and having the weight over the axle is a plus. I once had to haul a load that was a two stopper. Unfortunately first stop was the rear load, which left all the weight over the drive axles. In this situation, it is the only negative I can find about a 5th wheel. It made turning very scary as the load would lean out over the side and twist the trailer.
Other than that, it give the most stable ride, provided your truck is properly equiiped for it.
Other than that, it give the most stable ride, provided your truck is properly equiiped for it.
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Longwalker1973 (04-01-2017)