5th wheel vs bumper pull

[randal]

I'm going to be in the market for a 26-32' travel trailer that will be pulled with a crew cab f250 deisel short bed.. My thoughts about it are, I like the idea of a 5th wheel because I would think you have more room, and it would pull better.. I don't like the fact that I will pretty much lose my truck bed and can't take a 4 wheeler and stuff like that, I've also heard that you can't turn one very sharp with a short bed because it will hit the back of your truck.. I would consider a toy hauler but don't really like the idea..

I like the bumper pull because I would still have a truck bed and they tend to be cheaper.. What do y'all think????

[EastTXHunter]

5th wheel is easier to maneuver, less sway when pulled and you can get a removable 5th wheel to keep bed space

[dhillis]

I would only suggest a bumper pull for a smaller much lighter trailer. A 5th wheel puts the load over the axlex instead of the rear of the truck.

[randal]

5th wheel is easier to maneuver, less sway when pulled and you can get a removable 5th wheel to keep bed space

Yeah I looked at the b&w companion but meant lose your bed while pulling the trailer..

[Extremebowman]

5th wheel easier and more manageable to pull. Ive heard a lot complain about the "swing" issue when backing up, but how much time do you spend doing that? Like most things, it all boils down to your personal usage. Toy Hauler - I have one and love it, will never have a regular TT again. I had the same decision points when I got mine. I went with a BP toy hauler and although the 5th pull better and have more "personal room" inside, my need was to carry several machines. I can fit 3 full size ATVs in the camper and since it's BP I can carry one in the bed of the truck. 4 machines and room to sleep 11 wins in my book!

[ColinR]

with the slider hitches you can back up just fine with a short bed. Something else to think about is where are you going to pull the trailer. I have a 5th wheel and with my new truck F350 its much taller than my previous chevy. Issue I have is the clearance between the top of bed and bottom of camper. I have to be VERY carefull if I drive over uneven ground. Going to be very close pulling off the road into the lease as there is a pretty good drop. Just something else to think about.

[randal]

with the slider hitches you can back up just fine with a short bed. Something else to think about is where are you going to pull the trailer. I have a 5th wheel and with my new truck F350 its much taller than my previous chevy. Issue I have is the clearance between the top of bed and bottom of camper. I have to be VERY carefull if I drive over uneven ground. Going to be very close pulling off the road into the lease as there is a pretty good drop. Just something else to think about.

I was wondering about that..

Also it will prob only be pulled 5-6 times a year

[Texas8point]

Get the bumper pull, youll be happy you did.

[holepuncher]

If you go with a 5th wheel, have it converted to a goose neck. Then you can have a B&W goose neck ball installed in your bed. Rent one of each for a weekend and then decide.

[BigL]

Faced the same decision recently and chose bumper pull so I could keep the bed open for other toys. I have 2 kids so when we go we want bikes, etc. Get a weight distribution hitch if you want more weight forward.

[expressfish]

Get the bumper pull, youll be happy you did.

bumper gets my vote for a trailer of the size your looking for. I had a 5th w/ gooseneck adapter, lost bed space while pulling and if your truck sits high you'll squash your bed rail if you dont know any better ---like I did. Lesson learned the hard way ! 32ft is a beast to pull around for camping trips, maybe a 28 w/ slide ?

[randal]

bumper gets my vote for a trailer of the size your looking for. I had a 5th w/ gooseneck adapter, lost bed space while pulling and if your truck sits high you'll squash your bed rail if you dont know any better ---like I did. Lesson learned the hard way ! 32ft is a beast to pull around for camping trips, maybe a 28 w/ slide ?

Yeah 26-28 if bumper pull and 28-32 if 5th wheel.. I'm leaning more towards a bumper pull especially thinking about bed rails and heights and all that.. I reall just need something for me my wife and two kids. Would like to have a couple extra spots open for friend or something though.. If I get a bumper pull I would HAVE to have my truck to move it I would have room in truck bed and all that..

[BrandonH]

I've owned a couple bumper pulls and a couple 5th wheels, and will not own another bumper pull. The 5th wheel tows much better, I like the additional storage, and the interior headroom makes it feel much larger than it is. I also have a short bed and use a slider hitch, however I seldom have to slide it back. For a trailer under 30' a bumper pull may be ok, but for anything over 30' I would definitely go 5th wheel.

[DaveC]

Either way you'll be happy.
I know my lil 5 th wheel pulls smoother than my bumper pull did- meaning it feels more like its part of the truck- so much so that when I'm headed down the highway I don't so much "forget" it's back there, but It becomes way less of an overriding concern like it is when I double tow.

If I would have went bumper pull I could bring the kayaks along a little easier. Now I'm looking at ways to do that with my current set up. I'm thinking kayak trailer at the moment.

The short bed and a companion hitch are a great set up with plenty of Turning room before hitting the cab.


I do wish I would have just gone gooseneck adapter with ball instead of fifth wheel though. I was told the 5th hitch would pull smoother so that is what I did. Just flipping the ball for a gooseneck would have been easier than storing the 5th hitch in my garage.

That being said, my wife wanted the 5th over a bumper for the extra room and elevated front bedroom, so that is what WE did.

Here is my set up when I tow both toys to and from the lease.


Btw, It gets mid 9's double towing -


If you are worried about the four wheeler either be ready to double tow, get a toy hauler or get the bumper pull.
One benefit of the bumper pull- you wouldn't always be married to a 3/4+ ton truck. Most Bp's can be drug around by a gas halfer.

[Mudslinger]

Floor space to floor space on the same floor configuration is the same from a bumper pull to a 5th wheel, but the 5th wheel will feel a lot bigger because of the ceiling height being greater. That is what sold me on a 5th wheel over the same trailer but in a bumper pull style. One thing depending on the length of the trailer especially in a 5th wheel with the bedroom up front: get 2 air conditioners! I have a 33' 5th wheel and only a single air conditioner in the main living area of the trailer and in the summer without any shade on the trailer, the bedroom up front and up the short stairs takes forever to get cool if it ever does.