PullToy
USA
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Joined: 09/24/2001
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"I understand that they have new hitches on the market to make the TT tow better, but look at the cost of them."
"In less than a year, he lost control on a windy day, rolled the trailer and totaled it and damaged his truck."
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OK:
A. The PullRites and Hensleys have been available for decades.
B. They're cheaper than losing your trailer.
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"Get the 5th wheel, there are several good reasons why they outsell TT's."
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Yes... and a couple of bad reasons. One of the worst is the continuation of the scare tactic of the "fivers tow better" line by those who have towed with inadequate setups. It is not exactly fair to claim that TTs tow lousy when the claim is based on a setup designed by cost, not by physics. If someone wants to make the claim that TTs must be set up correctly to tow well... then fine. However, to make the blanket claim that TTs are dangerous and fivers all tow better than TTs is simply unsupportable. If you tow a Teton fiver with a 1920's truck, I suspect it won't tow well. "Conventional" hitches are the same as a 1920s truck... obsolete. And how many people do we see on the roads towing 30 something foot TTs with no sway control at all and an mid-sized SUV? I saw one with its wheels in the air on I-5 a couple of summers ago. That's not the TT's fault. That's just Darwin in action.
*This Message was edited on 28-Jan-03 11:56 AM by pulltoy*
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CPC
San Fernando Valley, USA
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Well, for what it's worth, here's my 2 cents. We had a TT and went to a 5er, the main reason the hitching and unhitching. I can do both in about 1/4 the time it took me on my TT. There are some very nice TTs out there. I had to do some fast talking to convince my wife that the 5er was the way to go. After the first time we hitched up and then unhitched she was convinced too.
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Rhigley
Downey Ca
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I like being able to use the back of my truck to haul the little extras like the BBQ - Firewood and an extra bike or two..Either way you will have a great time camping no matter what your towing.Have fun and be safe!
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mhweb
Cleveland, OH
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Joined: 06/18/2002
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You will find that most people will defend what ever their last "buy" was. And most people end up going to a fifth wheel. It seems that is the logical way to go.
Me? I went with a 32 ft travel trailer as my wife and I both loved the floor plan. The travel trailer just met our needs better for all the reasons stated previously. I put on a Hensley hitch when it was delivered and have not had any problems with sway.
Just my 2 cents.
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DonS
Scotts Valley, CA
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I have owned three TT's and now have my first 5th wheel. I have found the 5th wheel much easier to tow and set up. I like the extra floor space and storage space for a given length. Would I consider going back to a TT, no way. This trailer is much more enjoyable to tow than a TT.
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rx2tee
Mojave Desert
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It would be interesting to know how many Pullrite or Hensley Arrow owners have switched from their TT to a 5er. If I were to switch, it would have to be because I decided that my equipment that I haul in the truck and the canoe or aluminum boat were going to be left home. (I am considering a canoe rack for the TT, it would still be much lower than a standup bedroom in a 5er. This way I could take our boat and canoe.)
I will admit that not overlapping the truck with the trailer makes a longer rig. I believe the rig you end up with always has some compromises, even if money wasn't an issue.(Money is very much an issue with us, however.)
Just my 2 cents.
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PullToy
USA
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DonS: What kind of hitch did you tow your TTs with?
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DonS
Scotts Valley, CA
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I had a Equalizer brand hitch. It did a good job and the setup was fairly stable. Only problem would be when a large semi would pass me at a high speed, it would pull the TT toward the semi. I would correct for this by moving to the right when I saw them coming, but sometimes they would catch me off guard. With my 5th wheel, I don't have to worry about semi's going by.
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smartin737
Austin, Tx
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Joined: 01/13/2003
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*opinions of a newbie whose just researched this*
It's funny to me, but many folks don't seem to want to hear it...Fivers are not safer than TTs if you pay for the modern hitch with your TT! Your salesman won't tell you that because he doesn't sell a modern hitch (don't ask me why). He does sell the extra engineering built into the Fiver (at a premium, of course). He'll also likely set you up with the in-bed Fiver hitch. Profits all around! Why would he steer you towards a product he doesn't sell???
My understanding of the debate:
Fiver vs. TT with modern hitch:
Fiver Pro--Easier to hook up (saving maybe 3 minutes per hook??) Shorter overall rig.
Fiver Con-- Sacrifice over half of truck bed. Low ceiling in front room. More expensive per ft living space (even after you pay for modern TT hitch). Considerably heavier. Can't pull with SUV or van. Higher profile.
For me, giving up the truck bed and the low BR ceiling (I'm 6'4) steered me toward the TT.
Make up your own mind, but the towing safety should not factor into the equation IMO.
*This Message was edited on 02-Feb-03 02:27 PM by smartin737*
Steve
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Part-timer in Austin
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Cody47
Madison, SD
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I have just taken our first trip (3,500 miles) with a 32' 5er after having had several TT's (including with a Hensley Arrow). The 5er was MUCH better all the way around. Towed great, even at highway speed. And, hitching was much, much easier than with any kind of trailer hitch -- including the Arrow. Finally, the extra interior room and storage of the fifth wheel was wonderful! All in all, I would spend the extra money as I cannot see any reason to go back to the travel trailer.
Whatever you do -- have fun!
Cody47
2008 Winnebago Tour 40TD
2009 Chevy HHR Toad
http://fulltime-rv.blogspot.com/
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