Towing...5th wheel vs ball hitch

[macsdaddy]

Opinions please,  looks like we have a camper in our near future, I own a half ton truck (bought before I had any mopar so brand is not important ) anyway I have a 9000 lb. trailer capacity and will probably buy in the high 20 foot range.  So whats the deal on 5th wheel?  Is it that much better or since I cant tow huge weights shold I just stick with the hitch? Whaddaya think?

[tactransman]

Your gonna wish you had a heavier truck. 5th wheel is better,it puts the load on the center of the chassis where a ball puts it on the rear.

[NoMope Greg]

Assuming that a different truck isn't in the cards, can you tell us more about the truck?  You can tow 9000 lbs, but TTMan is right - you won't be happy if you tow close to that amount.  I wouldn't put much beyond 5000 lbs on a half ton.

Fifth wheel will also be much easier to back up, but it could compromise the utility of the truck when you aren't towing.

[Rare_T_A]

My trailer is a hitch type. I do use an equalizer though which makes a huge difference. I pull it with a 1/2 ton and have never had a problem doing it. If you go with a hitch type you MUST get an equalizer for it!!

[macsdaddy]

I am not asking the question to see if I can exceed weight or get closer to my weight limit, I just was ondering b/c it seems the 5th wheels have a few more options and a higher celing.  I would love an HD truck but right now its not to be.  What I am driving is a 5.3 F150 supercab with a full bed.  Beyond the options for me in trailers do people who have done both find more stability from one to the other, smoother pulling etc.  I agree the stablizer bars are a must have on the ball.  Thaks for all of the input.

[cuda]

I have towed and used both 5th wheel and hitch. I curently own a hitch tow trailer. Pros and cons to both. A 5th wheel does handle the weight more balanced and seams to tow more stable and straight with less side to side whip when a ratical lane change or manover is required. Also it is easy to back them up into a spot. Also the 5th wheel is a bit expensive to have the box hitch and brake system installed,you also lose your truck box area with the hitch in place and then have a lot less room for camping goods and storage room........With the ball hitch you MUST use equalizer bars and electric trailer brakes!!! Another good safety item is an anti sway bar which seams to be a needed for some trailers,and mine is one of them. It prevents side to side whip in strong winds or lane change or when a large vehicle passes by. Id go with an ultra lite unit either way with a 1/2 ton truck. I have a 1/2 ton truck as well and my trailer weighs 4000 lbs empty...so about 5000 lbs loaded with water and camping goods.( BEER) My tow capacity is only 7500lbs. Hope this helps,any other question feel free to pm me,i have done lots of towing and drive large trucks for a living.

[snowdog]

I have towed and used both 5th wheel and hitch. I curently own a hitch tow trailer. Pros and cons to both. A 5th wheel does handle the weight more balanced and seams to tow more stable and straight with less side to side whip when a ratical lane change or manover is required. Also it is easy to back them up into a spot. Also the 5th wheel is a bit expensive to have the box hitch and brake system installed,you also lose your truck box area with the hitch in place and then have a lot less room for camping goods and storage room........With the ball hitch you MUST use equalizer bars and electric trailer brakes!!! Another good safety item is an anti sway bar which seams to be a needed for some trailers,and mine is one of them. It prevents side to side whip in strong winds or lane change or when a large vehicle passes by. Id go with an ultra lite unit either way with a 1/2 ton truck. I have a 1/2 ton truck as well and my trailer weighs 4000 lbs empty...so about 5000 lbs loaded with water and camping goods.( BEER) My tow capacity is only 7500lbs. Hope this helps,any other question feel free to pm me,i have done lots of towing and drive large trucks for a living.

Exactly what Cuda said, he said it perfectly and saved me a bunch of writing.  Owned a 5th Wheel for +10 year and towed with ball hitch one in a while.  BTW, last time I was in Jasper it was 4th of July and it was ........................snowing.

See ya,  Snowdoggie

[heminut]

my trailer weighs 4000 lbs empty...so about 5000 lbs loaded with water and camping goods.( BEER)

Dude! I wanna party with you!!!!  

[Moparal]

I have towed with both for 10's of thou of miles.  You usually want an 8 lug rear on the fith wheel. Kinda like a safety feature. With a flat flange axle and rim, if the lugs break off from weight and stress, I catches on the axle flange but is less likely to break.  Stabil bars on my tow behind.  I like the way a 5 th wheel tow acts. 

[farmertan]

Cuda is right on the money. The longer and heavier the tow vehicle the better they handle. Ive got a 1 ton 4 door long box and dont need load bars or stabalizer w/our 24ft camper or race trailer but when i haul w/the 5thwheel or goose neck its even better. w/your truck i'd say 21ft ultra light would be great.Also my tires are load range E whats a 1/2 tons tires rated at?

[macsdaddy]

Cuda is right on the money. The longer and heavier the tow vehicle the better they handle. Ive got a 1 ton 4 door long box and dont need load bars or stabalizer w/our 24ft camper or race trailer but when i haul w/the 5thwheel or goose neck its even better. w/your truck i'd say 21ft ultra light would be great.Also my tires are load range E whats a 1/2 tons tires rated at?

I have 7 lug wheels and my tires are rated at 2550lbs (not sure what letter that is).  We pulled an UL 21 this weekend and it hardle seemed like it was there.  Also space for my family, and gear wee need to do a little bigger, we were considering a 27.  I guess too I should have mentioned I do have the trailer brakes installed.  BTW how does the load rating work on tires?

[farmertan]

It's the amount of load a tire is intended to take,and sidewall strength,my E is 80psi 12ply. If you overload a C then tire failure could happen quicker.Problem is my truck rides like a tank and most people dont like that.Heres a link that better describes it.http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=55 My trailer is older so it weighs more than the newer ones.I would think you could get a 24ft bunkhouse with slideout that sleeps 8 and be in good shape since there probably lighter nowadays.

[JS27N0B]

5th wheel is the only way to go unless you need the box of your truck for additional hauling.   I would not haul 9K trailer with a half ton truck. If it is for short trips, ok but if you plan on putting on a lot of miles you need more truck. 

[Changin Gears]

I have not towed with a 5th wheel, but towed a bunch with a hitch tow.  Started with a 1/2 ton then went to a dually.  Night an day difference in stability.  I think it has to do with the extra set of side walls and there resistance to flex side to side.  The truck doesn't move.  You can see the trailer get kicked way over from a semi, but unless you are watching you would never know it.

[farmertan]

On second thought. Yesterday on my way down to kazoo on us131 there in the median was a 1/2 ton ford x-cab w/a small trailer 7 x 12 full of split wood and truck was loaded w/wood, he had just gone over a bridge w/ a dip in it and lost control, hit the right side guard rail then across the hiway into the median jack knifed. I'ts been so long since I have towed w/ a 1/2 ton I'm thinking cuda has the perfect setup. Anything bigger and I would go w/ a 3/4 or 1 ton. It might seem small at 21ft but you only use it for sleeping and the rest of the time is outdoors by the fire getting rid of that 1000lbs of extra weight cuda brings.