Fifth Wheels vs Travel Trailers
Among the most popular RV rentals on the market are fifth wheels and travel trailers. The convenience of their towing design is ideal for travelers that don’t want to be tied down to their campsite, and the wide range in amenities and sizes among both types of RV means that neither budget, nor camping necessities, have to suffer.
However, for all of their remarkable similarities in appearance and features, the question is often asked: what’s the difference between a fifth wheel and a travel trailer? Why choose one over the other? The distinctions are important in helping you make the best decision for your RV vacation.
What Is A Fifth Wheel?
Fifth wheels, often referred to as fifth wheel campers, are large, towable RVs. Characterized by their gooseneck design, fifth wheels are hitched to the back of a pickup truck with its weight resting on the bed. The campers feature slide-outs that convert to more square footage for living space and storage.
What Is A Travel Trailer?
Similar to fifth wheels, travel trailers are another type of towable RV that can be hitched to the back of a vehicle. They come in a wide range of sizes, including the tiny houses on wheels that have become increasingly popular in the last few years. Unlike fifth wheels, travel trailers are hitched to the frame of the towing vehicle, rather than mounted with their weight resting atop of one.
Pros Of A Fifth Wheel
Convenience Of Transportation
Because a fifth wheel is towed behind a truck, that means more freedom than a regular RV when it comes to setting it up at a campsite. Once it’s detached from the truck bed, you now have one vehicle for driving around and one for camping in.
Extra Storage and Living space
Fifth wheels are known for their wide range of amenities, particularly the amount of living and storage space available in them. Most vehicles are split level for added privacy in bedrooms and living space. With an extra loft for sleeping space, fifth wheels can sleep up to 9 people in some cases. Perhaps their most recognizable feature, however, are the pop-outs that adorn the sides. Once set in place, the living spaces throughout the RV expand even further.
If extra space is most important to you on your vacation, then fifth wheels are most ideal.
Stable Towing Design
If you’re new to driving larger RVs, a fifth wheel may be ideal to start out on. Although all types of towing RVs are perfectly safe, fifth wheels are the most stable option because of their towing setup. Since the weight of the trailer is resting on the truck bed, it’s easier to maneuver safely in general. This is particularly optimal for RVing in places like National Parks, where the roads can be more treacherous.
Built-In Generators
It’s important to note that not all fifth wheels come equipped with built-in generators. However, many do! Whether it’s simply for peace of mind or for those who plan on boondocking, generators are an enormously helpful luxury to have.
Cons Of A Fifth Wheel
Uses Entire Truck Bed For Towing
Although this is a boon for the stability of towing the RV, if you’re looking to use the truck bed for additional storage on your trip, a fifth wheel will disappoint.
Multi-Level Interior
If you or anyone that you’re traveling with is physically disabled or needs a ranch-style layout, fifth wheels likely won’t be compatible. That being said, not all fifth wheels have stairs in them. Make sure you double check with your RV rental host before booking!
Heavier/Larger
While they provide plenty of space for camping, the large size of the RV can make it harder to steer through cities or in tight spaces. When it comes to unpaved roads or boondocking, the heavy weight of the fifth wheel will mean a tougher time getting by.
Of course, this isn’t to say that taking the road less traveled will be impossible in a fifth wheel— just potentially harder.
Pros Of A Travel Trailer
Convenience Of Transportation
As with the fifth wheel, towing a travel trailer means you have two vehicles to work with on your trip. In similar fashion, once the trailer is unhitched in its camping spot, your towing vehicle is now free to use!
Variety Of Towing Vehicles
Whereas fifth wheels can only be towed by a truck, travel trailers have no such restrictions. With a travel trailer, SUVs, sedans, and jeeps can all become towing vehicles.
VarietyOf Sizes
What makes travel trailers particularly great for boondocking is that they come in a wide range of sizes. The larger RVs are every bit as packed with amenities and living space as fifth wheels, while the smaller ones can be as compact as 300 square feet— not to mention everything in between!
Due to the sliding scale in size and amenities, travel trailers are more likely to fit tighter rental budgets as well.
Ranch Style Design
Travel trailers are typically single-story by design, so there’s no worry about stairs when it comes to renting one.
Cons Of A Travel Trailer
Less Storage
Although the larger travel trailers can compete with fifth wheels for size, they still lack the slide-outs. When it comes to maximum storage space, a fifth wheel will almost always win out.
Longer Build
Unlike fifth wheels, travel trailers are entirely separate to the towing vehicle except for the hitch. This is to say that you should anticipate a longer length rig compared to fifth wheels. For this reason, it could be more difficult to maneuver in places like cities.
More Susceptible To Sway
The way that travel trailers are towed makes them more difficult to maneuver in certain situations. For instance, travel trailers are more susceptible to sway from wind in places like highways. Although it’s perfectly manageable by an experienced driver, first time travel trailer drivers could benefit from practicing in a controlled environment before going on a trip.
Conclusion
Fifth wheel campers and travel trailers are both excellent RVs for their convenience of transportation and their amenities offered. Fifth wheels may be better suited to less experienced drivers due to their towing design. Travel trailers may be more suitable to your towing vehicle of choice, or your budget. Ultimately, either one will make a great RV rental for your next vacation. Don’t forget to book yours today with RVnGO!