I was a die hard TT guy. Had a Ex and worked my way through different trailers (most was a 26 footer). Loggee many thousands of mile (even double trailered). Then got a used (32ft) Holiday Rambler Presidential for a really good price The result of the first 150 miles in my gallery. The trailer was properly loaded - tongue weight- but had to much wieght/lenght behind the wheels and with the action of ht ewieght distribution hitch it was able to take me into a guardrail, flipped the Ex and totaled everything but the 5 people in the Ex (thank God for Ford Tough!). This was the first of June this year. I now have a new SD & a 5th wheel and it pulls way above and beyond any of the TT's I have had and mechanically speaking is a far superior set up for preventing the trailer from getting the truck in trouble.

Just my opinion
Bill

 

Thanks for all of the information everyone. THANKS

 

I checked out the pictures in your gallery and WOW.........glad you are still alive!

 

That is quite a story, and the pictures prove it.
And to contrast that, I once crossed Bonneville Salt Flats with my 5th wheel, in a heavy crosswind. The worst thing that happened is the trailer crabbed a little to the side as I was driving down the road. I did have to slow down, but still...........
I'm not saying they are failure proof, but I agree, they are MUCH more stable.

 

I pulled a 30' TT across I-40 in AZ years ago in a 50+mph crosswind and lost the awning! The trailer did not move, but I had a funny looking shadow in the side mirror (looked like a shark fin). I have also pulled a 26 footer across west Texas and Easter NM for the last 5 years (30+ wind is normal in the Spring) and no issues. But that big rambler sure gave me a ride and I had no wind...only a slight down hill, a corner, some gravel on the road and a larger than normal lip on the edge of the road. I miss my Ex (but love the new truck too)!!!

 

Me too...strange/sad thing, 2 weeks after the crash another car lost control in the corner (fell asleep is what I heard) and his skid marks mirror mine (120 feet up the road). They missed the guardrail and were killed. The whole incident sure gives you a different perspective.

 

That is for sure!!!!

 

NM_F450... Glad to hear everyone is ok from that crash! Dang!!! Up until this year, I had a very similar set up -- my Excursion was even the same color. Fortunately, I pulled a '30 travel trailer thousands of miles without mishap.

These types of accidents are possible with any truck/trailer setup, but are probably somewhat less likely with a 5th wheel. Most any Excursion owner could tell stories about how hairy a TT can be without a properly adjusted weight distributing/stabilizer hitch of some kind. Even still, crazy things can happen.

I'd have to honestly say that my experience "towing" a TT vs. a 5'er is about the same. For me, and for the setups I've had, both towed quite comfortably and securely. Personally, I think that backing a TT is easier than a 5'er simply because it takes longer for your pivot point to start moving with the hitch over the rear axle.

The comment about where you want to camp is a very valid one... I cant get the new 5'er into near as many of my favorite camping spots up in the mountains as I could the TT. Most of that is due to the limited roll angle before the pickup box makes contact with the bottom of the overhang on the 5'er (at least compared to the angles you can put a TT at) -- and I've got a good 8-9" of space when sitting level.

Choosing between a TT or a 5'er can be dependant upon quite a number of factors. There's been a lot of good comments and suggestions so far and it really just comes down to you weighing the variables and choosing which suits you the best. Dont let the 'horrible' stories about towing TT's get you down if you find one you like -- it may take a little more time and effort to get a hitch set up properly to start with, but you can be every bit as secure while traveling as you can with a 5'er.

 

Yeah....I agree....I have a list of the things that I want and the things that I would like. Putting them side by side, it seems the 5'ver is ahead at this point in time

 

make sure you post up some pics of whatever you decide on

 

One thing I notice has not been mentioned is price. The one thing a 5'er does faster than a TT is depreciate, according to recent stats anyways. But thats probably because of the cost to begin with. Just one more thought for you to mull over.
And this summer alone I have witnessed 5 rear windows blown out on short boxes from jack-knifing too far. (all Chevs I might add, hehehehe)

 

I'll bet it does! Having been on two wheels with my Mom driving on the PN turnpike, gone off a cliff on a bicycle, and a few other incidents in my life - that self preservation thing is a powerful motivator...

It's a lot harder to become annoyed at a slow driver anymore for one thing.

 

I used to enjoy driving/traveling, now I have a hard time gettting to 55 mph towing without going white knuckled. We went out this weekend and on the way back had a 30 mph crosswind, trailer did great...I was a wreck after 20 miles of it. I keep hoping that with time the nervs will calm (and my wife is way worse than I am

 

I'm guessing with time you will be more than fine. It takes anyone a while to get over a serious accident and get comfortable behind the wheel again, towing or not. keep your trips a little shorter for now and increase a little bit each time. It might help you ease yourself back into it. After looking at those photos the one very positive thing is that everyone walked away from it thank god. Time will heal all they say.

 

One thing I have to say is that is made me think twice about my set-up. May be time to bite the bullet and move on to a bigger Truck......