Fifth Wheel VS Travel Trailer – Making Your 1st Ultimate Decision Easier

Last Updated on February 1, 2024 by Jeremy

Finally, the fifth wheel vs travel trailer article we have all been waiting for! Deciding your next camping adventure may not be as easy as it sounds, especially if you want to upgrade from your normal tenting routine. Whether you’re a single person, or a family of 6, the hardest decision you’ll need to make next is, whether you get a fifth wheel or a travel trailer. Below we will attempt to make your 1st ultimate decision a little easier!

What is a Fifth Wheel?

For the easiest explanation of this, let’s look at a semi-truck. Essentially, you have a regular RV travel trailer, modified to attach to a hitch that is mounted inside the box of your truck, which has the similar connections like that of your semi.

With the fifth wheel hitch designed to attach to a “kingpin” from the trailer, this connection couples together and locks in place. You can see by this picture here that the “hitch” connects with the “kingpin” from the trailer. Together they form the truck and fifth wheel trailer.

==>Watch the Video on “How to Hitch a Fifth Wheel RV Trailer” HERE<==

~ Site-note: Other versions of fifth wheel hitches and adapters can couple together, and there are also different references of them, called a “goose neck”. ~

From here, your decision of which fifth wheel you should get, depends on which truck you choose to tow it with, how big of a unit you need based upon family size, and how long you intend to use/keep your unit for.

If you’re unsure of which truck to use, read my article on trucks here ==> Chevy vs Ford vs Dodge 4×4 – What’s your 1st choice? – Everything RVs and More

Another crazy solution to ponder is whether you’re comfortable making the purchase of a fifth wheel quite yet. If not, and who would be this far in to the article, perhaps you can trial one out for a weekend through places online such as:

• -Outdoorsy
• -GoRving
• -Rv Ezy

These suggestions allow you to rent an RV nearest your location for a certain period whether it be a motorhome, fifth wheel or a travel trailer, in which we will discuss soon.

Although fifth wheels are preferred by many for a number of reasons, there are a lot of options to consider. Some reasons why the fifth wheel is so popular include:

1. 1- Its easier to tour – the hitch was designed to distribute the weight of the trailer onto your vehicles axle. What this does, specifically, reduces the sway of the trailer. It also allows for easier maneuverability when turning or backing up.
2. 2- Layouts – Having the fifth wheel hitch so high, adds a lot of room on the inside of the trailer. Mainly, bedrooms are placed here as it sets as a split-level option for this specific type.

Options to consider for a fifth wheel depend on which layout you’re after and which companies offer these specific layouts. Of the companies, some major brand names of fifth wheels (and travel trailers) are:

• ~Keystone
• ~KZ
• ~Montana
• ~Forest River
• ~Heartland
• ~Grand Design
• ~Coachmen
• ~Coleman

What is a Travel Trailer?

As we’ve discovered what fifth wheels are, we can now determine that travel trailers are the ones that are pulled behind a truck bumper, or hitch, vs the box of a truck. More definitely, travel trailers can be referenced to a more common name, the camper. Their towing method, which is different from a fifth wheel, uses a ball hitch and coupler to tow the unit with.

Typically, the addition of a sway bar kit will help tow this type of trailer a lot smoother than if it was connected directly to the ball itself.

==>Watch the Video on How to Hook up a Travel Trailer HERE<==

The travel trailer is considered by many RVers an awesome option for a reason such as:

• – The amount of designs – ranging from “tent trailers” to “toy haulers”, there are an unlimited number of layouts and designs for these units. As the design options grow based on person size, there is truly an amazing display of home-away-from-home possibilities.

Similarities

The fifth wheel and the travel trailer both require an additional vehicle to tow. This is ideal in scenarios where you can unhook at your campsite or living space and travel to the place you need to go. Whereas an RV, this would be the only vehicle you’d have that would proceed to stay stationary at your campsite. RVs in general would be backwards, as they would be the ones that would tow your extra vehicle.

Another similarity would be the equipment you’d need for each vehicle. An example of this would be a trailer brake controller, or mirror extenders for your truck.

Differences

Besides the obvious towing differences, the fifth wheel trailers depend on a larger truck, like mentioned above, as a 3/4-ton or a 1-ton. Whereas travel trailers can be towed with the likes of an SUV or 1/2-ton.

Of course, the model & make of the towable unit you choose will determine the vehicle you’ll need. Or vice versa, the vehicle you own or currently have, will determine the choice of which trailer type you should consider.

Other Things to Consider

While we still haven’t completely decided on which preferred unit we are after, we have yo consider a lot more options. Such considerations include:

• – Privacy – Do you want a trailer that suits just yourself, or 2 people? Although made for a family of 4, the tent trailer option is not too terribly private, however when compared to that of a fifth wheel, and the separate bedroom placement, you’ll start noticing the layouts are designed to incorporate more privacy. This also helps when your family size grows, where they then add extra rooms and bunks to give that privacy option popularity. These types of layouts cannot be found in a travel trailer because of there split-level.
• – Luxury – If you’re not concerned with appearance and style, then a travel trailer is your better choice. However, if a more spacious and luxurious lifestyle of camping is what you seek, then the fifth wheel is your option to seek.
• – Your desired Travel & Camping Locations – Going on a long adventure would probably require you to plan your trip with a fifth wheel. Sometimes they are harder to navigate into certain areas though, so a travel trailer might be a good back up plan. One thing to mention as well, is with today’s technology, no matter what unit you have or plan to get, they have Apps that can help you along the way for such desired trips. You can also read about certain GPS units that provide that extra precaution of take along gadgets you should consider.
• – Budget & Insurance – Of course with all planned trips, your budget needs to be recorded as your primary focus when choosing fifth wheel vs travel trailer. Fuel consumption in the vehicles alone is one thing, but navigating the best  RV insurance companies should also be taken into consideration.

Final Thoughts

Now that we’ve covered the majority of topics, you should be able to determine which trailer is for you. Even though a fifth wheel is large and considerably more expensive in all aspects budget related, a travel trailer can offer equal amounts of comfort and solutions for your camping needs.

Whatever your final decision is to be, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from.

Cheers!