5th Wheel vs Bumper Pull

5th wheel here and there is no comparison. Had two bumper pulls before and will never go back. Plus the extra amount of storage.

 
i just bought a 35' 5th wheel this weekend. had a bumper pull years ago that was 27'. i have only towed it from the lot in santee to home to palm springs area. 5th wheel felt so much better towing than the bumper. the 5th wheel is big but i never felt any sway at all, felt it was easier to drive than the bumper pull. also backing it up was so much easier, i put it in my warehouse at my office, got it in pretty easy where i feel a bumper pull would of taken must longer. 

i have a short bed duramax (6.5') and got the slider hitch, i did not need the slider when backing up into the warehouse but i did use it when i had to make the turn on my cul de sac but that was because of my neighbors truck was parked on the street, if it was not there i would of been fine with out it. 

i did not want a big 5th wheel, i wanted a smaller bumper pull but finding a small trailer with front bedroom that would fit a 4 seat turbo s was pretty much impossible. and i felt the deal on this one was good so went for it. the hitch was expensive but i figure you only need to buy it once. 

i guess i know more as i use it during this season. it will pretty much only get use in glamis i really dont go anywhere else where i would need it. maybe a river trip if there is a seat for me in my friends boat. 

 
Don't get a goose neck. 

Yes 5th wheel is the only way to go if you have the truck and the means.

 
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ChEFF said:
I've only driven bumper pull. Heard the 5th wheel is the way to go! I'm like you, I want truck bed space. Peace 
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Yeah man. My biggest reason for the pumper pull is so I have room in the bed for extra machines. Kids bikes are getting bigger every couple years so it's getting tougher. 

I can fit 2 raptor 250s in the bed, 4 seat rzr, wife's z400 and the 20220309_143722.jpgatc 70 in the trailer. My trailer is pretty long at 34'.

 
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5th wheel all day long....they pull better / safer, you get a great bedroom for you and the Mrs, no distribution bars to mess with just hook up and roll. And buy bigger than you think you need.....never fails...."should of bought the next size up" 

 
5th wheel for us…1st trailer was a WW-FB26 tag along. It was a fine trailer for that time in our lives. 2nd was a 36’ Raptor 5er and it was a nice trailer as well..much better towing manners and comfortable. But was sometimes a deal parking at some of the state park beaches we would hit outside of the riding season. Being happy with the 5er’s we got a Genesis 28CR and are very happy with it. Comfortable inside and plenty of storage. Especially now that the kids are starting to drive and haul their own crap out! Overall length of our current setup is 47’ (front of truck to back of trailer). I’d definitely not go backwards to a tag along. 

 
90% of the people I would tell get a 5th wheel, you however I say get the tag, Why?  Because you won't use the 5th wheel on your W19 boondocker trips, Your one day summer trips and your take the bikes down to the border for your throw chit at the wall trips.  While a 5th wheel hitch isn't the hardest thing to install your going to hate it when it is in the bed and you want to do something. Your not going to like it when you can't use the bed of your truck.

Attitude Trailers have a narrow body that would be my first choice. They have a front sleeper you will be able to put three quads in and it is not the wide body so the SxS people who are upgrading to the 72" cars are unloading. 

WW would be next the FS2600 is perfect and are highly sought after. They are not triple axel and you would not have a hard time getting 3 quads and your buddy's wheeler in it. It is a wide body and fits the 72" cars so they go fast. the Super Lights can work for what you want and the 23 and 25 footer's are good, however your not getting 3 quads in the 23'

Carson, More your liking. They are more utility than fancy and you can find them but some are beat on pretty hard.

New, Seeing you in a toy hauler is hard to picture, in a new one, I can't even imagine.  If you do get a new one make sure it will fit a 4 seat SxS :lol:  

 
As everyone besides MWB said, buy a 5th wheel. You can leave the hitch on the kingpin and lift it out of the bed with the trailer, or buy a steel Andersen hitch and lift it out with one hand whenever you want. The hitch in the bed is absolutely no reason to buy a bumper pull, it can easily be removed.

 
Not sure what the big deal about removing the hitch from your truck…I built a simple cart with casters the height of the dropped tailgate…roll it up to the tailgate and slide the hitch on ..reverse the process when the hitch is needed. 99% of the time the thing rides in the bed of the truck. 

 
Fifth wheel is the only way to go. I have a 38’ WW and I have 18’ of pure cargo from the back door to the first cabinet. More room than you would need for your so no need for an open bed in your truck. I have a 60 gal fuel tank in my bed that is bed height so the trailer clears it. I carry my floor jack, shovel, and all my firewood in the bed of my truck. As for my hitch, I leave it in my truck until I need the bed. I bought a two piece Curt hitch. The head of the hitch slides into the base and secured with pins. Pull the pins and slide the head out. Now you have cut the weight of the hitch in half so it’s not so heavy to take out. Takes about 5 min to remove including getting the tools and putting them back! My opinion, people that prefer bumper pulls have never owned a fifth wheel. 

 
MWB said:
90% of the people I would tell get a 5th wheel, you however I say get the tag, Why?  Because you won't use the 5th wheel on your W19 boondocker trips, Your one day summer trips and your take the bikes down to the border for your throw chit at the wall trips.  While a 5th wheel hitch isn't the hardest thing to install your going to hate it when it is in the bed and you want to do something. Your not going to like it when you can't use the bed of your truck.

Attitude Trailers have a narrow body that would be my first choice. They have a front sleeper you will be able to put three quads in and it is not the wide body so the SxS people who are upgrading to the 72" cars are unloading. 

WW would be next the FS2600 is perfect and are highly sought after. They are not triple axel and you would not have a hard time getting 3 quads and your buddy's wheeler in it. It is a wide body and fits the 72" cars so they go fast. the Super Lights can work for what you want and the 23 and 25 footer's are good, however your not getting 3 quads in the 23'

Carson, More your liking. They are more utility than fancy and you can find them but some are beat on pretty hard.

New, Seeing you in a toy hauler is hard to picture, in a new one, I can't even imagine.  If you do get a new one make sure it will fit a 4 seat SxS :lol:  
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5er hitches come out easy enough and the're typically 2 pieces so it's really not that bad. As ar as short trailers go, my 24 attitude has 6 quads standing up in it :lol:  where there's a will there's a way. Your rig tows nice, no doubt but the 5er tows better and the overall length to the back door was the same (32' behind the truck)  :doh:

 
Fifth wheel no question!

I upgraded to a Genesis Special edition with dual bedroom slides and I have 18” on each side of the bed so plenty of room. 
 

Also we went with the Gen Y executive goose box so I only have to drop the ball in my bed and I’m ready to go. Pull the ball out and I have my cell bed back. Yes I know the pic is upside down

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Bansh88 said:
What about gooseneck adapters?  Is that a solid option?
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I would not use a adapter unless i welded on and put gussets going back to it,  Now you can replace the full box with a goosebox, 12 bolts and you are done, 

Reese is nice but price is high 

i did one by popup, for $500 but now it is $1000, so for that money this would be a great hitch 

GEN-Y Hitch GH-8035 (summitracing.com)

 
J Alper said:
I would not use a adapter unless i welded on and put gussets going back to it,  Now you can replace the full box with a goosebox, 12 bolts and you are done, 

Reese is nice but price is high 

i did one by popup, for $500 but now it is $1000, so for that money this would be a great hitch 

GEN-Y Hitch GH-8035 (summitracing.com)
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Ya, after reading around, an adapter is not ideal.  The truck is already setup for a 5th wheel with the puck system holes.  Looks like it makes for easy in & out as well.

Like Dbart mentioned, the truck bed is really deep.  I wonder if clearance would be an issue.  I can't imagine though.  Seems like it would have been considered in design.

 
Other things to consider from a daily driver truck point of view. 

1. You get off work and want to hitch up the trailer and split pronto. How long would it take to unload the bed of the truck so you can put the 5th wheel hitch on? (for most people its already on there ready to go)

2. Any chance they are going to be unhooking the trailer and making runs to get hay? If they do.....how dirty can the 5th wheel hitch get and still be safe? I dont know anything about them besides there are different styles. 

3. Isnt the one main benefit of bumper tow the ability to articulate more? Some people have steep driveways and a 5th wheel is not an option. Or if you have a lifted truck and take it deep into gnarly spots.  

 
Forgot to say one other slight thing to consider is Bansh does own small quads and toys that could fit in the back.

I personally would go 5th wheel is money was no option. Have a dedicated toy vehicle. Maybe a dually. That would be sweet. 

 
If you go TAG, just don't go above 26'

I've towed my Rhino and 3 Quads (400, 2 90cc) in this exact model TH to Glamis and Dumont, was perfect size and not a PITA.

https://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/rvs/d/riverside-ft-ragen-toyhauler-clean/7535199324.html

Carson Funrunner are stout, solid and not fancy...but always allot of space and still affordable.

https://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/rvs/d/sun-valley-toy-hauler/7534423289.html

Weekend Warrior FK2100 have a shit ton of space too...and not a big pig. Always pretty good deals on them.

https://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/rvs/d/san-diego-toy-hauler-fits-4seat-rzr/7532436014.html

As MWB said...depending on how far out in the boonies you go....a 5th wheel might limit you in some of your favorite places.


It got really good reviews from this group..

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wopachop said:
Other things to consider from a daily driver truck point of view. 

1. You get off work and want to hitch up the trailer and split pronto. How long would it take to unload the bed of the truck so you can put the 5th wheel hitch on? (for most people its already on there ready to go)

2. Any chance they are going to be unhooking the trailer and making runs to get hay? If they do.....how dirty can the 5th wheel hitch get and still be safe? I dont know anything about them besides there are different styles. 

3. Isnt the one main benefit of bumper tow the ability to articulate more? Some people have steep driveways and a 5th wheel is not an option. Or if you have a lifted truck and take it deep into gnarly spots.  
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you can go a steeper grade with a 5th wheel more than a bumper pull 

 
wopachop said:
Other things to consider from a daily driver truck point of view. 

1. You get off work and want to hitch up the trailer and split pronto. How long would it take to unload the bed of the truck so you can put the 5th wheel hitch on? (for most people its already on there ready to go)

Takes 10 minutes

2. Any chance they are going to be unhooking the trailer and making runs to get hay? If they do.....how dirty can the 5th wheel hitch get and still be safe? I dont know anything about them besides there are different styles. 

Dirty? If 5er hitches were unsafe because of dirt they would not sell them

3. Isnt the one main benefit of bumper tow the ability to articulate more? Some people have steep driveways and a 5th wheel is not an option. Or if you have a lifted truck and take it deep into gnarly spots.  

Completely FALSE, I could wheel my 40' 5er more places than I ever could my 32' tag
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