Educate me on 5th Wheel campers and hitches

Hello all,

We have a Reflection travel trailer and have been very happy with it. We've always had travel trailers because I hunt and a pickup topper has always been convenient for keeping equipment and a dog kennel out of the elements. I am nearing retirement and we always thought we would switch to a 5th wheel and travel more "someday." Well, our beloved hunting dog died 3 weeks ago and it sounds like our camper will be totaled after an accident on a trip to Texas last week. So, we find ourselves at a decision point. We are thinking about switching to a 5th wheel. What should I be aware of and consider in my purchasing decision? I can't have anything in the bed right behind the cab above truck side panel height, correct? Could I if I had a long box? From what little I know it sounds like not all 5th wheel hitches are created equal? And some replace the pin on the camper? If it matters for the discussion, we are looking pretty hard at the new Influence 3704BH. Your thoughts and wisdom are appreciated!
Lots of reply’s so mine may be redundant but here goes..
5th wheel is so much easier to hook up, pull, park, maneuver, etc. Very glad we switched years ago.
I’m a huge fan of my B&W Companion hitch that fits in my trucks puck system. Super easy in and out in two pieces. That said I have heard a ton of very positive comments on the Reese Goose box. No personal experience with one though. I pulled with a short box F350 for years and the B&W is adjustable to allow a couple extra inches which really helped with clearance.
As far as trucks - get more truck than you will need from the get go. As you know from TT pulling being underpowered isn’t a good idea.
I pull a Solitude 382WB with a F450 with an under bed cover tool box up against the cab. Zero worries about turning etc. long box I can turn very tight and the 450 turning radius is absolutely unreal, tighter than my F150 daily driver.
You won’t be disappointed moving to a 5th wheel - so many advantages.
Best of luck!
 
Hello all,

We have a Reflection travel trailer and have been very happy with it. We've always had travel trailers because I hunt and a pickup topper has always been convenient for keeping equipment and a dog kennel out of the elements. I am nearing retirement and we always thought we would switch to a 5th wheel and travel more "someday." Well, our beloved hunting dog died 3 weeks ago and it sounds like our camper will be totaled after an accident on a trip to Texas last week. So, we find ourselves at a decision point. We are thinking about switching to a 5th wheel. What should I be aware of and consider in my purchasing decision? I can't have anything in the bed right behind the cab above truck side panel height, correct? Could I if I had a long box? From what little I know it sounds like not all 5th wheel hitches are created equal? And some replace the pin on the camper? If it matters for the discussion, we are looking pretty hard at the new Influence 3704BH. Your thoughts and wisdom are appreciated!

Our previous RV was a 31' TT that we had for 13 years. When I retired it was time to upgrade so we started looking. I wanted another TT and she fell in love with a Reflection 337RLS 5er.... a week later we purchased the 5er. It's been absolutely the best RV I've ever owned, lots of storage, pulls like a dream, and has everything we need in it. We're not full timers but we do spend 100+ nights in it a year. I pull with an older 2006 GMC Sierra 3500 SWD and it handles like a dream. I use to remove the hitch for hauling stuff when needed but don't anymore, I just use my utility trailer when needed. I keep a large aluminum tool box in the front bed of the truck and a roll up tonneau cover to help keep the truck bed contents and hitch out of the weather. I'll be 66 in 2 weeks and can still easily manage to get up on the roof for repairs, do the bearings and brakes, and most any other little repairs needed... not bad for a 9 times cancer surgery survivor.
 
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@Najataagihe, great review on the pros and cons of 5th vs bumper pull trailers.

We recently went from a 36’ Reflection 5th wheel to a 26’ Imagine travel trailer, for some of the reasons you and others have mentioned. We really liked the 5th wheel, but it was time to move on to something smaller.

And somebody mentioned that they thought a travel trailer was easier to hook up and unhook than a 5th wheel. I am in that mind set also, but just barely. Both have their drawbacks. But I do miss the automatic leveling system on the 5th wheel.
When the auto-level works…
We’ve had some issues with our auto-level system (thank you LCI) that have proven frustrating. I’ve had to replace the controller several times, and had to fight the temptation to strike a match to the whole unit. Sometimes simpler is better; just sayin’…
 

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