Fifth Wheel vs Travel Trailer Pros and Cons

Choosing an RV trailer over a motorhome is a huge step toward selecting your perfect RV. But your next decision requires a 5th wheel vs travel trailer comparison, which can be daunting for new RVers. Luckily, these two RV types share similarities and differences that will help you narrow your options and find your dream RV.

From defining the key fifth wheel vs travel trailer features to providing towing recommendations, here’s everything you need to know to decide if you want a fifth wheel camper vs a travel trailer.

What Is a Fifth Wheel vs a Travel Trailer?

If you’ve narrowed down your choices to towable RVs instead of motorized coaches, well done! You’ve made one critical decision. Now, let’s look at fifth wheels and travel trailers—the most common towable RV types—to help you decide which one suits your camping needs.

Fifth wheels are a towable RV type that connects to a hitch in the bed of a truck. You must tow fifth wheels with trucks because of this design. The front is called a cap, and the pin box (the part of the RV that connects to the truck) is underneath the cap. This makes it simple for the owner to back up underneath the front cap and secure the pin box to the hitch in the truck bed. Some RVers prefer a ball hitch and gooseneck connection, but the setup is the same.

Travel trailers are a towable RV type that connects to a hitch receiver under the bumper of the tow vehicle. You don’t have to own a truck to tow a travel trailer. Lightweight travel trailers can be towed with large sedans, minivans, or SUVs. Because travel trailers don’t sit in the truck bed like fifth wheels, there are more tow vehicle options.

5th Wheel vs Travel Trailer Pros and Cons

There are major advantages to owning a towable RV instead of a motorized one. The main perk is the ability to park your RV, detach the camper, and drive away. You don’t have to take your trailer to the grocery store, trailhead, museum, or wherever else you visit while camping.

Another advantage is that the interior is 100% livable space. In a motorhome, you have the front cab where you drive. That takes up precious space when you’re already limited. Towable RVs tend to offer more square footage for the same size because there’s no cockpit.

There are also pros and cons to each towable RV type.

5th Wheel Pros and Cons

Truck towing fifth wheel — Photo by Camping World

Fifth wheels are generally larger, taller, and heavier than travel trailers. They can feel more like small apartments than their counterparts. Because of their design, they usually offer more outdoor storage and are easier to tow.

But fifth wheels are not ideal for every RVer. Some potential owners don’t own a truck and don’t want to invest in purchasing a vehicle and an RV. Fifth wheels are also more expensive in general, so they don’t fit into every potential owner’s budget.

Fifth Wheel Advantages

Larger size. Fifth wheels offer spacious living areas, kitchens, and bedrooms. The ceilings are taller, making them feel even larger inside. Luxury fifth wheels can feel like an upscale apartment with residential appliances and solid wood finishes.
Easier to tow. Because 5th wheels sit in a truck bed, the weight is more evenly distributed on the tow vehicle. This makes it easier to back up and navigate turns. There’s less sway and more control.
Shorter total length. Even with longer 5th wheels, the total length from the truck’s front bumper to the rear of the RV is shorter because several feet of the front cap sits over the truck bed. Instead of 35 feet attached to the vehicle’s bumper, it might be 27 feet behind the truck and 8 feet over the truck bed.
More outdoor storage. Because of the front cap design, fifth wheels are taller. This provides excellent outdoor storage bays. You’ll usually find storage underneath the front cap where the batteries are stored, a spacious pass through storage bay at the front of the RV, and more storage in the rear.
More amenities. Since fifth wheels are generally larger, they can offer more amenities, such as a kitchen island, washer and dryer hookups, multiple sleeping areas, residential appliances, and more.

Fifth Wheel Disadvantages

Larger size. While more interior space is advantageous, it can make it harder to find the right vehicle for towing a camper. Heavier 5th wheels require heavy-duty trucks, which are costly to purchase and maintain. Fifth wheels are also taller, so you have to plan driving routes carefully to avoid low clearances.
More expensive. Overall, fifth wheels are more expensive than travel trailers. There are budget-friendly options, but you’ll lose some amenities and space.
You lose truck bed storage. Because a fifth wheel hitch is bolted into the truck bed, you lose truck bed storage space, even when disconnected. It’s cumbersome to remove the hitch before running to the store, and the hitch itself is heavy.
Hitch installation is more difficult. 5th wheel hitches require professional installation. The setup is more complicated than the simple ball and hitch of a travel trailer because it’s bolted to the truck bed.
Less spontaneity. Because of their larger size, fifth wheels may make it more difficult to access certain campgrounds. Most aren’t built for off-road towing, and driving to more remote locations is difficult because of the added height and length.

Travel Trailer Pros and Cons

Truck towing travel trailer — Photo by Camping World

Now, let’s look at the advantages and disadvantages of owning a travel trailer. Like a fifth wheel, you can detach and drive to excursions without taking your camper. But there are still significant considerations when choosing between a 5th wheel and a travel trailer.

Travel trailers are more lightweight and generally smaller, which means more options for tow vehicles and places to camp. You also maintain use of the truck bed, enjoy easier hitch installation, and save money since they’re cheaper. However, they can be challenging to tow and maneuver and offer less living space, fewer amenities, and storage options.

Travel Trailer Advantages

Lightweight. Because travel trailers are usually lighter than fifth wheels, you have more towing options. If you own an SUV or larger sedan, you might not have to upgrade to a truck if you find a travel trailer that fits within your vehicle’s towing capacity.
Smaller size. Travel trailers can be more aerodynamic because they have a smaller height profile than fifth wheels. Their smaller length and height can also give you more campground options, especially in national parks or boondocking spots.
Maintain truck bed storage. You still have full use of the truck bed or easy access to the hatch of an SUV. Since travel trailers offer less storage, this is essential when hauling your camping gear.
Easy to install the hitch ball. Because a hitch ball isn’t permanently attached to the vehicle, installation is simple, easy, and cheap. Once you’re back home, you can quickly remove the ball and set it aside until your next trip.
Cheaper. Travel trailers are generally cheaper than fifth wheels, which is one reason they’re the best-selling RV type. They fit into the budgets of most RVers and still offer all the essentials for comfortable camping.

Travel Trailer Disadvantages

More difficult to tow and control. Since a travel trailer is attached to the very end of a vehicle, it’s more difficult to control while towing. You have increased sway because most of the tongue weight is behind the rear axle unless you install a weight distribution hitch.
Smaller size. There’s less living space, smaller bathrooms and bedrooms, and fewer storage options. For families, sometimes this is the deal-breaker when choosing between a 5th wheel and a travel trailer.
Fewer amenities. A travel trailer generally won’t offer the same amenities as a 5th wheel. Smaller, more affordable campers will only have the basics. While there are certainly luxury travel trailers with high-end finishes, their trim packages generally offer less than what you’ll get with a fifth wheel.

Overall, a fifth wheel will feel more like home, but you’ll make sacrifices like losing spontaneity and using your truck bed. Small travel trailers can easily fit anywhere and allow you more flexibility. If you decide to go big, 5th wheels have significant towing advantages, not to mention often offering more interior living space. But if you’re over 35 feet long, you’ll have more trouble fitting into some campgrounds with size restrictions.

Fifth Wheel vs Travel Trailer Towing Considerations

Truck towing Fuel fifth wheel toy hauler

With a basic understanding of travel trailer vs 5th wheel pros and cons, your choice may come down to what your vehicle can tow. So, start by understanding your tow vehicle’s ratings. Our Towing Guide is a great resource to check overall towing capacity, but you’ll also need to consider your payload capacity before buying a fifth wheel or your tongue capacity before buying a travel trailer.

Simply put, your fifth wheel or travel trailer—when fully loaded—must weigh less than what your vehicle is rated to tow. For fifth wheels, the RV’s pin weight must also be less than your vehicle’s payload capacity. For travel trailers, the RV’s tongue weight must be less than your vehicle’s tongue weight capacity.

Technician Tip: Many experienced owners of towable RVs also adhere to the 80% rule, which states that your trailer’s gross vehicle weight (GVW)—its weight when fully loaded with cargo and liquids—should not exceed 80% of your tow vehicle’s rated towing capacity.

If you’re purchasing a tow vehicle and an RV, you can match your dream towable camping setup. If you love an RV, you can purchase the right vehicle to tow it. Here are a few more resources to help you learn everything about towing an RV safely:

Learn more about the CURT TruTrack 4P distribution hitch for travel trailers.
Check out our Fifth Wheel Tow Hitch Buying Guide.
Be confident hooking up your fifth wheel with these tips.

Travel Trailer vs 5th Wheel RV Buying Guide

We can’t pick out the perfect camper for you, but we can help you consider important factors to determine whether a travel trailer or 5th wheel is best for your camping needs.

Select Your Ideal RV Size

Fifth wheels and travel trailers vary in length. Fifth wheels generally range in length from 25 to 45 feet, so you’ll be committing to a fairly large camper. Due to their size, they require a more powerful truck to tow, but their increased length and elevated front area make them feel more residential, which is what many desire for full-time RV living or long road trips.

Amenities like dishwashers, electric fireplaces, and washer-dryer units are not uncommon in fifth wheels. Many have kitchen islands and high-end finishes like solid wood cabinetry and solid surface countertops. But all of these amenities come with a higher price tag. You’ll need to consider your budget and decide what must-haves are on your list. But what if you don’t have a truck? Are you worried about fitting in national park campgrounds? Or maybe you just want to tow something smaller?

Travel trailers range in length from 12 to more than 35 feet. A large travel trailer offers the same roomy feel of a fifth wheel, often at a much more affordable price. If you’re looking for a lightweight RV you can tow with a smaller vehicle like an SUV, a travel trailer is the way to go. In all cases, your camper’s gross vehicle weight (GVW) should never exceed your vehicle’s max towing capacity. You never want to push your limits.

RV Expert Tip: Don’t forget there are also excellent used RVs where you can get more bang for your buck.

Consider Driveability

Truck towing travel trailer down road — Photo by Camping World

With the exception of the best small travel trailers, most RVers that have towed both feel that fifth wheels are easier to maneuver and safer to tow. Why? It has to do with where the hitch point is located.

Because fifth wheel hitches are placed just forward of your truck’s rear axle, they provide a better turning radius, distribute weight better, and reduce sway. A travel trailer’s low hitch point at the vehicle’s rear means a wider turning radius and increased susceptibility to wind and sway.

If you love a travel trailer, you can purchase sway control accessories to improve weight distribution, reduce sway, and improve towing stability. Of course, very small travel trailers are the easiest to tow and maneuver.

If you’re new to RVing and have never towed a trailer before, there is a learning curve to towing either a travel trailer or a fifth wheel. The larger the size, the more difficult it is to control. And if you need a camper over 30 feet long, we suggest going with a 5th wheel if your budget allows.

Account For Total Rig Length

Truck towing long travel trailer by pond

Consider the total length of your RV and tow vehicle before purchasing. Why? Because it may impact your campground selection. Many campgrounds have length restrictions based on site size and type—pull-through vs back-in campsites.

When selecting your ideal travel trailer vs fifth wheel, total length doesn’t always equal RV length plus vehicle length. With a fifth wheel, you can enjoy the same RV length with a reduced overall length, potentially expanding your campground selection.

In other words, let’s take two scenarios. In both, our tow vehicle is a 22’ Chevy 2500, and our RV length is 35 feet. With a 35’ travel trailer, your total length would be 57 feet. With a 5th wheel, your overall length would likely range from 50 to 52 feet, depending on the truck’s bed size.

A reduction in total length of 5-7 feet may not seem like much, but it can be the difference between fitting in your dream campground and settling for your second choice. Additionally, you may find it easier to maneuver in and out of busy, often crowded gas stations and parking lots. While a 35’ travel trailer and 35’ fifth wheel may fit into the same campsite, the ability to get in and out of places along the way is worth considering.

Make a Budget

Finally, let’s examine how fifth wheels and travel trailers differ in price. Travel trailers have the upper hand here – they’re the least expensive way to start RVing. You’ll find new 2025 RVs starting as low as $12,000, but like all RV types, there are entry-level travel trailers and more expensive models with luxury features. Conversely, the most affordable new 2025 fifth wheels start at around $32,000.

When budgeting, you must consider your tow vehicle and what you can safely tow. You’ll find more lightweight travel trailers that don’t require a heavy-duty truck for safe towing. While some half-ton trucks are rated to tow the most lightweight 5th wheels, most will require a full-size truck with a higher towing capacity.

Sway bars — Travel Trailer Hitch w/ Weight Distribution

Fifth wheel Companion hitch — Travel Trailer Hitch w/ Weight Distribution

Both require additional hitches and tow equipment to be towed safely. Fifth wheels have a unique kingpin design that requires a fifth wheel hitch in the truck bed, while most travel trailers require a weight distribution hitch.

The bottom line? When setting your ideal RV budget, factor in the cost of the RV, whether or not you’ll need to upgrade your tow vehicle, and the cost of additional hitch and tow equipment.

Tour Travel Trailers vs 5th Wheels In-Person

Whether you’ve chosen travel trailers or fifth wheels as your ideal RV type, your next step is touring actual floor plans in person. There are many to choose from, and this process is where the fun really begins. Keeping your vehicle’s towing capacity firmly in mind, enjoy comparing layouts and stacking up features to ultimately select the RV that checks all of your boxes.

Check Your Towing Capacity

Discover RVs Near You

Are you leaning one way or the other? If so, congratulations! You’re one step closer to selecting the RV of your dreams. Here are a few more resources to help you compare the different floor plans available for these two RV types: