What is the difference & which is easier to tow & back up with: Pop-up, Travel Trailer, or a 5th Wheel?

Question

We are towing a pop-up using our van, we see the trucks out there with traveling trailers and 5th wheels but which one is easier to manuver with?

Answer 1

5Th wheel will always be the easiest, because your pivot point is above or ahead of the rear wheels. As soon as you put the pivot point behind the rear wheels it changes the dynamics.

Paul

Answer 2

It all depends on the length of the trailer, all types. The pop-up is easiest because it's the shortest and they are usually only as wide as the vehicle towing it. The 5th wheel is at the other extreme. Typically they are two or three times longer than the tow vehicle. They are usually wider than the track of the truck you are towing with and because of the pivot point being in the middle of the truck box instead of the tail of it turning is awkward at best until you get the hang of it. A good way to go may be gradually increase the size of your trailer until you are comfortable with the biggest trailer you want then step up to the 5th wheel.

Answer 3

You're asking the wrong question since many travel trailer do have a 5th wheel hitch. I think you mean what is the advantage of a 5th wheel over a standard trailer hitch. It's a bit of a trade off. A 5th wheel will handle much better, but it does put more weight on the truck, about 17 to 20% of the total weight, where a standard hitch puts only the tongue weight, but doesn't handle as well. Added: It also has to do with size, get over about 22 feet, and the 5th wheel is all you can find.

Answer 4

There are advantages and disadvantages to each type of trailer. They ALL require practice to be able to back properly. Generally, the smaller trailers like your pop-up are easy to tow because they are lighter weight, and low enough to see over the top while backing, but a longer trailer is actually easier to control while backing.

I like the 5th wheels because that's what I tow most often, and am most comfortable with. The 5th wheel trailers also ride better on the highway because their weight is more evenly distributed between the truck and trailer.

Answer 5

Pop up is the smallest. 5th wheel is the easiest to tow but requires special modifications to your pick up truck. You cannot tow a fifth wheel with a van. Trailers come in lots of sizes and weights. Depends mostly on your needs. They also have anti-sway bars to make towing easier.

Answer 6

5th wheel set up gives the best weight distribution, and in my opinion is easiest to back since the pivot point is about the middle of the bed. Depends on what you get used to though.

Answer 7

pop-up's are attached to vehichle usually with short tow bar.. & down lower for better sight similar to truck with camper top..easy to use side view mirrors.
travel trailers are pain in the butt cuz they are on tow bar that you have to manuver like semi...
5th wheel...attaches to truck & theirs less worry for moving around...easiest in my opinion.

Answer 8

a fifth wheel trailer is the easiest to manuever by far. any single axle trailer is much harder to back up then one with two axles as they single axle allows them to turn much quicker when backing requireing you to constantly correct to try to keep it straight. When moving forward and turning, the fifth wheel trailer is more easily manuevered and will turn in a much smaller area than any other.

Answer 9

a fifth wheel is a lot easier to control and maneuver around,you can make real sharp turns with those,the small pop up wont be too bad ,but not as easy as a fifth wheel would be,good luck with it.