5th Wheel, What to do if there is a major problem with the tow vehicle?

[Padre]

Just returned from a 6 week jaunt on the gulf coast, S. Arizona/Quartzite, Puerto Penasco Mx. This is our 3rd extended trip like this, and we have more like it planned.
Along the way we have looked at the Escape 5th wheels when we run into people with them. We do the pros and cons of a change out of our 2017 19’ Escape, the pro being better elbow room, no crawl over to get out of bed etc. The cons of course, the estimated $15k investment in the change out of the 19’ for the 5.0TA and 4Runner for a pickup.
The downside I can’t get my head wrapped around, what happens if you have a major trauma with the tow vehicle? I have a genetic understanding of towing, draw bars, etc. etc. I think our insurance even provides for a rental replacement of a tow vehicle in the event of an occurrence like this. I’m clueless as to how I would deal with a roadside breakdown in a 5th wheel.
Have others developed a disaster recovery plan for a situation like this in the Escape 5TA?

[cpaharley2008]

Good Sam will send two tow trucks, one for your trailer and one for your tow, I'm sure they have 5th wheel experiences......but yes, that and other reasons have kept me from going to the 5th set up.

[Padre]

Jim, we talked couple of years back before the purchase of the 19...
What are some of the other factors that stopped you from pulling the trigger on the 5th wheel?

[cpaharley2008]

Towing the trailer is a given experience, a 5th is not. Losing the use of your truck bed, with a tonneau cover your cargo is protected and hidden from prying eyes. If you get a fiberglass cap, your cargo room is doubled. On the other hand, having a shorter overall length is nice. Not sure about the heat in a 5th keeping the loft warm enough whereas in the 21 and 19 it is a known commodity. The smaller 5th wheel bath over the E21 is a downside as is the smaller counter space. This is why we chose the E21, a second time.

[davidmurphy02]

The odds of a breakdown are relatively low, and there are fifth wheels all over the country - many tow operators would be able to come tow your trailer if you were disabled. We have traveled with a small fifth wheel for the past 20 years and have had a few truck issues but never became disabled on the highway.

On the other hand, there are a lot of advantages to a fifth wheel that we experience every day...very easy and stable towing, shorter overall length making it easier maneuver and access smaller campsites, and yet with the high ceiling in the 5.0TA it is very spacious inside. We like the separate bedroom area, and if anything find that since heat tends to rise that keeping the bedroom warm when desired is not a problem.

The nice thing about Escape is that they offer both bumper pull and fifth wheel options so you can get the wonderful quality and functionality of an Escape in whichever format works best for you!

[Cleta]

I currently own a stick fifth-wheel and have a 5.0 on order to replace it. I had a leaf spring break last fall on trip through Texas. My Good Sam roadside assistance service sent out a repair man and a tow truck. They were able to do a makeshift repair on the road side and then the repair guy hitched up my trailer and drove it about 8 miles to the nearest town. The tow truck wasn't needed but was available. There are so many fifth-wheels on the road that the tow services are prepared. As to why a fifth-wheel, I am a mature woman traveling with my dog. I have four brothers who have towed/hauled heavy construction equipment all their adult lives. They insisted that I get a fifth-wheel for the stability, control, and ease. I have a flexible tonneau cover that rolls up towards the cab when I am pulling and rolls back out to cover the bed and contents when I am not. I respect that we all have different priorities but this might help you with your choices.

[Ian and Sue]

I carry Good Sam towing insurance. It works like AAA but also gets your camper to a campground if your truck breaks down(takes your truck to get fixed too). It also covers all vehicles. I used it with my scamp 19 5th wheel and my wife used it when she locked herself out of the car. Both times were very good and they did what they said. Worth every penny.

[padlin]

As others have mentioned, good sam takes care of it, no idea about Mexico.