After selling my Motorhome, do you think I made the right choice by going for an American 5th wheel caravan instead of a standard caravan
Donnie Ban
Donnie Ban
5th wheel caravan
- Thread starter Donnie Ban
- Start date
Donald, your money, your choice!If you've bought it, it's too late now! We had a thread on here about people's dream outfit. I said I was happy with what I had, which is true, but I must admit to having thought about a fifth wheeler. Wouldn't suit my lifestyle though, cos we use club CLs. I'm sure you won't regret your choice.
Nice choice Donald.
I often get ribbed about towing a twenty foot twin axle van with my meger Laguna, but I have broad shoulders. As Emmerson has already said the choice is yours.
You might find some sites being negative about allowing large articulated caravans on pitches but what the heck thats their loss.
You don't mention what the tractor unit is but I hope you've got deep pockets if it's a 5.7 Chevy, cos you'll be lucky to get 10mpg on jungle juice.
I often thought of using a twin cab transit for the tow unit as I'd get a reasonable economy and a practical people carrier to use solo.
Might want to park on planks on grass as you might have that sinking feeling in the wet.
Good luck.
Steve.
I often get ribbed about towing a twenty foot twin axle van with my meger Laguna, but I have broad shoulders. As Emmerson has already said the choice is yours.
You might find some sites being negative about allowing large articulated caravans on pitches but what the heck thats their loss.
You don't mention what the tractor unit is but I hope you've got deep pockets if it's a 5.7 Chevy, cos you'll be lucky to get 10mpg on jungle juice.
I often thought of using a twin cab transit for the tow unit as I'd get a reasonable economy and a practical people carrier to use solo.
Might want to park on planks on grass as you might have that sinking feeling in the wet.
Good luck.
Steve.
I've often thought that if you want a big unit these are ideal; drive more like a (big) motorhome, less in the way of weight problems, lots of space (particularly if it has a slide-out), but when you get on site you de-couple and have a (fairly) normal vehicle for getting around in.
Let us know how you get on!
Let us know how you get on!
As I never had a caravan before and I had problems with motorhome parking,I sold my motorhome and went for a 8M (26ft) overall Xtreme lite XF 23RB 5th wheel, with a Isuzu rodeo denver 3L double cab tractor,which is a great combination as far as towing and parking is concerned
It has worked out far cheaper than buying another motorhome.
The 3 clubs I belong to said, "as it is under 8M they could not see it being a problem"
They look bigger inside as part of the van is over the back of the pickup which happens to be the bed
I am sure I will find out all it faults after I have used next summer,it will certainly be different experience from a motorhome.I will let you know how I get on with all its faults
Wishing you all from the Isle of Lewis a happy and prosperous new year
Donnie Ban
It has worked out far cheaper than buying another motorhome.
The 3 clubs I belong to said, "as it is under 8M they could not see it being a problem"
They look bigger inside as part of the van is over the back of the pickup which happens to be the bed
I am sure I will find out all it faults after I have used next summer,it will certainly be different experience from a motorhome.I will let you know how I get on with all its faults
Wishing you all from the Isle of Lewis a happy and prosperous new year
Donnie Ban
26ft and the front of the caravan sits over the bed of the towcar. The whole outfit should not be any longer than towing a normal 20ft van with the same vehicle and the fifth wheel is inherently more stable.
Width might be a problem though.
Width might be a problem though.
dont wory about it.....i wish i had the money to buy an fiffth wheel outfit.enjoy it i think you will find it a lot easier and convenient,iknow i would
The larger Chevrolet 5 litre deisels with a fifth wheel attachment will require plating as they fall into the catergory of being over 3.5 tonnes. Without the plating they can get away with a normal M.O.T. There are many instances whereby the fifth wheel attachment is unbolted for a M.O.T. and then refixed. This practice is illegal as should they be involved in an accident the insurance would be void. I had this information from a senior Ministry of Transport HGV/PSV Inspector. Apparantley there is a purge on at the moment on these vehicles for road side checks. The Ministry are clamping down on these vehicles and also caravans which appear to be flouting the laws of the road.
Colin
A lot of normal outfits are over 3500kg I have not heard of a requirement to have the tow vehicle plated.
Our Seat Alhambra (1820kg) and Mendip Magnum 636 (1710kg - MTPLM - never tow at this weight) combined are over this figure.
I thought this weight related to driving licence groups.
A lot of normal outfits are over 3500kg I have not heard of a requirement to have the tow vehicle plated.
Our Seat Alhambra (1820kg) and Mendip Magnum 636 (1710kg - MTPLM - never tow at this weight) combined are over this figure.
I thought this weight related to driving licence groups.
Colin
I realise now that you are talking about the tow vehicle being over 3500kg on its own but that still raises some issues.
Wouldn't the MOT station check the VIN plate before/during the MOT to see what test is required?
Why would the use of the vehicle (towing) make any difference to what test it took?
i.e. What would be the point of unbolting the mounting plate?
I realise now that you are talking about the tow vehicle being over 3500kg on its own but that still raises some issues.
Wouldn't the MOT station check the VIN plate before/during the MOT to see what test is required?
Why would the use of the vehicle (towing) make any difference to what test it took?
i.e. What would be the point of unbolting the mounting plate?
Yes, I can't see the purpose of unbolting the fifth wheel attachment, either. A vehicle with a max. GVW of 3500kg or more remains that whether the fifth wheel attachment is mounted or not.
Gentlemen - apparantly by unbolting the 5th. wheel attachment the vehicle weight goes under the 3500 kg. requirement for plating - however to tow a caravan of this type the attachment is required and when fitted takes the vehicle over the max. weight for normal MOT requirements. The vehicle is then used solo for the rest of the year with the attachment in place as it is only removed for the MOT, and is therefore over the magic figure in normal use.
Do any of these 5th wheel towing units still have a boot that you can fit your dogs? I saw a 5th wheel caravan in the New Forest and it looked awesome, but with a few dogs I'm not sure how you can travel them.
You must be talking of massive big rigs,as far as I can work out mine is within the law,but there again I could be working it out wrong. Isuzu, gross wt.2900kg, max.tow wt.3000kg, payload 1000kg, 5th wheel caravan, kerb wt.2095kg, gross wt.3174kg,I would need to cut my payload down by 174kg minimum to keep it within the Isuzu's 3000kg max.tow wt.
On the day they'll find something if they want to.
When I had the Motorhome I travelled for years in ignorance of a payload, until I became a member of motorhome club, and read all the forums,then I became paranoid with payloads,which took the fun out of the motorhome,as they have a small payload for the 3500kg gross,its a true saying "ignorance is bliss" until your caught
Donnie Ban (Donald)
On the day they'll find something if they want to.
When I had the Motorhome I travelled for years in ignorance of a payload, until I became a member of motorhome club, and read all the forums,then I became paranoid with payloads,which took the fun out of the motorhome,as they have a small payload for the 3500kg gross,its a true saying "ignorance is bliss" until your caught
Donnie Ban (Donald)
Hi Dick
The make of my 5th wheel is Xtreme Lite 23RBLS by Sunvalley,and I bought it from Calder Leisure Motors as they take them up to UK standards
Donnie Ban
The make of my 5th wheel is Xtreme Lite 23RBLS by Sunvalley,and I bought it from Calder Leisure Motors as they take them up to UK standards
Donnie Ban
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