5th Wheel Trailer / Caravan - Pros and Cons ?
Discussion
Update should anyone care...
Collected it from sellers farm which was down a narrow track with a couple of tight turns.
I had to try the 1st turn 3 times to get around it - it doesn't turn anything like a normal trailer and the caravan wants to cut the corner.
By the end of the drive I thought I'd made a terrible mistake and wished I hadn't bought it.
Then got it on the main road and it was a lot better.
Onto the motorway I discovered that the Isuzu deperately needs a remap - as soon as you hit a decent hill the speed disappears and I ended up in 4th for a lot of the way home.
On the flat it sat happily at 60 and despite there being "High Winds" displayed on the Motorway signs it towed so well you wouldn't know it was there.
Got it to my Dad's farm and it took 15 mins to park it, the truck moves loads before the 'van changes direction again due to it being towed from the middle rather than the back.
The 5th wheeler itself is HUGE and much bigger than I realised or need and makes far more sense for weeks away rather than weekends.
We'll test it out next weekend as it took so long to go though how everything worked (they are far more complicated than I realised)
Having completed my first trip I'm much happier about driving it but I'll definately be booking BIG campsites at first.
Collected it from sellers farm which was down a narrow track with a couple of tight turns.
I had to try the 1st turn 3 times to get around it - it doesn't turn anything like a normal trailer and the caravan wants to cut the corner.
By the end of the drive I thought I'd made a terrible mistake and wished I hadn't bought it.
Then got it on the main road and it was a lot better.
Onto the motorway I discovered that the Isuzu deperately needs a remap - as soon as you hit a decent hill the speed disappears and I ended up in 4th for a lot of the way home.
On the flat it sat happily at 60 and despite there being "High Winds" displayed on the Motorway signs it towed so well you wouldn't know it was there.
Got it to my Dad's farm and it took 15 mins to park it, the truck moves loads before the 'van changes direction again due to it being towed from the middle rather than the back.
The 5th wheeler itself is HUGE and much bigger than I realised or need and makes far more sense for weeks away rather than weekends.
We'll test it out next weekend as it took so long to go though how everything worked (they are far more complicated than I realised)
Having completed my first trip I'm much happier about driving it but I'll definately be booking BIG campsites at first.
Should anone find this in a search - handy tips:
Join the Camping and Caravanning Club £39
Use their unique "Arrival" scheme via the RAC for Breakdown Recovery £75 - no other way to cover large 5th wheels I can find.
Use their Insurance cover as again no one wants to cover 5th wheels £150 for 12 months cover against Liability, Theft, Fire, Damage etc
Join the Camping and Caravanning Club £39
Use their unique "Arrival" scheme via the RAC for Breakdown Recovery £75 - no other way to cover large 5th wheels I can find.
Use their Insurance cover as again no one wants to cover 5th wheels £150 for 12 months cover against Liability, Theft, Fire, Damage etc
gtdc said:
I use a 3l Isuzu Rodeo Denver Max auto - pulls ours a treat - up hill not a problem.
What is your engine spec ?What does your 5th wheel weigh ?
I've driven it without the 5th wheel attached for the first time today and its hardly a ball of fire but IIRC the non IC 3.1 only have 115bhp.
gtdc said:
'Kin 'ell chap - that's a big 'un. in that case, I see your problem. You're just going to have to suffer a massive US pickup.
What's the limit for towing that with a European pickup?
Its a very grey area.What's the limit for towing that with a European pickup?
I believe the theory is you are towing 3200kg and 800kg is in the bed. Which means it has to be a 1 ton pick up.
Greg_D said:
so you have 5 tonnes and 115 hp
with a rippling 23bhp/ton, i'm not surprised you are struggling up hills
you do at least out muscle a 2cv (they make do with 16bhp/ton), but not by much
No mine has 109bhp its the non IC 4JG2 3.1 with a rippling 23bhp/ton, i'm not surprised you are struggling up hills
you do at least out muscle a 2cv (they make do with 16bhp/ton), but not by much
And laden I might have as much as 6 tons
Apparently it does have 255 lbs ft (doesn't feel like it)
I'm looking into increasing the power but I want to make sure I'm legal first otherwise I'll get a 6.5 diesel turbo yank.
Edited by redgriff500 on Monday 28th November 23:27
gtdc said:
Go for the yank. I shall enjoy it by proxy because I can't afford one.
If you look around they aren't expensive it's just I'd like a 6 seater, 4x4 and I need the long rear bed.I've seen a few from £4k but my insurers (I have a blanket policy) won't cover me for yanks and I'd have to uprate it's plated weight as they are down plated when they are imported. Plus swap over the 5th wheel attachment and the electric brakes so I'll stick with the Isuzu if I can get enough out of it.
jbi said:
the american trucks are designed for this sort of thing...
would tow it at 100mph all day long up any hill (if it was legal)
They are but they are down plated to 3.5 ton on import.would tow it at 100mph all day long up any hill (if it was legal)
My last one weighed 2.8 tons which means legally it can only carry 700kg including 6 passengers.
redgriff500 said:
jbi said:
the american trucks are designed for this sort of thing...
would tow it at 100mph all day long up any hill (if it was legal)
They are but they are down plated to 3.5 ton on import.would tow it at 100mph all day long up any hill (if it was legal)
My last one weighed 2.8 tons which means legally it can only carry 700kg including 6 passengers.
What is the logic behind this?
Is this 3.5 ton limit simply down the whether or not you passed your test after 1997?
I tow a 18.5ft single axle caravan with a 1.9TDi 130 MPV and thats pretty good. Has about 230 torques. Total weight approx. 3.2 tonnes. It will hold 6th on the flat but I need 5th on motorway inclines.
You've got another 2 tonnes at least!
However once you get to the site, pitch up and settle down with a G & T that will all be forgotten. Just don't work out the MPG whilst towing.
Caravan club is a great source of information and their services, whist a bit more expensive, are excellent if and when you need them especially if you tow abroad.
You've got another 2 tonnes at least!
However once you get to the site, pitch up and settle down with a G & T that will all be forgotten. Just don't work out the MPG whilst towing.
Caravan club is a great source of information and their services, whist a bit more expensive, are excellent if and when you need them especially if you tow abroad.
jbi said:
redgriff500 said:
jbi said:
the american trucks are designed for this sort of thing...
would tow it at 100mph all day long up any hill (if it was legal)
They are but they are down plated to 3.5 ton on import.would tow it at 100mph all day long up any hill (if it was legal)
My last one weighed 2.8 tons which means legally it can only carry 700kg including 6 passengers.
What is the logic behind this?
Is this 3.5 ton limit simply down the whether or not you passed your test after 1997?
If you are found "overloading" them the fines can be severe - the fact they can take the weight is wholly irrelevent.
jbi said:
I see... thank you for the clarification
3.5 ton sounds extremely low considering you average range rover isn't that far off even before you add a caravan on the back.
The 3.5 ton is for the carried weight.3.5 ton sounds extremely low considering you average range rover isn't that far off even before you add a caravan on the back.
Towing weight (inc the vehicle) is Gross Train Weight.
My T4 van weighs 2 tons and GTW is 5 tons so I can either carry 1 and tow 2 or tow 3.
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