5th Wheel Trailer / Caravan - Pros and Cons ?

[jbi]

ah... that makes a little more sense, cheers

looking online, anything over 3.5 needs a tach? and is it possible to have a vehicle re-plated?

[Jem0911]

You might need a tacho fitting but you are exempt from keeping records as the use is not for hire or reward.
Keeping the gross train weight to under seven and half tonnes.

[Willber]

Won't need a tacho unless you are using it for hire and reward.

[redgriff500]

UPDATE:

Well I've been a bit busy and the weather's not been great but I finally went away for the weekend in it.

I went to Croft Farm Water Park - partly as I've been here before and it's a big site with easy access and no silly rules.

Trip was no problem nor was parking on site and it was lovely to stay in something with everything on board - we never visited the toilet / shower block.

As I looked around the site I saw quite a few Yank Motorhomes but only one 5th wheel unit.

I've turned up the fuel on the Isuzu which helped but it could do with more power for the hills but I was told to monitor EGT's which went up to 780 degrees so I don't think I can risk much more.

Just have to fit a roof rack to it for the canoe for the next trip.

[Landyman52]

GreatGranny said:

Just checked the DVLA site the max. width is now 2.55m and 7m length if towed with vehicle less than 3.5t.

Currently on DVLA site it says-

If the vehicle combination (not including buses) is of the articulated category, regardless of the gross weight of the towing vehicle, the maximum permissible width and length of the semi-trailer are 2.55 metres and 12.2 metres respectively. The overall length of the towing vehicle and trailer must not exceed 15.5m2.

Hope this helps someone.

[iguana]

Landyman52 said:

Currently on DVLA site it says-

If the vehicle combination (not including buses) is of the articulated category, regardless of the gross weight of the towing vehicle, the maximum permissible width and length of the semi-trailer are 2.55 metres and 12.2 metres respectively. The overall length of the towing vehicle and trailer must not exceed 15.5m2.

Hope this helps someone.

That's not the regs for up to 3.5t towing vehicles, they were quoted above, its 7m trailer excluding drawbar.



Also those lengths are incorrect, its 16.5m overall for an article & 18.75m for a a drawbar set up

Edited by iguana on Friday 2nd January 10:11

[powerstroke]

iguana said:

Landyman52 said:

Currently on DVLA site it says-

If the vehicle combination (not including buses) is of the articulated category, regardless of the gross weight of the towing vehicle, the maximum permissible width and length of the semi-trailer are 2.55 metres and 12.2 metres respectively. The overall length of the towing vehicle and trailer must not exceed 15.5m2.

Hope this helps someone.

That's not the regs for up to 3.5t towing vehicles, they were quoted above, its 7m trailer excluding drawbar.



Also those lengths are incorrect, its 16.5m overall for an article & 18.75m for a a drawbar set up

Edited by iguana on Friday 2nd January 10:11

It is 7 meters for a normal drawbar trailer if its being towed by something with a gross weight 3500kg or less a semi trailer ,gooseneck fifth wheel ie towed by a coupling over the axle is 12.2 mtr !!! How ever it seems electric brakes are only OK up to 3500kg axle weight so if your fifth wheel mobile stately home is much over 4000kgs you're pushing your luck asumming you have maybe 30ish % on the pin!!

[flatso]

A bit of a revival here. After looking into campervan's, caravans, large motor homes I have reached the 5th wheel subject. Its no wonder that they are so popular over in America, the make a lot of sense.
In continental Europe these rigs are almost unknown, and very few companies import/distribute them. In the UK however I see quite a few outfits that import them from the US. I've looked at the 2-3 existing european alternatives, but compared to the yanks they are hopelessly overpriced and still too small (no slides or 1 slide at best).
Are there any forum members that have any experiences with the UK Importers of US 5th wheels?

Regards from CH

[V8RX7]

What price range are you looking at ?

There are always a few on Ebay / AutoTrader

Be aware of the following:

Unlike a caravan they cut the corner
They are far heavier than the UK type
The larger ones look great in the USA but can't access many places over here.

I have a 28 ft one and a couple of feet less would have been handy on a few occasions (or a shorter tow vehicle)

[will2020]

I have a US built Puma 259RBSS towed with Navara V6, very happy with it as no need to make up beds every night and a good size slideout so plenty of interior space. If you are considering buying one get on http://www.fifthwheelownersclub.com/Forum/ lots of info and advise.

Edited by will2020 on Wednesday 27th May 01:23

[flatso]

Thanks for the quick reply. I need to do some research regarding the driving license weight limitations here. Apart from thet the 5th wheel concept seems very attractive, especially the fact that they seem a lot more stable when towed.
Obviously it needs to be below 30' to make any sense here in europe, but the slides (some with 3-4 of them) make a gigantic difference.

[Greg_D]

Are 5th wheels allowed on most camp sites on account of the tow vehicle being 'a commercial type'

My understanding is that caravan sites are VERY twitchy about p1keys turning up (i'm in no way insinuating that 5th wheels are p1key, but the rules regarding tow vehicles are VERY strictly followed on most sites i've ever heard about)

[V8RX7]

Greg_D said:

Are 5th wheels allowed on most camp sites on account of the tow vehicle being 'a commercial type'

My understanding is that caravan sites are VERY twitchy about p1keys turning up (i'm in no way insinuating that 5th wheels are p1key, but the rules regarding tow vehicles are VERY strictly followed on most sites i've ever heard about)

I haven't been to many sites and I always call first, the only problem I've had is owners concerned that I might not fit in their pitches.

I have heard that the Caravan Club tend to be very sniffy hence I joined the Camping & Caravan Club who aren't (mostly to use their excellent breakdown deal with the RAC)

[muckymotor]

I've seen fifth wheelers on Caravan Club sites and I also used them with a pick up and caravan a few years ago without a problem.

[shovelheadrob]

The only time I've ever had a problem with a pick up truck on a campsite was several years ago at Strathclyde Park when it was run by the local authority, it's now Caravan Club owned & when we went there last year they had no problem with our truck. I asked about siting our 5'er there & they said no problem.
We now have a 33ft 5th wheel & it just means that you have to do a bit of home work before you book, check access to sites as well as the pitch size.

[Bill]

That's getting a bit bonkers, imo, if it's limiting where you can go.