Fifth wheel caravans
Discussion
Does anyone here have a fifth wheel caravan? These popped up on my radar after failing dismally to find a traditional caravan with the layout and space I'm requiring, but I'm struggling to work out what their USP is. So first you have to get a fifth pick-up which are rare as hen's teeth and come with a considerable mark up, and then you buy your van which are considerably more expensive than an equivalent size traditional van, even after taking into account the slide-outs.
Then you have to consider :
1. you now have very little storage capacity because the space where you could have installed a topbox on your pick-up is now not possible because it's completely taken up by the fifth wheel coupling.
2. when you want to sell, the market is going to be approximately 2 people on a good day, so you'll be stuck with it forever unless you're prepared to let it go for pocket change.
The slide-outs are definitely very desirable but you can already buy these American style vans with a normal hitch coupling to drag behind your normal vehicle without having to sacrifice the rear half to a fifth wheel coupling. What is point of them beyond "look at me and how awesome I am with my huge fifth wheel caravan" ?
Then you have to consider :
1. you now have very little storage capacity because the space where you could have installed a topbox on your pick-up is now not possible because it's completely taken up by the fifth wheel coupling.
2. when you want to sell, the market is going to be approximately 2 people on a good day, so you'll be stuck with it forever unless you're prepared to let it go for pocket change.
The slide-outs are definitely very desirable but you can already buy these American style vans with a normal hitch coupling to drag behind your normal vehicle without having to sacrifice the rear half to a fifth wheel coupling. What is point of them beyond "look at me and how awesome I am with my huge fifth wheel caravan" ?
OldGermanHeaps said:
Its mostly showmen that buy them, particularly the bigger ones with the pop outs.
No I don't mean those old knackered things dragged on the back of a dodgems trailer being pulled by a 1970s Seddon Atkinson tractor unit, I mean this stuff (for example) :https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/325761900711
What is their USP ?
No they are usually usually nicer ones than in your ebay link, getting pulled by a decent double drive tractor unit. Thats the usual customer for that type of trailer in the uk. They want a home from home on the ground and they already have the lorry to tow it with. You will see dozens of them if you go to one of the bigger more upmarket fairs like the Hoppings or Kirkcaldy Links.
Edited by OldGermanHeaps on Wednesday 15th November 01:29
Generally you can have higher hitch weights because it lands directly onto the axle rather than behind it.
American caravans all seem to have high hitch weights - you can see their wheels are far behind the centre of the caravan whereas European types (and all the Australian ones I've seen) as more "balanced".
Also, you "lose" some of the caravan length by having it overlap your truck but also, as you say, you lose some of the luggage space in your truck too.
American caravans all seem to have high hitch weights - you can see their wheels are far behind the centre of the caravan whereas European types (and all the Australian ones I've seen) as more "balanced".
Also, you "lose" some of the caravan length by having it overlap your truck but also, as you say, you lose some of the luggage space in your truck too.
I have only seen one or two on campsites, but they are very popular in racing circles eg British Superbike Championship, all the top riders have them, and I imagine that's repeated in other sports where staying at the venue for a couple of nights is involved. They are really spacious inside... a 'home from home'.
I have a friend who owns Celtic Rambler 5th wheel..Its towed by a 3ltr V6 VW Amaroc which seems to haul it around.d no problem..
Its a superb piece of kit and great for events like Goodwood each year we attend.
The fit and finish is suberb and it offers great space with the slide out..
Advantages are ,
- nicer to tow than a caravan
- bigger than most caravans
- slide out sides
- can leave on pitch and drive away in tow truck
Essentially fills the gap between caravan and motorhome or RV i guess..
https://fifthwheelco.com/portfolio/celtic-rambler/
Its a superb piece of kit and great for events like Goodwood each year we attend.
The fit and finish is suberb and it offers great space with the slide out..
Advantages are ,
- nicer to tow than a caravan
- bigger than most caravans
- slide out sides
- can leave on pitch and drive away in tow truck
Essentially fills the gap between caravan and motorhome or RV i guess..
https://fifthwheelco.com/portfolio/celtic-rambler/
I've ruled out the 5th wheels and American RV trailers now as the build quality is shocking and they have zero protection from the weather. The pics in this review neatly illustrates the latter issue : https://maps.app.goo.gl/LHhFi4ALT5ZjXpwg8
We looked at 5th wheels back in 2017. We were looking for something to live in full time on the road, and the appeal for us was the size of a large motorhome (and more) with the 'leave it behind' convenience of a caravan minus the theft risk of a large towball-hitch caravan.
There was a UK firm importing relatively bare spec USA made 5th wheels and then fitting them out with 240v, and european plumbing etc. You didn't need anything fancy to tow, just a Navara/Amarok sized pickup.
They felt really flimsy though, the interior was that awful stuck-in-the-70s American RV style and things like single glazed glass windows really hinted at how bad things would be in the winter.
We ended up buying a 2004 Hymer motorhome which turned out to be very much the right choice.
There was a UK firm importing relatively bare spec USA made 5th wheels and then fitting them out with 240v, and european plumbing etc. You didn't need anything fancy to tow, just a Navara/Amarok sized pickup.
They felt really flimsy though, the interior was that awful stuck-in-the-70s American RV style and things like single glazed glass windows really hinted at how bad things would be in the winter.
We ended up buying a 2004 Hymer motorhome which turned out to be very much the right choice.
agent006 said:
We looked at 5th wheels back in 2017. We were looking for something to live in full time on the road, and the appeal for us was the size of a large motorhome (and more) with the 'leave it behind' convenience of a caravan minus the theft risk of a large towball-hitch caravan.
There was a UK firm importing relatively bare spec USA made 5th wheels and then fitting them out with 240v, and european plumbing etc. You didn't need anything fancy to tow, just a Navara/Amarok sized pickup.
They felt really flimsy though, the interior was that awful stuck-in-the-70s American RV style and things like single glazed glass windows really hinted at how bad things would be in the winter.
We ended up buying a 2004 Hymer motorhome which turned out to be very much the right choice.
I never even thought about the windows - good point! My focus was mainly on the floor for insulation (or lack thereof) as it's clear from the photos that it's single skin which would be cold in the winter months when I stay in the UK.There was a UK firm importing relatively bare spec USA made 5th wheels and then fitting them out with 240v, and european plumbing etc. You didn't need anything fancy to tow, just a Navara/Amarok sized pickup.
They felt really flimsy though, the interior was that awful stuck-in-the-70s American RV style and things like single glazed glass windows really hinted at how bad things would be in the winter.
We ended up buying a 2004 Hymer motorhome which turned out to be very much the right choice.
I just can't make up my mind. I look at traditional caravans, then coach-built motorhomes, then PVCs, then truck conversions and all have positives and negatives. I'm shying away from traditional caravans and coach-built motorhomes because I'm wanting the space to get my Himolla recliner in so I can relax when working on my PC (monitor mounted on a VESA bracket from the wall, keyboard on a pillow on my lap) but I'd have to rip out the built-in seating to make space which I don't want to do. That was why I was looking at slide-outs as you have the space and width to do that.
I'm actually thinking of a LWB high roof PVC build now, modified to my specific needs. For example, I don't need a hob or oven as I never use the ones I have at home - anything hot goes in the air fryer for 20 mins, so all I need is shower/bog cubicle, sink, bed (could fold away to the side when not in use) and some cubby holes to store stuff and get my recliner in
. But then there's issues with insulating the floor (or even creating a double floor) because then you won't have the height to stand up straight with a fixed roof. 
You can physically tow with a ute, but I know a couple of owners (pro motor cycle racers) who soon changed to a proper tractor unit, such was the feeling that sooner or later the tail would wag the dog.
IIRC, they were un-braked
... it's 'only a trailer'... and technically illegal on UK roads.
IIRC, they were un-braked
... it's 'only a trailer'... and technically illegal on UK roads.A lot of misinformation on this thread
I bought one, the main reason was for circa £5k I could get a 28 foot caravan with air conditioning, heating, insulation, cooker fridge, proper toilet and shower
It could run everything but the air conditioning without an electric hook up
I liked them because they offered more than a caravan and were far less stealable because far fewer people have a fifth wheel hitch available
They are also rock solid to tow as they put approximately one ton in the bed of the pickup and the hitch is on top of / in front of the rear axle rather than behind it
I bought a truck and trailer as one unit but then sold them separately the guy who bought it had an HGV
They have their own brakes usually electric sometimes air
The reason I sold it was because of the size and weight it only made sense if you went away for a week or more and really we just wanted to go away for weekends
I would mention that unlike a caravan a fifth wheel cuts the corner and honestly I don't think you should be able to drive one without passing another test - the first few drives were eye-opening and I'm used to towing a large trailer
I bought one, the main reason was for circa £5k I could get a 28 foot caravan with air conditioning, heating, insulation, cooker fridge, proper toilet and shower
It could run everything but the air conditioning without an electric hook up
I liked them because they offered more than a caravan and were far less stealable because far fewer people have a fifth wheel hitch available
They are also rock solid to tow as they put approximately one ton in the bed of the pickup and the hitch is on top of / in front of the rear axle rather than behind it
I bought a truck and trailer as one unit but then sold them separately the guy who bought it had an HGV
They have their own brakes usually electric sometimes air
The reason I sold it was because of the size and weight it only made sense if you went away for a week or more and really we just wanted to go away for weekends
I would mention that unlike a caravan a fifth wheel cuts the corner and honestly I don't think you should be able to drive one without passing another test - the first few drives were eye-opening and I'm used to towing a large trailer
r3g said:
I've ruled out the 5th wheels and American RV trailers now as the build quality is shocking and they have zero protection from the weather. The pics in this review neatly illustrates the latter issue : https://maps.app.goo.gl/LHhFi4ALT5ZjXpwg8
Not sure if this info would be relevant to a 5th wheel, but 4 years ago we hired an RV and toured British Columbia for the last 2 weeks of October and didn't find it cold. Got down overnight to -6/7. In fact my wife who is almost always cold, didn't complain once except for the first night when we just had a duvet over us and it was chilly, put a blanket on the bed too and was lovely and warm. I would think they're pretty good for cold weather, lots of people live in them out there it appeared.
Gassing Station | Tents, Caravans & Motorhomes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff