Caravan V 5th Wheeler

[Dot]

I am interested in peoples thinking on the differences with the hitching, backing, handling etc.. Not those huge monster American rigs. Pros & cons of each if you like..

[dapope]

Motorhome. End of problem

[Dot]

Yes I know that BUT for those that don't (you silly bugga)

[T1 Terry]

That ones a toughie, it's a bit like the motorhome and toad v the big caravan and tug. To get the room in the tow vehicle for a reasonable size 5er it becomes one of those dual cab long wheel base yank tanks or a look alike. To tow a big caravan also requires a big vehicle, but it can be more a conventional looking 4 x 4, so which is better for the sight seeing and heading out shopping? Can the ute part of the 5er tug also be used as a goods hauler?
Both the caravan and 5er loose the benefit of a quick change from the bed to the drivers seat if needed, so in a away the trailer becomes the safe ground while you watch out the window and hope they don't do too much damage. Many people have been badly hurt trying to go out and face the usually drunk mob so it's never a good move.
As far as reversing etc, both about the same, maybe the 5er is a bit more manoeuvrable, but a skilled caravan person can make them go where they want and the caravan is usually shorter than the 5er so.....
As far as weight carrying and handling, the 5er wins by a country mile, the tail wagging the dog rarely happens with a 5er, although on the slippery stuff it can still all go pear shaped at the drop of a hat.

I think we need the opinions of those who have driven both types for a long time to get a better balanced view. I have thought of a 5er as an option having driven semi’s quit a bit, after a few bad experiences with caravans the thought of another would never enter my head, do caravanners that have moved to a 5er move back again?

[bob r]

I pull a caravan now but am thinking a 5th wheeler next.
like terry I have driven semi's quite a lot. so I don't have
a problem with the van and I know it will be the same with
a 5th wheeler. just have a lot more room to live in.
bob

[pet-els]

I have a 29' 5er and have no problem manouvering it, It has ample room inside and when hitched up it is shorter than a 21' van hitched to a compatable vehicle. My over all length is 13m.
I can carry 340 l of water and 170 l of grey water. It has desk [separate from the table] for my computer.
I have a Ford Ranger to tow it with and get 17L/100K. Four solar panels, I have been camped on a friends 200 acre farm at Port Macquarie for a month and not been connected to 230V power and not needed it.
Very Happy.
No I would not go back to a caravan.

[TassyJim]

The 5th is much more stable on the road and shorter than a car/van combo.
The Iveco is very handy as a flat tray when not traveling.
My hitch can be removed easily to give the full tray area for trips to the tip.

By keeping the Iveco and 5th below 4.5t each, they have cheap car and caravan rego and car license to drive.
Hitching and unhitching is easy.
At 3.9M high, low clearance trees can be a problem.
All the storage space needs care when loading or you can go over weight easily.
With an 8 foot wardrobe, all those clothes the Boss needs can be a problem.

Jim

[pop's coaster54]

Hi BoB r.
You are better off buying a 4x4 that would save you pulling it.

Karen,Ron and the Girls.

Just coasting along.

[T1 Terry]

I guess the type of tow vehicle again comes into the GVM and CVM suiting what is being planned as the accomodation module. Many late model sedan type vehilces have a very small towing capacity, so the vehicle choice really is tow vehicle first priority, useability as a run around the second priority. The motorhome really is a single purpose vehicle unless it's something like a kombi, then it can still be dual purpose, the ute for a slide on or tug for a 5er is a tow vehicle first and a run around second. Unless it's a really small light weight caravan, the tow vehicle is also really a run around as the second priority, big 4 x 4's aren't exactly cheap shopping trolleys. To me that brings the motorhome and small toad back into the equation, at a push the motorhome is still a form of transport if the little toad is in use else where, the 5er or caravan is grounded till the tow vehicle returns.

[bob r]

Hi BoB r.
You are better off buying a 4x4 that would save you pulling it.

Karen,Ron and the Girls.

Just coasting along.

don't need a 4x4 the rtv ute does just fine.
with a diff lock goes almost anywhere a 4x4 can
bob