Just came from the same show Good day was had and must agree the fifth wheelers are the go, my next rig will certainly be one or a full scale motor home. The 5Th's are well finished and have heaps of space for those recliners. Was disappointed with the range of vans, not much to offer in layouts of inclusions from last years range. When inspecting the interiors of most vans I found they still persist on bringing the water and waste hoses straight down through the center of the under sink shelving making that space absolutely useless. Then there's the cupboard space that they want to install the aircon compressors , radio, water heater and all electrical switching and charging systems. One particular range ( No Name No Pack Drill ) every cupboard I opened had some protrusion into the storage space. Custom built may be the only answer to regaining value for money

You've been looking at the wrong vans it seems. I wasn't at that show, but I live in a live van show - a caravan park, and I do check out vans of interest. The latest was an A Van about 24ft. Well finished and fitted, strong chassis and not too many lounges. Fifth wheelers look the bees knees in luxury and comfort, but what about the practical? I've been told they are easier to manouvre, but you're manouvring a huge vehicle, almost the height of a semi pan van. They vary in size, and of course there is the hump back which isn't so high overall. Too much van and too many frills for me but that's just personal choice. I'm not keen on anything with a wind-out either. More opportunities for dust and water leakage. You have to go with your personal needs for holidays or lifestyle. Good luck with that decision. Cheers Chris

Agree entirely. The vans I looked at that stood out for poor workmanship mainly in those hidden spots in or under cupboards and beds and the intrusions into I mentioned happen to be the overall largest seller which surprises me when you look at the entire package and the price . Another point I would consider relevant to the buyer is the claim that some manufacturers like to make . "Australian Made " which is utter bull dust , most of the internal fittings come in flat packs from China , USA or other SEA locations , even the steel used to make the chassis from is imported . Not sure what OZ content you need to claim OZ made anymore. Like it or not we merely assemble the components, very little is actually made here in OZ. Even waste pipes and taps are imported . You would think if claiming OZ made they would take the O/S labels off the various parts prior to del.

Wombat 280 wrote:

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Was disappointed with the range of vans, not much to offer in layouts of inclusions from last years range.



Custom built may be the only answer to regaining value for money

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We went to the Adelaide caravan and camping show on the weekend and agree with Wombats comments.

 

well you could always build your own and make it edzacary how you think you want it and then spend the rest of your life fixing all the blues, assembly is regarded as "australian made" these days, we couldnt afford the true aussie made stuff, couldnt compete with $5 per week wages fifth wheelers are terrific as long as you have a footy oval to turn around in and one to park it as well, not too many c/parks up here and points north can handle the things, I've seen them parked on the road inside the c/park right up the back because they dont fit in a "standard" park or they cant back them in because the road is too narrow if you really need that level of comfort when you travel then why travel???????? those that own these things never venture outside so why not park it in your own front yard and save a heap of dough or just hire cabins along the way with all the trimmings, outside is what travelling is all about not the feel of the curtains or the finish of the carpet

It's just so we can see what the other half who don't have a fifth wheeler live like. LOL I don't back off from roughing it but why do it if you can do it another way. I don't agree with Mr Frazer, I think life was meant to be easy after all the effort one puts in just getting to that stage of life.

yep I guess so, just leaves the small camps to us, met one over on kangaroo island, wanted a free camp so he choofed up a dirt road, road ran out to a locked gate, couldnt turn around without touching the shrubbery, couldnt back out so he had to scratch his vehicle up just to get it around, nothing I could do but just sit and watch I have yet to see one of these fifth wheelers without a generater huffing away in the background, is it mandatory to have and use one of these as part of the purchase

I to went to the Adelaide caravan show . Gary and Kerry did you see the JURGENS Vans.They had biult in Australia on the sing. When I said to the salesman don't you mean assemble from a flat pack imported from South Africa . He did not know what to say to me. He turned on his heals walked away and hid.

dave06 wrote:

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I have yet to see one of these fifth wheelers without a generater huffing away in the background, is it mandatory to have and use one of these as part of the purchase

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Hmmmm, Mine didn't come with a generator, it came with solar as standard and I upgraded it to 350 watts. Don't like gennies...

Also I upgraded from a small Jayco poptop van and my 24' fiver is only 1 metre longer in overall length than the jayco was. No drawbar you see.

AND... I challenge anyone with a van of around 18 feet to have a smaller turning circle than I have. There's not a van park that I haven't been able to fit in yet. Been in many interesting bush camps also.

Cheers

Pat