May 2010 - and planning to take off in July 2011. Were thinking about 5th wheelers, as we plan to sell  up everything and live forever in mobile home, but after realisation that we were not getting any younger (bugger, yes, it is true) we are now looking at caravans - i.e. lack of head/leg room in bedroom.  Any thoughts on caravans vs 5th wheelers (aust made, not imported)

Welcome to the forum,

As the choice of "set-up" is very much a personal decision based on lifestyle (and economic) factors I suggest doing some research and making a full list of all the advantages and disadvantages of the different types of rigs, i.e. full height caravans, poptops, wind-ups, motorhomes, campervans, 5th wheelers, etc, and see how these relate to your proposed lifestyle.

I personally would find a 5th wheeler too big and inappropriate for my needs.  As I spend about 3 - 4 months on the road and the rest at home my tug is also my around-town car so a motorhome is out of the equation for me.  Many members of this forum have lifestyle requirements quite different to mine.

Well, we have 'til the end of the year before we are off and running, and about 18 months ago we purchased a pre-loved 17'6" van with shower/toilet combo to tack onto the back of our 3Lt Patrol. Our 'rig' runs really great, when cruising you really don't know that your little 'shack' is on the back. We have done several 'shake-down' trips to get ourselves used to it, with a couple more before we set off for good (?) come the new year. This set-up suits us, and as others will tell you, what is suitable for one couple is not always suitable for another.

Cheers, hope you find what you are looking for - and hope to see you on the road one day.

5th Wheelers are a breeze to tow and thay are avaiable with beds at floor level. You choose the layout you wnt. Some of the smaller Aussie made units are really well built compaired to the US ones. WElooked at them before we purchased our ;ast van, but didn't want to drive around in a ute that's need to tow one. We wanted to stay with a family type vehicle so choose a Ford Territory to tow the van.
As for selloing the house and living full time in a van,5th Wheeler or motorhome, we never even considered it.
When you get older and maybe experience some ill health as we're all inclined to do at some time, it's nice to have a place called home. Even if the proceeds from the sale of your home are invested, house prices may very well increase more than you can cover with the investment interest. Renting the house is always an option, but not on a long term lease as you may want to move back in fairly quickly at some time.
Just our personal thoughts.
Hope you enjoy many wonderful years on the road.
Cheers, ozjohn

Dunmowin, we live permanently in an Australian-made 5th-wheeler, built by Southern Cross in Brisbane, having sold our Adelaide Hills property (and 35 years of accumulated 'stuff'!) two years ago -- and we have no regrets at all. Wherever we go, when we get out of the car (a Mazda BT-50) and open the door of the van, we're home. Our van is only 25' 6" (7.7 m), but we have a full-height, walk-around bedroom with queen-sized bed. The front of the van is our lounge-dining room, the kitchen is larger than in many flats, and the shower (big enough for two) and flushing marine toilet are at the back end. If you'd like to see some photos, try to get a copy of April's 'On The Road' magazine, where you'll find an article by John on 'Our Rig'. As for getting too old to travel -- 'old' is at least partly a state of mind, and there are travellers out here in their 90s. If we really can't travel any more, we still have our comfortable home and will just find somewhere to throw out the anchor. So don't write off the fiver just yet -- they're a dream to drive, and still give you the freedom to wander off in the tow vehicle. Andrea & John

Hi , Andrea beat me to it with regard to southerncross 5th wheeler. I love 5th wh, and wife was very taken with southerncross we saw,- 22ft with bed on lower level and dining above hitch. They make them lower somehow . They make them to your design also . Have been to factory in meadowbrook Brisbane.  Trulux is another Aust made and as well as generic models they will design and build to you specs. They are in Kilsyth Vic.  Most will build to your requirements, only restricted by $$$.
We've got 16ft6 poptop at moment and when I finally retire will have to make BIG decision whether to go 5th or stay van. We will retain a residence somewhere as a base even if in early days may not be there much. Congrats and good traveling see you on road sometime. (We are heading north - from Brissy- in late July for about 3 months)

Andrea & Edco, thanks for your replies, Andrea, my reference to "not getting any younger" was not that we are , in fact getting old, but not to old to travell, but that I have suffered ill health for past 18 months, and we have come to realisation that is time to get off property and ago and see Australia while we can. Have looked at Southern Cross website, and requested info from them. They are not far from where we live. Also hoping that they may well be at Caravan Show in Brisbane in June. Question for you Andrea: Obviously you lived in South Australia before setting off in your Southern Cross. Did you buy it sight unseen, off floor plans, did you travel to Brisbane to view before taking possession. this is just another of a number of queries that are building up in the back of my mind. We have not completely written off the 5th, but are looking currently at caravans as well. I need convincing!

had phone call from southen cross last week.  Whata a shame the didnt get in touch with us when we first contacted them/////  they missed out...

What a pity, Dunmowin: we're heading in to the factory next week (currently shivering at night in St George!) for a few upgrades and repairs, and be sure that we'll pass this on to them. After all the unofficial promotion we've done for them, purely because we love our rig, that lack of response reflects on us as well. Meanwhile, I'm sure you'll enjoy your travels -- see you on the road, perhaps! Cheers - Andrea