hello all. I've been hunting for a 25ft 5th wheeler. I'm situated on the coast at Kingsclif. We are travelling to Sydney next weekend to check out one at Wollongong and 2 near Newcastle, all privately selling and now probably at a dealer at bennetts green. happy to fly to Melbourne if need be and of course drive up to Brisbane. Found them on the sites Gumtree and Caravan Sales.com also quick sales. Have to get a vehicle too and would really prefer a space cab which has the suicide doors. This gives more room for turning. Anyone have any more ideas of where I can find one. Don't want to go to Tassy or SA or WA. Too far to get back home. Our house is sold and plan to travel for two years or more. Have to get one in next couple of months.
The Brisbane caravan show is on in 3 wks so maybe someone wants to upgrade and sell me theirs???
ideas for searching? Or does anyone know anyone wanting to sell? No bigger than 27ft. 25 is my ideal.
Never had a caravan before and really looking forward to our new adventure
Bruce and Bev said
07:51 PM May 17, 2016
sorry, I cant give you manufacturers names, but last year we were staying at the Berwick show grounds - south/east Melbourne.
A local couple had ordered a custom made 5 wheeler from a small company somewhere out that way. The company delivered it to the show grounds and in hope of drumming up some business, showed a few of us through. It had been custom made to the size and fitout of the customer and it looked great.
The owners picked it up about a week later and took it away for about a week to test it out before coming back to Berwick (where their house was - not enough room to park their RV though).
They were experienced nomads and given it a good work out in that week and couldn't fault it.
Seems there are a quite a few small, family operated, RV makers on the East coast ( a few in QLD to), that will make 5 wheelers to your specs and you get a quality made RV
-- Edited by Bruce and Bev on Tuesday 17th of May 2016 07:52:39 PM
Yuglamron said
08:25 PM May 17, 2016
I know they can be a dirty word on this site but check out the CMCA website's member's posts. There are normally a few 5th wheelers on it to peruse.
Check out Crossroads at Gympie Qld. They sell new but occasionally have pre-owned for sale.
Good luck wherever you find one.
PeterD said
08:41 PM May 17, 2016
Pray tell me, why is CMCA a dirty word on this site? Is it because they promote self containment?
LLD said
08:48 PM May 17, 2016
No idea of quality or what it's like, but Jayco now market 5th wheelers. Suspect that 5th wheelers are popular when a mass-producer of vans starts marketing them in Australia.
Q. Do you need an articulated licence to drive a 5th wheeler?
-- Edited by LLD on Tuesday 17th of May 2016 08:49:44 PM
Chris61 said
09:09 PM May 17, 2016
Hi Lou, do your homework on weight. I have a 27ft 5th wheeler and have to be very careful with how much "stuff" I can carry. If you are going to do large trips look at larger vehicles. I have a Holden Colorado single cab and when I upgrade I will be looking at an Iveco Daily.
Check out the rest of my blog and there are plenty of 5th Wheelers.
What sort of 5th wheeler are you looking at or are you looking at everything.
One word of warning, do not believe sales people when they tell you weights, check them out for yourself. Weigh them before you part with your hard earned dollars.
-- Edited by Chris61 on Tuesday 17th of May 2016 09:09:49 PM
cjt55 said
09:27 PM May 17, 2016
Hi Lou,
I used to have a 24ft 5th Wheeler manufactured by Trailblazers RV in Melbourne. Mine had twin slide outs that gave you an extra 4 ft of width.
Until recently they seemed to be only for Motorhomes and quite a few on here are tug and Van people.
Bruce and Bev said
09:34 PM May 17, 2016
try the monthly Caravan magazine you can pick up at any news agency. Usually quite a few small adverts in the back from family run or small RV makers who make 5th wheelers or 'vans. Theyre spread right up and down the east coast
Lou64 said
09:41 PM May 17, 2016
Thanks for that advice. Cmca have quite a few, one of which we are actually viewing on Sunday
Lou64 said
09:42 PM May 17, 2016
jayco unfortunately stopped making them
Lou64 said
09:44 PM May 17, 2016
Yes I know weight is a big issue with them. Sticking to 25 ft and getting a vehicle that tows 3500 is a safer starting point I think
Brooksy48 said
10:32 PM May 17, 2016
Check out http://www.caravancampingsales.com.au/
They have 162 for sale at the moment.
sarge said
02:10 AM May 18, 2016
Hi Lou.
Have you had a look at Travelhome in Newcastle? They usually have a few second hand ones in their yard.
We have a 27ft Travelhome and love it. Tows great with a Colorado RG twin cab.
Sarge
brickies said
08:31 AM May 18, 2016
Crossroads RV Gympie has a good name
Lou64 said
09:38 AM May 18, 2016
Great advice thanks everyone
PeterD said
12:16 PM May 18, 2016
Lou64 wrote:
all privately selling and now probably at a dealer at bennetts green.
Hi Lou64, I did a fair bit of home work on 5th wheelers with the idea of purchasing one, and amongst the 5 wheelers you can divide them into two groups, those that use the goose neck hitch, and those that use the ball. The biggest problem with the goose neck hitch is the height the front of the trailer goes to, and usually the bed is put up there. There are quite a few steps to climb to get to the bed, and all of those I spoke to who were selling were because they had knee, hip or back problems and couldn't manage the steps. The other type which uses a ball and socket type hitch, the difference in the height of the chassis off set is about half, and only two steps and you are in the bedroom (or lounge in some). The steps can be easily managed by sore and or older persons. Storage is an issue with 5 wheelers, as you don't have the back of the vehicle to use. So its important that the unit you choose has plenty of extra storage if you are going on extended trips. As said above be careful of the vehicle you buy, and I have fallen into that trap. A fellow I met is on his third prime mover after buying his rig, to get it right. Of the latter type of 5 wheelers Southern cross 5 wheelers was one manufacturer, but the owner retired. I heard a rumor his son was going to start making them again. They are an open type of van with the bedroom about center, ensuite at the end, and the lounge up at the front. A company in Melbourne also is making them called Trulux, I suggest you have a look at their site to get an idea of the different layouts available, these people also have a large storage area under the floor. Many different layouts available.
PS I've forgotten the correct names of the two different hitches so no need to correct me, cause I'm admitting that I have not used the correct names.
-- Edited by iana on Sunday 5th of February 2017 03:54:13 PM
PeterD said
06:13 PM Feb 5, 2017
iana wrote:
Hi Lou64, I did a fair bit of home work on 5th wheelers with the idea of purchasing one, and amongst the 5 wheelers you can divide them into two groups, those that use the goose neck hitch, and those that use the ball.
Snip
PS I've forgotten the correct names of the two different hitches so no need to correct me, cause I'm admitting that I have not used the correct names.
In that case I will not correct you, I will just give the correct terminology for the others.
The 5th wheelers (the true ones) have a turn table like the semi trailers Fifth-wheel coupling. The ones with the large ball coupling over the tugs axle is the gooseneck trailers
hello all. I've been hunting for a 25ft 5th wheeler. I'm situated on the coast at Kingsclif. We are travelling to Sydney next weekend to check out one at Wollongong and 2 near Newcastle, all privately selling and now probably at a dealer at bennetts green. happy to fly to Melbourne if need be and of course drive up to Brisbane. Found them on the sites Gumtree and Caravan Sales.com also quick sales. Have to get a vehicle too and would really prefer a space cab which has the suicide doors. This gives more room for turning. Anyone have any more ideas of where I can find one. Don't want to go to Tassy or SA or WA. Too far to get back home. Our house is sold and plan to travel for two years or more. Have to get one in next couple of months.
The Brisbane caravan show is on in 3 wks so maybe someone wants to upgrade and sell me theirs???
ideas for searching? Or does anyone know anyone wanting to sell? No bigger than 27ft. 25 is my ideal.
Never had a caravan before and really looking forward to our new adventure
sorry, I cant give you manufacturers names, but last year we were staying at the Berwick show grounds - south/east Melbourne.
A local couple had ordered a custom made 5 wheeler from a small company somewhere out that way. The company delivered it to the show grounds and in hope of drumming up some business, showed a few of us through. It had been custom made to the size and fitout of the customer and it looked great.
The owners picked it up about a week later and took it away for about a week to test it out before coming back to Berwick (where their house was - not enough room to park their RV though).
They were experienced nomads and given it a good work out in that week and couldn't fault it.
Seems there are a quite a few small, family operated, RV makers on the East coast ( a few in QLD to), that will make 5 wheelers to your specs and you get a quality made RV
-- Edited by Bruce and Bev on Tuesday 17th of May 2016 07:52:39 PM
I know they can be a dirty word on this site but check out the CMCA website's member's posts. There are normally a few 5th wheelers on it to peruse.
Check out Crossroads at Gympie Qld. They sell new but occasionally have pre-owned for sale.
Good luck wherever you find one.
Pray tell me, why is CMCA a dirty word on this site? Is it because they promote self containment?
No idea of quality or what it's like, but Jayco now market 5th wheelers. Suspect that 5th wheelers are popular when a mass-producer of vans starts marketing them in Australia.
Q. Do you need an articulated licence to drive a 5th wheeler?
-- Edited by LLD on Tuesday 17th of May 2016 08:49:44 PM
Hi Lou, do your homework on weight. I have a 27ft 5th wheeler and have to be very careful with how much "stuff" I can carry. If you are going to do large trips look at larger vehicles. I have a Holden Colorado single cab and when I upgrade I will be looking at an Iveco Daily.
chrisanddiannesultimaadventure.wordpress.com/2016/02/15/interesting-vehicles-and-concepts/
Weight is the biggest issue you will have to deal with so spend some time and get it right first time and not have to upgrade your tow vehicle later.
chrisanddiannesultimaadventure.wordpress.com/educational-links/weights-explained/
Check out the rest of my blog and there are plenty of 5th Wheelers.
What sort of 5th wheeler are you looking at or are you looking at everything.
One word of warning, do not believe sales people when they tell you weights, check them out for yourself. Weigh them before you part with your hard earned dollars.
-- Edited by Chris61 on Tuesday 17th of May 2016 09:09:49 PM
I used to have a 24ft 5th Wheeler manufactured by Trailblazers RV in Melbourne. Mine had twin slide outs that gave you an extra 4 ft of width.
You can find them here: trailblazersrv.com/
Good Luck in your search
Until recently they seemed to be only for Motorhomes and quite a few on here are tug and Van people.
Thanks for that advice. Cmca have quite a few, one of which we are actually viewing on Sunday
jayco unfortunately stopped making them
Yes I know weight is a big issue with them. Sticking to 25 ft and getting a vehicle that tows 3500 is a safer starting point I think
Check out http://www.caravancampingsales.com.au/
They have 162 for sale at the moment.
Have you had a look at Travelhome in Newcastle? They usually have a few second hand ones in their yard.
We have a 27ft Travelhome and love it. Tows great with a Colorado RG twin cab.
Sarge
Here is the offering at Bennetts Green - Australian Motorhomes.
I'm not sure if they are offering Travelhome again after the change of situation at Travelhome. They are now at Caves Beach.
Crossroads at Gympie are going out of 5th wheelers. They sold mainly larger vans.
Got 3 private sales and one dealer to go to. From Dapto to Maryland. Sounds a bit like a bad Aussie fairytale
Check out Travelhome at Caves Beach NSW. They will be at Newcastle show this weekend.
www.travelhome.com.au
1300 785 495
Speak to Adam, they have trade ins [Travelhomes traded in on another Travelhome], I have one and very happy with it.
PeterH
Hi Lou64, I did a fair bit of home work on 5th wheelers with the idea of purchasing one, and amongst the 5 wheelers you can divide them into two groups, those that use the goose neck hitch, and those that use the ball. The biggest problem with the goose neck hitch is the height the front of the trailer goes to, and usually the bed is put up there. There are quite a few steps to climb to get to the bed, and all of those I spoke to who were selling were because they had knee, hip or back problems and couldn't manage the steps.
The other type which uses a ball and socket type hitch, the difference in the height of the chassis off set is about half, and only two steps and you are in the bedroom (or lounge in some). The steps can be easily managed by sore and or older persons.
Storage is an issue with 5 wheelers, as you don't have the back of the vehicle to use. So its important that the unit you choose has plenty of extra storage if you are going on extended trips.
As said above be careful of the vehicle you buy, and I have fallen into that trap. A fellow I met is on his third prime mover after buying his rig, to get it right.
Of the latter type of 5 wheelers Southern cross 5 wheelers was one manufacturer, but the owner retired. I heard a rumor his son was going to start making them again. They are an open type of van with the bedroom about center, ensuite at the end, and the lounge up at the front.
A company in Melbourne also is making them called Trulux, I suggest you have a look at their site to get an idea of the different layouts available, these people also have a large storage area under the floor. Many different layouts available.
PS I've forgotten the correct names of the two different hitches so no need to correct me, cause I'm admitting that I have not used the correct names.
-- Edited by iana on Sunday 5th of February 2017 03:54:13 PM
In that case I will not correct you, I will just give the correct terminology for the others.
The 5th wheelers (the true ones) have a turn table like the semi trailers Fifth-wheel coupling. The ones with the large ball coupling over the tugs axle is the gooseneck trailers
.