1. Be very very careful. Many have been burned.
2. Join the CMCA and their forum. There is a great deal of information there.
3. Ensure that you ONLY use a double oscillating hitch.
4. Australian manufacturers make better products.

Cheers,
Peter

Like Peter and Milo, we would suggest caution, and that you look more closely at Australian manufacturers. A suitable hitch is one very important factor, and remember that 5th-wheelers in the US are made for sealed roads only -- seems to make more sense to me to have it built right to start with, rather than adapted or converted. Same with the electrical systems, doors, etc.

Two years ago we sold up everything in Adelaide, after spending some 12 months researching the best way to go, and had our new 5th-wheeler 'home on wheels' built in Brisbane by Southern Cross Caravans. It has four-wheel independent suspension, adjustable for toe-in and camber, and air-bags, giving it a very smooth ride.

We designed the interior, sitting at the computer with the Southern Cross builders -- we wanted the lounge-dining area at the front, not the bed (didn't like the idea of crawling into bed on a shelf!), plenty of kitchen area, a full-size bedroom, and the ablutions at the back. We also didn't want slide-outs, because of the extra weight, something else to go wrong, and quite a few reports of leaks.

We've now been on the road for sixteen months and the result works well for us; you can see photos of our rig in the April issue of 'On The Road'.

Oh, and Milo, trailing a 5th-wheeler, unlike towing a caravan, is simply driving an articulated vehicle -- more stable overall, no wobbles (we've heard truckies referring to 'wobble-boxes'), and certainly no more difficult to manoeuvre. Added to that, we get more living space in our 26 ft for a shorter overall length on the road, with no A-frame.

Best of luck with your research Ynot, and you're welcome to e-mail us privately if you'd like any further info.

Cheers --

Andrea & John

Read the following articles before purchasing Yankee imports -

http://www.caravanandmotorhomebooks.com/articles/importing-5wlrs.htm

http://www.caravanandmotorhomebooks.com/articles/imp_rv_mains_cabling_risk.html

http://www.caravanandmotorhomebooks.com/articles/imported_rv_electrics.htm

http://www.caravanandmotorhomebooks.com/articles/fifth_wheeler_hitches.html

http://www.caravanandmotorhomebooks.com/articles/fifth_wheel_caravan_suspension.html