Caravans/Motorhomes/5th Wheelers/Slide On's - Pro's & Con's of each....

Vic41 · Guru

Caravans/Motorhomes/5th Wheelers/Slide On's - Pro's & Con's of each....

Oz Gypsy · Veteran Member

We chose a fifth wheeler for the following reasons (Australian built, no slide-outs):

1. Safer towing with the hitch over the ute's back axle as opposed to a caravan where the hitch is on the tow ball out the back. Very little risk of sway and no pendulum affect. Very stable in wind.

2. More living space than we could get with a van for the same overall length when hitched - our bed section is at the front and is over the back of the ute.

3. We considered a motorhome, but would still have had to tow a car behind for getting around when parked up for a while. That means 2 regos and 2 engines to service.

4. It has been our full-time home for 7.5 years - we wanted to be comfortable.

If/when we stop full time travelling we will downsize to something suitable for shorter trips, and will probably go for a smaller fifth wheeler and smaller ute.

Cheers,

Vic41 · Guru

Thanks for the great feedback Bev. What length is your 5th wheeler please? smile

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

Nothing can get to the most brilliant secret spots in this country in comfort like a medium size 4WD MH.
There is no where we can't go and we go in fully self contained luxury. When we get there, we stay as long as we wish.
Towing is not an option for that.

Cheers,
Peter

Vic41 · Guru

Thanks Peter, I have often admired and followed your travels and mode of transport and living, especially in the desert areas. smile

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Consider the places you want to go ? Now older NOT interested in going over rough roads..
That require 4WD..Mud traction excluded..
Saying that if its your thing ?? Go for it !!
I don't think there's one that's better?
Just what suites your budget etc...
We went from 9.5m down to 8m motorhome with full annex..
The shorter length gives us easy parking in most places..
There's two of us. the annex is mainly used when kids come along..

-- Edited by Aus-Kiwi on Sunday 25th of May 2014 08:55:02 PM

Vic41 · Guru

Thanks AK, I was wondering how others found each type of RV and their reasons for having that type over others, so thanks for your reply too. I think I recall you were either a mechanic or mechanically experienced, if so that would certainly help if subject to parts availability you could do most of the work yourself. Me, although a little experience in the past (not much) I have to rely on others doing the work.

Bryan · Guru

I've gone the other way, from a motorhome to a small but fully capable off road van. Delivery is estimated at end June. I guess we go for what suits our style of travel and what we want out of life.

-- Edited by Bryan on Sunday 25th of May 2014 09:52:41 PM

Vic41 · Guru

Very true Bryan, and as has been pointed out, budget also plays a part, not to mention in some cases the age of the traveller or their past experiences.

What was your main reason for changing from a motorhome to a caravan, something to do with it was more suitable (along with your tug) for going off road?

jetj · Guru

Vic41 wrote:
What are others opinions on the pro's and con's of each of these types of RV?

-- Edited by Vic41 on Sunday 25th of May 2014 01:15:38 PM

Vic,

You thinking of getting something different again?

Vic41 · Guru

jetj wrote:
Vic41 wrote:
What are others opinions on the pro's and con's of each of these types of RV?

Vic,
You thinking of getting something different again?

Just genuine interest and curiosity at this stage Janette, also the different view and feedback may help new GN's get an idea of what's best for them. I don't know that I would change my mode of RV....but would never say no!

-- Edited by Vic41 on Monday 26th of May 2014 09:51:54 AM

milo · Guru

this is a good post vic, as my mind changes all the time..
there's so much to choose from these days!

and budget does play a big part of the planning...

Vic41 · Guru

Thanks Milo,

If I could encourage other GN members to post about the pro's and cons's of their rigs here to help newer members and potential members who may be viewing this forum wondering what suits them consider the different options within their price range.

At the moment I have a Hyundai Imax van just used as a sleeper and suburban run around, something I can use for short trips, seats have been removed and I have a single bed in the rear and an auxiliary battery and Travelmate 30litre fridge. I carry a gas canister stove for outside cooking. Only good for short stays and quick trips but suits my current needs for the time being. See;

http://thegreynomads.activeboard.com/t56888097/camping-sleeper-hyundai-imax-work-in-progress/

Pro's are I can get it under my carport and it is small enough to run around in locally. Also easy to park.

Cons are you cannot stand up in it (roof is high enough to access bed and head does not reach the roof when sitting on the bed) and cannot cook or wash up inside the van, so this needs to be done outside (I carry a camp chair and table easily accessible under the bed when I raise the tailgate). So need a cp with a camp kitchen in foul weather for cooking/washing up etc. I can make a sandwich inside and have a 12V jug for hot coffee/soup etc.

-- Edited by Vic41 on Monday 26th of May 2014 02:41:52 PM

Bryan · Guru

Vic41 wrote:
Very true Bryan, and as has been pointed out, budget also plays a part, not to mention in some cases the age of the traveller or their past experiences.
What was your main reason for changing from a motorhome to a caravan, something to do with it was more suitable (along with your tug) for going off road?

Yeah Vic, my motorhome was based on the Fiat Ducato and wasn't suitable to get me to places I wanted to go to. An off road capable motorhome would have been good but the trakka 4x4 type would not get me to where I wanted to go either which left the expedition type vehicles which once again doesn't suit me plus I also wanted the tug to be separate from the home.

If I was convinced that there was a hard core off road fifth wheeler, I would have gone for it. The closest was the Winjana but again in my opinion I didn't think it would do the job as well as the rig I ordered. Its all a very subjective compromise.

Once I get over the bush bashing bit I'll settle down in a Travelhome 26 fifth wheeler.

Vic41 · Guru

Sounds good to me Bryan, by the way I am very impressed with your choice of caravan which also leaves your tug free to visit those more rugged places you go to where you may not want to take the van.

I hope the feedback on this thread helps some novices or those thinking of changing rigs at some time.

shekon · Guru

I chose a MH, for the following reasons. I had never towed anything before so I was nervous about that, and did not want to be a nuisance on the road. I also looked at a 4WD and caravan, would have gone for a New Age 18ft caravan had I chosen to do that, but once I realised how much work was required in the setting up etc and being on my own decided to go back to the MH.
I love my house on wheels and it certainly is easier to set up and pack up than a caravan, I can move about easily from the drivers seat to the house part easily and if it is raining I do not have to get out.
The only draw back so far is the lack of convenience when parked up for a longer period of time. I am still comtemplating the towing of a vehicle, now back to the reason that I did not want to tow in the first place, or hire a car. Yes I have watch the height of trees etc, but then I think a lot of the newer caravans would have the same issue there. The jury is still out on the car situation, although I now know I would be more confident in towing and learning how to do it correctly.
For me the MH benefits still outweigh the caravan, Miss Daisy and I will keep on trekking for the forseeable future, with or without a car.

Once again as others have said it is up to the individual's needs and budget.

Miss Daisy is a Wirraway and I would put my neck on the line here and say one of the best on the market, including the follow up customer service.

Vic41 · Guru

Another good post, thanks Shekon, good feedback! smile

Dougwe · Chief one feather

I have the Avan camper as you know Vic and love it, does everything I want at this stage. I have rewired throughout for Solar and 12v power so am not reliant on 240v.

I am in the process of MAYBE doing a big lifestyle change in the near future so who knows what will happen then. The twins and I have spoken in detail and they will stay with me whatever I do. Can't leave them for a certain person to nymph nap.

Vic41 · Guru

Thanks Doug, our preferences change from time to time, agree you have a nice set up and would be a shame to change it but you know what is best for you.

I wouldn't be too worried about the twins, he wouldn't be able to get his bum through the door..... wink biggrin

Oz Gypsy · Veteran Member

Hi Vic41, our fifth wheeler is 27 feet.

Cheers, Bev

Vic41 · Guru

Oz Gypsy wrote:
Hi Vic41, our fifth wheeler is 27 feet.

Cheers, Bev

Nice size especially for full time living, thanks for the feedback smile

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Other accessories come into play..
A smaller van with well set up annex can make life much easier..
Can at least stand up in , sleeping etc
Its not necessary which type.. The combination you have..
I looked hard at 5 wheeler.. But the combinations I looked at where pricy
plus the second hand 5 wheelers had been in yards for some time..
Some had even been moved interstate..