Hi all - and to all those more experienced than I ....
we currently tow a 25ft van with a slide out with a Ranger and are quite happy... However...
we intend to rent out our house and travel full time for five years, so are seriously considering upgrading to a large fifth wheeler to get the big living area etc etc
so, we favour going to a light truck rather than a Dodge Ram or Silverado or suchlike as these light trucks seem a lot more scalable when the time comes to sell as they can be used for a variety of uses as opposed to mainly towing larger loads that seems to be the main use of the Silverados etc etc
So, in the light truck range under 4.5 ton GVM - automatic - probably do not need 4x4 - what do other members find the best and why ...
i realise that this is the ford vs Holden argument but surely one make stands out from the rest - Isuzu -Hino etc etc
That would be my choice . There's also some duel cabs out there too . Suspension is much more supple in trucks these days . Air bag and take out one leaf ? Softens to suit ?? We had them as line workers vehicle .Fuel economy is no worse than smaller truck imo . Well I went to 2.5 Mitsubishi and weekly fuel consumption was much the same .
Just finished 5 1/2 years full time travel with a 30' Truelux 5'er towed by an Isuzu NPR 250 truck, fuel economy as good if not better than most big 4x4's, easily cruise at posted speed limits, but a bit slow on long hills. Auto manual 6 speed transmission. 5.2 ltr turbo intercooled diesel. standard 4x2.
Best thing was no issues being overweight as heaps of carrying capacity in the truck storage area, had mine restricted to max of 4.5 tonne so drive-able on car license. Only down side really was it is a truck and not super comfy, but suspension seats help no end, also took around 20k/klms to soften the suspension a bit.
Never had any issues whatsoever with the truck, just regular standard servicing. I did have some issues with the DPF doing it's thing at always the worst possible time, like just pulling in for fuel or pulling up for morning tea, so had the ECU remapped and a few thinks tweaked all good then.
Just finished 5 1/2 years full time travel with a 30' Truelux 5'er towed by an Isuzu NPR 250 truck, fuel economy as good if not better than most big 4x4's, easily cruise at posted speed limits, but a bit slow on long hills. Auto manual 6 speed transmission. 5.2 ltr turbo intercooled diesel. standard 4x2.
Best thing was no issues being overweight as heaps of carrying capacity in the truck storage area, had mine restricted to max of 4.5 tonne so drive-able on car license. Only down side really was it is a truck and not super comfy, but suspension seats help no end, also took around 20k/klms to soften the suspension a bit.
Never had any issues whatsoever with the truck, just regular standard servicing. I did have some issues with the DPF doing it's thing at always the worst possible time, like just pulling in for fuel or pulling up for morning tea, so had the ECU remapped and a few thinks tweaked all good then.
Go for it you wont be sorry.
Thanks for your thoughts Banjo, are Trulux still manufacturing? I think they built in lightweight composite materials from memory ... We saw a new fifth wheeler in Katherine the other day - built by Roswal industries I believe with the name Aussie Roadrunner Rv on the side that was built using lightweight material ... Looked pretty good... So we are looking for a fifth wheeler as well, cheers
I have been researching this very thing lately and it's the Iveco Daily cab chassis for me some time in the future has 8 speed auto trans , diff lock for those slippery spots, full air ride Suspention, not too thirsty and a whole lot cheaper than the yanky trucks and from what I can make of it a fair bit better on the fuel as well, 207 horses under the foot too, available on duel or single cab.
Woody
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When the power of Love becomes greater than the love of power the World will see peace ! 24ft Trailblazer 5th wheeler n 05 Patrol ute and Black Series Dominator camper trailer ( for the rough stuff)
I know of a near new 24ft (I think ?) Southern Cross 5th wheeler for sale, I can get details if interested.
Thank you - but to my knowledge Southern Cross don't have slide outs - our current caravan has a large slide out and after having enjoyed the additional space it provides I doubt if we could go to one that doesn't have it - and if we are going bigger then we would go to a 30 or up to 35 footer I think - that is why I'm interested in a build using light weight materials.
Some of the USA fifth wheelers around 33ft with three slide outs would be the go but I am wary of the build quality and buying a used van whether the suspension upgrades have been done properly etc - but in saying that it is only a matter of getting an engineer to inspect it, cheers and thanks for your help.
Welcome to the gang Avago, enjoy here and out in the playground.
If it were me I would seriously look at the Iveco Daily as I know a few people that have changed to them and say they do the job at hand with eaze. I have also seen many of them around. If I had have seen them around as much when I was buying I might have even gone that way.
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.
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I have same as Banjo NPR series Isuzu (see my Avatar) and have found it to be perfect for the job, economical, stable, roomy and ample power. Something to consider when travelling is that Isuzu are located all across this country and are Australia's biggest selling light truck. Personally I can't speak highly enough about them. Very happy camper.
I have been researching this very thing lately and it's the Iveco Daily cab chassis for me some time in the future has 8 speed auto trans , diff lock for those slippery spots, full air ride Suspention, not too thirsty and a whole lot cheaper than the yanky trucks and from what I can make of it a fair bit better on the fuel as well, 207 horses under the foot too, available on duel or single cab.
Woody
Just paid a deposit on an Iveco, pick it up in just over a week, only thing it doesn't have is the 8speed auto.
Just finished 5 1/2 years full time travel with a 30' Truelux 5'er towed by an Isuzu NPR 250 truck, fuel economy as good if not better than most big 4x4's, easily cruise at posted speed limits, but a bit slow on long hills. Auto manual 6 speed transmission. 5.2 ltr turbo intercooled diesel. standard 4x2.
Best thing was no issues being overweight as heaps of carrying capacity in the truck storage area, had mine restricted to max of 4.5 tonne so drive-able on car license. Only down side really was it is a truck and not super comfy, but suspension seats help no end, also took around 20k/klms to soften the suspension a bit.
Never had any issues whatsoever with the truck, just regular standard servicing. I did have some issues with the DPF doing it's thing at always the worst possible time, like just pulling in for fuel or pulling up for morning tea, so had the ECU remapped and a few thinks tweaked all good then.
Go for it you wont be sorry.
Thanks for your thoughts Banjo, are Trulux still manufacturing? I think they built in lightweight composite materials from memory ... We saw a new fifth wheeler in Katherine the other day - built by Roswal industries I believe with the name Aussie Roadrunner Rv on the side that was built using lightweight material ... Looked pretty good... So we are looking for a fifth wheeler as well, cheers
Truelux have downsized and quit their factory in Kilsyth, but are still in business at the owners small acreage in Officer, Vic. As far as I know they are still producing but on a smaller scale now.
And yes full composite super strong light construction, we had zero issues in over 5 years with the van, just silly faults with appliances (don't get me started on Dometic !) but no complaints but if one negative, it took us a nearly a year to sell up the rig but you only need one buyer.
Fivers don't appear to sell too quick as more than likely the bad rep from the early US imports and there problems.
Just finished 5 1/2 years full time travel with a 30' Truelux 5'er towed by an Isuzu NPR 250 truck, fuel economy as good if not better than most big 4x4's, easily cruise at posted speed limits, but a bit slow on long hills. Auto manual 6 speed transmission. 5.2 ltr turbo intercooled diesel. standard 4x2.
Best thing was no issues being overweight as heaps of carrying capacity in the truck storage area, had mine restricted to max of 4.5 tonne so drive-able on car license. Only down side really was it is a truck and not super comfy, but suspension seats help no end, also took around 20k/klms to soften the suspension a bit.
Never had any issues whatsoever with the truck, just regular standard servicing. I did have some issues with the DPF doing it's thing at always the worst possible time, like just pulling in for fuel or pulling up for morning tea, so had the ECU remapped and a few thinks tweaked all good then.
all good then.
