Advertisement
Message Forums |
|
 Topic: Caravan vs 5th wheel
|
Page: 1 2 3 4
  |
| Discounted Insurance Quotes for UKCampsite.co.uk visitors! Up to 12.5% off! |
|
|
|
Advertisement
|
26/6/2014 at 10:22am
Location: North West
Outfit: Kountry Lite Quad Slide 5th wheel
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 01/4/2012 Standard Member
Forum Posts: 7
| Site Reviews Total: | 0 |
|
| Site Reviews 2024: | 0  |
| Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2019: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2018: | 0 |
|
| Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2019: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2018: | 0 |
|
Many thanks for the useful replies. I have at last met up with my 5th wheel and am currently on a site close to the suppliers for a 'shakedown'. Now that I have become acquainted, I can answer some of the points raised in the thread. First, the difference between 'American' 5th wheelers and 'UK' 5th wheelers: In the US, they are wider, longer, heavier and have much darker interiors. Nothing wrong with this - they have much more space on the roads and in the campsites, they have heavier pickups with much bigger engines, they pay a LOT less for fuel and they apparently like dark interiors. It's market-driven and it's very successful. It doesn't work here. They are too big and heavy for our pickups, too big for some campsites (and some roads), expensive to haul about and unpopular because of the decoration. The question of 'legality' is a difficult one. Type approval regulations are complex, confusing and vague - deliberately so. They say things like: 'Must have an adequate braking system' or 'must be of a form consistent with the use to which it is planned to be put'. Then they expect manufacturers to go away and design them to comply. When they have done that, they are examined and either passed or not. For example, it does not stipulate that it must have a handbrake, but the Ministry recently decided that it must have one to comply with their interpretation of 'adequate braking system' so they are now fitted as standard. You are unlikely to be stopped and prosecuted at the roadside for towing a US-spec trailer because the Police are not au fait with all the nuances of these Regulations (nor should they be expected to be). However, the acid test is whether your insurance Company is happy with the legality - not when they are taking your hard-earned cash off you, but when you have need of them due to damage or loss. Recent detailed, honest conversations with insurance Companies has prompted me not to go down that route.
People in the UK have experimented with import for resale and it has not worked but, still confident there is a market for the right product, they have taken two routes. The Fifth Wheel Company in Wales decided to design and build their own and a wonderful, quality, solid and desirable piece of kit it is. Calder Leisure took another approach and persuaded a respected US trailer manufacturer to produce a unit which complied with UK and EU Regulations, was a sensible length and had a light interior. What is the difference between the two? Price and design mostly. If you spec each up identically, the 5th Wheel Co unit is about twice the price of the Calder Leisure but it shows in the finish, quality, feel, and design. In short, you pay your money and take your choice. It all depends on how much you are prepared to pay for a leisure vehicle.
Finally, (sorry to go on - believe it or not, this is the shortened version) why a 5th wheel? In our case, it was driven by the fact that we wanted to go away for months at a time so space was high on the agenda as was a comfortable permanent bed. This pointed towards 5th wheel because of the slide-outs but we had to have a pickup. That was initially an issue because I had the impression of: tinny, rough, basic, 2 seats, rattly, uncomfortable and Redneck. However, I tried to keep an open mind and did some research. The Nissan Navara Outlaw had the best torque and power curves of any of the 'UK' pickups on the market so I booked a test ride. How wrong I was! Suffice to say that 5 leather seats (front heated), climate control, sat nav, reversing camera, 4WD, all the usual electric gizmos and a level of trim you expect from a top of the range car all come as standard. We were hooked. Having to buy a new vehicle suited us because having just retired, I had promised myself I would trade in the business van I had virtually lived in for the previous 5 years! We opted for the Calder Leisure one on price initially, but also because the two living space slide-outs give a living room which is 13 feet wide inside and the two in the bedroom allows the double bed to be installed side-to-side releasing space in the bathroom and kitchen and still allows us to walk all round the bed together with giving space for a double wardrobe and a dressing table!
So, should everyone buy a 5th wheel then? Of course not. Everyone's choice will be different and we buy what suits our needs and what we can (nearly) afford. The purpose of this Epistle is to try to allay some of the fears and correct some of the misconceptions. These vehicles are legal and both Companies have worked together with the Insurance Industry to get them accepted so that when I rang for quotes the other day, I got: "5th wheel? yes - is it a 5th Wheel Company or Calder Leisure?" Which model? No problem. Has your tow vehicle been modified for enhanced electronic braking and uprated suspension by a Registered Installer? Yes, Calder Leisure. No problem, we are happy to quote. They are smaller than their US counterparts so lighter and easy to tow. I have to say that they are not as easy to manoeuvre on site as a caravan - especially with a double cab pickup but the lessons I received as part of the deal showed me all the tricks necessary to cope. There is even a hitch extender available which makes it much better. I have learned a lot over the past few days but as I knew nothing before, that is hardly surprising. I will be happy to answer any questions to the best of my ability. I would recommend a visit to both websites for more info and pics.
http://www.calderleisure.co.uk/cgi-bin/details.pl?v_vin=QUAD
http://www.fifthwheelco.com/celtic_rambler/celtic_rambler.aspx
Thanks again for your replies. Mike
|
Advertisement
|
|
|
7413 Visitors online !
Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker - Recommend to Friend - Add a Missing Campsite
[Message Forums]
[Caravan Sites & Camping]
[Company Listings]
[Features / Advice]
[Virtual Brochure]
[Shop!]
[Reception]
[Competitions]
[Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale]
[Event Diary]
[Contact Us]
[Tent Reviews]
Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2024 |
Advertisement
|
|
|
or to be sure velcro 
