5th wheel caravans

[CaptLimey]

Hi all

Has anyone knowledge/experience of buying/using a fifth wheel caravan in the U.K. or Europe, in particular France and of the legal specification requirements for the caravan and towing unit?

Regards CL

[jace]

seen a few on navara.net being towed by d40 navaras

[Thomas-the-Terrano2]

suspect size wise will be as per 50mm coupling caravans.

so with a tug upto 3500kg, max width will be 2.3 metres.
body length 7 metres though this would be trailer floor level not gross length as tow bar is usually under fron t bedroom area.

likely have over run brakes built into coupling as electric whilst not illegal not the norm either unlike in US.

There is one firm based in North Wales that builds these units for uk pickups, Nissans feature heavily in their adverts. Sorry name escapes me, though phone number starts 01745..

There are several importers of US fivers though many will need full size yank tugs or erven modded 7.5 tonners as tractor units.

ok, try http://www.fifthwheelco.com/index.html

[jace]

think miky may have one on here???? not quite what you were thinking off!
http://www.nissan4x4ownersclub.co.uk/modules.php?name=coppermine&file=displayimage&album=8&pos=10

[dinky]

Jace like artic trailer converted into caravan ,mounts on bed of pick up.

[jace]

the fella on navara forum is recomending this yanky company for conversion parts http://www.pullrite.com/superglide.htm

[gadgetsyd]

Hi, Looked at one at the NEC caravan show last November, the Celtic Ranger by the Fifth Wheel Company only £74,000, UK and European legal. They convert the whole rig to air brakes, nice set up but would have to sell the house.
01745 583000
www.fifthwheelco.com

[CaptLimey]

Hi Guys

Thanks for all the input. Yes fithwheelco.com do require a kings randsom as all their units are individually built to order with underfloor heating, air brakes and compressor etc, etc. They're only a small firm and don't have the economy of scale of mass production.

Thanks Jace re the demountable info but that's not what I'm after. The advice re the superglide hitch by pullrite.com is valuable, as when you make a tight turn with one of these rigs there is danger of the corner of the unit colliding with the cab of the tow vehicle.

There's firm in Scotland, calderleisure.co.uk that import U.K. compliant (they say) 5th wheels from the U.S. for half the price. The Yanks are far ahead of us in development of this type of rig but I don't know if they are compliant with European spec. I'm waiting for a reponse to my query to them.

I was wondering if any member already had experience of such a beast.

Regards C

[jace]

the fella on navara forum has one he uses that hitch system i think i thought it might help but didnt want to pinch his entire idea lol

[CaptLimey]

Jace

Calder Leisure recommend a Navara at their preferred tow truck. If I go down that route I'll chop the trusty Terrano for a Navara. I'll be lookng for a beefy diesel model, preferrable auto so my other half can drive it easily. I won't be buying a new one, I'll need a LHD and it can't be a Jap import.

As a Navara man what model would you recommend.

Regards CL

[jace]

theres only one model thatll be a d40 think there about 2.5 diesl 170bhp auto is prefered g/box so shouldnt be problem getting one what is emission to tax like in france as newer you go the more euro emission they get but less power and fuel econemy lol,would you need double cab? as theres a king cab version which has drop down seats in back not a proper seat!
i think your gonna have to sign up on www.nissan-navara.net as think at least three guys have these caravans and quite bit info

[CaptLimey]

Thanks Jace for the heads up on the D40, I'll do some research on those. I'd prefer a double cab as it'll be a sort of second car but I'll take a peek at a King Cab and see what that has to offer.

There's no road tax in France but all cars have to undergo the equivalent of an MOT every two year, which includes emission tests. I don't know what levels they are set at and whether the levels change with the age of the vehicle but my eleven year old Terrano passed OK last year (maybe because the engine has been rebuilt).

I'd be looking for a D40 five years old or less as they command a high price here, much more expensive than the U.K. grey imports.

Regards CL

[jace]

theres few for sale on navara forum no vat private owners will rhd not be hinderence or are u used to it?