5th wheel caravans

CaptLimey · 22-02-2008, 00:41

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

22-02-2008, 17:02

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

Thomas-the-Terrano2 · 22-02-2008, 17:11

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

22-02-2008, 17:24

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

dinky · 22-02-2008, 17:48

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

22-02-2008, 18:18

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

22-02-2008, 22:15

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 · 22-02-2008, 23:13

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

22-02-2008, 23:20

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 · 23-02-2008, 21:56

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

23-02-2008, 22:27

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 · 24-02-2008, 22:12

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

24-02-2008, 22:19

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

22-02-2008, 00:41	#1
CaptLimey Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: South of France Vehicle: '03 LWB MK.4 3Ltr T2 Posts: 421	5th wheel caravans 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

22-02-2008, 17:11	#3
Thomas-the-Terrano2 Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Hackenthorpe Sheffield Vehicle: Terrano2 R20 lwb 2.7TDi Posts: 5,234	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 __________________ M6YTB / 20YTB '60' 2010 Ford C Max Zetec 1.6i, black '56' 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.0TD, silver 2021 Bailey Pegasus Grade SE Turin caravan Smile, its more likely to confuse. One Life, Don't Just Live It, Drive a Nissan, or ...... a Jeep. Owner of Nissan 4x4s 2005 to 2019, and maybe in the future too!

22-02-2008, 23:13	#8
CaptLimey Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: South of France Vehicle: '03 LWB MK.4 3Ltr T2 Posts: 421	5th wheel caravans 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

22-02-2008, 17:02	#2
jace Guest Posts: n/a	seen a few on navara.net being towed by d40 navaras

22-02-2008, 17:24	#4
jace Guest Posts: n/a	think miky may have one on here???? not quite what you were thinking off! http://www.nissan4x4ownersclub.co.uk...album=8&pos=10

22-02-2008, 17:48	#5
dinky Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF SOUTH YORKSHIRE Vehicle: t20 lwb Posts: 1,238	Jace like artic trailer converted into caravan ,mounts on bed of pick up.

22-02-2008, 18:18	#6
jace Guest Posts: n/a	the fella on navara forum is recomending this yanky company for conversion parts http://www.pullrite.com/superglide.htm

22-02-2008, 22:15	#7
gadgetsyd Guest Posts: n/a	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

22-02-2008, 23:20	#9
jace Guest Posts: n/a	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

23-02-2008, 21:56	#10
CaptLimey Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: South of France Vehicle: '03 LWB MK.4 3Ltr T2 Posts: 421	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

23-02-2008, 22:27	#11
jace Guest Posts: n/a	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

24-02-2008, 22:12	#12
CaptLimey Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: South of France Vehicle: '03 LWB MK.4 3Ltr T2 Posts: 421	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

24-02-2008, 22:19	#13
jace Guest Posts: n/a	theres few for sale on navara forum no vat private owners will rhd not be hinderence or are u used to it?