We have had vans in the past (many years ago) and enjoyed the lifestyle. However as we got older I decided that I needed a little more comfort and room so we purchased a 5'er. (see avatar). It has slide outs which give us plenty of 'passing' room within and makes the journey far more enjoyable. It is also far easier to hitch up and towing is very stable compared to a van. It is also self contained with shower and separate toilet etc. which means we can pull up in rest areas - where permitted- as you can with some vans these days. Cheers Patto
-- Edited by Patto44 on Wednesday 15th of February 2012 05:48:06 PM
Atlas said
08:30 PM Feb 15, 2012
Hi All,
Would be interested in those that have gone from a van to a 5th wheeler or vice versa.
Also would like some feedback on those with 5th wheelers. They seem to get a fair write up, though they are such a small % over here.
Atlas said
04:53 AM Feb 16, 2012
Thanks Patto.
Did you need the Dodge size truck to tow yours ? It looks pretty big ! :)
Andrea said
07:26 PM Feb 16, 2012
Shaughan, you can see a couple of photos of the interior of our fiver on my web page (just noticed how long since I updated it! ):
We chose not to have slideouts - when we were researching we read a few stories about leaks, etc. - and we've found that we have plently of space without and don't carry the extra weight.
The suspension is brilliant - 4-wheel independent trailing arm, on rolling sleeve airbags - and the overall weight (tare) is 2700 kg. The GCM of our 2008 Mazda BT-50 is 5.5 tonne, and the GCM of the current model BT-50 is somewhat higher again. We've pulled the van for over 30,000 km (the Mazda's done over 70,000) and not had one problem.
If you'd like to talk to us, send a private message for a mobile number.
As you may gather from the above - we're sold on this particular fiver!!
Andrea & John
Ma said
08:23 PM Feb 16, 2012
Just had a look at your piccys Andrea and I WANT ONE!!
Pity we just upgraded to a full van but it's something that I think we could seriously look at later in life when hooking up the van becomes a problem. For the moment we are more content with what we have but I will certainly be keeping your set up in mind and will probably contact you a bit down the track.
Andrea said
10:45 PM Feb 16, 2012
Perhaps we'll even meet up on the way somewhere, Ma.
We count ourselves so lucky that we got it 99% right, when we had no prior experience. The minor things we'd have done differently are no trouble to live with.
Andrea
(On our way to Strathalbyn, SA, for a few weeks; anyone around?)
Atlas said
11:37 PM Feb 16, 2012
Thanks all.
Patto44 said
12:59 AM Feb 17, 2012
Atlas wrote:
Thanks Patto.
Did you need the Dodge size truck to tow yours ? It looks pretty big ! :)
We bought it second hand as a 'package'. He would not sell them separately.
The Dodge is a 3500 and is a bit of over kill. Most only use a 2500 which is adequate. (the only difference with mine is it has duall rear wheels which gives it a 5535kg GVM.) Same size motor and cab etc.
We have had vans in the past (many years ago) and enjoyed the lifestyle. However as we got older I decided that I needed a little more comfort and room so we purchased a 5'er. (see avatar). It has slide outs which give us plenty of 'passing' room within and makes the journey far more enjoyable. It is also far easier to hitch up and towing is very stable compared to a van. It is also self contained with shower and separate toilet etc. which means we can pull up in rest areas - where permitted- as you can with some vans these days.
Cheers
Patto
-- Edited by Patto44 on Wednesday 15th of February 2012 05:48:06 PM
Hi All,
Would be interested in those that have gone from a van to a 5th wheeler or vice versa.
Also would like some feedback on those with 5th wheelers. They seem to get a fair write up, though they are such a small % over here.
Did you need the Dodge size truck to tow yours ? It looks pretty big ! :)
Shaughan, you can see a couple of photos of the interior of our fiver on my web page (just noticed how long since I updated it!
):
https://sites.google.com/site/dayroamings/home/our-new-home
We chose not to have slideouts - when we were researching we read a few stories about leaks, etc. - and we've found that we have plently of space without and don't carry the extra weight.
The suspension is brilliant - 4-wheel independent trailing arm, on rolling sleeve airbags - and the overall weight (tare) is 2700 kg. The GCM of our 2008 Mazda BT-50 is 5.5 tonne, and the GCM of the current model BT-50 is somewhat higher again. We've pulled the van for over 30,000 km (the Mazda's done over 70,000) and not had one problem.
If you'd like to talk to us, send a private message for a mobile number.
As you may gather from the above - we're sold on this particular fiver!!
Andrea & John
Just had a look at your piccys Andrea and I WANT ONE!!
Pity we just upgraded to a full van but it's something that I think we could seriously look at later in life when hooking up the van becomes a problem. For the moment we are more content with what we have but I will certainly be keeping your set up in mind and will probably contact you a bit down the track.
Perhaps we'll even meet up on the way somewhere, Ma.
We count ourselves so lucky that we got it 99% right, when we had no prior experience.
The minor things we'd have done differently are no trouble to live with.
Andrea
(On our way to Strathalbyn, SA, for a few weeks; anyone around?)
We bought it second hand as a 'package'. He would not sell them separately.
The Dodge is a 3500 and is a bit of over kill. Most only use a 2500 which is adequate. (the only difference with mine is it has duall rear wheels which gives it a 5535kg GVM.) Same size motor and cab etc.
Cheers
Patto