THIS POLL IS NOW CLOSED.
Fifth wheel caravans aren’t quite like your everyday touring caravan, and their size and scale isn’t too dissimilar to motorhomes.
They may not be the most obvious choice but fifth wheelers do offer something a little different in terms of overall design and capability.
Would you consider a fifth wheel caravan?
Pros
- Large accommodation
- Often have slide out compartments to give wide living spaces
- Offer something different in terms of interior style
- Offer flexibility over a motorhome in that you can leave your living quarters behind and explore your surroundings using your tow vehicle
Cons
- But then again you will need a pick up truck type vehicle to have the necessary coupling
- Usually more expensive than a standard touring caravan
That said, this month we want to find out whether you’re a fifth wheel fan?
Would you ever buy a fifth wheel caravan? And if you already have, what’s your experience of them?
Vote using the buttons to the left and tell us more in the comment box below.
For more information about insuring a 5th wheel caravan, check out the fifth wheel insurance page.
Great photos of the best layouts for Wildwood Travel Trailers. These trailers are luxury and comfort at it’s best that you’ll think you never left home.I have been on a lot of siteion where manoeuvering on a pitch would be difficult using the towing vehicle because of the narrow roadways not permitting ‘swinging’ room
i had one for a short period but someone wanted it more because they stole it, from secure storage and the police were not interested in looking for it, they said it was either in Spain or Ireland
What as shame Roland! Was it covered under your insurance?
Thanks
Lucie
Caravan Guard
While they may be great in theory – and even in practice – nobody has pointed out that they require a special tow vehicle. You cannot tow them with a car or SUV, thus adding somewhat to the expense!
That’s right John and the extra cost will most likely factor in peoples’ decisions.
Thanks
Lucie
Caravan Guard
I own a 5th wheel brought from calder in Scotland travelled all over the uk and Europe in the last 4years never had any problems. I would highly recommend people try them
Thanks John – it looks as though most people are pro fifth wheels!
Lucie
Caravan Guard
having been a truck/lorry driver for past 44yr, I am very much a fan of the 5th wheel coupling, it is the more stable of the two (tow ball versus fifth wheel) affordability tow ball wins. only way to bring fifth wheel into its own? MAKE FIFTH WHEEL COUPLING COMPULSORY,BAN THE TOW BALL
Fifth wheel caravans,yes I would consider buying one.But as a HGV Class 1 driver,I think it would be fair to everyone,if everyone who used a vehicle with a fifth wheel had to take a Class 1 driving test and aquire the appropriate license.Although a caravan is for recreational purposes,I personally do not feel that there is any difference between one type of fifth wheeled vehicle and another whether for hire or reward or pleasure.
Thanks for your comments everyone! Looks like most of you are in favour of Fifth Wheels which is great to hear. Although manoeuvring a fifth wheeler could take some getting used to, once your pitched up and in, they can be a great home from home.
Lucie
Caravan Guard
I wud love one, we looked at them and loved the space and the intera, love to own one 😉
As a long term seasoned Motorhomer,I would look at a 5th wheeler if the circumstances changed. Ther space gained and the overall feeling is not as a caravan but a static on wheels.This is what we have with our 28″ motorhome now.Who Knows what the future brings.
We have a Burstner i821 Elegents and are still considering !!
Vic & Hils
I love the fifth wheelers ,but only the ones that are made in Wales ,I have road tested them and find very easy to drive ,if you intend to go away for Months at a time there is nothing to compare I intend to buy one when my motor home is sold.
Having had some experience of fith wheel I would say the are best suited to long stays on site. They are a problem to pitch on tight pitches. If you are thinking of buying one, go american for value for money, the UK ones are overpriced, have reliability issues and are very difficult to re-sell.
Looked at these when visiting a show and liked the space and quality and feel they would be more stable when towing.
I have been on a lot of siteion where manoeuvering on a pitch would be difficult using the towing vehicle because of the narrow roadways not permitting ‘swinging’ room. This is usually overcome with a conventional caravan by using a mover – I don’t think you can move a 5th wheeler once unhitched. My recollect from looking at a Celtic Rambler (very attractive) is that it is considerably taller than a conventional caravan or motorhome which may add to storage problems.
I would consider a 5th wheel unit but only if there was one made no wider than a van conversion. The reason being is that the space in my garage is limited to an absolute maximum of seven feet and two inches wide so something a little less wide would give me a little space in which to manoeuvre. I only just manage to get my AutoSleeper Sandhurst into the space.