Hi all

This is probably going to open a can of worms from regulars on here but I have been through everything I can find on here about 5th Wheelers and it all seems old...so here goes...

We are going on the road within the next 5 years is the plan full time for 10-15years...we are going to have a 5th Wheeler imported by a reputable conversion specialist and we will also be importing the vehicle to tow it with.

We are purchasing a 39' 11" or (11.88m) 5th Wheeler that is 8' wide - Now all the old Viscount etc caravans were 8' wide??? but in saying that we know the rules... anyhow we need something this big to live in for that long...and this is our preference for the lifestyle we like.

We are going for a 5th Wheeler that is for full time road work and living that will have all the necessary work for Australian compliance. It is not one that is just for parking up or short trips.

We have been researching this for quite a length of time and have had the privilege of actually been inside quite a few 5th Wheelers here in Australia that people own and tow around and even had a go at parking one and they say they are easier to tow and park and this is true...it is also true that there are some parks that can't take them but plenty that do and they are also able to free camp very well.

Just our choice...Gary & Sheree

Hi Gary and Sheree,

Importing a 5th Wheeler needs to be carefully researched, as you are doing.

I would suggest you contact Caboulture Caravan Repairs, Barry Davidson website as below:
http://www.caravanrepair.com.au/

CCR have been involved with certifying imported 5th Wheelers over many years and also in the repair of same.

One area that needs particular attention on US manufactured product is the roof area. They have a membrane on the roof that is prone to UV failure and water entry, which is expensive to repair.

Also, check out Rogues Gallery on Caravanner Forum.......lots of good reading. Website below:
http://caravanersforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=12297
many technical comments by 'cabcar' Barry Davidson.

Hope this helps.

Cheers and safe travels.

Hi Gary & Sheree, That's a big program alright.
Sounds like you are going in with your eyes wide open,folks and if it suits you, go for it.
I reckon a 5th wheeler is the safest type of vehicle to tow around, no doubt, with out actually driving a semi.
Just get the electrics and gas done right and most other things will fall into line. The yanks have been building them for a long time, and if you pick a good builder it should come out well.

Hi Gary & Sheree,

We have friends who imported a 33' "Sundance" fifth wheeler from the United States in December 2010 and it spent the next 3 months being fitted out to comply with the Australian regs. It was finished and delivered to them in March 2011 and fully loaded it weighs in at 5.5t and is pulled by a F350 diesel. They have so far travelled from Brisbane to Cairns and back down to Melbourne and after taking their rig across to Tasmania on the ferry in December, they are touring Tasmania for the next three three months. They previously had a V8 Toyota Sahara and a 25' Boroma, but they are very happy with their decision to upgrade to the fifth wheeler and they are extremely satisfied with the Sundance.

Good luck with your adventure and safe travels.

Al

Thank you all we will certainly check out the suggestions and really appreciate the positive feedback...

Gary & Sheree

I don't know where you are going to find a "reputable conversion specialist." The ones I have seen at shows are presenting things I would not be happy with. The whole conversion industry runs on self regulation. You are likely to get something that will not pass the roadworthy examinations and gas inspections. I was looking one at the show on Friday that had a dodgy door installation, the door that was supposed to be there for access from the LHS was behind the lounge and had no steps so you could use it even if you are able to climb over the lounge. Most of them are too wide to legally install a roll out awning on the side.

In some states, when you sell a motor vehicle you have to get it fully checked out before completing the sale. When you front up for the checks you get knocked back and then you are hit with large expenses to complete the sale. If the expenses are too large you will end up with something that is only fit for on-site purposes.

Is this worth the risk. Remember the con men in the industry are very believable.

Peter, we agree there are a lot of shonky converters around but there are a few good ones as well if you do your homework...and know people who have done it and are doing it:-)

We have never seen any converted ones at shows?? because the people we are looking at only import what people want and do the conversions they don't attend shows.

The door on the LHS being behind a lounge is not unusual...because you will find it will not have steps or if it does it's not a door that will be used for anything except cross ventilation perhaps if at all...the one we are getting has huge slide outs on the LHS so we would not use it because our awning etc will be on the RHS where you only have one slide out at the front and then the awning. This is exactly our gripe, we don't want to have a door on the LHS as they are ugly and useless and the argument as you probably know is, it is there so when you pull off the road you get into the LHS door so you don't get hit by a passing car...well that would be after you get out of your car on the RHS roadside???? Yep does not make sense...also if you have the door like the one you seen how do you get into the rig??? all the slide outs are closed and you can't get through from there anyhow???? Whereas the RHS door has room to access the fridge and the toilet if you pull up:-) Crazy...We would never just pull up on the road side unless there is plenty of room or a truck stop etc we don't do that now with our Jayco Sterling if we want to have lunch or use the toilet we find a rest stop or truck stop or even just a section off the road completely.

As far as the width goes you can get 8' 5" and 8' ones from the US and the one we are getting is an 8' size and can comply with the awning or if you have the wider one you can roof mount your awning...did you know all our old Viscount vans etc were 8' wide with awnings added to that??

The rig will comply with all Australian Standards including electrical and gas and have to be passed by the correct authorities to register and when we do stop travelling we intend to set it up on-site with an aluminium annexe etc & continue to live in it

We have friends that have done this and are doing this and yes there are con men out there but you need to be very careful and thorough...and it will be done correctly:-)

Hi Gary

The whole point is vans,like many things in life are covered by rules, standards & regulations
That van is designed for use on left hand drive roads
It is as simple as that
The yanks would not tolerate a van that does not comply with THEIR standards on their roads
No matter what, those are the Australian standards
THEY should be enforced, perhaps much more rigorously than in the past, instead of paper work just being accepted
The shonks have had it easy for too long
I would suggest IF you go ahead, you have a very carefully worded clause in the contract,along the lines of "

: "any non compliance to Aust requirements detected in this van will be quickly rectified at no expense to you "the purchaser"

Of course that often means little since the shonks quickly shut up shop & start again under a new name[ as many have found out.]
Peter

Peter

The people we are looking at using have both been in business doing this for over 20 years...and they do abide by rules, standards and regulations...the 'yanks' don't have to tolerate a van that does not comply with their standards as they have a huge long standing market of their own.

Do you know that they have far more safety standards on these fifth wheelers than any of our caravans or aussie made 5th wheelers??

Gary & Sheree

I am curious as to what the purpose of the OP was, seeking advice or just to tell us what you intend to do. As I said before I don't understand why you don't have it built with a LH door i.e reverse layout like a lot that are coming into the country instead of some hotchpotch conversion.
Doug