idiot question, 5th wheels/caravan (1 Viewer)

Wildman

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Can someone explain the differance between a 5th wheel and a luxury caravan, ok I have seen 5th wheels and know what they are but surely they are just glorified caravans. The reason i never took to caravans was haveing to use site, having always to go back from wherever you are to collect it. a
Am I missing something what makes 5th wheels different.
 

Road Runner

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Does not use a tow bar it hooks on an attachment on the flat bed of a pick up.

5th wheel here Link Removed
 
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dazzer

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As above but the term 5th wheel comes from the artic style coupling that connects the trailer to the tow vehicle.

5th Wheels are usually a lot heavier, much better equipped, longer and have slide outs and make a UK caravan no matter how "luxurious" look like a garden shed by comparison. :ROFLMAO:

If you ever get a chance to look round one grab it with both hands you will be amazed at what you can do with a "Caravan"!! :Eeek:

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pappajohn

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and apart from the usual plus points Roger....proper kitchen, proper toilet, proper furniture ect you dont get the problems of fishtailing/swaying that is associated with caravans as the 'hitch' is more central to the towing vehicle (infront of the rear axle at least) instead of being a metre or so behind the rear wheels and producing a greater moment arm. :thumb:
how often do you see a truck with a 'tankslapper'. they either go straight or they jack-knife, luckily not very often. :whatthe:

john.
 
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Wildman

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Cheers, all points noted, but my original objections to being a tugger still stand, Perfect for fulltiming on a semi permananent site though.
I can see the advantages, couldn't wild in Devon or Cornwall though. So not a contender for me thanks for the answers
 
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Wildman

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How does a fifth wheel get around the max towable length that restricts caravans.

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pappajohn

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cos its not a caravan roger....i think its classed as an articulated vehicle whereas a caravan is a large box trailer
i think the max length in the uk is 18mtrs but i might have pulled this out of a hat at some point in my life:Doh:
 

vwalan

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size matters

since 1 may 1983 length 12.2mtr . width 2.3 mtr can be 2.55 if tow unit has max permissable wght over 3,500kg.also to be an artic 20%of trailer wght to impose on tow unit. the main advantage over caravan is that the turning capability and a 20ft artic trailer and unit is about as long as a 10ft caravan n mazda bongo . i have both so know this is true . :thumb:
 

Andy - V8 Diesel

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motor homes are fun....fifth wheelers are hard work ! nuff sed ! :ROFLMAO: :ROFLMAO:

Yep reverse the 5ver into smaller place than motorhome:ROFLMAO: press electric landing leg button:ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO: pull fifth wheel coupler:ROFLMAO:
Press button for the slide outs while the Mrs gets the drinks:ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO: very very hard to do:Eeek::Eeek: Must not for get to sit and enjoy the view.:thumb::thumb:
 
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vwalan

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i personaly travel in a 5th wheel outfit for 6mths of the year . visitng spain n maroc n any where between . cross desert , mountains any where my fellow motor home friends go i am with them . go further than lots of people ever dream of going . i also have 4x4 vehicles and have travelled for years in a vw t2.t25 . life is too short to have a rehearsal . if you cant drive n tow then dont get a 5th wheel. when i am up the atlas mountains 3,800mtrs or on a beach this winter i wont be thinking of you here in uk . but youcan be with the many people who venture out of the box n enjoy life n its warm n dry in maroc. christmas agadir beach look out for the artic it might be me ,or the german in the m.a.n. it doesnt matter what we drive car , caravan truck, tent ,m,bike ,etc go for it . truth is the only law. cheers vwalan.:thumb:

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