idiot question, 5th wheels/caravan

Wildman · 15-09-2008, 10:12 AM

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 · 15-09-2008, 10:15 AM

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

5th wheel here

dazzer · 15-09-2008, 01:03 PM

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.

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"!!

pappajohn · 15-09-2008, 07:52 PM

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.
how often do you see a truck with a 'tankslapper'. they either go straight or they jack-knife, luckily not very often.

john.

Wildman · 15-09-2008, 08:04 PM

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

Wildman · 15-09-2008, 08:07 PM

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

pappajohn · 15-09-2008, 08:49 PM

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

vwalan · 25-09-2008, 08:41 PM

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 .