5Th Wheel trailers (Information)

[old-mo]

For Information.
5th Wheel trailers are classed as (quote) Motor Homes..

And not as most think caravans..

This comes about because of the way they are connected to the towing vehicle. namely 5th wheel.. and is not classed as a drawbar trailer, as with caravans/car trailers "A" frames etc.

Which makes sense when you think an average weight of a tractor/truck/donkey/mule/artic or whatever you want to call the towing unit is about 10 tons, but the trailer and load which they tow can be 28 tons,, hence 38 tonners.

I have used the figures on Lorry/Trailer weights as indication only.

 

[globetrotter]

5th wheelers

Hi Old Mo, looks a great rig the F150 if it is a 4x4 Heavy Duty with a tow pack it has one of the highest GVWR ratings of this class of truck at 3620kg so you should be ok with the 8ft wide. To clafiy a point between 7ft 6 and 8ft I recently attended the Malven Motorhome show went on some of the 5th wheel stands and got conflicting reports as regards maximum legal towing widths I measured the caulder light supposedly 7ft 6 which actually measured 7ft 11in including the permantley attached awning" also the extreme light again supposedly 7ft 6in but actually measures 7ft 11 in with the permantley attached awning, both of these would be illegal under the 3500 kg rule if they are towed by a nissan nevara or any uk pick up of this rating but the salesman will tell you these are the only legal ones on the road! (maybe this is because all they sell) I know this from experience because I imported a motorhome from the states took it to dvla at Ipswich to get it registered the maximum width rule for a motorhome is 8ft 4in 100inches including the awning mine measured 105 inches with the awning and I was told to take it off. This is one reason why caravans do not have permantly fitted awnings which would be alot more convienient than a big sheet of canvas and a load of poles that after a long journey is the last thing that you want to put up and the first argument. I have sold my motorhome now and am buying a 5th wheel your jayco looks great and after talking to vosa and dvla specialist vehicle department I am happy that the 8ft wide 5th wheels are legal if towed by a truck of 3500 gvwr this can either be an american style pick up or converted transit or lt35 not a nissan navara.

 

[old-mo]

Many thanks for that info "globetrotter,, :thumb:

That is exactly what I have been told by the powers to be and the dealer who I am buying both units from.,

My truck has been fitted with a tow pack and is a 4x4 and as you say is classed as a gvwr 3620kg.. :Cool:

 

[robrobc]

Hi again Old-Mo

I just popped some data up on another post on this forum.

I have researched the GVW for the Ford F150 as I am too considering getting one of these. According to Edmunds (the US Car Bible or so I am told!!) and Ford website. The GVW for the 2004 and 2005 F150 is 8200Lbs (3727Kgs) irrespective of whether it is 2wd or 4wd. The main difference between the 2wd and 4wd (apart from the obvious extra driven wheels ) is that the curb weight is greater for the 4wd.

Thought I would let you know.

Keep us posted on developments.

Rob

 

[old-mo]

Thanks "robrobc",,

I am pleased with all the answers,, and know where I stand now,,

Just got to sort out the VAT implications and then look forwards to a few trips away. :thumb:

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[Andy - V8 Diesel]

Hi there not to throw a spanner in the works but if your vehicle is going to be plated above 3500kg how are you going to get round the tachograph law and what MOT are you going to have is it a LGV test station type MOT you are going for?

I'm asking about the tacho as im a licenced tacho calibrater and it clearly states any vehicle with a maximum weight above 3500kg has to have a tacho fitted by law.

There are exemptions but american style pickups are not one of them.

My F350 was down rated to 3500kg when it was brought into the country and has a class 7 MOT.

 

[Geo]

For Information.
5th Wheel trailers are classed as (quote) Motor Homes..

And not as most think caravans..

This comes about because of the way they are connected to the towing vehicle. namely 5th wheel.. and is not classed as a drawbar trailer, as with caravans/car trailers "A" frames etc.

Which makes sense when you think an average weight of a tractor/truck/donkey/mule/artic or whatever you want to call the towing unit is about 10 tons, but the trailer and load which they tow can be 28 tons,, hence 38 tonners.

I have used the figures on Lorry/Trailer weights as indication only.

Well old Mo someone had to disagree with you and I'm afraid I do, one of the most basic requirements for a Motorhome IS A MOTOR ie self propelled vehicle.
I will grant you trailer home if you don't want the caravan tag. a very posh caravan or trailer or RV even but definatly not a Motorhomeoh:
Geo

 

[Sundowners]

You do not require a tacho for a non commercial vehicle, that is the same for electric brakes and plating/MOT for the trailer.
If I were to use my 5er for ANYTHING related to our business it would be illegal on all of these issues.
Nigel

 

[Sundowners]

How many motorhomes over 3.5
tonnes have you seen with tachos fitted/used
Nigel

 

[Andy - V8 Diesel]

How many motorhomes over 3.5
tonnes have you seen with tachos fitted/used
Nigel

Motorhomes are exempt from tacho rules and also alot of other vehicles a pickup truck is classed as a comercial vehicle in this country thats why you have to pay VAT.
I can buy a HGV vehicle for none buisness use but it still has to have at tacho installed. Even thought you would not have to use it.
It cleary states in my tacho rule book that any vehicle over 3500kg
has to have a tacho fitted unless covered buy an exemption and pickup trucks are not exempt. Unless you have an exemtion notice from VOSA/DVLA
Can i ask what type of MOT do you have on your pickup?

This is an exemtion notice that you would take to the the test station with you.

TACHOGRAPHS - DECLARATION OF EXEMPTION
Station Manager
Heavy Duty Vehicle Testing Centre
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
I declare that vehicle Reg No _______________, which is owned
by_______________________________ is exempt from having a tachograph fitted, for the reason
shown below (please tick as appropriate)
Signed _________________________________________
Name (in capitals) __________________________________
Status _________________________________________
Date _________________________________________
Vehicle 3.5 tonnes and below, permissible maximum weight
Vehicle not used for the carriage of goods
Vehicle privately owned and driven (eg private horse box)
Vehicle used by the police, armed forces, fire brigade, civil defence, drainage or flood-prevention
authorities, water gas or electricity services, highway authorities, the refuse collection, telegraph or
telephone services, by the postal authorities for the carriage of mail, by radio or television services
for the detection of radio or television transmitters or receivers, or a vehicle which is used by other
public authorities for public services and which are not in competition with professional road
hauliers
Vehicle used for the carriage of sick or injured persons and for carrying rescue material, and any
other specialised vehicle used for medical purposes
Tractor with a maximum speed not exceeding 30 kilometres per hour
Tractor or other machine used exclusively for local agricultural and forestry work
Vehicle used to transport circus and fun-fair equipment
Specialised breakdown vehicle
*Specialised vehicle at local markets
*Specialised vehicle for door-to-door selling
*Specialised vehicle for mobile banking, exchange or savings transactions
*Specialised vehicle for the purpose of worship
*Specialised vehicle for the lending of books, records or cassettes
*Specialised vehicle for cultural events
*Specialised vehicle for mobile exhibitions
*Vehicle used for the transport of live animals from farms to local markets and vice-versa and
transport of animal carcasses or waste not intended for human consumption
PLEASE NOTE that this form will be sent to your TRAFFIC AREA OFFICE following the test for
the information of the enforcement staff who, in cases of doubt, may wish to discuss with you the
reason for this exemption declaration.
*These exemptions do not apply to international journeys

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[huskieracer]

Hi again Old-Mo

I just popped some data up on another post on this forum.

I have researched the GVW for the Ford F150 as I am too considering getting one of these. According to Edmunds (the US Car Bible or so I am told!!) and Ford website. The GVW for the 2004 and 2005 F150 is 8200Lbs (3727Kgs) irrespective of whether it is 2wd or 4wd. The main difference between the 2wd and 4wd (apart from the obvious extra driven wheels ) is that the curb weight is greater for the 4wd.

Thought I would let you know.

Keep us posted on developments.

Rob

Link Removed

Link to Ford towing limits on Ford website on 2004 models.

If you take the trailer weights off of the GCWR weights (combined truck & trailer weights) you will get the GVW of the truck. None of the GVW are any where near the 3500kg required to tow over a 7.6ft wide trailer. I am a little worried that the truck you are buying is illegal. Easily checked get the dealer to send you a photo of the vin plate on the inside of the door. It will have GVW on it, just dont want VOSA pulling you up and stopping your fun or your insurance being void if you have an accident.

 

[wheelermike]

I have a Catalina Coachman 32ft x 8ft 5th Wheeler
and it is being pulled by a 7.3 Diesel 4x4 Ford F250 XLT. Am I legal???

 

[vwalan]

if the pickup has a gross vehicle weight of over 3,500kg and forms part of an articulated combination used only for pulling a living van it can be testing and plating excempt. (must super impose 20%of trailer weight on to towing vehicle. vehicles used private not for hire/ reward are out of scopeand is not requiredto use the recording equipment even if fitted. the rules seem plain as issued in vosa,s tacho n drivers hours revised2007 booklet. dont know if the said trailers do meet these requirments all depends on trailer manufactures pin weight. also must be careful that truck weight is not more than 3.05 tons unladen as then you will need a C+ELICENCE. HOPE THATS CLEAR ENOUGH. TO PULL AN 8FT WIDE TRAILER THE TRUCK MUST HAVE A GVW OF MORE THAN 3,500KG. A TRANSIT IS NOT BIG ENOUGH NOR IS AN LT35.