max length in the uk is 7 meters, sites are few and far between for american trailers or even 5th wheelers, and what did you intend on towing either with? their weight being the main concern, but the american trailers tend to have air brakes and a totally different coupling to uk vehicles
Quote: Originally posted by ClubmanGT on 14/11/2022
Thanks for the reply.
A Travel Trailer comes in under 3500, so would be OK to Tow this with a Discovery 5.
The 5th Wheeler, I would need to get a Ranger with the coupling adaption. There is a Company in Cambridge (CCRV) that can do everything for me.
They import the units and convert them to fully UK legal.
They can even deliver them to a specific site.
no is the short answer! your licence will say 3500kgs and that includes the towing vehicle and for a discovery that is already 2500kgs before you hitch anything on it, so unless you have had your driving licnce for a long time you wont be legal is the short answer
I have seen a few on UK campsites. Don't forget you would need a pick-up truck to tow one. They are very tall so you might have problems with roads which trees and bushes that have not been properly maintained. I think you would also need to find sites with plenty of room so that you can reverse onto a pitch. I am sure there must be Facebook groups devoted to 5th wheelers so it might be worth a search.
Firstly, if you intend towing a fifth wheel you need the appropriate license. If you have a pre 1997 one you have a legal gross train weight (tow + trailer) of 8250kgs. The fifth wheelers you mention supplied by CCRV in Cambs supply 30ft trailers that can be legally towed by a ford ranger/ navarra type pickup. They also do free training courses for towing and reversing and include coupling etc. I had a ranger with a rockwood triple slide trailer for two years and used sites here and in Europe extensively. They are far more manouverable than say a 4x4 and twin axle caravan.
You also mention above that they offer a delivery service. I changed my rig in 2018 to a 40 ft fifth wheel which was delivered to a site in Spain where I lived until virus lockdown, after that the same firm brought it back to where I now am in North Devon.
Bear in mind that they have an 8ft wide body before slideouts are deployed and are much taller than Euro outits, mine is just under 4 meters.
If you have any questions or need advice please ask away and I'll try & help.
CREAKY
------------- relájate, la vida es demasiado corta
So am I reading this wrong regarding the Law that changed in December 2021?
From what I am reading, it specifies a Trailer only and not max weight?
The Discovery 5 Maximum vehicle and trailer combination (GTW) (kg) 6,760
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) (kg) 3,260
Trailer is 3256 KG
Total of Vehicle and Trailer is 6,516 KG 244 KG under limit.
What changed on 16 December 2021 If you passed your car driving test from 1 January 1997, you’re now allowed to tow trailers up to 3,500kg MAM.
Check your car’s handbook to find out its gross train weight (GTW). This is the total allowable weight of the car plus the trailer plus the load.
DVLA will update your driving licence record to show that you’re allowed to tow trailers. You do not need to contact DVLA for this to happen. It will be done automatically. You’ll get category BE added to your driving licence when you next apply to get a new driving licence.
If you passed your car driving test before 1 January 1997, you are not affected by the change.
Therefore is the Trailer is under the 3,500 at 3,256 is that not OK based on this new ruling?
I have asked pretty much ALL of the campsites available in the area we are looking and none of them will take a 5th wheel.
Crazy!
So now we are looking at private land owners who want some extra pocket money as this is only a temporary solution whilst we move house.
My other concern with a 5th wheel now is how much would the depreciation likely to be on buying one for say 12 - 18 months. If that is so large then we might just end up being boring and "normal" and rent somewhere whilst we wait.
Ideally it would be much more fund to go Camping but it all comes down to cost of course.
Why not just get a TA caravan? I’ve seen some huge ones on sites that should be plenty big enough.
Read some of the threads about living full time too - many have done it, home schooling etc, but I think you may need to organise some minor issues like a permanent c/o address for your bank, car documents, doctor etc.
Evening
If you look at ccrv's website, they have a section called the big pitc guide where owners input sites that accommodate 5ers. Another resource is the rv owners club or its sister site, motorhome fun.
As for depreciation, I guess that's the same for all leisure vehicles. Saying that, my trailer is 4 years old and the current value is only 6k less than purchase price.
Research is the key when looking to park, I really enjoyed touring much more so than when I had a twin axle caravan. Far easier to use and the extra space with slideouts is to me a no brainer.
Give Paul or Avril, or Jay and Jane a call at ccrv, they're heplful folks.
Good Luck
CREAKY
------------- relájate, la vida es demasiado corta
I did see those and whilst plenty of enough room for a few weeks or even a month's vacation, I don't think they will be big enough for us temporarily full time.
You make a very valid point about connecting with other Full timers, even though this is a Temporary solution for us.
Perminant address is not an issue, we have friends and relatives willing to help out.
Evening
I notice that here and on the mhf forum you favour a travel trailer. The law states that in the UK the maximum permissable body length not including the tow hitch is 7m. You won't be towing a TT with a discovery! To tow over 7m legally you'll need a vehicle that weighs over 3500kgs, ie an american truck or a twin wheel transit pickup type. Also to remember that american towball hitches are 2 & 5/16ths of an inch compared to 50mm on euro cars.
Fifth wheelers are different as the body sits over the rear axle of the tow vehicle.
There are a few unscrupulous dealers around that will tell you otherwise to get your hard earned.
For the fun factor and being biased I'd say fifth wheeler all day long. For practicalities I'd say rent bricks and mortar.
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Yes I am everywhere at the moment. I do love a good slab of research and Due diligence. Thanks for noticing me.
I was looking at that today as some of the TT are 34 ft!! So therefore over this limit.
If I need to change the car then no problem I can do that as I would have to do that for the 5er anyway.
I'm planning to go and see one on Tuesday with CCRV but waiting for confirmation from them.
My biggest worry is the increased height. The Roads in West Sussex are littered with country roads and trees and I wonder if I will be hitting most of them in the 5er compared to a TT?
They have the ideal TT in stock but again, not sure how "legally" I am going to be able to tow something 10+ M behind me let alone convince someone to let me put it on their pitch.
With respect, as you have a 5er it seems like the UK/EU doesn't have the infrastructure for these TT/5ers OR... It's just another elaborate ploy to get people to buy UK/EURO products only.
Bricks and mortar are of course the most logical choice... But the kids are only young once and lives too short so having some fun for a year or so is more appealing.
Frustrating but in life, we need to be challenged to change.
Hi
That RS in the link is a nice rig, goes out at around 30ft so similar to a fifth wheel or a travel trailer, it needs a lot of research where to park up. In my experience both here and Europe you'll be accepted on more sites with a fifth wheeler than a travel trailer, purely due to the overall length and manoeuvrability.
Perservere with ccrv, they'll give you sound advice and more importantly won't sell you something unsuitable. The ideal situation is what you mentioned earlier to find somewhere to pitch up long term. That way you can get your rig delivered and sited without the outlay of an expensive to run tow vehicle. We overwintered in Spain for 7 years before virus and back then I had a Dodge Ram pickup truck with a great 6.7 liter engine, not so good was 12mpg on a good day. The Ford Ranger with the 3.2 engine will get you mid 20's towing.
We've fulltimed for the last 13 years in various rigs, luckily I have year round pitching for the 5'er, it's rather luxurious compared to a caravan, with the slides out the lounge at the back is 14ft wide!!!
Have fun with your search.
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Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: American Travel Trailer or 5th Wheelers
via mobile 15/11/2022 at 6:24pm
