Buying a Fifth Wheeler
So you are thinking of buying a fifth wheeler:
Then you will find these pages as unbiased and informative, hopefully they will give you some hints about buying a fifth wheeler or even a motorhome or caravan both locally made or imported. o:p>
If you have not spent some time in a caravan or motorhome, you
should at least hire a motor home for a week or two and see if you or your spouse enjoy the experience and the lifestyle. Join our
club and meet the people who own a fifth wheeler at the gatherings or camp with a member or members for a day or two; you will be
surprised how much you will learn about fifth wheelers. It is best to have the basic knowledge about fifth wheelers if you are thinking
about buying one; these pages will give you some of that knowledge. This section will take you through some of the important issues
of buying a fifth wheeler like weight, tow vehicles, basic buying advice and some of the differences between local and imported fifth
wheelers.
You will find many “experts” out there who have not owned or even been in a fifth wheeler but claim to know all about
them. We recommend that you talk to the old timer fifth wheelers who have owned and lived in their fifth wheeler for over
three years. This way you will find out about items that can surface after a reasonable amount of time and be prepared when talking
to the dealers or to a private seller.
Then there are the hints and tips you should know after you buy your fifth wheeler, such
as free camping and camp cooking, and other basic information. But if you are interested in advanced information like fifth wheeler
hints, tips, solar power, camp cooking, GPS information plus much more, you must become a member to access this information on the
members section of this web site. If you go to the printable material in this section you could find some interesting items that will
help with your fifth wheeler purchase. We also have some e-books in the process of being written by our members that you can purchase
at a low price in the near future, also on the downloadable pages.
Choose Your Fifth Wheeler Manufacturer, Importer and/or Dealer Carefully
You should look at where and who you are going to buy your fifth wheeler from, some of the things you should look for are
Have they been around for some time?
Do they undertake services and repairs on their own premises?
Have you talked to any of their past customers? Or would they be willing to give you some past customer’s details so you can talk to them yourself.
Will the fifth wheeler be registered and in your name. This makes certain that if the fifth wheeler is imported that the state authorities have undertaken the compliance checks for it to be registered?
Do they give you any LPG gas compliance documents and an electrical compliance documents? (This is a must for future liability references)
Have you seen the company’s workmanship and is it to a high standard?
Will the fifth wheeler be able to be towed with your planned tow vehicle and would the tow vehicle warranty be void by towing this fifth wheeler?
Do they fit all the equipment to your towing vehicle in the price of the fifth wheeler?
Would they give you some basic driving lessons with the fifth wheeler connected if required?
Is the first years insurance in the price? This could be a large saving if they do.
Does the company hold or be able to source replacement parts for the fifth wheeler models accessories or appliances?
Have they any appliance and other manuals that come with the fifth wheeler?
The importer (manufacturer) is liable for any non compliance issues and could be sued for any death or injuries that a non compliant fifth wheeler causes.
We recommend that you talk to Australian Customs head office and your states vehicle registration head office and look very closely at your risks before you import.
It has been know that Australian Customs could force a person to have a importer/manufacturer undertake all the required compliance works as a condition of importing a fifth wheeler so any price advantage could be non-existent.
Another major worry is that what is compliant in one state might not be in another, as different state registration inspectors interpret the rules differently. A lot of people have been caught in this way in the past, even after owning and enjoying the fifth wheeler for several years. When you buy off a importer (manufacture) or dealer they are by law compelled to fix the non-compliance issues.
