| Archive for LEONE FABRE'S CAMPERVANS For the benefit of all campervan, mobilehome & motorhome travellers in Australia - to share their experiences whilst on (or off!) the road. To help and support all RV travellers with advice on great camping areas, places to visit, or not |
| Gerri |
5th Wheelers???We are weighing up what sort of vehicle to get next - once we leave our current jobs at the caravan park we manage we would like to travel doing relief managing to help pay our way.We have done "the bus" thing & were thinking of maybe a 5th wheeler next (to cater for up to 5 people). What are your thoughts? Anyone who has owned or still own a 5er? |
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| Westair |
They are gaining popularity and we have seen a few over here in the West.
Met couple early last year who were relieving Managers at Batavia Coast CP at Geraldton and they loved theirs. Big rig-F250 (diesel of course) and they had bought the rig for around $80,000 second hand but like new. One or two on CMCA site which you have probably seen. -------------------------------------------- |
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| Gerri |
I'd like to see some in the flesh - We won't be ready to buy for 2-3 years so we're just researching & "tyre kicking" at the moment. | ||
| Bron King |
%th WheelerWe've owned our 5er for 4 years and love it. It's just for 2 of us - a post retirement escape house! We designed it and had it built by Roadmaster in Adelaide. We took 18 months to really think what we wanted - to continue our hobbies on the road. We challenged the builder to make it come in under 2tonnes (he did it) pulled by a 6 cylinder Ford ute and is as steady as a rock on the road when caravans are wobbling in the wind.It tows like a dream We had a list
2 comfortable leather chairs for our backs  ( we bought these at Harvey Norman and Larry put them in) These also sit up straight at the table for eating to save furniture
included an office for our computing and photography, with a proper computer chair The van has air cond. gas oven and stove, huge bench space, a good pantry etc See pictures @ http://travel.webshots.com/album/170241701pmoqCR and feel free to ask questions which you might have We recommend Roadmaster very highly cheers Bronwyn |
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| Gerri |
Hi Bronwyn 
How do you find climbing in & out of bed? I've heard that some can have a jerking effect when being towed - have you had this? We'd be looking at a fairly big one that will cater for 4 adults (us plus 2 adult kids ... at this stage) & to be in it full-time - do you think this would be unrealistic??? Do they have much storage space - especially water tanks. I'll probably have more questions as time progresses 
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| Bron King |
Hi Gerri
We have no trouble with the bed - climbing in and out is fine but we're only 59 so how it'll be in the future I can't say (I do yoga and ride a bike though to keep a bit fit  )
We've never had any jerking effect - but perhaps not all 5ers are so well built... We travelled to every state except WA going to every place which sells/builds 5ers before we decided on a builder. We've seen very large units on the road but it can be a problem to transport 4 people if you're towing with a ute. If you're considering a twincab the van has to articulate in front of the back axle - not easy in a vehicle with a short tray. The cost of fuel witha big rig might be an issue, and as you'd know as park managers finding places to park is so much easier with a 20 footer than a 35 or 40 footer as is turning, controlling the rig on the road etc (but your bus experience would be valuable here  When we travel with our 2 20's sons they drive separately and take tents - they prefer the privacy for sleep but we all use the van in the day for bathroom, cooking, sharing meals etc and remember much of the living is outside under the awning sitting in the balmy evening air  ahhhhh...
We have plenty of storage space for us - we had lots of features built in so we don't need to store as much gear. We have solar power and in the bush can run everything except the microwave and air con which we've never missed. The longest we've been away was 4 months - it's a BRILLIANT life! We like walking and birdwatching, and nothing beats long beaches with no-one but you on them. Our rig can carry 180 lt of water which if we're careful can last us for about 10 days and is our only limiting factor. We most of all like to travel light, paring down all the stuff in suburban life. I believe you'd love it! And a 5er is a great way to do it especially f you can custom build after careful planning. Glad to answer more whenever you have s
cheers Bron |
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| Drover's Daughter |
Hi Bron
Long time no chat. Have wondered often how you are and what is happening in your life. Ciao Kate |
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| Bron King |
Hi Kate!
Good to hear from you. Life ticks on - I'm usually so involved in singing and art activities that travel time's hard to find. We're all well and going well too. How about you? cheers Bron |
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| Gerri |
Yes we were thinking of a twin cab - they're a bit expensive tho aren't they!
Brian has driven semi's before so he should be ok with a 5er (I hope). I wish they could build them like the Tardis LOL I get a bit claustrophobic at times & with maybe 4 people full-time I think we'll need the extra space 
I'm like a magnet to biting insects after dark so I will probably be spending more time inside than the others (unless some medical miracle happens )
Only 180L of water? Do you free camp much? Our bus had over 400L water tanks & there's no way it would last us 10 days with 4 people. |
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| Drover's Daughter |
Think they may have to be re educated Gerri. We have 155 litres on the CT and that can last 3 of us (adults) for 7 days. Ciao K |
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| Bron King |
The 180 litres lasts the two of us during free camping for 10 days doing washing up, showering (get wet turn off soap up and quick rinse) cooking and drinking. We've never run out and but are very careful, and we collect dirty clothes which we wash in a laundry at the next van park stop. It's a bit of a competition so see who can shower in less water.
And we scrape well and use paper towels to get rid of grease before applying water on pans & barbies. It was easy once we got into a routine. It might be harder with young ones who rather like long showers
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| Drover's Daughter |
Depends how little the little ones are but a tub does not use a lot of water either. Even now when I take the second generation kids (who have all grown quite a bit) camping I strictly monitor the showers. We have it down to 3 showers from 10 litres with a little left in the bucket. Like Bron said, it has become a competition and even Paul's mum is proud of her effort. I leave the wash up water from one to the next and use it to rinse the dishes first and then the new water gets left for the next rinse before washing. Only heat the wash up water to hand hot and therefore do not need to add cold water. I use cooking sheets on the BBQ which also reduces the cleaning and then use BBQ wipes for any extra. Use a non stick frypan and then usually only have to wipe clean with paper towel. Do not overfill the kettle, only ever put enough water into the kettle for the coffee/tea. This actually saves on gas as well. Also have some waterless hand wash as well. Washing of course goes to a laundry or home. |
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| Leone |
'tis amazing how we can all save water when we have to!!!
Pre- waterless handsoap days, way back in 2002, we had one of those spray bottles with a slurp of dettol in it.....thats how we washed our hands in the motorhome. Now those small bottles of waterless handsoaps are so cheap, I carry one with me all the time,to restaurants and just generally going out. Best invention of all time!! For washing we had one of those square 20 litre bins (with lid) from Bunnings, cost about $12.00......put the washing (like undies etc) in with a wee bit of water and soap....as you drive along it sloshes around and washes everything. Then when you pull up at a roadstop (or elsewhere) where you can rinse, takes no time at all. The square buckets work best of all. I know of a lady (lives out in the bush) puts her washing in a drum in the back of the ute, drives to town to do the shopping, comes back home and rinses it all then hangs it out...... the rough trip into town washed all the clothes!!! Just gotta be inventive! Hope everyone is well and happy....... so miss all my camping and motorhoming days..... would love to be 'on the road' again. ciao. Leone XX |
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