5th Wheelers any good?

[Wild Dingo]

Im just starting to consider a mobile home as an alternative to a mortgage or renting and stumbled upon the so called 5th Wheeler design... so was wondering if anyone has one or knows of someone with one and whats the verdict on them?

Cheers
Shane

[tea lady]

But if that's where the shed's going where are you gonna sleep?

[BobR]

The smaller ones are comparable to a large caravan. When you start looking at the big ones, then its a different game - and big bucks ($500K - $750K). For people who are making it their real home, then a big 5th wheeler provides a lot of comfort and space. If you are travelling with it then caravan parks can be a problem. Many parks are old and were designed for a 15' van. Almost impossible for a 5th wheeler in; tough enough getting a big dual axel caravan in. Then a big tow vehicle is required. F250 is not uncommon, but the smaller ones can be pulled by a ute with a good engine. Hope this helps.

[wheelinround]

Shane horse floats come a lot cheaper often with living quaters then in the back there is room for tools.


Its just the smell thats the problem

[Christopha]

Jeez Shane! When did you win the friggin' lottery mate???

[Wild Dingo]

Jeez Shane! When did you win the friggin' lottery mate???

yeah right!! I wish eh

Nah Im just looking at options... Once the house is in my name then I WILL be selling it... just cant abide the memories drive home come to the driveway and look for her car in the carport never there... open the front door thinking shes there never is... wake in the middle of the night and the beds empty that sort of thing so Im selling it... And due to that Im thinking its about time to look at what options I have or will have comes down to 4 I reckon

1) Buy a live aboard boat
2) Buy another house
3) Rent a house
4) Buy a mobile home

And so Im going through the motions of whats what with each of them... what I want and what I dont want how I want to live and how I dont want to live

I spoke with Jo the other week and she made perfect sence... in that I should start to put myself first as she has and start to work out what it is that I want that makes me happy in life.

So in regards to the above 4 options
1) mmm yes a boat would be good... but well Im not ready for that lifestyle yet and theres the nippers to think of so it would need to be a large boat which would mean a larger cost to purchase first then maintain etc

2) I dont want another morgage for awhile... weve bought 3 houses in 25 years each progressively worse than the last... till finally this one... and it almost killed us both literally... so I have no interest or intent of buying another for awhile... I also dont like the lifestyle of suburbia never knowing your neighbors never chatting with people no friends that shyte Im over it.

3) Rent... I may well rent for 6 months just to settle things and get myself focused without the burden of debt... but its a hell of a waste of money in my book at 320 a week average around here thats 10K with services for 6 months!! geez I can think of a hell of a lot of other things Id rather spend that sort of money on than paying someone elses morgage... and on top of that Im paying 300 a week on the damned morgage so why go from this to that?? doesnt make any logical sence or financial but it would mean debt free

4) Mobile home... The more I consider it the more sence it makes at least for the short to medium term... maybe not a 5th wheeler that was just something that has taken my interest a bit of late... Id rather a bus coach or something of that nature so I can drag the 4x4 behind me... but it offers me a lifestyle that based on previous experience I really did enjoy meet new people every day always a friendly face nearby rents not bad especially if your self contained when in a park have access to swimming pool tennis court etc included in the costs... if it gets that youve had a gut full pack up and up stakes to the next one.

Ive also spoken to the supervisor at work and as they dont have but need an onsite caretaker at the compounds here and in Busselton then it would increase my paypacket by an extra mans wages each week... rent free access to generator power water and near enough to town AND bonus of an added wage!!

Thing with it is I should clear enough from the sale to buy one and have investment in fixed term so Id be totally independant and debt free for the first time in a bloody long time... and that appeals!! so thinking is at present to sell invest half buy a mobile home then in a year or whatevers time take the invested money and put a deposit on another house... if thats what I want then... I have another couple of years being based here for the nippers but then I wouldnt mind taking to the road and hell at my age I reckon Im due a bit of luxury eh?... and no I dont think you have to pay half a mil for a palace on wheels there are some bloody fine luxury out there for 100K and under... taking the time and considering what exactly you want and your budget are the most important things I reckon. (note THEN one must of course make bloody sure the things the ducks knuts BEFORE you shell out for it!!)

I really havent decided yet as Im still in the throws of trying to figure it all out... and it will no doubt take at least 6 months to sell the place anyway... but way I see it I may as well start considering the options?

Cheers!!
Shane


Ohhh and the tools?... well something else Ive been considering is to downsize minimize and economize so I will spend a bit of time considering WHAT tools EXACTLY I NEED... get rid of the ones I dont or are too big and buy just those ones I do need and are able to be setup and carried with me... on that score Im drawing up some design sketches for Yonnee to perve at and then let me know if it can be done or tell me .to GET A FLAMIN GRIP!!

[arose62]

Re point 2) "never knowing your neighbours".

My first house was in a cul-de-sac, and it had a pretty good community spirit, - at Christmas we'd all stick a few bbq's in the street and have a neighbourhood get-together.

We've just moved to a house in a cul-de-sac. SWMBO was a bit reluctant (not sure why) but it's also got a good community feel to it. The kids all run from house to house, the neighbours watch out for each other, check house alarms, note suspect number plates, put out forgotten bins, have a few drinks in someone's driveway every week or two.

So, the point is, in my experience, a cul-de-sac is the best bet if you want to get to know your neighbours in today's rat race.

Cheers,
Andrew

[malb]

For my two bobs worth, I would suggest trying to avoid a middle stage if you can.

If you do something as a transition it will cost. Whatever you do as the transistion, you will struggle to get the money back when you progress to the real solution, while the cost of the real solution will keep escalating while you are in the transition stage.

Based on that, I would suggest hanging on to what you have while you work out where you want to be in say four years time, then organise an orderly changeover at the appropriate time. I know you say that it will hurt emotionally, but until you have a life plan sorted out, most other options will hurt emotionally and financially.

By hanging on to the house, it will appreciate at a similar or greater rate than whatever you eventually get to replace it. Sell it and put money into a caravan mobile etc, you will loose if you change your mind and sell down the track, and keeping the balance in an investment account will yeild growth of about half what the house has, and then the tax department will want 30% of the growth as well.

As an final option consider renting the house out and renting something cheaper for yourself or buying an older van that has a low depreciation base from the rent, and use the rest to support the mortgage on the house. Then when you decide which way to go, offload and move on.

Nuf said, time for me to pull my head back in.

[DavidG]

Buy a house..
A boat is like poring money into a hole in the water.
A van, no matter the size is a depreciation cost of large order.
Rent is dead money. Why pay off some one else's house.

Also consider a block of land with a shed, if the land will appreciate in value.

[BazzaDLB]

Hi Shane,

I have a fiver but do not live in it permanently.
It is Australian built (Adelaide), now around 12 years old and 30 foot long. I tow it with an Iveco 50C17 Tray back and find it to be a good tug.
As far as towing is concerned I find it more stable than a caravan as the weight is over the back axle and not pivoting behind it. It is also a breeze to reverse and can be turned in a very tight circle.
I have 'nearly' finished refurbishing mine and hopefully will be on the road again around the end of November.
Is the length a big issue?? Not really when you think that part of it is above the tug, there is no drawbar and they are a easy to maneuver. We do find that it keeps us out of the big caravan parks but I'm not keen on hearing my 'neighbor's bedroom habits anyway. The smaller van parks tend to allow a bit more freedom regarding where you park.
It has all the mod cons and we easily call it home for months on end, but there are only two of us.

Hope you find what you want and enjoy it!!!

[Wild Dingo]

Cheers!!

Great responses

I hear what your saying about transitional changes mal, but this wont be a transitional change but a life and lifestyle change.

Present thinking is that I will rent a house for a time 6 months or so over in Australind sell this place... yes I know it will appreciate considerably over time but Im done with it... seriously when my children and grandies wont visit or come here for any reason its time I wasnt here and thats what has happened in the last few months

I should get a fair return on the sale which will see me right for a fair while to come as my needs are minimal and with work it would be unnessary to access the money put aside into fixed term... no it wont increase as a house would even this dump but it will give me the life I want.

Thank you for your advice mate seriously good food for thought and I will consider it as I go along.

Bazza mate thanks for that!! I was hoping someone would have one and know a bit about them.

Interesting that some parks have problems with them... hadnt heard that before mind you I havent seen one in a park yet!! To tell the truth I have only ever seen one!... and that was in a yard and I was driving past so never actually wandered inside one to see what theyre like mmmm must do that eh!

I will do so before committing myself to a definant course of action.

Present thinking is to sell rent fly to Melb or Sydney buy a coach/bus and drive it back and do the remodel here while renting... got swag will sleep!! then move into a caravan park till the dust settles and the young fella is of age to decide his course in life.

Im done with living this life and lifestyle and need to change and do what I want and need to do and I cant do that with the burden of debt and morgage over my head. So I will take as long as it takes to sell it to consider my options and route.

Cheers
Shane

[Christopha]

Shane, mate, you can't afford to run a friggin bus mate! The flamin' things cost an armanaleg to run, register, insure etc etc... think "manageable" mate, physically and financially!

[David L]

5ers have a lot of advantages with towing and maneuverability the main draw back as I see it is that you loose the storage capacity in the back of the tow vehicle.
By the way you can buy them for less than 100k especially second hand.
A motor home you need a run around vehicle as well.
The advantage of a caravan and you can buy a good one for 15-30K, is that you can carry your tools/ gear in the back of your tow vehicle and have the same space / comfort of a motor home at far less expense and up keep. It is also easy to move if you decide to travel or chase a job else where.
Forget the boat.... money in the ocean and too limiting.
Buying a block of land is not a bad idea. If it is in a rural area you may be able to park the van on it if you want to stay in the area for a while. And not have to pay tax on the interest from your investments.

Just my 2 bobs worth.

[Wild Dingo]

Cheers David

Mate... Im not sure at this stage which way to go with the mobile home/caravan/whatever Im still cogitating... it will a) take a month or more for the court thing to happen and b) probably another 6 months to sell the house so Ive got plenty of time.

Thing is Im thinking after years of scrimping and settling for second best for so long I reckon I deserve some luxury and comfort... so Ive got a budget that I will be sticking to for the vehicle whatever I finally decide on... and for investment which should be ample as a deposit on another house if I decide to go that way again or may even purchase a nice block somewhere without debt... thats the thing I really NEED to have a break from... debt.

Im planning on selling then renting for 6 months and take a few weeks to find the one I want then go there and pick it up and bring it home... if its a caravan I will probably just buy one local and be done (ahem unless it comes WITH a vehicle then Id go get it!) but anything else will entail a flight east as our prices here like with boats are bloody higher than over there... more choice competition I guess

But several criteria are non negotionable at this stage.
1) It MUST be luxury and comfortable
2) It MUST be fully self contained.
3) It MUST have queen bed AND 2 bunks

Budget Ive set is 50K all up... of course this can be lower but thats about the limit (although if its a matter of 10K for brilliant comfort well that will be doable)

Ive also revised the bus/coach thing... no I dont need one so thats been taken out of the equasion... however something like a Hino Rainbow I think theyre called? is not nor is a late model Coaster or Nissan... As long as its GOOD and with everything I need and want.

Im still iffy about caravans simply because I dont and never have liked them much for some reason... I much prefer something that I can tow the 4x4 with that has luxury accomadations (and of course drivers seating!!) and the home in the back.

I did notice there were 2 that I really would have bought in the most recent issue of Caravan and Mobile home trader had this been all sorted a few months back... An Allegro Class A in NSW and a Monaco Crown Royal here in Perth both sorta maxed and then some the budget but if youve seen them or the mag then thats the thing I want and really if I have to go there then so be it... it would still enable the investment and some travel but Id probably have to remain at work for a few months to boost the old accounts a bit but well it would be worth it.

Im aware that I dont NEED such a vehicle... that I could do without all the luxury and comfort and do rather well... but why shouldnt I spoil myself just a bit after all this time? Im not trying to impress anyone or skyte just thinking of myself and putting myself first as she reckoned I should and she is... and I think well buggar it why not go all out? If I must live alone then damn it I WILL be comfortable with a modicom of luxury!

Anyway Im rambling again so better buggar off to bed before work in the am

Cheers
Shane

[RETIRED]

Define luxury pleae WD.