We had decided to move into the fifth wheeler and live in it, parked in Chris’s parents’ yard, for a few months prior to leaving. We were hoping that this would help us to find anything in the fifth wheeler that we wanted to change or modify and to do it before we left so that it didn’t have to be done on the road in a town we didn’t know. We also wanted to see the country, not just all the hardware stores around while we were trying to fix things. So this is a list of things we modified or added to the fifth wheeler:
- Solar Power
- Gooseneck Hitch / King Pin
- Fresh Water Tank
- Leaf Springs
- Dining Table
- Lounge
- Televisions
- Cupboard Doors
- Barbecue
- Gooseneck Hitch / King Pin
- Fresh Water Tank
- Leaf Springs
- Dining Table
- Lounge
- Televisions
- Cupboard Doors
- Barbecue
Solar Power
It was a big decision trying to decide whether to get solar panels fitted or not. Chris had extensively researched batteries and solar panels on the internet and contacted numerous companies to discuss and arrange quotes. We did find it hard trying to estimate what we would need on the road and how many hours each day we were going to be using each electrical item – but in the end we decided to get a system slighter bigger than originally planned – as we didn’t want to be “free camping” and not have enough power.
We had the following installed:
- 2 x 260amp hour batteries
- 2 x 125watt solar panels
- Battery charger
- Inverter
The company we got to install the solar panel did a fabulous job – Chris was astounded with how neat it was. We have had plenty of time to “free camp” now and to date have never had a problem with the solar.
At the start we were pedantic about making sure the kids turn off all lights and don’t turn it on unless you have to – just in case we ran out. We were constantly checking the battery amps to ensure we didn’t run out. However now we are a lot more relaxed. We can go days without even looking at the battery amps – even on overcast days, the panels still charge and we have generally found that what we bring in for the day (charging via the panels) we use at night – so it equals out.
The only things the solar doesn’t run is the microwave and air-conditioning. It will run the television for about 2 hours every day – however we can usually start the generator and it will run the television, microwave and air-conditioning.
It was a big decision trying to decide whether to get solar panels fitted or not. Chris had extensively researched batteries and solar panels on the internet and contacted numerous companies to discuss and arrange quotes. We did find it hard trying to estimate what we would need on the road and how many hours each day we were going to be using each electrical item – but in the end we decided to get a system slighter bigger than originally planned – as we didn’t want to be “free camping” and not have enough power.
We had the following installed:
- 2 x 260amp hour batteries
- 2 x 125watt solar panels
- Battery charger
- Inverter
The company we got to install the solar panel did a fabulous job – Chris was astounded with how neat it was. We have had plenty of time to “free camp” now and to date have never had a problem with the solar.
At the start we were pedantic about making sure the kids turn off all lights and don’t turn it on unless you have to – just in case we ran out. We were constantly checking the battery amps to ensure we didn’t run out. However now we are a lot more relaxed. We can go days without even looking at the battery amps – even on overcast days, the panels still charge and we have generally found that what we bring in for the day (charging via the panels) we use at night – so it equals out.
The only things the solar doesn’t run is the microwave and air-conditioning. It will run the television for about 2 hours every day – however we can usually start the generator and it will run the television, microwave and air-conditioning.
Gooseneck Hitch / King Pin
At the same time as we had the solar installed, we upgraded the gooseneck/king pin to the Trailair with a shock absorber. On research we had found that these assist in the smooth towing of the fifth wheeler – especially seeing as we were towing the fifth wheeler with a Hino truck and the suspension in the truck is not quite as good as a car such as an F250.
At the same time as we had the solar installed, we upgraded the gooseneck/king pin to the Trailair with a shock absorber. On research we had found that these assist in the smooth towing of the fifth wheeler – especially seeing as we were towing the fifth wheeler with a Hino truck and the suspension in the truck is not quite as good as a car such as an F250.
Fresh Water Tank
Before hitting the road for good, we had a practice run to Somerset Dam for the Easter holidays. It was a good time to trial everything in case we needed to make changes before leaving. The one main problem we found was that the fresh water tank on the fifth wheeler only lasted us approximately 2 ½ days – with washing up, 5 showers each day and general water use. This was not good enough – the holding tanks would last approximately 5 days – so we needed to look into holding more fresh water on the van.
After getting home we made enquiries into adding another fresh water tank to the van, which were surprisingly expensive – so we looked at other options. Luckily for us, Chris is a plumber and installed a 200litre fresh water tank onto the Hino truck which could store extra water. It also meant that if we were staying somewhere for more than 2 days we wouldn’t have to move the fifth wheeler to fill up the fresh water – instead we could drive the truck somewhere to fill it up – then drive home and fill up the fifth wheeler from the truck.
This has been really handy since we have been on the road – there have been many times when we have utilised the fresh water on the truck. Chris also installed a tap under the truck which comes in handy for washing dirty little hands and feet – or attach a hose and wash the truck or fifth wheeler.
Leaf Springs
While researching fifth wheelers – we had heard many horror stories about the springs on American fifth wheelers braking as they were not designed for the rough Australian roads. So again, after hours of research we had decided to change the springs over. The same company that installed the solar and king pin installed the new Hans heavy duty suspension kit. Although the fifth wheeler doesn’t look or tow any different, we are content knowing that we shouldn’t have any problems.
While researching fifth wheelers – we had heard many horror stories about the springs on American fifth wheelers braking as they were not designed for the rough Australian roads. So again, after hours of research we had decided to change the springs over. The same company that installed the solar and king pin installed the new Hans heavy duty suspension kit. Although the fifth wheeler doesn’t look or tow any different, we are content knowing that we shouldn’t have any problems.
Dining Table
This was actually our first change in the fifth wheeler. It originally came as a dining table and 4 individual chairs - which didn’t work for us. Chris’s idea was to turn the table and fix in a bench seat for the kids to sit on, which also created extra storage under.
This was actually our first change in the fifth wheeler. It originally came as a dining table and 4 individual chairs - which didn’t work for us. Chris’s idea was to turn the table and fix in a bench seat for the kids to sit on, which also created extra storage under.
Lounge
After living in the fifth wheeler for only a couple of weeks, we knew we had to get a new lounge for it. The original lounge was a futon (laid down to become a single bed) – but it was really uncomfortable to sit on let alone sleep on. We had a bit of trouble finding a lounge to fit because we were limited to specific measurements - length due to the bench seat and table beside it and height for the windows above the back of the lounge. Eventually we found a three seater lounge that fit perfectly and was a pleasure to sit on.
Televisions
We removed the normal picture tube television from the fifth wheeler and replaced it with an LCD television. Due to the design of the fifth wheeler, it was hard to watch TV from the lounge – so Chris designed a box to slide into the opening that held the DVD recorder, laptop and printer and the L
CD TV was on an extendable arm and would close across in front of them. This was much better as you could swing the TV out and now watch it comfortably from the lounge.
After a couple of months living in the fifth wheeler we installed a second LCD TV on the wall of the bedroom – we found that you actually miss being able to lay down and watch TV or a movie – and it is handy for the kids. Again we mounted it on a swinging extendable arm so it can fold away for travel and swing out for easier watching.
We removed the normal picture tube television from the fifth wheeler and replaced it with an LCD television. Due to the design of the fifth wheeler, it was hard to watch TV from the lounge – so Chris designed a box to slide into the opening that held the DVD recorder, laptop and printer and the L
CD TV was on an extendable arm and would close across in front of them. This was much better as you could swing the TV out and now watch it comfortably from the lounge.After a couple of months living in the fifth wheeler we installed a second LCD TV on the wall of the bedroom – we found that you actually miss being able to lay down and watch TV or a movie – and it is handy for the kids. Again we mounted it on a swinging extendable arm so it can fold away for travel and swing out for easier watching.
Cupboard Doors
We also found, after living in the fifth wheeler for a while, that a couple of the cupboard doors were in the way when open – in particular the pantry door and bedroom closet door. The doors were originally two doors opening from the centre, but when they were open they stuck out and you had to step around them. We unhinged one of the doors and added a piano hinge in the middle of the two doors and now the open both to one side which gives you much easier access into the cupboards.
We also found, after living in the fifth wheeler for a while, that a couple of the cupboard doors were in the way when open – in particular the pantry door and bedroom closet door. The doors were originally two doors opening from the centre, but when they were open they stuck out and you had to step around them. We unhinged one of the doors and added a piano hinge in the middle of the two doors and now the open both to one side which gives you much easier access into the cupboards.
BarbequeBeing a Queenslander, we are big on the barbie – so we had to make sure we had a decent barbeque for the trip. Chris took the legs of our barbeque from home and mounted it on sliding drawer runners that he installed into one of the storage compartments in the fifth wheeler. This means that whenever we want a barbie – we just slide it out, connect the gas to the bayonet fitting under the fifth wheeler and away we go.
Many young people dream about seeing the world - but not us - we dreamt about seeing this great big beautiful country of ours - Australia!
About 12 years ago, way before kids, Chris and I bought a Leyland Boxer 52 seater bus, with the dream of seeing Australia. We stripped the bus out and started fitting it out - it was slow work as it was a weekend project only.
Unfortunately we had to put the dream on hold, as Chris started his own plumbing company. As the company grew, we decided to sell the bus, but we have always held onto the dream of travelling around Australia.
We had looked at caravans and decided that with the three kids, there would not be enough room for us all to live comfortably without going crazy. We first saw a fifth wheeler at the Brisbane Caravan and Camping Show and thought – this is was what we need! If we were planning on this being home for the next couple of years, it needed to be comfortable and a fifth wheeler gives you plenty of extra space compared to a standard caravan.
Once we had made the decision to start looking for a van – Chris looked everywhere and every day. We were pretty limited because we needed to get what is called a “bunkhouse” Fifth Wheeler – which has four bunk beds at one end. We were hoping that we could get one second hand as new ones were quite expensive.
We were very lucky when Chris found an ad in the paper from a private seller who had a brand new Forest River Wildcat Bunkhouse for sale. The fifth wheeler had been privately imported from America and had been converted for Australian use eg power, gas etc - but had never actually been used. We drove straight up to see it and a few days later were the proud owners of a Fifth Wheeler.
We were very lucky when Chris found an ad in the paper from a private seller who had a brand new Forest River Wildcat Bunkhouse for sale. The fifth wheeler had been privately imported from America and had been converted for Australian use eg power, gas etc - but had never actually been used. We drove straight up to see it and a few days later were the proud owners of a Fifth Wheeler.
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THE TRAVELLING OAKEY'S
Chris, Nicole,
Jack, Logan and Lexie