We will be moving from Colorado to Australia next summer and we would
like to bring our "5th wheel" camper trailer (caravan) with us which
weighs about 5000 kg (fully loaded). Normally in the U.S. these
trailers are easily pulled by large pickup trucks such as the Ford
F-250 or F-350. We need a truck that can be comfortable for a family
of 4 people, so we preferably want a 4 door. The following links
illustrate the type of truck I am talking about:
http://www.fulltiming-america.com/burke/
http://www.northcountyford.com/trucks/f-350/ford_f-350_pic4.asp
Unfortunately, new Ford trucks seem to be very expensive in Australia.
We have tried to find used ones, but the availability is very slim. I
have the impression that this Ford model has only been available in
Australia for a few years so the prices for used ones are still quite
high.
Would anyone know where I could find Ford trucks built in the mid
90's?
Or as an alternative, are there similar trucks available from other
manufacturers (Asian or European)?
Thanks.
Eric
Hans de Visser
08-24-2003, 04:32 PM
Originally posted by Eric
Or as an alternative, are there similar trucks available from other
manufacturers (Asian or European)?
If there's anything there's NO lack of in Oz, it's trucks or "utes" as
they're called here. Have a look at the Holden and Toyota websites,
they're the big brands here in Australia
--
Posted via http://britishexpats.com
Roger Martin
08-24-2003, 10:31 PM
"Eric" <epflaumboard@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:40485855.0308241243.2390cb61@posting.google.c om... Hi, We will be moving from Colorado to Australia next summer and we would like to bring our "5th wheel" camper trailer (caravan) with us which weighs about 5000 kg (fully loaded). Normally in the U.S. these trailers are easily pulled by large pickup trucks such as the Ford F-250 or F-350. We need a truck that can be comfortable for a family of 4 people, so we preferably want a 4 door. The following links illustrate the type of truck I am talking about: http://www.fulltiming-america.com/burke/ http://www.northcountyford.com/trucks/f-350/ford_f-350_pic4.asp Unfortunately, new Ford trucks seem to be very expensive in Australia. We have tried to find used ones, but the availability is very slim. I have the impression that this Ford model has only been available in Australia for a few years so the prices for used ones are still quite high. Would anyone know where I could find Ford trucks built in the mid 90's? Or as an alternative, are there similar trucks available from other manufacturers (Asian or European)? Thanks. Eric
Before going to the expense of importing the trailer you may want to
ensure that it will comply with road laws - mainly weights and
dimensions. If you go to
http://www.qld.gov.au/services_for_queenslanders/driving_and_public_transpor
t/driving_and_vehicles.html
it will give you some help.
The first photo has a very long rear overhang and may not comply
with length regulations - but you need to do the measuring.
As an articulated vehicle the weight on the turntable also has to
comply - I think it has to be no less than 12% of the unladen
weight of the trailer has to be transferred to the fifth wheel.
Check the unladen weight of the total combination - you may
need a truck drivers licence if it exceeds various limits.
Ford produced locally various F series vehicles F100 etc. until
the early 1990s and then fully imported them from somewhere -
US or Brazil I think.
I'm not sure that they built many (any?) crew cabs ( 4 door)
Try www.tradingpost.com.au for a range of second hand
vehicles.
There are various companies that convert F series trucks to
crew cabs, but whether that is really cost effective I dont know.
Most of the Japanese trucks imported are cab over engine, but
there are plenty of six and seven seat crew cabs from Mitsubishi,
Isuzu, Toyota. I'm not aware of a European import but no doubt
there are one or two models. There is a local truck OKA usually
a 4x4 which is pretty good.
There are some companies doing a tray back conversion to
Toyota Landcruiser station wagons - they look very professional,
and have to be engineering approved for registration.
If you have problems getting more details let me know and I'll
see what I can dig up for you.
On 24 Aug 2003 13:43:54 -0700, epflaumboard@hotmail.com (Eric) wrote:
Hi,We will be moving from Colorado to Australia next summer and we wouldlike to bring our "5th wheel" camper trailer (caravan) with us whichweighs about 5000 kg (fully loaded). Normally in the U.S. thesetrailers are easily pulled by large pickup trucks such as the FordF-250 or F-350. We need a truck that can be comfortable for a familyof 4 people, so we preferably want a 4 door. The following linksillustrate the type of truck I am talking about:
Do a search under aus. as IIRC, there is a newsgroup regarding
cars/trucks.. You may find more than one that would be appropriate to
post your message to ie: aus.general
Cath
Guest
08-25-2003, 02:47 AM
On 25 Aug 2003 01:29:55 -0700, pmcom@yahoo.com (Devim) wrote:
Did you sell your truck? In my opinion, it's best to sell the caravanalso and buy a new one when you arrive in Oz. You can save much onshipping and registration fee that way. Try ebay to get widerprospectus buyer at http://www.ebay.com but don't use paypal toreceive payment.See u soon at Oz.
I'd also suggest you sell up and buy out here - there are a lot of
good manufacturers - Jayco, Evernew, Compass to name a few.
Only a little thing, but has it occurred to you that, when you stop
for lunch by the roadside (as we used to when towing our caravan) your
door will be on the traffic side?
Another problem is that each state has slightly different rules on
tow-lengths, weights etc affecting registration of your trailer and
truck.
Try emailing the guy at http://www.caravanning-oz.com/ - he writes
good articles in the Caravan World mag and may help.
Cheers - Alan
Baz
08-25-2003, 04:37 PM
Better bring an oil well with you.
Gas cost almost twice as much in Aus.
Roger Martin
08-26-2003, 12:44 AM
I also forgot to mention the electric's - its all 240Volt here so none of
your appliances will work unless they are 12 volt/LPG. You would need to
have the whole trailer re wired for 240 Volt if you wanted to use it. You
will also need a gas certificate from a local gas fitter certifying that the
LPG is installed to standard - you need that before registration is
possible.
