FAQ (frequently asked questions)
Some of the more common questions we are asked
Points of interest:
The term "Carrying
Weight" is different to "Cargo Capacity"
When it comes to how much stuff you can take away on holiday the confusion between these two terms can make up to a 250kg difference.
29th March 2011
WhatsNew:
2011 Queensland Caravan Camping & Touring Holiday Show
with the
Campervan & Motorhome Show
RNA Showgrounds
Brisbane City
8-14 June 2011
All our units are designed & built to be towed with Navara, D-Max, BT-50 etc
up to 1000kg of cargo weight depending on 5th wheeler model & ute.
We
are Australia's light-weight 5th wheeler specialist.
Click here to view our different models.
Frequently Asked Questions
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- Most 28' fifth wheelers have a tare weight of well over 3000kgs, often more than 3500kgs, how come yours are so much lighter?
- Why is aluminium a more suitable product for chassis, walls and cabinetry?
- Why do you mention insulation a lot more than other manufacturers?
- What are the main advantages over a motorhome or bus?
- What about warranties, spare parts and repairs?
- How many sizes and floorplans are Coastal & Free Spirit fifth wheelers available in?
- Where are Coastal & Free Spirit 5th wheelers built?
- Are Coastal fifth wheelers available with Slide Outs?
- How difficult is it to un-hitch the tow vehicle for normal use?
Most 28' fifth wheelers have a tare weight of well over 3000kgs, often more than 3500kgs, how come yours are so much lighter?
- Most 28' fifth wheelers come from the USA, where they are towed by large pickup trucks, so building them light is not an issue. As building a light weight RV is more costly, especially when done properly, American builders show very little regard to weight when constructing their trailers. We utilize a lot more aluminium in our construction process, as it is considerably stronger per weight than wood, steel and other less expensive building products. We also keep our over all height lower, use a lighter and more advanced slide-out system and use a lighter, rust free and strong aluminium chassis.
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Why is aluminium a more suitable product for chassis, walls and cabinetry?
- Aluminium is very strong, light and does not rust. This makes it a perfect material for trailer chassis building. Per weight aluminium is just over three times as strong as steel. Eg A 28' steel 5th wheeler chassis weighs approx 700kgs. A Hodge RV aluminium 5th wheeler chassis weighs approx 300kgs – a big saving in weight and much stronger. As for walls and cabinetry, unlike wood, the structural integrity of aluminium does not disintegrate over time when in contact with water or movement and is far less affected by the stresses put on it. The only advantage that steel and timber have over aluminium is cost, they are much less expensive than aluminium.
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Why do you mention insulation a lot more than other manufacturers?
- Australia can get quite cold in winter (depending where you are) and hot in summer so your best and "greenist" line of defence is good insulation. It means our units requires a lot less energy for heating in winter and remain more comfortable in summer, especially when you can't run A/C. This suits the Australian "freedom camping" lifestyle where you are not connected to mains power. Our insulation is 38mm polyurethane foam. It is vaccuum bonded into our walls, roof and floor between the aluminium box section. The resulting product has an R value of 12.
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What are the main advantages over a motorhome or bus?
- Many of our Coastal owners are ex-bus/motorhome owners. The biggest advantage is being able to unhitch when you arrive and have the use of your ute. You can go to the shop without packing up the camper, one person can stay in the 5th wheeler while the other fishes or sight sees, if your ute breaks down you don't become home less. The financial reasons are less cost for more space, better return if you ever decide to sell, less registration costs & you don't need to tow or own a second vehicle. The fifth wheel style of hitching makes for very safe and comfortable towing over a caravan and with the point of articulation you can get to more places (and out of with the 4WD ute).
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What about warranties, spare parts and repairs?
- All Coastal & Free Spirit 5th wheelers come with warranty that covers parts and workmanship on the 5th wheeler itself (often called bumper to bumper). Individual appliances are covered by their own manufacturers warranties. As we manufacture the fifth wheelers we stock every part within them, so getting spare parts to where you are is not a problem. For more extensive warranty information please contact us.
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How many sizes and floorplans are
Coastal & Free Spirit fifth wheelers available in?
- • Our 5th wheelers come in four different lengths (23' ~ 25'6" ~ 28'6" ~ 29'7") and six different floorplans. With five of those floorplans we also offer them as a walk-around & stand up bedroom. Every single one of these floorplans are towable by Navara, Ranger, BT-50, D-Max, Colorado, Patrol & Landcruiser, the 23' & 25'6" can be towed by an even greater range of utes.
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Where are Coastal & Free Spirit 5th wheelers built?
- Each fifth wheeler is made in our purpose built RV factory in Christchurch, New Zealand. Being New Zealand built means every Coastal & Free Spirit unit is manufactured to comply with the laws & standards of Australia. If you are buying a fifth wheeler make sure it complies with the Australian Standards because it is an offence to import, sell or present for registration a new or imported vehicle which does not comply with the National Standards. Coastal & Free Spirit 5th wheelers are without a doubt the best quality, best insulated and best structured light weight fifth wheelers available in Australia.
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Are Coastal fifth wheelers available with Slide Outs?
- We have slide-outs in all of our Coastal models but not in Free Spirit models. Slide-outs provide valuable space without having to make the unit longer. They seal perfectly for the weather and dust when opened or closed so it would make very little sense not to use them. It’s far more pleasant sitting in a slide-out than a non-insulated awning that’s pretty much a green-house. The truth is slideouts and the mechanism that runs them is expensive and you need good strong walls with proper aluminium framing to support them. We chose not to have a slide-out in the Free Spirit model due to its price point.
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How difficult is it to un-hitch the tow vehicle for normal use?
- • Every Coastal & Free Spirit fifth wheeler comes standard with electric front landing jacks and a quick release hitch so it takes only a couple of minutes to hitch or unhitch your tow vehicle. We also fit spring loaded snap pins to make it even easier. Once experienced at hitching and un-hitching it becomes a one person job.
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