I am considering purchasing a fifth wheeler with in the next year or so and would be interested in anyones comments about their preference of towing vehicle and why. I have in mind a diesel 4WD double cab of at least 2.5lt. Cheers....

I have been walking the road of the 5th wheeler for 4 years now and finding one that my wife and I think will work for us isnt easy, big enough for semi permanent but small enough not to restrict movement on nz roads, and do it right first time. We have started the steps on purchasing the tow vehicle which is a 94 GMC 6.5ltr 3500 after alot of talk on the best power to weight and comfort, in the next week we have now a short list of units to go look at, 30-34 footers, 2-3 slideouts etc. The battle is finding whats going to suit and looking in real life, as photos give distorted views, and sitting quietly without talk and see if it works for you. Hope this helps klick

We have been on the road in our Okanagan 5th for 4.5 years towing it with a Nissan STX 4 WD. We started off with a Rodeo 3 litre but have found the STX to have far more pulling power than the Rodeo.We have toured the whole country with this rig and wouldn't change it . The best thing with a 5th wheel is that you just park up and use the ute to explore hence the 4 WD .

we have an american 5th wheeler and have had nothing but trouble with land transport over the electric braking system used by these rigs .last year we $1200 replacing the brake controller in the cab because land transport deemed the existing one was illegal. the new one was what land transport recommended. guess what they now tell me this one is now illegal and i have to fit a max3 controller cost $1400. no warning no memos nothing now stuck in central otago because there are no certified brake installers in the region.

It seems to be the same over and over again with land transport not keeping the people who pay thier wages informed of changes.

For anyone interested, we have travelled Australia in a 5th wheeler imported from the states, and have brought the 5th wheeler over with us to NZ. We are interested in anyone else who has travelled around NZ with a large 5th Wheeler and how the roads etc was. We have found the caravan parks r very different to Australia, concerning the grey and black water, set up very different here. Would like some feed back etc.

Johnnyclutha - unless your 5th wheeler is over 2800kg? you dont need to take it to a COF check, WOF is just fine.
I took mine to a (then) local garage after giving them notice what was turning up, and they passed/classed it as a Caravan. They checked the electric brakes by lifting each of the four wheels in turn, then asked me to apply the brakes. Naturally the wheel locked up which is all they wanted to see.
Ive a motion sensor brake controller, two stage with adjustable control (on the fly).
Perhaps you should get something similar and take it to a local WOF garage...