FAQ
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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?
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 cheap 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. |
Is aluminium a 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. So as a 28' steel 5th wheeler chassis weighs approx 700kgs. As we want our chassis to be stronger than our competitors we save just over 450kgs. As for walls and cabinetry unlike wood the structural integrity of aluminium does not disintegrate over time when in contact with water, sunlight and is far less affected by the stresses put on it. The advantage that steel and timber have over aluminium is cost, they are much cheaper than aluminium. |
Some manufacturers use very little insulation and framing in order to save weight. Do you do the same?
No, although it would be nice to save weight by cutting down on two of the most expensive components of a fifth wheeler, we believe that producing a quality product is more important. Because of this we use 38mm polyurethane foam with an R value of 10-12 and over 300m's of 38mm aluminium framing in our walls, floor and roof. There are much better ways to keep weight down. |
Do your fifth wheelers have trouble fitting into caravan parks?
Our fifth wheelers range from 23' to 29'. The important things to remember are that a 29' fifth wheeler attached to a ute is the same length as a 20' caravan behind a car or SUV. The fifth wheeler will also turn to a jack-knife (90 degrees) unlike the caravan so getting them around a caravan park and into a spot is much much easier, even when the caravan is over 10' shorter. So no, we do not have problems fitting into caravan parks. |
What about warranties, spare parts and repairs?
All Coastal 5th wheelers
come with a three year warranty that covers parts and workmanship on the 5th wheeler itself. 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 repairs, rather than just limiting you to our dealers, we have a nationwide network of approved independant repair agents. |
How many sizes and floorplans are Coastal 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, Colorado, Patrol & Landcruiser, the 23' & 25'6" can be towed by an even greater range of utes. We don't believe you can have only one or two floorplans and just tell customers that what they want, others won't. Everybody has different tastes, different budgets and different priorities. |
Where are Coastal fifth wheelers Built?
Each fifth wheeler is made in our purpose built RV factory in Christchurch New Zealand. Being New Zealand built means every Hodge RV unit is manufactured to comply with the ADR & AGA standards. 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 5th wheelers are without a doubt the best quality, best insulated and best structured light weight fifth wheelers currently available in Australia. |
| Are Coastal fifth wheelers available with Slide Outs?
YES! We have slide-outs on almost all of our units. They 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. Its far more pleasant sitting in a slide-out than an non-insulated awning thats 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. These are the real reasons some manufacturers choose not to use them. |
| How Difficult is it to Unhitch the Tow Vehicle for Normal Use?
Every Coastal 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. |
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