Australia's finest fifth wheeler?

Spectrum RV has been importing US-built fifth-wheel caravans into Australia for the past 15 years, but the Gold Coast-based company has now taken the bold step of introducing its very own, uniquely designed fifth-wheeler that’s unlike anything else on the market.

On display at the 2018 Queensland Caravan Supershow, the jaw-dropping 36ft Emerald Coast fifth-wheel caravan has three slide-outs that open up to create a roomy, upmarket interior layout more like a modern city apartment than any caravan or motorhome.

While still built in the US, the full composite Emerald Coast eschews typically dark Colonial-style décor found in most American RVs for lighter, more modern Euro-style interior fittings and finishes, along with cutting-edge construction, huge storage and extensive free camping capabilities.

“We’ve designed it, engineered it and picked all the décor based on our experience of what customers like,” Spectrum RV’s Jennifer Thorley said.

“We didn’t want to make it look like a caravan, we wanted it to look like an apartment.”

The extra roomy, open-plan living area in the rear section features two large, leather-lined lounges, positioned around a built-in electric ‘fireplace’ with large screen, pop-up TV. There’s also a free-standing, four seat dining setting, and large kitchen with island benchtop, full-sized oven, dishwasher, microwave, and super-sized four-door fridge/freezer.

Adding to the residential feel are large fans and lights hanging down from the 9ft high ceiling, glossy handle-free cabinets and ducted floor heating, while the front bedroom gets a 6ft 9in high ceiling, east-west walk-around queen bed with plush mattress, walk-in robe with large washing machine, and ensuite with vanity, toilet and shower and two entry doors.

Even the RV-spec 12V fans in the soft-touch ceiling are cleverly concealed behind lighting fixtures.

“We’ve made it look residential, taking out as much of the RV look as you can,” she said.

Timber-free construction

Timber-free construction throughout extends to the aluminium frame and fibreglass composite body, while the interior cabinetry built with composite panels and European hinges is also water resistant. The underlay under the plush nylon carpet is also made from rot-proof soy beans!

Boasting a two tonne payload, the 5400kg (Tare weight) Emerald Coast has up to 700 litres fresh water capacity (plus 250L black and 250 grey water tanks), while the massive front boot has room for the Cummins generator as well as large items like kayaks and bikes.

Spectrum RV’s David Thorley said the German-sourced 1000Ah battery system with 800W solar panels generates sufficient power to run the air-conditioning for up to two and half hours a day when off-the-grid.

He said  “there’s a lot of little technology we’ve put in this that’s gone to the next level”, and claims numerous ‘firsts’ for the RV industry, including  the “biggest capacity, strongest frame that Lippert has ever built”, “zero trim” cabinetry, solid internal walls reinforced with aluminium welded framework, and a “silent, full pressure” water pump.

There are two shower heads, including a “rainfall” shower with “turbo” button for extra pressure to rinse out shampoo, and motion sensors around the bed automatically turn on lights when getting up to go to the bathroom at night.

Another neat trick is the click-out fascias on the cabinetry, for a quick and easy way to change the interior look.

“We will have a pack (for dealers), so they can change the décor of any RV to what the customer wants,“ he said.

The Emerald Coast also features an hydraulic self-levelling system, air brakes, tinted, sliding safety glass windows, powered ‘sensor’ awning, ‘step above’ flip-down stairs, built-in safes and an ironing board, and ‘bulletproof’ tyres riding on alloy wheels and slipper leaf spring suspension.

Not cheap

The 36ft fifth-wheel van doesn’t come cheap, with the fully-specced display model priced at $250,000, which doesn’t include the Ford F250 or equivalent truck required to tow it.

David Thorley said the display model was already sold, with two further orders taken at the Supershow for the Australian-compliant fifth wheeler, which was three years in development and will also be sold in the US.

While admitting that “you kind of avoid going to caravan parks with one of these,” he said due to the hitch arrangement the fifth-wheeler takes up the same space as a conventional 26ft caravan, so will still squeeze onto some sites if required.

For those on tighter budgets, Spectrum RV will also be offering a smaller, 30ft ‘Sands’ version that can be towed by popular one-tonne utes like the Ford Ranger.