By Malcolm Street
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Many RV dealers in Australia usually try to have stock of the relevant models on display in their yards. But when you are an importer this is a little harder to achieve because of a reliance on overseas suppliers.
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David and Jennifer Thorley, who operate Spectrum RV which imports mainly US-built fifth wheelers, decided on a different approach.
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The couple set up an extensive website with links to a substantial range of US manufacturers and their products. But it’s not just links, as the website is set up to provide a helpful guide to fifth wheelers and tow vehicles, as well as a selection process for various interiors. 
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AUSSIE ADAPTATION
The Forest River Sandpiper is a typical example of a fifth wheeler that Spectrum imports. At 41ft (12.5m) long and with an ATM of 6420kg, it’s a little longer than usual and definitely not a small RV by any means. 
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Before any imported fifth wheeler is sold in Australia, there are a number of compliance matters that have to be dealt with. Gas and electrical systems must comply with Australian regulations, as do all appliances fitted. David Thorley assured MHW had all been attended to in the Sandpiper’s case. 
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In addition, there are also a few other not so obvious items that Spectrum works on too, such as a strengthened chassis, a totally rebuilt suspension system and an ADR-compliant pin hitch. Given this fifth wheeler has a GVM more than 4.5 tonnes, then ADR-compliant air brakes are fitted as well.
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With a fifth wheeler this size, a tow vehicle is also an important consideration because the range is limited to either imported US-style pick-up trucks or commercial trucks, such as an Iveco or Isuzu cab chassis. Spectrum RV will advise buyers on this matter but it’s helpful to have a basic grasp of GVMs, GCMs, pin weights and if a LR licence might be required (see our feature on fifth wheeler RVs from page 64 of this issue).
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From the outside and when set up, the Sandpiper is an impressively large RV. With three slide-outs open, it does take up a fair bit of real estate (something to consider when travelling) but, like most fifth wheelers, it doesn’t take long to set up once it is level. 
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Being a US rig, the normal entry door is on the ‘wrong’ side, however a compliant entry door is fitted into the nearside slide-out. Structure-wise, the Sandpiper has a steel chassis, aluminium frame and fibreglass composite walls. Up top the roof structure consists of 5in trusses, 3/8in timber sheet (so it can be walked on) and an EPDM rubber roof. 
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Under the overhang and across the front is large storage area, part of which contains a gas locker for two 9kg gas cylinders, while at the rear is a fixed ladder for getting onto the roof to clean the solar panels and hatches. 
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ROOM TO GROOVE
Stepping inside the Sandpiper and opening the three slide-outs reveals a spacious interior, with three separate areas. Up front in the overhang is the main bedroom (with slide-out) and bathroom. Mid-station is the kitchen/dining/work area and at the rear is a separate lounge. 
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The cabinetwork is quite a prominent feature and the decor is very much in the US of A style of doing things – something you either like or you don’t! All the windows, of which there were quite a few, had upholstered pelmets and, except for the kitchen, day/night shade and full curtains.
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Although there were plenty of windows, they did have relatively small openings for the Aussie climate. 
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What’s different about this particular Forest River unit is that the lounge can be closed off with sliding doors from the kitchen and dining area. Two walls of the lounge are occupied by an L-shaped lounge and windows, while the third has a slide-out containing a large entertainment cabinet, cupboards and drawers, as well as a TV and a gas-fired heater. 
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Overhead lockers are fitted above the windows and there is plenty of lighting with both ceiling-mounted and under-locker incandescent light fittings. There is also a large ceiling fan, which looks a tad odd to Australian eyes.
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Keeping the lounge separate from the kitchen/dining area does result in a substantive area for the latter, especially as there is a wall-length slide-out. It contains a four-person dining table and, unusually, a work desk. Windows all round provide a nice even natural light. 
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That leaves most of the nearside wall for the catering department, which consists of a relatively small kitchen bench area containing a full Magic Chef stove, with microwave above and stainless steel sink. 
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Given the size of the fifth wheeler, the kitchen bench area is small, but it is surrounded by a large two-door fridge/freezer, plus general cupboard and drawer space.
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The tall hanging cupboards also have some shelves, which make excellent use of otherwise unusable air space. Against the bathroom wall there is even more cupboard space, so there is no shortage of storage area – the only problem might lie in overloading!
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Going up a few steps and into the bedroom/bathroom area reveals a glass fronted shower cubicle to the left, a separate toilet to the right and a vanity cabinet, complete with wash basin and cupboards, outside the loo.
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Occupying most of space is a 6ft 7in x 6ft 7in (2m x 2m) king sized bed, the head of which is in the nearside slide-out. Much of the front wall of the bedroom is occupied by a large two-door mirrored wardrobe, plus smaller cupboards on either side – the right-hand one containing a slide-out for use with a TV.
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It might seem slightly odd, but the right-hand end of the wardrobe has been plumbed and wired for a washing machine – about the only thing missing from this fifth wheeler. Just in case there isn’t enough storage in the bedroom area, a chest of drawers underneath the offside windows rounds things off. 
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In the heating and cooling department two air-conditioners are fitted: one in the bedroom and one in the kitchen/dining area. A Duo Therm heater keeps things warm when required.
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Like many US RVs, almost all the light fittings (and there are plenty of those) are incandescents. It’s an odd quirk generally and even odder when you consider that this fifth wheeler is built for self-contained living. There aren’t many caravan parks where it will fit easily for 240V connection.
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SUMMING UP
Ordering a $130K fifth wheeler on the Internet is a different way of getting into the recreational scene. We don’t think it’s disrespectful to suggest that if venturing down this path, a reasonable understanding of RVs and, more particularly, the somewhat-new-to-Australia fifth wheeler scene would be useful. 
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The Forest River Sandpiper is a typical US-built fifth wheeler, albeit quite a large one for this country. But, as noted above, all the essential compliance matters appear to have been taken care of and the other weak point of some US fifth wheelers, the chassis and suspension system, has been attended to as well. 
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There’s no doubt that the Sandpiper is a very spacious rig and one that offers quite a variety of travelling comforts. 
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I liked

Dining area slide-out that incorporated both dining table and work desk — good for people who have work to do while travelling
Excellent amount of general storage space, the only danger being the temptation to overload
Separate lounge in the rear, which means that those who like to retire early won’t be disturbed by late-night TV watchers
That the suspension has been rebuilt to suit Australian road conditions
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Now I’m being picky
·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; In the 21st century, more energy efficient lighting
·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Larger openings for the windows — OK for cooler climes but not so good if you like keeping air-conditioner use to a minimum
·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Larger kitchen benchtop area
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Spectrum RVs, 16 Joanne Court, Currumbin Valley, Qld 4223, 1300 789 604, email: contact@spectrumrv.com.au; web: www.spectrumrv.com.au
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Spectrum RVs Sandpiper 

External length 41ft (12.5m)

External width 8ft (2.43m)

Interior height 8ft 5in (2.6m) (minimum)

Nameplate ATM 6420kg

Nameplate Tare weight 5130kg

Pin weight 975kg

Frame Aluminium

Chassis Steel

Suspension Leaf spring

Cooktop Magic Chef, grill and oven

Fridge Dometic Americana RM2852

Microwave LG

Shower Separate cubicle

Toilet Thetford

Lighting 12V

Gas supply 2 x 9kg

Fresh water tank 385L

Grey water tank 150L

Black water tank 190L

Price $135,000

Spectrum RVs Sandpiper

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