We were somewhat apprehensive about the registration process as we had heard a lot of stories about imported 5th wheelers (which all turned out to be so much hogwash!). Never believe everything the so called experts pronounce on caravan forums!
Even though Australia is supposedly one country, when it comes to things like registration it is really 6 countries, with each State jealously guarding their fiefdom (and their revenue!).
So a transfer from another State (bear in mind that all this had already been done in NSW!) is treated as a new registration and the vehicle, the 5th wheeler in this case, has to be fully inspected and measured as well as proof of ownership produced etc. I guess it keeps our bureaucrats employed.
As it turned out this all went smoothly and the service received at the VicRoads office in Shepparton was first rate.
So, with more money handed over and new (Victorian) number plates fitted it was off to Bendigo.
On the subject of money, the registration in NSW for this 5th wheeler costs over $1000pa, in Victoria it cost us $76.
28/08/14 - Shepparton Vic
Part of our agreement with the dealer in Narrabri was a subject to registration in Vic clause, so we wanted this out of the way as soon as possible and before we got back to Bendigo.
We tried to get this done in Cobram, first town over the border with a VicRoads office, but they were fully booked so they booked us in in Shepparton for the 29th.
This meant we had to camp overnight in Shepparton, my first experience of manoeuvring the 5th wheeler in a relatively confined area. All good!
We tried to get this done in Cobram, first town over the border with a VicRoads office, but they were fully booked so they booked us in in Shepparton for the 29th.
This meant we had to camp overnight in Shepparton, my first experience of manoeuvring the 5th wheeler in a relatively confined area. All good!
27/08/14 - Eumungerie/West Wyalong NSW
As it was too late leave Narrabri by the time the hitch was fitted and all the financial details finished (ouch!), we camped at the Narrabri Showground overnight and spent the next day making sure everything was in order before setting off for home.
Took some photos at Eumungerie and this one shows the distinct advantage of a Space Cab over a Dual Cab, turning circle wise.
As we were here reasonably early we decided to push on and stopped at the West Wyalong Showgrounds.
Took some photos at Eumungerie and this one shows the distinct advantage of a Space Cab over a Dual Cab, turning circle wise.
As we were here reasonably early we decided to push on and stopped at the West Wyalong Showgrounds.
25/08/14 - Narrabri NSW
Well the big day arrived, after yet another 1050km trip we are back in Narrabri to pick up the 5th wheeler.
First the Hayman Reese hitch has to be fitted to our Colorado.
Some special brackets fitted to the chassis to support the hitch....
......and some rails inside the tub, the hitch is removable.
All set to go
First the Hayman Reese hitch has to be fitted to our Colorado.
Some special brackets fitted to the chassis to support the hitch....
......and some rails inside the tub, the hitch is removable.
All set to go
21/08/14 - Some mods before pickup
Before we could return to Narrabri to pick up the 5th wheeler a brake controller had to be fitted.
I used the Tekonsha Primus IQ previously fitted to our Commodore and it was a reasonably easy install, found a nice little shelf under the steering wheel where it came to hand easily.
The next job was to fit some towing mirrors and after having used about 4 types of towing mirrors, none of which particularly appealed, it was decided that after spending this amount of money on a rig we would get a pair of Clearview mirrors. I had earlier driven another Colorado which had those fitted and was very impressed.
ARB Bendigo quoted us $110 to fit these and after watching the Clearview video I couldn't see the value in that, so decided to the do the job myself.
So, off with the original mirrors.
And about half an hour later the Colorado had a set of "dumbo ears" as my granddaughter calls them.
Wouldn't mind having a full time job fitting those at $110 a pop!
I used the Tekonsha Primus IQ previously fitted to our Commodore and it was a reasonably easy install, found a nice little shelf under the steering wheel where it came to hand easily.
The next job was to fit some towing mirrors and after having used about 4 types of towing mirrors, none of which particularly appealed, it was decided that after spending this amount of money on a rig we would get a pair of Clearview mirrors. I had earlier driven another Colorado which had those fitted and was very impressed.
ARB Bendigo quoted us $110 to fit these and after watching the Clearview video I couldn't see the value in that, so decided to the do the job myself.
So, off with the original mirrors.
And about half an hour later the Colorado had a set of "dumbo ears" as my granddaughter calls them.
Wouldn't mind having a full time job fitting those at $110 a pop!
18/08/14 - Lilydale Vic
After a quick dash down the Newell Hwy back to Bendigo and a weekend to recover, it was down to Lilydale to inspect the Colorado Space Cab, yes it is RED!
After quite a lengthy haggling session a deal was struck on the trade-in of the Hyundai Terracan, quick trip to the bank to get a bank cheque and we were off back to Bendigo, we were very impressed with the ride.
After quite a lengthy haggling session a deal was struck on the trade-in of the Hyundai Terracan, quick trip to the bank to get a bank cheque and we were off back to Bendigo, we were very impressed with the ride.
12/08/14 - Narrabri NSW
On our trip up the Newell Highway we came across a very nice looking 5th wheeler, something we had been considering for some time.
We were very impressed with how the Colorado towed the 5th wheeler. We decided that a Space Cab would give us a better turning circle, we didn't need the extra seats of the dual cab anyway.
We were able able to take it for a test drive behind a Colorado Dual Cab already set up with a Hayman Rees hitch.
So, a deal was struck on the 5th wheeler and off we went to look for a Space Cab.
As luck would have it we found one on Carsales.com.au in Lilydale, east of Melbourne.
So, off back to Bendigo with the Hyundai Terracan and our Jayco Heritage poptop.
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