|
Until recently we have been able to absorb higher
American production costs and shipping costs because of a very strong
Australian dollar. However the Australian dollar has recently dropped by
more than 20% (US 97 cents to about US 80 cents). This has caused our US production and shipping costs to
increase in Australian dollar terms. We will be forced to substantially
increase the prices on our 2009 model. We have limited stocks at the old
price so don't miss out. If you do, don't blame us...
The 2008 model - (see
gallery for interior and exterior photos). The 2008 model
has further refined the design and quality. The new colour schemes
matched with stainless steel appliances and now upgraded greaseable
suspension with 50% greater carrying capacity makes the 2008 model Flagstaff 23
the best yet. And most importantly unlike its competitors, at just 2200
kgs empty weight, it really can be legally towed by the small pickups
such as Navaras, BT50s, Rangers, Colorados etc. These pickups have a
maximum 3000 kgs towing capacity. Even with our Flagstaff 23s fully
loaded they still only weigh 2850 kgs. Our competitors usually weigh
more than that empty yet they still claim their 5th wheels are suitable
for them. Check the specs on the rest. If their tare weight is over 2600
kgs they are simply too heavy.
50% Greater Payload or Carrying Capacity -
Most Australian tandem axle (double axle) caravans have approximately
400 kg of carrying capacity. However once you start carrying significant
quantities of water this can easily be reduced to 300 kg or less. The
new 2008 model Flagstaff has had its payload increased by 50% to 600
kg*. Upgraded suspension has allowed the Aggregate Trailer Mass (ATM or
maximum allowable weight of the 5th Wheel loaded) to be increased from
2650 kg to 2850 kg. An extra 200 kg of gear like portable BBQs, annexes,
tools, generators, sports gear, push bikes, etc can come in very handy
on the long trips.
(* Approximate only - Please note that water, LPG,
additional dealer options etc., can reduce this figure. Loads carried
are also dependent on the capacities of the towing vehicle.)
Geaseable Suspension - The 2008 Flagstaff 23
still retains arguably the best handling suspension in its class with
load sharing, leaf spring suspension and four wheel shock absorbers. The
2008 model also has metal greaseable bushes with grease nipples. For the
really dusty conditions greaseable suspension can come in handy.
For about the same price as a similarly equipped 21-23 ft caravan you
can own a Flagstaff 23 but you will also get the about 30 – 40% more
floor space (when slide-out is out) a queen bed not a cut down double, a
fridge that is almost twice the size, probably the best
stove/griller/oven on the market, a towing length of a 16 foot caravan,
and the handling and ride of one of the best handling 5th wheels on the
market (owners regularly say, “you forget it is even there”).
Our Flagstaff 23 has proven to be one of the most sought-after low
profile fifth wheelers on the Australian market. After five years with
regular upgrades it remains in virtually the same form. This says
something for its original concept.
Right from the start we designed the Flagstaff 23 to have as many of the
features as the full size fifth wheels but in a van that you could tow
with regular sized pick-ups like the Navara, Rodeo, Ranger etc.
We wanted a walk around queen size bed not a mattress on the floor, a
full size flat floor slide-out with lots of living area, full sized
appliances and light-weight fully insulated vacu-formed fibreglass
walls. We wanted a van with much larger floor space than a caravan but
with a very short towing length making it really easy to tow.
When you’re driving down a corrugated dirt road chasing that illusive
isolated location the last thing you want is a trailer bouncing all over
the place. We maintain that no caravan will out-handle a well set up
fifth wheeler down corrugated dirt roads.
The really important new feature of the 2008 Flagstaff 23 is the
suspension. By upgrading the suspension, making them greaseable and
including metal bushes we have been able to increase the carrying
capacity by over 50%. Previously, like most tandem axle caravans, the
Flagstaff 23 had up to 400 kg carrying capacity. The upgraded suspension
allows us to increase this to over 600 kg. The other really important
point is that we can achieve that without going over the 3000 kg towing
limit of many commonly available tow vehicles, e.g. Navara, Ranger, BT50
and Rodeo. The ATM of the Flagstaff 23 is just 2850 kg with a standard
unladen weight of just 2230 kg. (Dealer options may change this like any
other towable unit.) The other good news is that they are still the same
price at around $80,000.
Caravaners would say to us that 400 kg was just not enough for long
trips especially if they frequent National parks. By the time they
carried 100 kg (100 litres) of water, full gas bottles, a couple of
dealer options they were often already over 150 kg of the available 400
kg leaving just 250kg for their bedding, clothing, galley needs, food,
sporting equipment etc., hence the upgrade in the 2008 model. The great
thing is that you do not have to upgrade the relevant tow vehicles.
Most fifth wheels will easily out handle a caravan. Just the intrinsic
nature of the coupling causes this. Our new Flagstaff 23 properly set up
will handle as well or better in these conditions than any other fifth
wheeler. Why? Unsprung weight is a killer on corrugated roads. By opting
for lighter but stronger tubular axles and standard alloy wheels we have
substantially reduced the unsprung weight. Leaf springs have long been
known to handle corrugations well, so we teamed them up with four wheel
shock absorbers and upgraded shackles. We also included all metal
greaseable bushes and load sharing.
When travelling the highways most of our Flagstaff 23 owners have the
same thing to say, “we forget it is even there". We want them now to say
the same about corrugated dirt roads.
We finish by stressing that the Forest River Flagstaff 23 despite its
huge ground clearance is not designed or warranted for off-road. Our
units are designed for bitumen roads with the occasional dirt roads. We
ask that you drive the 20 or 30 km into a national park or whatever,
unhitch, set up camp and then do your off-roading.
Why is our 2008 model 23 footer so
significant? Because it reflects the almost 5 years of feedback we have had from shows all around Australia. People
were saying that they liked our 5th wheel because it had everything that
the really big ones had but that you could tow it with a very
conventional vehicle such as a standard medium sized
pickup such as the new Navara, Rodeo, Ford
Ranger and Mazda BT50. My wife even
feels comfortable about driving it. .
Click here for further info.
Of course we are biased because we designed these new Flagstaffs the way
we would want to do the big trip. We hope once you see one you will
agree.
|
23 Footer for Navara, BT50, Ranger, Rodeo