Life on the Move: Touring Europe in a Celtic Rambler with Helen & Gary
From the Austrian Alps to the Cornish coast, this adventurous couple traded bricks and mortar for freedom on the road — and haven’t looked back since.
“We decided to ‘retire’ early,” explains Gary, “sell the house, move into a residential static, and tour full-time in our Fifth Wheel.” Since then, the pair — both in their mid-fifties — have clocked up more than 12,000 miles of adventure across the UK and Europe.
Parked beneath the snow-dusted peaks of the Austrian Alps, Gary and Helen have made their 2022 Celtic Rambler their home for the winter. It’s hard to imagine a more striking backdrop — or a more comfortable way to experience it. Inside, the underfloor heating keeps the chill at bay, and the couple unwind after a day on the slopes, perfectly at home in their bespoke Fifth Wheel.
Why a Celtic Rambler?
Their journey to choosing a Fifth Wheel came after ruling out other options. “We looked at large caravans but the payload was too low for us & there are no on-board water tanks. We then looked at motorhomes… what we didn’t like was either having to pack up to explore or towing a small car.”
They explained that motorhomes and caravans both lacked the flexibility they were after. “We knew we wanted something bespoke… we therefore dismissed both these options.”
A Fifth Wheel felt like the right balance. “It offered the advantages of a motorhome and a caravan, with very limited downsides.” They appreciated that the units were built in the UK and praised the company’s openness. “We liked the Fifth Wheel Company, a UK firm that built the Fifth Wheel’s on site, offering tours of the factory & open days, where we could speak to customers who owned a Fifth Wheel.”
They also made a point to thank the team behind the build. “We were very grateful to all the Fifth Wheel employees who answered our stupid questions, like they were hearing them for the first time, but thanks must go to Dave McQuay who was able to reassure us and answer/explain all our questions clearly.”
“It offered the advantages of a motorhome and a caravan, with very limited downsides.”
On the Road
Since purchasing their Celtic Rambler in November 2022, Gary and Helen have toured extensively across the UK and beyond.
Here’s a snapshot of their route:
Southport Campsite, Merseyside
Waleswood Campsite, South Yorkshire
Cheltenham Racecourse, Gloucester
Carnon Downs, Cornwall
Concierge Campsite, West Sussex
Tristram’s Farm, Lancashire
Edinburgh Campsite
Grubhof Campsite, Austria
Plus several Kent, Devon, and Lancashire stops
They often stay for several weeks at a time — including 84 nights in Austria and 80 nights in Edinburgh on seasonal pitches.
“Grubhof in Austria is our favourite — the campsite can’t do enough for us.”
Tow Car & Touring Setup
Their tow vehicle of choice is a 2021 Ford Ranger Wildtrak with a 2.0L Bi-Turbo engine, up-plated to 7,000kg GTW with help from The Fifth Wheel Co and SV Tech.
While Helen hasn’t yet taken a turn behind the wheel, Gary says the towing experience has been “fantastic — incredibly stable, especially compared to our old 1,000kg caravan.”
Their route planning tools include the Avtex Tourer 2 sat nav, the TOMTOM Go Truck App, and good old Google Street View to avoid tight turns or narrow roads.
Favourite Features & Touring Essentials
The couple couldn’t live without their underfloor heating — standard in all Celtic Ramblers — especially in the Alps. “It keeps the lockers above zero & prevents the fresh/waste water tanks from freezing.”
While they love their current layout, they also shared some ideas they might consider in future. “Keep the hob, swap out the cooker oven for a washing machine, as we use the air fryer & an additional skylight in the shower would have been nice.”
Their full list of touring essentials includes:
The Slide-Out
Awning Rail
EcoFlow Power Bank
Ninja Air Fryer
Media Cabinet with TV & Internet
Stressless Recliner Chairs
Air Conditioning
“The Slide-Out just provides so much more room in the Living Area.”
Finding Sites
They recommend Search4Sites and the UK Site Map/Big Rig Bible available via Platinum Pitches for finding campsites that cater to larger vehicles like their Rambler.
As for seeing other Fifth Wheels on the road? “We have seen numerous Celtic Rambler's at Rhuallt, as you would expect. We also saw a Celtic Rambler on site in Kent & Edinburgh.”
They added a note for first-timers: “Campsites are getting more used to Fifth Wheels and bigger rigs. We have found ringing ahead & explaining to the campsite my lack of reversing skills help… the campsite wardens have so far always found a suitable pitch available.”
Advice for Future Owners
For anyone considering a Fifth Wheel, their message is simple:
“Buy one— the build quality is excellent”
“For us, it offers the advantages of a Motorhome & a Caravan, with very limited downsides.”
They also praised the practicality of UK-standard features like the cassette toilet and generous onboard water tanks, especially when winter touring.
And their final tip?
“Ring ahead when booking campsites. Some sites don’t know what to expect with a Fifth Wheel, but every warden we’ve spoken to has been helpful. I just explain I might need a bit of reversing space!”
“Campsites are starting to understand Fifth Wheels — a quick phone call goes a long way.”
Follow in Their Tyre Tracks
Gary and Helen’s story is a brilliant example of what’s possible with the right setup and a bit of confidence. If you’re dreaming of a similar lifestyle — whether part-time or full-time — get in touch or come and visit us at HQ. Your touring adventure starts here.