Oh - what to tow!

[gavinwibrow]

Having sold my old Greyhound coach RV some years ago (getting too old to change a full sized truck wheel, and she never liked it anyway), we are in the throes of deciding on a caravan for the big circle trip.
Apart from the obvious semi off road/AT and separate wc & shower from SWAMBO, and Positive Air Pressure Unit and antisway from me, I'd appreciate any comments from the gurus here generally and on the following specifically. Prefer about 20 footer, queen size island bed and good cooking facilities as I didn't just marry her for her good looks, and as light weight as practical (under 3K loaded?), along with minimised wind resistance. Not keen on poptops, but could be talked into a suitable single axle. All to be pulled by a lightly chipped TD5.
Happy/necessary? to receive PMs on some of the stronger responses, especially re 2 & 3 below!!
1 - Independent suspension - supposed to minimise side to side swaying on rough roads etc?
2 - Why are bush trackers so expensive/hold their price so well? Any other makers in a similar situation/position?
3 - What are good names in caravans (especially structurally speaking)? I'd love to talk to a caravan repairer/refurbisher.
4 - Minimum realistic extra weight carrying capacity? I would think 600 kg by the time you add portable generator/fuel, solar system, bicycle/s, extra water, annexe, tools, separate overnight camping away gear, and heaven forbid an inflateable/small outboard (electric even). I'm very mindful of insurance/overloading and most vans only cater for an additional 400kg.
5 - Any comments on the Jurgens type vans? (Haven't seen too many that claim to be off road in any sense).

Let the games begin!!!!!!!!!!!
Cheers Gavin

[weeds]

new or second hand? and budget?

my next tailer will either be a cross over at least so that I can still get off the beaten track a bit.

a mate of mine has a single axle bush tracker........

I have read a few good things about evernew........they custom build to your needs

goingbush on here has trackmaster.....although pretty sure its a poptop

its a mine field out there............good luck with your search

[Pedro_The_Swift]

Mrs Pedro and I have been discussing this very thing,,
heres our list of must have's

The table must have windows on all three sides(so must be at an end)
The gas stove must have controls at the front.
The stove must not be next to a wall on either side.
Single beds due to better utilization of space.
Combined shower/toilet.

Gavin my old Golf is twenty years old and does not sway, even when provoked:angel:, consequently I am a big fan of fully independant suspension.
I think full indy is like air suspension,
until you try it you'll never know,,:D

[pop058]

I would have thought 20 ft on a single axle is a bit of a stretch ?

[StephenF10]

I would have thought 20 ft on a single axle is a bit of a stretch ?

It is. Single-axle vans normally top out at 17-18 ft. Think about all that weight on only one pair of springs, wheels, tyres and bearings.

Stephen.

[cjc_td5]

Be wary of the Jurgens vans. They use an unusual brake system. My sister's is off the road as the distributor can't/won't get any parts in for them. Left them stranded on a holiday when the brakes collapsed and couldn't get any parts.

[Rok_Dr]

Hi Gavin

X2 stephenf10's comment. Anything of the size you are contemplating will have to be tandem.

You should find a nice layout that will work for you both in the 20-22ft range.

It's about time we caught up for a beer and I can show you over the Windsor I tow. It's a 19.5 ft tandem and I have a pretty god handle on the weight of what I carry inc gen set solar panels etc. Also if I recall correctly can be fitted with a shower toilet instead of the double bunks that mine has.

I'd also suggest the 2 of you visit a few yards and get a feel for layouts and get an idea of features vs budget.

Cheers

Steve

[gavinwibrow]

Thanks Guys.

Part of the reason I started this thread is that I'm just about researched out as far as looking goes, now need to talk to the gurus. I've been on the net for months, checked many yards, used to live in Baravans as a "slightly younger" exploration/survey worker in the WA bush 45 plus years ago and have a few mates/aquaintances with various styles.

I agree a single axle will realistically max out at about 18 foot, but did see one that size that was interesting.

Preferred budget about $50K/ few years old as don't like paying depreciation.

Pedro, we also have a pre-requities/preferences list, but its a lot longer than yours GRIN! And she only travels 5 star.
Oh the trials and tribulations.

Steve will take you up on that, but will have to bring SWAMBO.

[Pedro_The_Swift]

not-quite-a Rant ahead!!:D


most newish, "somewhere around 20'" vans are cut from the same cloth,,
island beds at one end and the "bathroom" at the other.
every.single.one.

important areas? well yes, but just how long can you spend in a bathroom? and dont get me started on island beds!:p
what you need in a van is walk-around space, bench space, and lots of windows to look out of when its raining.
You also need to think about where you want people to enter your van(or just peek into the open door),, do you want them to enter next to your bed? next to the bathroom? or the lounge area?
again with the "same cloth" thing the manufacturers do it next to your bed or the bathroom,, no alternatives are offered.
Everything in life is a compromise,,:angel:
in a van everything below 25-30 feet is a matter of deciding what aspects of the van are most important to you both.

and then you have to find one;)


Ps, If none of the above bothers you, Lucky You!:D

[LandyAndy]

Hey Gavin,once she sorts her 5 star stuff out,sort yours,D4;);););););););););););)
Andrew

[extreme]

If I had the money ,I would get the Matrix off road caravan from Aust Off Road Campers

[TerryO]

If you have a limited budget then that tightens things up a bit but there are still lots of good vans to choose from, if your basically planning on going where 99% of other Caravanners go on their big loop plus add in some reasonable outback dirt roads then the best value for money is a Jayco. Lots of dealers and workshops around the country which makes them easy to fix if something's broke. Plus you get a fairly new one for bugger all, so you get bells and whistles that many older more fancied name vans don't have. The Sterling Outbacks come standard with a 475 kg carrying capacity and its not uncommon to see them come from the factory with a 525 kg capacity, our van did. Its on the build plate and easy to check.

A couple of friends of mine have 21' Jayco Sterling Outbacks, one with a slide out east west bed and front kitchen and the other with the normal front island bed and rear toilet, one has Simplicity Suspension, one billy cart. Both so plenty of dirt roads and both have been around Australia several times and neither has had major issues.

Having fibreglass roof and sides you won't get hail damage which is surprisingly quite common with tin clad vans and full aluminium frame means no wood frame rot which is also quite common and expensive to fix.

We have a Jayco 18' outback pop top tandem axle van with lots of extra water capacity, lots of solar and battery's and lots of refrigeration and a combined toilet/shower which makes for a great extended bush camper, its a great small van but wouldn't want to travel round Australia in it. Most people I have spoken to over the years who have done the loop reckon 21' is a good compromise size.

Jayco by far aren't the best van out there, but I reckon they are the best value for money.

There are lots of good vans out there of various makes and models and right now its really a buyers market so good luck with your choice.

[Pedro_The_Swift]

Let the games begin!!!!!!!!!!!
Cheers Gavin

How are we going Gav?
its been 2 weeks already,,
any big decisions(purchases:eek:) made
yet?:angel::D