Coromal 580 Seka

[LandyAndy]

Anybody have any experience with these????
May look at this one,depending how much over $15000 the seller is willing to pay for my boat,its also listed as a trade for a boat.
Coromal seka 580 | Caravans | Gumtree Australia Rockingham Area - Rockingham | 1098529883 (http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/rockingham/caravans/coromal-seka-580/1098529883)
Andrew

[Dudela]

Andy,

I know a little, the Coromals have aluminium frames so rot is less likely an issue and are generally lighter.

The Coromal independent suspension is normally a knee type and may require leaf spring replacement when it gets older. See the link below.
http://hardingscaravans.com.au/caravan-suspensions-we-service/
Although the description gives the indication that things have been maintained.

This post has an interesting conversion. Graeme may be able to tell you what to look for on the suspension.
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/trailers-vans-campers/167864-coromal-suspension-conversion.html

In general other questions to consider,
1. Will 1 deep cycle battery be adequate for your needs.
2. Will you need Solar panels?
3. Will you need a built in toilet and/or shower? (Compulsory for my purchase)
4. Will you be converting to LED lighting? (Unless already done)
5. Are you sure you really want a pop up? Extra time on set up, not owned one but was aware of the extra time compare to full size van. Having helped others who have one.
6. Will you need and does it have an AC? (Compulsory for my purchase, main reason for moving on from tents)
7. Gas HWS? I would check if it has 240V as well. In powered sites you may end up using your own gas for HW?
8. It describes extra water tanks but does not state the number and volume.

Like buying a boat I started looking with a budget and ended up spending much more as I found out more about the various bits and pieces. I intend to keep our van for around 5 years minimum.

Cheers
Craig

[LandyAndy]

Cheers Craig
I have 2x200w panels in the shed I bought for the camper trailer,I also have 2x120amp deep cycles on the trailer I would transfer over,always intended on a inverter/solar panel controler/240V charge in unit for the CT,so would do the same,plus update lighting to LED.There is also a water tank on the camper trailer to swap over.The one Im looking at is a tandem.
I saw a smaller poptop with a ensuite conversion,which would have to happen I think.
They would need to come up with at least 5K in the swap.I dont mind a project.
Thanks
Andrew

[Dudela]

Andy,

OK, all is in hand then.

But do you (in particular the better half) really want no Air cond? I now see it states no AC.

Cheers
Craig

[Graeme]

The top of my 1990 Coromal pop-top takes only a minute to raise but does require some effort, which recently I thought was getting beyond me until my son couldn't lift it either until I released the 4th catch! Later ones most likely have a lever system that requires much less effort.

The Coromal suspension can't satisfactorily be raised other than re-instating original height if the springs are sagged because the camber changes dramatically.

[Pedro_The_Swift]

Andy, think carefully about buying a popup if you're having back problems,

[Graeme]

That Coromal doesn't have levers to raise the top, being the same as my 14'. I understand that the springs or perhaps the whole mechanisms can be replaced to re-instate the original effort to lift as the springs stretch over time.

Edit: I see that the struts have been recently replaced.

[LandyAndy]

Andy, think carefully about buying a popup if you're having back problems,

Pedro.
The main want for a pop top is the reduced towing height,and more so the airflow thru the canvas section,I would prefer that to aircon.
I saw one listed yesterday with air struts and a compressor to lift the top,that sort of conversion wouldnt be beyond me.
Thanks
Andrew

[LandyAndy]

This van wont be happening.Thanks for the info.I learnt something here re-the suspension on a Coromal.I will start another thread on suspensions,interested to learn what is under what.
Andrew

[Graeme]

Off-road Coromals have a larger and heavier duty version of the same suspension so those vans might be a better proposition.

[TerryO]

Andy your correct about pop tops being cooler then a full van, they have big areas that can be unzipped. Usually though the Mesh isn't midge proof so you have to use surface spray to stop the bugs getting in.

The trick with most any van is lots of solar with 2" stand off brackets to stop as much direct sunlight on the roof. The other trick is having a couple of Cerafamo gimble fans, they are excellent, use bugger all power and on low settings run just about silent. Best to buy them from the US via the Internet.

People will tell you Jayco's are junk and older ones do show their age but we have found our Jayco pop top is excellent.
It all comes down to how much you want to spend, for around 25k there are lots of very good buys out there, both pop top and full size van. Personally I would avoid aluminium cladding and wood frames, but that is why I bought a Jayco.

[LandyAndy]

Thats a good looking setup Terry,how does it tow on the dirt,NOT WITH THE V8,with the normal D3:p:p:p:p:p:p.

Andrew

[TerryO]

It tows fine, we used to go camping mainly with people with soft and hard floor camper trailers and we went every where they went, sure this limits you to places with reasonably wide tracks because they are 8' wide after all but it has never stopped us yet and like the D3 the van has plenty of scratches down the sides.
A few of our friends having seen our set up and where we can take it have now started to buy off road vans and sell their expensive canvas covered campers because of how much nicer a decent van is to go camping in. Sure they are not hard core and there are plenty of places you could not tow one but not that many people, especially in our age bracket, tow any camper into the truly rough stuff.

Having said that if you saw where we have towed it into you would be amazed. The only thing is you need to sometimes walk the track first because like with any trailer there are plenty of places where you can't turn around if you get stuck.

[CraigE]

Andy, you didnt end up buying one? I know an old post. We are buying a Coromal Seka 535 Pioneer SL with some substantial mods off in laws as just sold the Coromal Pioneer Camper. The suspension on these is no problem and rarely fails, easy to replace even with an alko system upgrade to newer suspension. Despite what some are saying these can be lifted easily by dropping the suspension and welding in a RHS riser, just talking to a guy that has done a 75mm lift with this method so does not change camber etc. Picking ours up soon as in laws have upgraded to a full off road Supreme with ensuite. As far as standard and dirt road caravans go Coromal seem to be the best in this price bracket anything else can be over double the price both new and second hand.
Cheers
Craig