Windsor Genesis caravans - any feedback?

Only going on what I've seen in person talking to owners of all sorts of vans both family, friends and in caravan parks, etc as a bit of a carvan nut these days - I love looking at all of them. Early Windsors are still going strong, I have seen horrendous water damage in newer ones. Take 'newer' with a grain of salt from me as I'm into classic caravans and my current van is a 1971 model. My last van I towed around 30,000 trouble free KM was a 1976 Franklin Arrow - which has just been towed to Townsville by the new owner.

Caravan manufacturers went away from using aluminium some years ago to cut cost (they claim that timber flexes better, etc but again, having seen 40 year old ali framed vans been towned 10's of thousands of km I don't buy this). Sealing techniques were also under the spotlight on cost cutting and if you saw how some mobs seal thier vans, you'd be astounded. There are manufacuturers that screw their vans together, then run a small bead of sealant along the edge of the seam - this will fail in a matter of months, water pours in and some fairly catastrophic timber rot happens - of course usually takes longer than the van is within warranty so all good there for the manufacturer.

Although it sounds counter intuitive, be wary of vans that have been undercover all their life - ask the owners if they are happy for a leak test to be done and get the hose out - you'll need at least half an hour to do this - a quick spray doesn't cut it, you want to soak every joint on the thing, then wait a bit, then go poking through every cupboard and accessible spot to check for water ingress.

Like a lot of things in life, you often get what you pay for. Cheaper vans like Jayco and Windsor, etc aren't as well built as others, and that's fine if you kniw what you want. Take the expanda concept like you're looking at. Go check out a Jayco and the Windsor, then go look at a Paramount version - how they seal when packed away and how they direct water off the expanded beds is very different, but you'll pay more for an equivilant Paramount, but they don't seem to leak either. Have you looked at the Duet? Nice bit of kit and very well made.

As you've said, have it checked proffesionally, do lots of research on the model and year you are looking at and don't be afraid to walk away from a deal - there as soooo many second hand vans on the market, you don't need to jump at the first one.

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Originally Posted by Homestar

Only going on what I've seen in person talking to owners of all sorts of vans both family, friends and in caravan parks, etc as a bit of a carvan nut these days - I love looking at all of them. Early Windsors are still going strong, I have seen horrendous water damage in newer ones. Take 'newer' with a grain of salt from me as I'm into classic caravans and my current van is a 1971 model. My last van I towed around 30,000 trouble free KM was a 1976 Franklin Arrow - which has just been towed to Townsville by the new owner.

Caravan manufacturers went away from using aluminium some years ago to cut cost (they claim that timber flexes better, etc but again, having seen 40 year old ali framed vans been towned 10's of thousands of km I don't buy this). Sealing techniques were also under the spotlight on cost cutting and if you saw how some mobs seal thier vans, you'd be astounded. There are manufacuturers that screw their vans together, then run a small bead of sealant along the edge of the seam - this will fail in a matter of months, water pours in and some fairly catastrophic timber rot happens - of course usually takes longer than the van is within warranty so all good there for the manufacturer.

Although it sounds counter intuitive, be wary of vans that have been undercover all their life - ask the owners if they are happy for a leak test to be done and get the hose out - you'll need at least half an hour to do this - a quick spray doesn't cut it, you want to soak every joint on the thing, then wait a bit, then go poking through every cupboard and accessible spot to check for water ingress.

Like a lot of things in life, you often get what you pay for. Cheaper vans like Jayco and Windsor, etc aren't as well built as others, and that's fine if you kniw what you want. Take the expanda concept like you're looking at. Go check out a Jayco and the Windsor, then go look at a Paramount version - how they seal when packed away and how they direct water off the expanded beds is very different, but you'll pay more for an equivilant Paramount, but they don't seem to leak either. Have you looked at the Duet? Nice bit of kit and very well made.

As you've said, have it checked proffesionally, do lots of research on the model and year you are looking at and don't be afraid to walk away from a deal - there as soooo many second hand vans on the market, you don't need to jump at the first one.

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Thanks very much for all you thoughts Homestar - I really appreciate it. Is the leaking you speak of particularly bad in "expander" and/or pop top style caravans or just across the board for caravan brands like Windsor in the last 10 years? The caravan I'm interested in is not a pop top or expander style, so I presume therefore there would be less leaking issues? Specifically the Windsor Genesis 611 2008.

Accross the board leaking. Some of the worst I've seen have been full size, non expanding, non poptop styles. Check carefully.

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Originally Posted by Pedro_The_Swift

Like this Brendan?
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...2018/03/34.jpg

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Brendan

Back in the early 2000s I had a 17.5 foot 80s coromal van with this exact same layout. The 3 bunks were across the rear of the van and each had a small hutch for toys etc. We had 2 kids and a collie and it was a perfect layout for family holidays and travelling. We did some long trips with it as well including crossing the nullabour one year.

Advantages of of the layout were may. With the children at the back we put a curtain across the bunks at night so we could still read and do things. On a wet day there was plenty of room inside and we could seat other famlies for meals/drinks as well. The rule for the kids were you could bring as many toys as you liked provided they fitted in the hutch. Also had a small porta potty for nights.

Maintaince wise I seem to recall getting it resealed. But no other major issues, despite being from the era when Coromal went overly light in their construction. Ultimately sold it when we split up.

Atm I have a 2006 Windsor Genesis 19.6 ft pop top with fold up bunks in the front and a double bed in the rear. When I bought i and the kids still did family holidays but now it’s me +/- a friend and the dog. It’s a really solid van and built when Windsor were still in Melbourne just before the Coromal takeover. I’ve had no problems with it and only water leak was when I got ham fisted and Jammed the water hose into the filler too hard and pushed the inlet hose inside the van off the fitting. Immediately noticed as daughter was in the van with the cupboard open! Overall really happy with it but debating whether to sell or not and get a smaller off road van for 2.

With respect to construction the wood vs aluminium frame debate is a bit like Holden vs Ford. Both have the pros and cons and provided the van is well looked after are equally durable. As homestar says be diligent in your inspection and if necessary get an expert to look it over.

i also had some friends who did a lap of Australia in a Genisis family van circa 2010 age, in 2016. Spent 9 months on the road with 2 toddlers and throughly enjoyed it. Bought the van for the trip and sold it at the end at no loss. They reported no issues with the van at all.

Welcome to send me a pm with a phone number if you want to chat further.

Cheers

Steve

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Originally Posted by Rok_Dr

Brendan

Back in the early 2000s I had a 17.5 foot 80s coromal van with this exact same layout. The 3 bunks were across the rear of the van and each had a small hutch for toys etc. We had 2 kids and a collie and it was a perfect layout for family holidays and travelling. We did some long trips with it as well including crossing the nullabour one year.

Advantages of of the layout were may. With the children at the back we put a curtain across the bunks at night so we could still read and do things. On a wet day there was plenty of room inside and we could seat other famlies for meals/drinks as well. The rule for the kids were you could bring as many toys as you liked provided they fitted in the hutch. Also had a small porta potty for nights.

Maintaince wise I seem to recall getting it resealed. But no other major issues, despite being from the era when Coromal went overly light in their construction. Ultimately sold it when we split up.

Atm I have a 2006 Windsor Genesis 19.6 ft pop top with fold up bunks in the front and a double bed in the rear. When I bought i and the kids still did family holidays but now it’s me +/- a friend and the dog. It’s a really solid van and built when Windsor were still in Melbourne just before the Coromal takeover. I’ve had no problems with it and only water leak was when I got ham fisted and Jammed the water hose into the filler too hard and pushed the inlet hose inside the van off the fitting. Immediately noticed as daughter was in the van with the cupboard open! Overall really happy with it but debating whether to sell or not and get a smaller off road van for 2.

With respect to construction the wood vs aluminium frame debate is a bit like Holden vs Ford. Both have the pros and cons and provided the van is well looked after are equally durable. As homestar says be diligent in your inspection and if necessary get an expert to look it over.

i also had some friends who did a lap of Australia in a Genisis family van circa 2010 age, in 2016. Spent 9 months on the road with 2 toddlers and throughly enjoyed it. Bought the van for the trip and sold it at the end at no loss. They reported no issues with the van at all.

Welcome to send me a pm with a phone number if you want to chat further.

Cheers

Steve

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Hi Steve. Thanks very much for telling me about your personal experience with this type of caravan. The one I'm looking at tomorrow is 21 foot and has a second table where the bed goes up. On the face of it, it looks like a really good set up, so I'll have to wait and see what it's like in the flesh. I might take you up on the offer of a call too. Cheers, Brendan.

Good luck with the viewing Brendon. 21 ft will be a veritable palace!

Cheers

Steve

We had a 14' Windsor Rapid when they first came out. Good van which was ideal for us two with our 2 G/kids along on many trips. Only problem we had was the ceiling boards shrinking a bit leaving gaps but this was fixed under warranty.
Bit hard for the dealer to say "You've abused it" as they now do for any warranty claim. We know as we've had them taken to task by consumer affairs and small claims court.
Look at the different forums all you like but avoid the "luvvy " ones who won't hear a word said about their make of van regardless of faults or dealer attitude. Bit like certain vehicle owners actually....
Check out Lemon Caravans & RV's in Australia for some real shocking tales of maker/dealer problems, problems which are now before the Australian Consumer Council or whatever they're called so it's not just internet bitching with no substance.
Be very surprised at the rotten workmanship shown on some real top end vans and be very wary of what you buy.
Good luck.
AlanH.

PS. Check this out: https://cdn.tspace.gov.au/uploads/si...RVs-in-Aus.pdf

Can you cook inside for 5? if so then all that seating with two table will be great at meal times,,,
If you are going to eat out every meal then its all wasted...
5 people will require a really good fridge.
5 people makes a fridge your second most important purchase.

I like the layout for 3 kids,,,
and after all,, its just the first van,,
caravaners dont stop at one[biggrin]

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Originally Posted by ATH

We had a 14' Windsor Rapid when they first came out. Good van which was ideal for us two with our 2 G/kids along on many trips. Only problem we had was the ceiling boards shrinking a bit leaving gaps but this was fixed under warranty.
Bit hard for the dealer to say "You've abused it" as they now do for any warranty claim. We know as we've had them taken to task by consumer affairs and small claims court.
Look at the different forums all you like but avoid the "luvvy " ones who won't hear a word said about their make of van regardless of faults or dealer attitude. Bit like certain vehicle owners actually....
Check out Lemon Caravans & RV's in Australia for some real shocking tales of maker/dealer problems, problems which are now before the Australian Consumer Council or whatever they're called so it's not just internet bitching with no substance.
Be very surprised at the rotten workmanship shown on some real top end vans and be very wary of what you buy.
Good luck.
AlanH.

PS. Check this out: https://cdn.tspace.gov.au/uploads/si...RVs-in-Aus.pdf

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Thanks for the info Alan.

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Originally Posted by Pedro_The_Swift

Can you cook inside for 5? if so then all that seating with two table will be great at meal times,,,
If you are going to eat out every meal then its all wasted...
5 people will require a really good fridge.
5 people makes a fridge your second most important purchase.

I like the layout for 3 kids,,,
and after all,, its just the first van,,
caravaners dont stop at one[biggrin]

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Hi Pedro. Yes, we do cook most of the time. It's a 150ltr fridge and seems large enough for us based on previous experience with 2 x 38ltr Waeco fridges in the camper trailer. The layout is great, and after seeing the van today, I'm really happy with it. Now for the negotiations...