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Nah ... caravan parks what kids love. They'll make new "friends" everywhere you stop. Just buy a caravan you like and go with it. Life is to be enjoyed! Just pick one that doens't have any current evidence of leakage.Quote:
Originally Posted by Brendan Halloran
It wil probably be the first of many either way. Caravan don't really drop in value either (unless you buy new'ish).
seeya,
Sahne L.
Not only do the kids love camping - I love it too. I much prefer waking up and sticking my head out the door and seeing nature all around me. I grew up in a family where we went camping many times a year - in tents, camper trailers and caravans.Quote:
Originally Posted by DoubleChevron
Still weighing up the pros and cons of different caravans at the moment - I'll keep you updated as to how we go.
If you read other posts in here you'll know not all vans leak from new, [tonguewink]
mines nearly thirty and no signs of leaks anywhere,,
In fact vans of that age still being used fall into the "Family Pet' catergory,
We are this vans 3rd set of custodians, (just like old LR's [smilebigeye]) all repairs are documented and receipts kept, timber is kept polished and bearings serviced.
Once you buy your first, ( and your kids will love it,,) its a change of lifestyles..
As DC said,, just do it...[thumbsupbig]
So... we have decided to go with a bit of a different caravan compared to what we were initially thinking. We have bought a brand spankin new Avan Aspire 604, with the Adventure Pack and quite a few other options. We looked at lots of other family style caravans, with and without ensuite, and this one just seemed to have the most space, a very high build quality and all the features we require.Quote:
Originally Posted by Pedro_The_Swift
Thanks for all the feedback everyone.
Good to hear. Hope you're really happy with it.
After the Brisbane 4WD Outdoors Show we have added Blue Water campers to our wish list, mainly based on quality.
For example, any camper with a plastic second roof is off our list, as it has to be canvas.
Another no-no is campers which don't properly anchor the poles for their windows, but let them flap in the wind.
We also have a specific kitchen layout we want.
So far only two meet our wish list at an acceptable price - Blue Water and Guardian. There are others we like, but the price is too high.
Also, I was sorry to hear that Aussieswag Campers has closed, apparently because of cheap imported competition. It's a tough market out there right now.
I don't know if this will affect you as you probably have plenty of reserve towball loading.
I met a couple at Kingscliffe who had bought an Avan (ERIN?) 18 foot to tow with their Xtrail . It was very unstable. They found the towball weight was much more than advertised and much more than the Xtrail limit.
They went back to Avan who told them to take a hike and they eventually had to buy a Territory to tow it.
They were also very critical of Avan warranty, although I thought that one of the LED lights in the kitchen falling out was a matter for a bit of silastic not a warranty claim.
So have the thing weighed to make sure it is all within your limits.
Regards Philip A
Another user on here had big issues with Avan. To the point it was a legal battle.
Check their wiring and plumbing VERY thoroughly and check the sealing and finish underneath... exposed, unsealed wood will not last long.
Hi Philip,Quote:
Originally Posted by PhilipA
Thanks for the feedback. I certainly hope a Disco has enough tow ball capacity to tow a 2 tonne caravan - 350kgs should be sufficient I hope!
I have an X-trail and would never use it to tow anything more than a mid weight camper trailer, which I have in a Trak Shak, which I'll be selling soon.
Cheers,
Brendan.
Thanks for the info Tombie. Do you think I should take a professional caravan inspection person along to check it out before I take delivery? I find it hard to believe that an outfit like Avan would produce such a poor build quality. And surely it can't be that hard to get real issues rectified?Quote:
Originally Posted by Tombie
This is typical of all manufactures. Aussie do a **** job of building caravans. I'd never buy new. Buy a 2 year old 'van so you can see all the pre-existing build problems ..... and fix them yourself. My parents have a pommy built bailey for example. Everything built in the UK is really nicely done. Everything done in australia is ****house. heaps of silicon pumped all over the place ... water tanks that don't want ot work and had to be modified... the awning, the just ram big drill bits up at an angle through the built in J rail to making fitting easier.
It just seems no-one in australia gives to ****s about build quality. Maybe those old Pheonix caravans would be good (that the guy cabcar on the caravaners forum used to make). But I don't think they are made any longer.
seeya,
Shane L.