Quote:
Originally Posted by Utemad
I also looked at an off road caravan with shocks and independant suspension it was'nt a pop top style and I felt that it was way to tall to take it off road and be stable
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Utemad
I also looked at an off road caravan with shocks and independant suspension it was'nt a pop top style and I felt that it was way to tall to take it off road and be stable
We had this same discussion when I got fedup with packing the tent and all the stuff away at the end of trip.
I wanted full off road camper trailer and low towing height wife wanted solid caravan walls and no flappy canvas.
After much reviewing and discussion the result was a compromise called AVan which 7 years later are still happy with.
It has low tow height , solid walls and has a capacity for good dirt roads and has a number of floor plans to suit families not just 2 adults.
We have also got an OZtent for those excursions off road.
As far as i know, Coromal and Goldstream are the best if going for an offroad campertrailer/caravan type camper, they are a genuine offroad trailer, unlike Jayco's Outback model.
http://www.coromal.com.au/products/c...cts-detail.asp
http://www.goldstreamrv.com.au/campers.html
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/
Baz.
this is our pride and joy :D
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...007/08/371.jpg
the kitchen area slides out for more internal room
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...007/08/372.jpg
back bed is a doublebed
front bed is a queensize
and the table bed is also a double
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...007/08/373.jpg
full annexe including floor and draft curtain
bed flys
power winch raises the top (no winding):D
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...007/08/374.jpg
stick your Jayco's i say :p
Coromal all the way :D:D
Having towed a van into many parts of remote Aussie, I'd look for one that doesn't fall to bits.
Over 25,000 + kms, I suffered the following, in no particular order:
Holed (plastic) water tank.
Gas bottle bracket let go - that was interesting!
Both rear legs failed - one disappeared and the other did a superb job 'panel beating' the rear of the van.
Frame cracked behind the axle.
Footstep fell off.
All (240v type) light fittings shattered.
The canvas around the popup roof leaked.
Water got into the light fittings and dripped onto the rear bed.
Filled with dust.
Fridge dislodged.
One rear window disappeared somewhere between Marree and Oodnadatta.
While I was 'fixing' the holed watertank at Ayers Rock, I discovered the frame cracks and, noticed the (rear) nuts on the spring hangers were a few turns from leaving the van forever.
Curiously tho' I still see the occasional little York van, just like mine, tagging along behind some lucky 'vanner.
Two axles will help with stability, for many reasons, ie: if you lose a tyre at speed, a single axle van will test your driving skills;)
...like the guys have said, rent one for a while and see what you then really need.
And one other thing: weight!
cheers, GQ
A guy in our club had the u bolt nuts come loose on his Kedron offroad van. The axle crept backwards up the spring and punched the floor writing off the van. Something like that anyway.Quote:
Originally Posted by Quiggers
Happened in NT I think.
However this could happen with any leaf sprung trailer or vehicle.
Funny story....Quote:
Originally Posted by Redback
Some friends of ours purchased above van once and we went camping with them and a few others...
Anyhow, a few reds into the night and the two of them retire to the van for a "cuddle"
We're all still drinking the night away when all of a sudden we hear a "pop pop thud" :o
Spin around to see the pair of them, birthday suits on! Her looking bedazzled, Him in all of "proud glory" laying intermingled on the dirt :eek:
What had happened is they had rolled around a bit and the canvas had popped from its base and out they rolled....
I nearly died laughing!
They were embarrassed but by morning saw the funny side of it!
I'm always worried we might bend the bed bars :angel:
hasn't happened yet ;)
do some maths
caravan $12000 plus
registration & insurance
additional fuel to pull it along
caravan park site daily fees for any trip
divide by the number of days likely to have use of the caravan over the next 5 years
the resulting figure has to be more than booking in a motel hotel for 90% of any likely trip. Your wife will be lot happier in motel hotel style accomodation than any caravan.
For the remaining less than 10% of time she will swap for a canvas tent arrangement
spend the savings on upgranding the land rover experience
we did our maths well ;)
bought an older style van first around $3500:D
used and abused for 3 years
and sold it for $3000
then as a family decision we bought our new van
cost $30,000:angel:
had it just over 12months now and taking it out over 30 times so far
we have 4 kids so the cost of a motel or hire of a van in a park:eek:aint cheap