Thread: Oh - what to tow!

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.