Dreaming time

While a Airstream is a real nice thing another alternative when looking for big vans and in this case one that doesn't weigh more than a bus and cost more than a Greek Island is the Grandcruiser.

This particular 28 footer is a bit old, but it's still a nice van and this brand of van has about the best sound and heat insulation of just about any van on the market. The new ones are a good thing and unlike most other vans hail isn't a worry for them as they are mostly fibreglass.


2006 Grandcruiser Extreme Caravans in Victoria - caravancampingsales.com.au

Here are some better pics of a much newer 24 footer. Note the payload of 800 kg which is nearly double what most van manufacturers allow. This mob who are located in Newcastle custom make vans to thier customers designs as well.

http://www.caravancampingsales.com.a...=0&pss=Premium

I was looking at the prices of used Airstream in USA and have the shock knowing that the the 762 model here range from $130000 to $140000
I just wonder how much will costs to shipping and old 25 footer which can be get from less that U$A 350000 ?

Airstream Classifieds

Hi Arthur,

the transport costs are not high, but the vans are all wrong to get registered easily here, doors on wrong sides, wrong electrical connections and a number of potential issues.

I know several people who import vans, campers and fifth wheelers from the US. Up until recently quite a number of the US imported fifth wheelers that were sold here were dodgy. The importers got them passed for registration without roll out awnings as with a awning fitted often they were to wide. Then after registering them they fitted awnings.

Its not impossible to do but can be lots of work, especially moving doors and fixing closed existing doors so they can't open etc. Plus then making the furniture fit back in or making new furniture etc.

Hi Terry, thanks for your inputs.
It is a shame because I like them so much, they are very bright inside and I like the construction of them not to mention the shape that it is not a box on wheels.

My second option is going to be a retro like the alum framed Viscount, the ones with wrap around windows.
The are heaps lighter so the Rangie will be more that enough to tow a 18 to 20 footer

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Chucaro

Hi Terry, thanks for your inputs.
It is a shame because I like them so much, they are very bright inside and I like the construction of them not to mention the shape that it is not a box on wheels.

My second option is going to be a retro like the alum framed Viscount, the ones with wrap around windows.
The are heaps lighter so the Rangie will be more that enough to tow a 18 to 20 footer

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Pommy 'vans are light .... my brother just imported this one ... $28K delivered complianced to his doorstep.

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1Q...hyZElwQmN4M3Nn

It arrived exactly as described.

seeya,
Shane L.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DoubleChevron

Pommy 'vans are light .... my brother just imported this one ... $28K delivered complianced to his doorstep.

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1Q...hyZElwQmN4M3Nn

It arrived exactly as described.

seeya,
Shane L.

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They are very nice inside but I am not sure if the Alko chassis will be strong enough for the Australian (not off road) conditions.
Also they are very low and I will be worry about the departure angle in some driveways.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DoubleChevron

Pommy 'vans are light .... my brother just imported this one ... $28K delivered complianced to his doorstep.

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1Q...hyZElwQmN4M3Nn

It arrived exactly as described.

seeya,
Shane L.

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Shane, he got a good deal. They sell these here, but double+ that price. There's quite a few nice European units here now that look spectacular, but as Arthur said, I'd be worried about the strength and height on some of them.
We looked at a couple late last year, early this year and opted to wait for a while on a Caravan, and bought the Camper instead.

In this video it is possible to see the construction of the Alko chassis.
Hymer, the German company use them as well

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtWkYKsJTmQ"]NEC Spring 2013 - FEATURE Caravan chassis with Alko[/ame]

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Chops

Shane, he got a good deal. They sell these here, but double+ that price. There's quite a few nice European units here now that look spectacular, but as Arthur said, I'd be worried about the strength and height on some of them.
We looked at a couple late last year, early this year and opted to wait for a while on a Caravan, and bought the Camper instead.

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You will NEVER break one of those "alutech" system alko chassis 'vans. Take 4 solid sandwich panel walls.... Bolt and lock the suckers together (think a garden shed all screwed together and how flimsy they are until bolted together...). Way, way, way, way tougher than an aussie 'van (ie: a big heavy chassis with frail box sitting on top).

My parents recently bought a baileys.

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yzx56FmZSGY[/ame]

The interior fitting lock into the walls when it's assembled so can't fall apart too.

[ame]https://youtu.be/Fyvj8CTlgIE[/ame]

Bailey australia has just started building htem here. They showed my father photos of the one that took down and hammered the **** out of around a car testing ground. Absolutely hammered the crap out of it. They showed him the picture of the interior. The stove and fridge fell out, some of the locally sourced furniture came apart etc... they went back and screwed down everything that moved and tried again .... then hammered them across australia. No australia manufacturer destruction tests there caravans like this.

I'd ONLY buy a pommy van bolted together like this if I was in the market for a new van :)

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_x8bDuOVO0[/ame]

Why don't htey build aussie 'vans like this :(

seeya,
Shane L.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DoubleChevron

.......................... then hammered them across australia. No australia manufacturer destruction tests there caravans like this.

I'd ONLY buy a pommy van bolted together like this if I was in the market for a new van :)
.................................................. .................


Why don't htey build aussie 'vans like this :(

seeya,
Shane L.

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Is this what you are referring to ?

Bailey Australia West2East Episode 1

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFj58fOlV7k"]Bailey Australia West2East Episode 2[/ame]