Dreaming time

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Originally Posted by DoubleChevron

You will NEVER break one of those "alutech" system alko chassis 'vans. .................................................. ................
seeya,
Shane L.

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Shane, looks like that not only Chops and I believe that the Alko chassis is not up to the task in Australia, Bailey also appears to have that suspicious because they have developed an Australian version with a duragal RHS chassis similar to the other Australian brands of caravan and further more they went to leaf spring suspension.
I agree with you that the body is very strong and watertight and better that in many of the Australian made vans.

Here is a video where it shows the chassis in the Australian model

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fyvj8CTlgIE"]Rangefinder Prototype Testing at AARC[/ame]

Already had a look at these previously and I reckon the new Bailey, so called, off road van could do the job Arthur, they have improved ground clearance over their usual vans. Unfortunately still have Billy Kart suspension and still not a lot of it, but enough if your not going off road.

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Originally Posted by Chucaro

Shane, looks like that not only Chops and I believe that the Alko chassis is not up to the task in Australia, Bailey also appears to have that suspicious because they have developed an Australian version with a duragal RHS chassis similar to the other Australian brands of caravan and further more they went to leaf spring suspension.
I agree with you that the body is very strong and watertight and better that in many of the Australian made vans.

Here is a video where it shows the chassis in the Australian model

Rangefinder Prototype Testing at AARC

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It's cheaper ... they moved the axle back and made the interior layout like an aussie van too. there tyring to make it look like a traditional aussie 'van. So less expensive local chassis, standard aussie furniture (looks like it's flat pack out of china rather than the pommy style furniture).

Remember, that ALKO rubber suspension is used on a lot of the heavy duty offroad camper trailers.... It's sure to be more than suffice (though I wouldn't say superior by any means).

seeya,
Shane L.

Damn,, they're pretty cool. I've watched them all :D
I do love the large front lounge, which is one of the things that drew us to them in the first place.
I didn't realise they were now made here in Aus, and seem to have been for some time now. Me thinks we might reconsider our end goal ;), once the harder stuff is done and dusted.

If you look at the ZONE van construction video clip there ain't a lot if difference in the way they build vans to Bailey

Though the ZONE vans are truly off road capable unlike the Bailey, having said that for the price difference one would reasonably expect that.

There is another top brand of Aussie built vans that don't weigh a lot and are very much quality built, Future Systems is the brand, made in Victoria and just about all fibreglass.

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Originally Posted by TerryO

If you look at the ZONE van construction video clip there ain't a lot if difference in the way they build vans to Bailey

Though the ZONE vans are truly off road capable unlike the Bailey, having said that for the price difference one would reasonably expect that.

There is another top brand of Aussie built vans that don't weigh a lot and are very much quality built, Future Systems is the brand, made in Victoria and just about all fibreglass.

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The only problem with the Zone vans is that they cost more than $120000, double of the UK vans.
The chassis alone cost $25000

Price is a bit exxy, but having said that, not bad at all.

It amazes me just how many van makers there are in Aus. I'm sure I haven't heard of half of them, a bit like the camper trailers.
We went to the camper trailer show in Melb a couple of months back, and I was gob-smacked at how many different brands there were there, and we didn't even get to check them all out :o

Stats I saw here earlier this year for UK van sales and merchandise quality was commenting on how much better the construction methods were. Only 20% of new vans were now being returned to the dealer for water leak problems in first 12 months of ownership.