Thread: Pondering a TVan in 2018

So if you are after a bit of comfort instead of the swag why not something like a James Baroud Clamshell tent on the roof. If the rest of the car is setup perhaps a cheaper option.

Love the T-Vans though and their versatility.

Originally Posted by DI5CO;2742779Disclaimer: I DO work at Track Trailer so a little biased[emoji23

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Right! You're in for it now.
I'm after some parts for my Track trailer. You'll be able to tell me what I need.

Mark, you've seen Kyle's setup. I'm assuming you're wanting to do "Kyle" type trips.
Anything else is either too basic or over the top. The T-Van is the perfect choice.
It even comes in "appliance white".

Originally Posted by Strop

So if you are after a bit of comfort instead of the swag why not something like a James Baroud Clamshell tent on the roof. If the rest of the car is setup perhaps a cheaper option.

Love the T-Vans though and their versatility.

Weight is the main reason for a trailer rather than a rooftop tent.

Once you stick a long range tank, Kaymar rear wheel carrier, bull bar, rock sliders, roofrack, fridge and camping gear on a D4.... you don't have GVM capacity for passengers! ( Don't ask me how I know)

So while money is always a factor - with the kids grown up and more solo time to do as I want.... a TVan or similar has a lot of attraction.

Originally Posted by Mick_Marsh

Mark, you've seen Kyle's setup. I'm assuming you're wanting to do "Kyle" type trips.
Anything else is either too basic or over the top. The T-Van is the perfect choice.
It even comes in "appliance white".

As usual Mr Marsh - you are exactly right

Mark, it sounds like you're pretty set and on the money for your needs. However, I wonder if you were too quick to write-off a small offroad caravan as an option?

I'm pretty confident mine will go anywhere a TVan will go. We looked at a lot of options before moving on from the foward-fold camper trailer and I think the right hybrid van can provide the best of both worlds between camping & comfort. Same width as the D4 and very close to same track, 2.2m height when driving and 140kg ball weight when fully loaded. That includes 190L water (two tanks), 2 gas bottles, 80L fridge, nice kitchen on runners, 2x110ah batteries, 300W solar, 4-6 weeks of food and drink and a very comfy queen bed that doesn't require any setup once arrived in camp. I don't think you'd find a quicker or easier set-up/pack-up, which is great for outback trips where there's lots of single night stops to make the long distances required when touring. The type of awning is a major factor with set-up, especially if you're planning some solo trips.

Anyway, it may sound like merely justifying what I've purchased and perhaps out of your budget but regardless at least food for thought.





Cheers,
Scott

Thanks Scott,

I am leaning strongly towards TVan - BUT the purchase wont be till earlyish next year , so trying hard to keep my mind open to ideas.... looks like a great van.

The T van is a great piece of gear, well made, functional and easy to set up.
But the big question is - how much will you be using it? I went through the same dilemma a few years back. I had to consider how much I could afford, against how much I would realistically be using it.

I bought a hard floor camper. It was basically one of those cheap Chinese ones. I bought it from a guy that hires them out, he has a "fleet" of three of them, running it as a side business to his normal job. For reliability, he gets rid of the crappy Chinese independent suspension and brakes and replaces them with locally sought Alko gear (leaf springs) which is more reliable, more robust and easy to get parts for in remote areas. He makes some other mods to make them more durable.
The one I bought was 3 years old and being retired, for the previous hirers, he had fitted a solar panel and battery system and the week before I picked it up he was worried about a stain on it, that he couldn't remove, so he put a new tent on it.
All for an exorbitant $8000 . It only takes about 10 minutes to set up, about the same time it would a Tvan if you were to extend the tent section. (I know this because I used one for a while)

In the past year, I have only used it probably 4 times. A couple of these were extended trips (more than a weekend) and a couple were just overnighters. Although I was out of action for a few months after a shoulder reconstruction.
I expect my annual usage of the camper will be 6 - 8 trips a year. For that, I couldn't justify forking out more than I did.

While it's not the be all and end all of campers, it has a comfy bed, it keeps me dry, it is easy to set up, it handles most off road work, it tows easy, the kitchen is functional and it has sufficient storage.

Have you looked at the VistaRV Crossover? It is a Tvan for grownups...

No canvas, very fast setup and will go wherever you choose to tow it.

Cheers
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