Thread: Is caravan manufacturering viable?

Originally Posted by Slunnie

Do you think they're heavy because they're poorly designed, or because they're HD for offroading?

I'd vote that they are poorly designed from observation.

I would say they were perfectly designed for their purpose, which is to impress the neighbours.

Originally Posted by Slunnie

Do you think they're heavy because they're poorly designed, or because they're HD for offroading?

Bit of both, they think they're building a heavy off-road rig that's going to the cape but in reality they're going to a beachside caravan park twice a year.
And most don't need that heavy independent suspension either.

Originally Posted by loanrangie

Bit of both, they think they're building a heavy off-road rig that's going to the cape but in reality they're going to a beachside caravan park twice a year.
And most don't need that heavy independent suspension either.

Thats the interesting thing. With aspirations of the big lap one day and a few friends who have done it. One couple said they saw a lot of trailers broken on their lap, mainly suspension and drawbars - they didn't have a problem with their camper. The other friends had their suspension fail a couple of times on their tandem caravan and had to get repairs done. Without intensions of sticking to the black top, it made me wonder if these hybrids are heavy so that they do return without breaking somewhere along the way, especially if being pounded on endless corrugations.

Which also makes you ask what off-road actually is, as the Oodnadatta track is very different to the old Telegraph line.

Originally Posted by Slunnie

Thats the interesting thing. With aspirations of the big lap one day and a few friends who have done it.

My grandies did 3 laps including the Gibb river road both ways with a 1963 single axle 13'6" Baravan and a 2wd naturally aspirated diesel 4 cyl mazda ute. The ute is long gone, but the van tows nicely behind the D3. Grandad always said "don't be in a rush and you can go anywhere".

My folks have had a few New Age vans. The last one was bought second hand (3 months old) then rejected due to "major engineering defects". Dad made them build him a new van from scratch to his spec based on the one he bought second hand being not fit for purpose. Most of the new van's I've looked at have been somewhat wanting in the engineering and fitout department. I've heard the new "Made in China" Jaycos often referred to as "Jaycrap". It's a race to the bottom.

Originally Posted by Slunnie

Thats the interesting thing.

Which also makes you ask what off-road actually is, as the Oodnadatta track is very different to the old Telegraph line.

Indeed. Having towed two different camper trailers (see signature), including in Arnhem Land etc., I'll agree with BradC's grandfather - how one uses one's equipment is as important as anything.

Currently perusing the market for a purchase in about two years time and the number of hybrids and vans that are being sold having done no off-road and rarely any dirt road driving is staggering.

I guess one of the benefits of the “off road” type vans is being able to match rim and tyre size to the tow vehicle.

Not an easy option for us LR tragics, but if I was towing a van on dirt roads and into more isolated areas then having the extra ground clearance and matching wheel size to the tow vehicle would be good to have.

I have seen non off-road vans struggle to get over small humps just tackling sloping driveways.

I do like the idea of some of the low profile hybrid campers that I can get through my garage. Add air suspension and the ability to drop ride height would be a handy feature (for the low profile vans).

Looks like TrakTrailer are in trouble now. Will that make my T-Van more or less valuable.