OK we have been talking about going from motorhome to caravan.
If you had $70000.00 to spend on a new caravan what would you buy?
Some moderate off road use. No caravan parks all dry camping. Tow vehicle new Dmax.
bgt said
12:24 PM May 5, 2021
Sorry I was interrupted. It must have quality over quantity.
Possum3 said
01:10 PM May 5, 2021
BGT,there is only three caravans that build quality over price; Kedron, Trackmaster and Evernew - All of which are going to cost well above your $70K - You would need to look at 10 - 12 year old second hand models.
bgt said
01:15 PM May 5, 2021
Thanks Possum3. I've been looking at used Keddrons. All I can say is "crap".
I also worry about weight on a Dmax.
My brother recently purchased a caravan by Design! He recons it ok for "some" off road use. We're not in a hurry. But our camper has increased "used" by more than it cost us. So my brain is in over drive!
yobarr said
01:25 PM May 5, 2021
bgt wrote:
OK we have been talking about going from motorhome to caravan. If you had $70000.00 to spend on a new caravan what would you buy? Some moderate off road use. No caravan parks all dry camping. Tow vehicle new Dmax.
Hi Bruce If safety is of ANY concern,it would be wise to choose a van that has an ATM no more than about 3100kg,maximum.Car has good wheelbase,and a rear axle that is rated at 1910kg,so you can legally get a good load on that,but forget trying to tow 3500kg.DMax is a good car. Happy to explain details etc if you wish.Cheers
bgt said
01:50 PM May 5, 2021
Thanks yobarr. If we swap to a caravan it certainly won't be a monster one. The smaller the better. Within reason. Well under a DMax limit. Our problem is that we know the motorhome industry well and the models they make. Apart from Kedron we know half of bugger all about caravans. I've towed speedway cars for year and had the car, on the trailer pass me!!! Once bitten!!!!!
TheHeaths said
03:44 PM May 5, 2021
We dont have one, but certainly Evernew have a very good name, and you could get a very good late model used one for your budget.
Nevd said
04:35 PM May 5, 2021
Possum, you'd better add Sunland to your list. But for $70,000 it would be a second hand one.
Possum3 said
04:47 PM May 5, 2021
6.5 m Evernew E900 was my choice but Trackmaster and Kedron are up there - there are no other vans made in Australia that can come near to their quality and workmanship - many people have their particular favorites but there are very few Australian Manufacturers that put out a consistent quality product with back up service - A second hand van does have the advantage that all faults would be evident if not fixed. The real decider is to inspect wiring and plumbing using quality componentry - even toilet suites should be top of the range.
littledick said
04:55 PM May 5, 2021
bgt wrote:
Thanks Possum3. I've been looking at used Keddrons. All I can say is "crap". I also worry about weight on a Dmax. My brother recently purchased a caravan by Design! He recons it ok for "some" off road use. We're not in a hurry. But our camper has increased "used" by more than it cost us. So my brain is in over drive!
I had 6 caravans in 10 years, kept getting bigger with more additions.
Current van a 23ft Vacationer Escape. My previous van was a 22ft Concept Ascot. The best of the lot with not one problem in the 3 years we had it. Only traded
in as I was over the Café seating and wanted bench seating. I certainly would get another Concept, good quality build, but the vacationer will see me out, plus, the boss would kill me!!
Gravy73 said
05:04 PM May 5, 2021
Have a look at the used Kingdom Caravan Market, Ok they are no longer in business however build quality is excellent and the floor plans are very practical. Only issue that I would criticise is that piano hinges were not fitted. Great Faceache page with many happy owners.
bgt said
05:14 PM May 5, 2021
Thanks everyone. I pulled the $70000.00 out of the air as a starting point. But then looked at new prices. Gulp.
As I said we have always had motorhomes with a toad. No caravan experience at all. We like to dry camp and have only been in 3 campgrounds in almost 18 months.
I could crawl under a motorhome and know what I'm looking at. But a caravan? No idea. 20ft sounds as big as we want to go.
Bobdown said
05:40 PM May 5, 2021
bgt wrote:
Thanks everyone. I pulled the $70000.00 out of the air as a starting point. But then looked at new prices. Gulp. As I said we have always had motorhomes with a toad. No caravan experience at all. We like to dry camp and have only been in 3 campgrounds in almost 18 months. I could crawl under a motorhome and know what I'm looking at. But a caravan? No idea. 20ft sounds as big as we want to go.
Hey bgt,
i like Retreat Caravans, seem to be well made but a bit over $70. have a look at Show us your Rig : the Bald and the Beautiful...........that's mine but 21 ft.
I had one for 4 years and was quite impressed and brought a new one in 2017, tare is 2510 kg and ATM is 3200 kg.
I also like Traveller Vans, but a few dollars also.
Good Luck.
Cheers Bob
montie said
05:49 PM May 5, 2021
bgt wrote:
Thanks everyone. I pulled the $70000.00 out of the air as a starting point. But then looked at new prices. Gulp. As I said we have always had motorhomes with a toad. No caravan experience at all. We like to dry camp and have only been in 3 campgrounds in almost 18 months. I could crawl under a motorhome and know what I'm looking at. But a caravan? No idea. 20ft sounds as big as we want to go.
Millard have a range of semi off road vans in $60/70k range
bgt said
06:06 PM May 5, 2021
Bobdown I looked at your rig. That looks about where we are aiming. Thanks.
Wanda said
09:34 AM May 6, 2021
Have a look at secondhand Trakmasters, you can't go wrong, especially if you jag one with airbag suspension.
They make a very very good van
Evernew are another excellent van, you rarely, if ever, hear any negatives with either of these two brands
I think your budget is a bit short for new offraoder types.
Ian
RichardK said
11:24 AM May 6, 2021
Also have a look at the AOR Quantum which would suit your tug, 9ATM 2.5t tare approx 1.8t, they are well built and will go anywhere your tug will go, designed for any conditions and backup service is second to none.
A group of 5 (4 Quantums and one Matrix, ours, traveled the Gunbarrel two years ago and apart from punctures, one damaged rim and a fractured hydraulic brake line (ours) there were no problems the whole trip, we went on at ****lebiddy for a further 6 months trip along the east coast.
I am sure that there will be a few Quantums in Caravan and Camping sales listings on the net.
Cheers
RichardK
Wanda said
12:49 PM May 6, 2021
Past one of those Quantums parked along the Savannagh Way about 5yrs ago, suspension had failed big time. Could not speak to the owners as they had left it there I gather to organise a flat top tow.
cheers
Ian
Possum3 said
12:54 PM May 6, 2021
The AOR's look good but we have met a few owners with severe chassis problems.
bgt said
01:01 PM May 6, 2021
Thanks folks. The Brisbane RV show in a few weeks. We can up our budget ok. But being a tight a@$$ it rubs me the wrong way parting with money! We want to squeaze the size as much as we dare. Tug is our priority then a van to match it. Would love another RAM but the financial controller sez no. Bless her socks!!
dogbox said
01:08 PM May 6, 2021
waiting time from ordering is the big issue. was looking to buy new tug 24 week wait for alloy canopy to be made, caravans are even longer
-- Edited by dogbox on Thursday 6th of May 2021 01:09:48 PM
bgt said
02:01 PM May 6, 2021
We had some work done our camper last week. They told me their waiting list is now end of 2022 !! Horizon.
Hylife said
09:24 PM May 6, 2021
Agree with Bobdown, check out Retreat. https://www.retreatcaravans.com.au/
Past one of those Quantums parked along the Savannagh Way about 5yrs ago, suspension had failed big time. Could not speak to the owners as they had left it there I gather to organise a flat top tow. cheers Ian
Yes if I recall correctly was a failed camber bolt, possibly not serviced (greased at certain intervals) or faulty.
Cheers
RichardK
RichardK said
11:14 AM May 7, 2021
Possum3 wrote:
The AOR's look good but we have met a few owners with severe chassis problems.
Certainly there has never been mention of failed chassis on the AOR forum and they do not censor posts, in fact had there been a problem the MD who is an active participant on the forum would have notified owners and arranged upgrades, he is very protective of providing a quality product.
Seeing as you have met the owners do you have any details of the chassis problems incurred?
Cheers
RichardK
Possum3 said
05:20 PM May 7, 2021
RichardK wrote:
Seeing as you have met the owners do you have any details of the chassis problems incurred?
Both had chassis cracked at welds, don't know owner details or if members of any forum - 2016 travelling towards Darwin from NSW.
Wanda said
09:09 AM May 8, 2021
RichardK wrote:
Wanda wrote:
Past one of those Quantums parked along the Savannagh Way about 5yrs ago, suspension had failed big time. Could not speak to the owners as they had left it there I gather to organise a flat top tow. cheers Ian
Yes if I recall correctly was a failed camber bolt, possibly not serviced (greased at certain intervals) or faulty.
Cheers
Richardfly
To be honest I can't really recall exactly what the problem was, we did stick our heads under it but my memory fails me! Just know it was a suspension issue, I "thought" something major had given way. Will check with brother inlaw who was travelling with us later?
Possum3 said
10:36 AM May 8, 2021
RichardK wrote:
Wanda wrote:
Past one of those Quantums parked along the Savannagh Way about 5yrs ago, suspension had failed big time. Could not speak to the owners as they had left it there I gather to organise a flat top tow. cheers Ian
Yes if I recall correctly was a failed camber bolt, possibly not serviced (greased at certain intervals) or faulty.
Cheers
RichardK
Richard are you also Richard Fly? Are you an AOR Dealer or working for AOR? How/Why do you know about an alleged owner causation of a fault?
Maybe I'm just suspicious?
Possum3 said
10:38 AM May 8, 2021
Duplicated- Richard are you also Richard Fly? Are you an AOR Dealer or working for AOR? How/Why do you know about an alleged owner causation of a fault?
Maybe I'm just suspicious?
-- Edited by Possum3 on Saturday 8th of May 2021 10:39:00 AM
Hi Bruce If safety is of ANY concern,it would be wise to choose a van that has an ATM no more than about 3100kg,maximum.Car has good wheelbase,and a rear axle that is rated at 1910kg,so you can legally get a good load on that,but forget trying to tow 3500kg.DMax is a good car. Happy to explain details etc if you wish.Cheers
6.5 m Evernew E900 was my choice but Trackmaster and Kedron are up there - there are no other vans made in Australia that can come near to their quality and workmanship - many people have their particular favorites but there are very few Australian Manufacturers that put out a consistent quality product with back up service - A second hand van does have the advantage that all faults would be evident if not fixed. The real decider is to inspect wiring and plumbing using quality componentry - even toilet suites should be top of the range.
I had 6 caravans in 10 years, kept getting bigger with more additions.
Current van a 23ft Vacationer Escape. My previous van was a 22ft Concept Ascot. The best of the lot with not one problem in the 3 years we had it. Only traded
in as I was over the Café seating and wanted bench seating. I certainly would get another Concept, good quality build, but the vacationer will see me out, plus, the boss would kill me!!
Hey bgt,
i like Retreat Caravans, seem to be well made but a bit over $70. have a look at Show us your Rig : the Bald and the Beautiful...........that's mine but 21 ft.
I had one for 4 years and was quite impressed and brought a new one in 2017, tare is 2510 kg and ATM is 3200 kg.
I also like Traveller Vans, but a few dollars also.
Good Luck.
Cheers Bob
Millard have a range of semi off road vans in $60/70k range
They make a very very good van
Evernew are another excellent van, you rarely, if ever, hear any negatives with either of these two brands
I think your budget is a bit short for new offraoder types.
Ian
A group of 5 (4 Quantums and one Matrix, ours, traveled the Gunbarrel two years ago and apart from punctures, one damaged rim and a fractured hydraulic brake line (ours) there were no problems the whole trip, we went on at ****lebiddy for a further 6 months trip along the east coast.
I am sure that there will be a few Quantums in Caravan and Camping sales listings on the net.
Cheers
RichardK
cheers
Ian
-- Edited by dogbox on Thursday 6th of May 2021 01:09:48 PM
Agree with Bobdown, check out Retreat.
https://www.retreatcaravans.com.au/
Snowy River... again....
Snowy River
Yes if I recall correctly was a failed camber bolt, possibly not serviced (greased at certain intervals) or faulty.
Cheers
RichardK
Certainly there has never been mention of failed chassis on the AOR forum and they do not censor posts, in fact had there been a problem the MD who is an active participant on the forum would have notified owners and arranged upgrades, he is very protective of providing a quality product.
Seeing as you have met the owners do you have any details of the chassis problems incurred?
Cheers
RichardK
Both had chassis cracked at welds, don't know owner details or if members of any forum - 2016 travelling towards Darwin from NSW.
To be honest I can't really recall exactly what the problem was, we did stick our heads under it but my memory fails me! Just know it was a suspension issue, I "thought" something major had given way. Will check with brother inlaw who was travelling with us later?
Richard are you also Richard Fly? Are you an AOR Dealer or working for AOR? How/Why do you know about an alleged owner causation of a fault?
Maybe I'm just suspicious?
Duplicated- Richard are you also Richard Fly? Are you an AOR Dealer or working for AOR? How/Why do you know about an alleged owner causation of a fault?
Maybe I'm just suspicious?
-- Edited by Possum3 on Saturday 8th of May 2021 10:39:00 AM