This is a genuine request for owners of Grandcruisers caravans or people who have spoken to owners of Grandcruisers as they are relatively new on the scene. My husband and I are very close to purchasing one to begin our travels next year. We are novices,and would appreciate hearing from anyone who has pulled one, positive and negatives. We do not want to hear from dealers.
Cruising Granny said
01:52 PM Jul 25, 2011
Hi and welcome to the Nomads. What was your reason for this choice of van? What size is it, and how heavy? What are you towing it with? How much towing have you done before? To answer your original question, I don't have a Grandcruiser 21. The dimensions of my van at the bottom of my post. Maybe hire one for a weekend, and take for a test run. It has to be the same size with the same tow vehicle (tug).
ozjohn said
04:28 PM Jul 25, 2011
I did look at them at a couple of shows, but I don't have one, and I don't know anybody who has. So on that basis, No Comment. Cheers, OJ
blaze said
05:57 PM Jul 25, 2011
seems a little negitive OJ, maybe thats a fair warning to be aware and very careful when checking and researching these vans cheers blaze
justcruisin01 said
08:03 PM Jul 25, 2011
I have only seen a couple on the road, did have a breif look at one some time back dont know any details on them . I think they were being built at Port Macquarie at the time but dont hold me to that.
The Wauchope caravan/camping show is on the 5/6/7 sept, be interesting to see if they are there.
Ma said
08:32 PM Jul 25, 2011
We had a look at almost every brand caravan that was to be had before we bought ours and I can honestly say that we NEVER came across this one.
ozjohn said
08:49 PM Jul 25, 2011
justcruisin01 wrote:
I have only seen a couple on the road, did have a breif look at one some time back dont know any details on them . I think they were being built at Port Macquarie at the time but dont hold me to that.
The Wauchope caravan/camping show is on the 5/6/7 sept, be interesting to see if they are there.
Just Crusin01, I won't hold you to it old son.
The 'Grandcruiser' caravans are actually made in China. There a a few things I think they have done really well and given time and the full dedication of the company principals in Newcastle they may very well eventually set a example for others that choose to go down the same route. 'Exclusive Caravans' in Brisbane are also being made in China to an excellent standard as dictated by the company owner who was once associated with Boroma Caravans. As with all new products and designs time will be the final judge.
The best known of the Chinese vans would be the fibre glass front windup 'Eco Tourer' that have been around for a decade. While being quite heavy for their size and the fridge installation being poor, they have proven to be able to handle the Australian conditions.
The above are personal opinions and may not reflect the views of others or the Forum management. Cheers, Ozjohn.
-- Edited by ozjohn on Monday 25th of July 2011 08:52:15 PM
-- Edited by ozjohn on Monday 25th of July 2011 09:27:09 PM
-- Edited by ozjohn on Tuesday 26th of July 2011 07:42:57 PM
milo said
12:36 AM Jul 26, 2011
I quite like the look of the Eco Tourer .. videos on the site
I have only seen a couple on the road, did have a breif look at one some time back dont know any details on them . I think they were being built at Port Macquarie at the time but dont hold me to that.
The Wauchope caravan/camping show is on the 5/6/7 sept, be interesting to see if they are there.
Just Crusin01, I won't hold you to it old son.
The 'Grandcruiser' caravans are actually made in China. There a a few things I think they have done really well and given time and the full dedication of the company principals in Newcastle they may very well eventually set a example for others that choose to go down the same route. 'Exclusive Caravans' in Brisbane are also being made in China to an excellent standard as dictated by the company owner who was once associated with Boroma Caravans. As with all new products and designs time will be the final judge.
The best known of the Chinese vans would be the fibre glass front windup 'Eco Tourer' that have been around for a decade. While being quite heavy for their size and the fridge installation being poor, they have proven to be able to handle the Australian conditions.
The above are personal opinions and may not reflect the views of others or the Forum management. Cheers, Ozjohn.
-- Edited by ozjohn on Monday 25th of July 2011 08:52:15 PM
-- Edited by ozjohn on Monday 25th of July 2011 09:27:09 PM
Thanks Ozjohn, Maybe it was somthing of a similar name . I saw it at a Grafton caravan centre & they said it came from a Port company.
Mate , stranger things have happened & not all at sea. Good to see you had the info. Cheers.
Cruising Granny said
11:05 PM Jul 26, 2011
When will we know when everything is as it seems? Australian caravans built in China. What next? Honesty in labelling has to apply to everything.
milo said
12:22 AM Jul 27, 2011
everything else is made in china these days
Galahs said
07:20 AM Jul 27, 2011
I have a mate of mine who bought one of the Grandcruiser 21 vans from Port Macquarie same time I bought my La Vista Van, 18 months ago. He loves his Grandcruiser, and says that it tows better than his previous 18' poptop. He did have a small problem or two that needed sorting out, but he is generally very happy with it. They are away at the moment down in Wentworth at the Fergy Tractor muster, so I can't get him to reply directly to you. If you need to talk to him, please reply back to me with your details and I will see what I can do for you.
Jetlady said
07:44 AM Jul 27, 2011
Thanks for your reply. Please forward details onto your friend, would gladly hear from him. Ask him to text preferably 0415 4355 (husbands) and he will call back when possible as he is still working.
Jetlady said
07:46 AM Jul 27, 2011
Sorry incomplete phone no. 0415 435555
Ma said
08:14 AM Jul 27, 2011
Not a good idea to put your phone numbers on an open forum jetlady. Might I respectuflly suggest that you use the private message facility which you can find if you click on your name and go down to "new message" on the bottom left of the page. If you have any troubles just put a reply here and someone will help you.
ozjohn said
04:00 PM Jul 27, 2011
Or Click on recipients name (i.e. Galah) and then click on 'Send Message'.
Cheers, OJ
Jagman said
07:53 AM Nov 15, 2011
Hi, first time on this site. Can you let me know how you got on with the Grandcruiser please? I too am looking at buying one. I really like the style of them and don't really care if they are made in China or not, just that they are built well and do the job that they are supposed to do.
This is a genuine request for owners of Grandcruisers caravans or people who have spoken to owners of Grandcruisers as they are relatively new on the scene. My husband and I are very close to purchasing one to begin our travels next year. We are novices,and would appreciate hearing from anyone who has pulled one, positive and negatives. We do not want to hear from dealers.
What was your reason for this choice of van? What size is it, and how heavy? What are you towing it with?
How much towing have you done before?
To answer your original question, I don't have a Grandcruiser 21.
The dimensions of my van at the bottom of my post.
Maybe hire one for a weekend, and take for a test run. It has to be the same size with the same tow vehicle (tug).
I did look at them at a couple of shows, but I don't have one, and I don't know anybody who has.
So on that basis, No Comment.
Cheers, OJ
cheers
blaze
I have only seen a couple on the road, did have a breif look at one some time back dont know any details on them . I think they were being built at Port Macquarie at the time but dont hold me to that.
The Wauchope caravan/camping show is on the 5/6/7 sept, be interesting to see if they are there.
We had a look at almost every brand caravan that was to be had before we bought ours and I can honestly say that we NEVER came across this one.
Just Crusin01, I won't hold you to it old son.
The 'Grandcruiser' caravans are actually made in China.
There a a few things I think they have done really well and given time and the full dedication of the company principals in Newcastle they may very well eventually set a example for others that choose to go down the same route.
'Exclusive Caravans' in Brisbane are also being made in China to an excellent standard as dictated by the company owner who was once associated with Boroma Caravans.
As with all new products and designs time will be the final judge.
The best known of the Chinese vans would be the fibre glass front windup 'Eco Tourer' that have been around for a decade. While being quite heavy for their size and the fridge installation being poor, they have proven to be able to handle the Australian conditions.
The above are personal opinions and may not reflect the views of others or the Forum management.
Cheers, Ozjohn.
-- Edited by ozjohn on Monday 25th of July 2011 08:52:15 PM
-- Edited by ozjohn on Monday 25th of July 2011 09:27:09 PM
-- Edited by ozjohn on Tuesday 26th of July 2011 07:42:57 PM
I quite like the look of the Eco Tourer .. videos on the site
http://www.ecotourer.com/
Thanks Ozjohn, Maybe it was somthing of a similar name . I saw it at a Grafton caravan centre & they said it came from a Port company.
Mate , stranger things have happened & not all at sea. Good to see you had the info. Cheers.
Australian caravans built in China. What next?
Honesty in labelling has to apply to everything.
I have a mate of mine who bought one of the Grandcruiser 21 vans from Port Macquarie same time I bought my La Vista Van, 18 months ago. He loves his Grandcruiser, and says that it tows better than his previous 18' poptop. He did have a small problem or two that needed sorting out, but he is generally very happy with it. They are away at the moment down in Wentworth at the Fergy Tractor muster, so I can't get him to reply directly to you. If you need to talk to him, please reply back to me with your details and I will see what I can do for you.
Thanks for your reply. Please forward details onto your friend, would gladly hear from him. Ask him to text preferably 0415 4355 (husbands) and he will call back when possible as he is still working.
Sorry incomplete phone no. 0415 435555
Not a good idea to put your phone numbers on an open forum jetlady. Might I respectuflly suggest that you use the private message facility which you can find if you click on your name and go down to "new message" on the bottom left of the page. If you have any troubles just put a reply here and someone will help you.
Or Click on recipients name (i.e. Galah) and then click on 'Send Message'.
Cheers, OJ
Hi, first time on this site. Can you let me know how you got on with the Grandcruiser please? I too am looking at buying one. I really like the style of them and don't really care if they are made in China or not, just that they are built well and do the job that they are supposed to do.
Cheers,
Dave
second hand ones here
http://www.caravancampingsales.com.au/used/grandcruiser/caravans/
Jetlady, I am about to pick one up in Brisbane next week. I'll let you know how it goes if you haven't bought one already.