Like TAJ says, shop around and talk to lots of people, as well as online research for both overseas and local. Google is your friend, so type in the make you are interested in or want to compare for feedback.
Bear in mind that any blurb by manufacturers or owners may have some bias. See this link and click on Jurgens "more" tab for the model you are looking at;
You can also click on other model and makes of caravans you may be interested in on the same link.
Please note that there are on road, plus some made for light off road work, so don't expect a road caravan to go on rough tracks etc, be practical. Stronger construction and much heavier weights are used for off road caravans and they need a much heavier tow vehicle (and fuel bill) for the weight and terrain.
-- Edited by Duh on Wednesday 21st of November 2012 05:51:25 PM
sumo said
08:39 PM Nov 21, 2012
Who has one,which one and why that one, I'm looking at replacing my expanda and getting a Jurgens Lunagazer so would like any feed back
Landfall said
11:08 PM Nov 21, 2012
We have "Lighter GERMAN Style Van" (Geist)
Why?
Because of better fitout without the cheapest possible components being used, quality workmanship that doesn't require the warranty crew following us around.
The ability to tow with a smaller (if need be) vehicle which makes the larger tow vehicle more responsive and fuel effiecient.
The need NOT to use a Weight Distribution Hitch and have all the attending hook up dramas.
The built in ducted heating system as standard.
The double glazed windows and superior insilation, MOST suitable for Australian conditions.
Tasteful upholstery design and high quality foam.
Suspension that is "now" not from a horse and cart.
Superior roadholding and wind cheating aerodynamics.
Is that enough reasons for our choice?
We have friends with the Jurgen, suggest you look at the practicallity of the layout?
More than two people in the van and someone is sitting on the double bed,also only enough room for two people at table.
They are still a very, very nice van.
Good luck with your choice, but do have a look at other brands, i.e. Adria, Geist (pnly secondhand) Bailey, Swift.
KenM
PS:- Be ready for ll the "knockers" Dare to be different.
neilnruth said
01:14 AM Nov 22, 2012
We saw a Jurgens at a freecamp. After talking with the owner he said he was having problems with it being so low to the ground. He'd also been bogged several times on that trip.
TAJ said
01:32 AM Nov 22, 2012
old saying the best van is the one that suits YOU not some one else
neilnruth said
01:43 AM Nov 22, 2012
That is so true. And you may have to look and/or try for a while before you find it.
jimricho said
02:29 AM Nov 22, 2012
I'm not familiar with either of the brands mentioned so I'm not in a position to comment on the specifics. On a more general note, light weight does not necessarily mean less strength if it is engineered properly, something that aircraft designers know all too well.
I also believe that over-engineering is a poor substitute for good engineering.
Gerty Dancer said
03:12 AM Nov 22, 2012
A friend has an Adria which they tow with a commodore, they are happy with it.
greyghosts said
11:20 AM Nov 22, 2012
hi sumo we have had a geist since 2008 and it does and has everthing we expect from a light weight van, we have done many klms over the years and once around australia with only 2 tyre blowouts, we started with the larger 21ft then last year went to the 16.5ft. we love it. but it is what suits you and what you intend to do with it. we have had knockers over the years but you can,t knock it untill you try it. goodluck with whatever you end up with and enjoy. regards greyghosts hey landfall where are you headed
/
-- Edited by greyghosts on Thursday 22nd of November 2012 11:24:13 AM
-- Edited by greyghosts on Thursday 22nd of November 2012 11:25:47 AM
I noticed that Geist were not on the link shown above, here is one review for Geist that seems fairly balanced, Landfall may wish to give some feedback on the comments being a Geist owner;
Thanks everybody it looks like its going to be a jurgens at this stage cause they are modified to suit australian conditions and are assembelled here and they seem to have more under floor support than my expanda so thanks again all.
Duh said
07:21 AM Nov 24, 2012
Sounds good Sumo, their conditions in Africa are similar to those in Oz, except the road kill is a bit larger in most cases, so even not modified they are built for like conditions.
Good luck with your choice and happy travels in it.
Landfall said
08:50 PM Nov 25, 2012
Hi Duh,
I agree that is a fair write up on the Geist, although I haven't personally seen a Geist with an Al-Ko chassis?
The chassis are made by BPW especially for the Australian Geists. When the importer collapsed, the Geists that where in Germany ready to be exported to here were onsold to the UK and marketed as "heavy duty" vans. All sold very quickly.
We have had our Geist since 2006, have done many thousands of km's with regular trips from tasmania to Queensland each year, usually for about three months. Last year we went up via Adelaide, Bourke, etc. Have had no real issues with the van and the journalist is right when he states that they tow better than any other van.
Greyghosts hi, we are coming over the northern island again next May for five months, heading to Mapleton, Qld.
Cheers
Ken
Duh said
09:55 AM Nov 26, 2012
To be honest Ken, I have not heard of anyone who has not been happy with their Geist, as someone on here has said, go with what you (the buyer) likes and feels comfortable with after doing some research and talking to owners of the product you are interested in.
I have had both Jayco and Coromal vans and was very happy with both, but you always get those who must get a dud van and are not so lucky. I also had an Avan camper trailer for 7 years and was reasonably happy with that also, and it gave me a lot of good times, as did the others.
Like TAJ says, shop around and talk to lots of people, as well as online research for both overseas and local. Google is your friend, so type in the make you are interested in or want to compare for feedback.
Bear in mind that any blurb by manufacturers or owners may have some bias. See this link and click on Jurgens "more" tab for the model you are looking at;
http://www.caravanworld.com.au/rv-tests/rv-tests-jurgens-caravans.aspx
You can also click on other model and makes of caravans you may be interested in on the same link.
Please note that there are on road, plus some made for light off road work, so don't expect a road caravan to go on rough tracks etc, be practical. Stronger construction and much heavier weights are used for off road caravans and they need a much heavier tow vehicle (and fuel bill) for the weight and terrain.
-- Edited by Duh on Wednesday 21st of November 2012 05:51:25 PM
Who has one,which one and why that one, I'm looking at replacing my expanda and getting a Jurgens Lunagazer so would like any feed back
We have "Lighter GERMAN Style Van" (Geist)
Why?
Because of better fitout without the cheapest possible components being used, quality workmanship that doesn't require the warranty crew following us around.
The ability to tow with a smaller (if need be) vehicle which makes the larger tow vehicle more responsive and fuel effiecient.
The need NOT to use a Weight Distribution Hitch and have all the attending hook up dramas.
The built in ducted heating system as standard.
The double glazed windows and superior insilation, MOST suitable for Australian conditions.
Tasteful upholstery design and high quality foam.
Suspension that is "now" not from a horse and cart.
Superior roadholding and wind cheating aerodynamics.
Is that enough reasons for our choice?
We have friends with the Jurgen, suggest you look at the practicallity of the layout?
More than two people in the van and someone is sitting on the double bed,also only enough room for two people at table.
They are still a very, very nice van.
Good luck with your choice, but do have a look at other brands, i.e. Adria, Geist (pnly secondhand) Bailey, Swift.
KenM
PS:- Be ready for ll the "knockers" Dare to be different.
old saying the best van is the one that suits YOU not some one else
I also believe that over-engineering is a poor substitute for good engineering.
hi sumo we have had a geist since 2008 and it does and has everthing we expect from a light weight van, we have done many klms over the years and once around australia with only 2 tyre blowouts, we started with the larger 21ft then last year went to the 16.5ft. we love it. but it is what suits you and what you intend to do with it. we have had knockers over the years but you can,t knock it untill you try it. goodluck with whatever you end up with and enjoy. regards greyghosts hey landfall where are you headed
/
-- Edited by greyghosts on Thursday 22nd of November 2012 11:24:13 AM
-- Edited by greyghosts on Thursday 22nd of November 2012 11:25:47 AM
Sounds good Sumo, their conditions in Africa are similar to those in Oz, except the road kill is a bit larger in most cases, so even not modified they are built for like conditions.
Good luck with your choice and happy travels in it.
Hi Duh,
I agree that is a fair write up on the Geist, although I haven't personally seen a Geist with an Al-Ko chassis?
The chassis are made by BPW especially for the Australian Geists. When the importer collapsed, the Geists that where in Germany ready to be exported to here were onsold to the UK and marketed as "heavy duty" vans. All sold very quickly.
We have had our Geist since 2006, have done many thousands of km's with regular trips from tasmania to Queensland each year, usually for about three months. Last year we went up via Adelaide, Bourke, etc. Have had no real issues with the van and the journalist is right when he states that they tow better than any other van.
Greyghosts hi, we are coming over the northern island again next May for five months, heading to Mapleton, Qld.
Cheers
Ken
To be honest Ken, I have not heard of anyone who has not been happy with their Geist, as someone on here has said, go with what you (the buyer) likes and feels comfortable with after doing some research and talking to owners of the product you are interested in.
I have had both Jayco and Coromal vans and was very happy with both, but you always get those who must get a dud van and are not so lucky. I also had an Avan camper trailer for 7 years and was reasonably happy with that also, and it gave me a lot of good times, as did the others.