G and R, The Police are cracking down on overweight caravans and tow vehicles - ensure your rig is within plated limits. Ensure you have caravan correctly weighed prior to purchase and weight conforms to VIN Plate.

See Caravan Council Australia site www.caravancouncil.com.au/ and download free technical information regarding caravans. Send a Personal message if you require information about specific brand.

jayco are a 'good value for money' caravan - don't be put off. Most people who say 'don't buy a Jayco', have never owned one - we have had 3 and would not hesitate to have another. Yes there are a lot of complaints but as they have about 50% of the market, expect 50% of complaints

The biggest issue in any van is water ingress so a thorough look for water stains around windows, corners and where the walls join ceiling and floor.

Often the only thing that separates ordinary vans from the 'off road' types is the suspension. Real off roaders usually are not long and have a cut away rear floor to avoid getting hung up on creek crossings and wash-outs. And remember the heavier suspension and chassis mean a heavier van. You don't need an off road van for bush camping. Many of the modern vans now come with independent suspension at no extra cost.

Knowing your vehicle tow capacity and tow bar limits is important before you start to look. And don't believe the weights on the van compliance plate - its bound to be heavier than what's listed - (that's what police will be interested in if you get pulled up) - ask for a current weigh bridge ticket.

Goodluck with your search

You have probably put the cart before the horse as the Pajero has some limitations towing a sizeable van, and I would have selected the van first and then bought a tow vehicle to suit. However, if you select a van that has an ATM limit of 2500kgs or less, the Pajero will handle it admirably. The problem the Paj has is that over 2500kgs, the allowable load on the tow ball falls from 250kgs down to 180kgs and once LOADED, very few vans weighing more than 2500kgs will have a ball load of 180kgs. I had to sell our much loved Pajero when we bought our new van for this very reason. Do you really need an off road van? If you are planning things like Gibb River Rd then maybe for the clearance, but in my opinion, what is far more important is to buy a well constructed van. I have never owned a so called off road van and all of mine had the leaf spring roller rocker suspension . I have travelled over most of the outback roads at one time or another without issue. I just look at how they are built. For example, we have not long completed a lap of Oz with some friends who had just purchased a so called off road van, the make of which shall remain nameless. The first sign of corugations and they had cupboard doors raining off and leaks like you would not believe. Our van came through unscathed. As far as Jayco are concerned I have seen both good and bad. Friends of ours with a 22' Jayco regularly travel outback roads and the worst they have had is a broken spring leaf on a recent trip through to Darwin. Theirs is just a standard van not an off road model. There are an awful lot of Jayco's on tbe road, so they can't be all that bad or people wouldn't keep buying them. I have never personally owned one but I have seen them taken all over the continent and most owners seem to like them. Good luck with your search for a van and I wish you all the best with your travels. It is simply the best way to see this great country of ours.

might get more response if the post was in 'Techies Corner'