Both manufacturers are on the Lemon List www.facebook.com/groups/lemoncaravansinaus/
So ensure you get independent inspection.

Lancelot,
Ruth enquired about two specific brands, I advised her that there has been a lot of problems with both and where to find more specific details: Lemon Caravans in Aus. group is a victim support group for owners of lemon caravans. It is a place where owners of lemon caravans are free to tell their stories as long as they are truthful and can be backed up with evidence. Unfortunately manufacturers and dealers delete any negative posts about their products in their "support" groups - so any prospective buyer doesn't have the opportunity to get all the pertinent facts prior to committing hard earned dollars. If a customer is aware of "what problems are commonplace" about any particular product then they are better prepared to determine the particular risks. It is not a "Hate Site", that is propaganda from listed manufacturers and dealers.

One of the best resources for prospective buyers is the Caravan Council of Australia. www.caravancouncil.com.au/ who are also attempting to clean out the industry.


With respect I would never suggest/recommend a brand without knowing more about the requirement criteria and budget.

Ruth, is there any reason for limiting yourself to those two brands? Other things you may care to add are things like second hand or new van, ensuite or non ensuite van will assist with suggestions.

Regarding Possum's link, all manufacturers produce lemons amongst their output. You will often find it is the local agents that put the block on warranty work, if you get any resistance go straight over their head and contact the manufacturer.

Ruth

I am a first time solo female traveller.
I bought a 2002 Avan Aliner from a local in Wangaratta as I had read that the earlier models were better built.

Fortunately my dear old Dad was able to make some modifications for me - he fitted a small winch at the front so I can lift the roof sections by myself. A job that any mechanically minded person can do.
I can send a photo by private messaging if you are interested.

I had a Wangaratta motor trimmer/canvas maker make a lighter version of the awning.
And I also got them to replace the rope edge on the old canvas awning with Kedar strip - much, much easier for one person to set up.

Dad Added a ratchet operated jockey wheel on opposite side of existing jockey wheel.
He also move the table further to One side to give me more room and a tailored storage area underneath.

I do have a porta potti stored inside the Aliner cupboard, in case I'm camping and toilet access is an issue.
I just bought a clever portable shower that I can use with a portable cubicle if needed.
There is a chap in Tasmania that makes and sells a canvas base that I put the cubicle inside to collect the water and it has an outlet in the base to drain the water away.

Dad has now designed a metal rod that fits across the top of the Aliner window that holds the two sides in place, and it's sail track provides placement for a shade blind that covers the window and the vents for the fridge to help the running of the fridge. I'm planning to sell them on eBay soon for him.

As you can see there are many modifications you can make so it meets your particular needs.

I love my Avan Aliner because it folds down to below the line of my canopy on my ute so it's easier to see behind me when towing.

Enjoy the freedom and some challenges that come with being a solo female travellers experience - that male solo travellers just don't understand.

Cheers
Pamela

Hi Ruth, I'm a solo lady and also have an A-liner. I prefer that to the A-liner Sportsliner as I'm tall and the latter seemed a bit cramped although would be lighter to tow. I have a Subaru so am limited by tow-weight. I bought it a year ago second hand to be used for my retirement and its been the best thing I ever did.
Mine needs some foam strips replaced to make it easier to push up but it hasn't killed me yet and I'm getting that fixed soon. I've seen ones set up with winches (for older people) and also a home-made gadget, (a rod which notches into the frame so you can push it up from outside).

One thing the others haven't mentioned is that there is the Avan Club which has membership and a very good website full of info. Also, the one here in WA is an excellent social club and has many solos who are made very welcome. Membership is $30 per year and its good value. They arrange regular 4-5 day trips to various places which are reasonably close to Perth. (which is where most live).

I realised the need for some kind of toilet facilities on a recent 6 weeks trip and am intending to get a cabinetmaker to modify one of the cupboards just inside the door for a portaloo.
There's not much cupboard space but as I go on each trip I get better organised and don't get as bogged down with clutter. People in the club have shared their ideas with me and I've been able to add a few simple changes to make life easier.

I love the travelling lifestyle, love my avan and always look forward to the next trip. Good luck with your choice.

NH (Diane)

newhorizons wrote:

---

SNIP
Re. the portapotty. Is it light enough to lift out of the cupboard? Mine only opens at the top. I was thinking of getting a cabinetmaker to move the fire extinguisher elsewhere, cut out that cupboard wall just inside the door and put some kind of tray that slides out into the doorway at night. That way you could remove the cassette and fill the water from the outside without too much trouble. SNIP
Diane

---

 

You can store the smaller Thetford model (model 345?) under the seat to the left of the door so it slides out when required. Also we do not fill the unit with water but use a 1 litre squirt bottle full of water plus a squirt of eucalyptus for flushing as the built in flush system leaves a lot to be desired IMHO. This makes the unit very light and easy to handle.

A popup ensuite takes seconds to erect if required and pack away easy.  We spent 3 months using just this system when doing the lap with no real problems.

 

Good Luck.

Diane - It's the low model Thetford. Some people find them a bit low to the ground and usually sit them on something to raise them. By not filling the top tank the unit is 15KG lighter! We found we could position the pop-up ensuite between the van and the tow vehicle (still connected) and the tie to van and vehicle to hold steady in the wind. You can also anchor the base as well. In this position it makes it more private and very close to the Avan door plus the physical bulk of the van and vehicle cuts down the wind.
If you buy one make sure you practice how to fold it up as some people cannot get the knack (easy really). There are other ensuite styles but they generally require a lot more setting up whereas the pop-up one takes seconds (possibly 1 second) and generally you do not need to tie it down. There is a 1200mm wide one available and might be better than the original one which was a bit smaller.

Good Luck

newhorizons wrote:

---

@ Pamela
Re. the portapotty. Is it light enough to lift out of the cupboard? Mine only opens at the top. I was thinking of getting a cabinetmaker to move the fire extinguisher elsewhere, cut out that cupboard wall just inside the door and put some kind of tray that slides out into the doorway at night. That way you could remove the cassette and fill the water from the outside without too much trouble. I think it would be doable if I buy one that sits low and have the sliding tray set very low. (on bearings maybe)
Also I was wondering if you could post a photo of your dad's new product and of your light awning. I don't even take my awning and annexe as its lots of extra weight and I don't believe I could put it up on my own. (although some people do....mostly men)
Have you thought about advertising the product on the avan site? Also, each state has their own newsletters and I'm sure if it was something useful a-vanners would want it. (trouble is ....some might just copy the idea for themselves.)
I'm doing a 3 month trip to Queensland in 2017 and need to get this loo thing sorted out.
Thanks.
Diane

---

 Diane

i have never had to use my porta potty yet. It is stored underneath the bed with its chemicals as I haven't started free camping yet.

I will take your advice about the promotion of his invention when I can get some photos taken. He has got one packed and ready to go ASAP.

My light awning was made by North East Motor Trimming at Wangaratta. Both of the men there will know about it. It is so much lighter than the original canvas one. Kedar strips make it easier now - release slightly the two top sections first,  insert over the plastic section at top point first, Velcro section and short side first from top to bottom then feed down the longer side from the top. Then tie down the sides closest to Aliner. Then do the three poles. I Don't use the sides of annexe so far.

cheers

Pamela

Hi Pamela,

I'm a man with an A-liner and I do put up the awning alone (and use the walls for camps of a few days or more). The roof springs and I have seen better days and it's no longer a breeze to raise the awning-ed roof.

Thanks for the info about Kedar strips. I wonder if your men in Wang could offer an awning such as yours (and your dad his shade blind setup), as an "off the shelf" product.

With Wang being some three and half hours away such an product might be more attractive than trying to educate local trimmers.

Whilst many Avanners make modifications (and share the plans), I'd venture to say that most do not.

Perhaps I don't get out as much as I ought, but I've not yet heard complaints about the fundamentals of Avan Camper construction.

Lerch wrote:

---

Hi Pamela,

I'm a man with an A-liner and I do put up the awning alone (and use the walls for camps of a few days or more). The roof springs and I have seen better days and it's no longer a breeze to raise the awning-ed roof.

Thanks for the info about Kedar strips. I wonder if your men in Wang could offer an awning such as yours (and your dad his shade blind setup), as an "off the shelf" product.

With Wang being some three and half hours away such an product might be more attractive than trying to educate local trimmers.

Whilst many Avanners make modifications (and share the plans), I'd venture to say that most do not.

Perhaps I don't get out as much as I ought, but I've not yet heard complaints about the fundamentals of Avan Camper construction.

---

 Hi

i absolutely love my Avan Aliner. The only modifications that Dad has made are to make it easier for a solo traveller.

I wanted to keep it so i could use it with Blazeaid camps so Dad helped me out to achieve this.

You can call the guys at the motor Trimmers to ask about the awning - I did suggest that they save the template in case they had to make another. They told me about using kedar strips to replace the rope edging in the canvas awning.

i couldn't find anyone to make a light weight awning for me so Dad asked a local business for me.

i am happy to arrange with Dad for the sale of the metal strip for fridge/window shade for you. Just send me a private message and I will follow up on this.

i will try and take photos of the roof lifting winch too and I'll send them by a private message, too.

Cheers

Pamela

 

Possum 3,

Just some info for you to digest. In 2015 Jayco held 50% of the RV market in Australia. They manufactured almost 12,000 rv's. Their nearest competitor held 10% which would equate roughly to 2400 and the remaining 40% ( 10,000 RV's) were divided between the remaining 130+ rv builders in Australia. Statistically if all caravans were made to equal quality Jayco customers are between 5 and 175 times more likely to encounter any problem. Remember that much of the caravan build process involves appliances and parts which are sourced by most RV manufacturers and so a faulty batch of ovens can affect Jayco more than others. Now its obvious that I have an interest and confess I sell Jayco Caravans (new and old) and believe me, there are many worse built, unbalanced, poorly designed vans out there than a Jayco. For a lone lady traveller Jayco offer more support coverage with over 130 service agents and dealers who will all be only to happy to help you when travelling and parts are more readily available than all other caravan builds. If buying new I have only ever heard very positive comments about the level of support by Jayco. If you mistreat your van and try to make a warranty claim then expect to be disappointed. (unfortunately, many complaints in forums are derived from such circumstances). Let me ask how many complainants have ever written in a forum that the product they have just purchased did everything they expected it to?

My questions for you Ruth would be what car are you planning to use to tow your rv? What type of camp site will you prefer (Caravan Park or bush)? What budget have you set for the purchase?

The smallest new Jayco is a 13.42-1 pop top caravan which might offer you and your belonging slightly more security and ease of pitching over the Aliners or Jayco camper trailers, have more insulative qualities and offer ease of access to pack and unpack your belongings and also give easy access to your onboard fridge during travel. They come with single or double bed options roll out awning and air con for around $29K

 

OH, and before anyone comments I bought my New Age Manta Ray before commencing work at Jayco. My colleague at Jayco also has a New Age also but had his van replaced when they couldn't put it right. The replacement has no insulation to the front of the van and so water is collecting due to condensation which shorts out his reading lights. I only know 3 New age owners personally and so that's not great statistics either.

-- Edited by Muddy on Monday 16th of January 2017 12:37:39 PM

-- Edited by Muddy on Monday 16th of January 2017 12:41:32 PM