After much research, we decided on a hybrid, off road van - an Emu Explorer, and we love it. We are travelling around the country and only two months into the trip. At the start, we were towing with a Nissan Patrol but it died on the Gibb River Road - the caravan handled it fine. As we were stuck in Derby, we had to buy another vehicle unseen! It is a Volkswagen Amorok and so far, so good. What we love about the Emu is the comfortable bed, having an ensuite and plenty of storage. We also love having the outside kitchen as it still feels like camping. It is so easy to hitch up and set up, five minutes and it's ready to live in. We had a few teething problems as we bought new but the manager in Perth sorted them out quickly. We have not yet had an opportunity to use the annexe so that will be interesting to set up when we stay somewhere long term. As we sold up before we left WA, the Emu is now our home!
After much research, we decided on a hybrid, off road van - an Emu Expedition, and we love it. We are travelling around the country and only two months into the trip. At the start, we were towing with a Nissan Patrol but it died on the Gibb River Road - the caravan handled it fine. As we were stuck in Derby, we had to buy another vehicle unseen! It is a Volkswagen Amorok and so far, so good. What we love about the Emu is the comfortable bed, having an ensuite and plenty of storage. We also love having the outside kitchen as it still feels like camping. It is so easy to hitch up and set up, five minutes and it's ready to live in. We had a few teething problems as we bought new but the manager in Perth sorted them out quickly. We have not yet had an opportunity to use the annexe so that will be interesting to set up when we stay somewhere long term. As we sold up before we left WA, the Emu is now our home!
Not sure why I am having so much trouble editing my post but, to clarify, our van is an Emu Expedition not Explorer (don't know where I got that from!) and hopefully I have been able to upload photos now.
We love our van. We are currently in the NT and have spoken to others with different makes of hybrids. All are really enjoying them. Happy Travels.
Hey Flannery Footprints ..Love your setup! As someone who has a hybrid on order, Ive also spoken to a number of owners, both personally (whenever i see someone with one) and chatting on hybrid dedicated Facebook pages. To be honest, everyone seems to love the concept. Some of the owners have stepped up from a camper trailer, others have downsized into a smaller van. Hybrids are inherently smaller and lighter than most caravans and most have massive payloads, with relatively low Tare weights. The ATMs are usually around the 2800kg mark, making them ideal for towing behind a dual cab Ute. Being the same width as a vehicle and usually not as high as a caravan, they are also truly off road capable, being able to follow your tug down narrow tracks to access that illusive camp spot. One aspect I really like is that the hybrids Ive looked at are composite construction and don't have the old stick n tin construction method. So insulation and strength are right up there. Less susceptible to hail damage and dints from branches etc.
I love the whole concept. In all of our previous caravans, I did all the cooking outside, either with the fire pit, Baby Q or a single burner gas stove sitting on the drop down table. Never cooked inside the van. Im looking forward to continuing that tradition in the new hybrid.
Finally, I think a lot of people are now becoming more aware of tow weights and how easy it is to be illegal by towing a larger van. So these things are more than suitable in that regard.
We have a 12 month wait for ours, but time flys.
Bring it on..
-- Edited by Matt on Monday 1st of November 2021 09:30:16 AM
-- Edited by Matt on Monday 1st of November 2021 09:30:57 AM
