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Post Info TOPIC: Help us pick a van
ExExpat


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Help us pick a van
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Hi Everyone. I been scrolling the internet now for about 3 months, Looked at a couple of Vans, And read a lot of forums. We are looking for a Van around 20 to 22ft that will do the gibb river road with ease, Light ( will be using a LC200 Sahara but I don't want to load it up to 3.5T ) Seperate shower and toilet, Modern Interior( No Timber veneer Cupboards, 2 Pac only) No wooden frames. Throw some brand names at me either good or bad and I'll check them all out. My short List so far consists of Coromal Pioneer XC, Avida, Bailey Comet with upgraded suspension. Trying to keep below the $100,000 mark. Look forward to the comments.

Mark



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Dickodownunder


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Zone
Generally get good reports.
No affiliation.

Very difficult to recommend anything off road.
There are some that can break anything and on the other hand brands like JAYCO will survive if driven sensibly.
Again, no affiliation.
Anything composite panel is a good start..

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Travel Safely
ExExpat


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Thanks Geoff. I've looked at Zone. Nice vans maybe a bit on the Expensive side but will check them out. I really like the Jayco's especially the Adventurer, it's unfortunate that the interiors are still a bit dated and they are limited with options. Composite or Aluminium seems to be the best from what i've read. Thanks for the feedback mate.
Mark

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Dougwe


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Welcome to the gang Mark, enjoy here and out in the playground.

Vans etc are a personal choice really so will keep out of that however, make sure all the weights on the van and tug are what you need so they don't end up overweight and paying out $$$$$ because you were checked and found over. Easier to do now than later.



Keep Safe on the roads and out there.

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ExExpat


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Cheers Doug
Definitely Checking weights of each van I look at. Towing with a LC200 and would rather keep the ATM around 3 tonne mark rather than using up the 3.5 t capability.
Cheers
Mark

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Peter_n_Margaret


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Sell the Landcruiser and buy a 4WD motorhome.
Go to places that your Çruiser and caravan will NEVER go.

Cheers,
Peter

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OKA196, 4x4 'C' Class, DIY, self contained motorhome. 960W of solar, 400Ah of AGMs, 310L water, 280L fuel. https://www.oka4wd.com/forum/members-vehicles-public/569-oka196-xt-motorhome
 

 
Woody n Sue


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And its welcome from us two 2 ExExpat some good advice above

Woody

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Bill B


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Peter_n_Margaret wrote:

Sell the Landcruiser and buy a 4WD motorhome.

Go to places that your Çruiser and caravan will NEVER go.


Cheers,

Peter




If OP was interested in a motorhome the thread title would be help us pick a motorhome no

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Bill B
Cadpete


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G'day Bill B and welcome to the forum.  Don't forget to try the two ongoing games here - 'Who is This' in the 'I Digress' section and 'Pick this Place' in the 'General' Section - a great source to find new places to visit. Must admit I'm with Dougwe on this one, what's good for the goose is no good for the gander so try to place mush emphasis on which van.  Totally agree on the weights issue though.

Pete and Marion



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Peter_n_Margaret


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Bill B wrote:

 

If OP was interested in a motorhome the thread title would be help us pick a motorhome no

 The title was actually "van", which could mean almost anything and the OP is clearly looking for ideas that have not occurred to him yet.

What exactly was your contribution?

 

Cheers,

Peter



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OKA196, 4x4 'C' Class, DIY, self contained motorhome. 960W of solar, 400Ah of AGMs, 310L water, 280L fuel. https://www.oka4wd.com/forum/members-vehicles-public/569-oka196-xt-motorhome
 

 
Bill B


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Peter_n_Margaret wrote:

Bill B wrote:

 

If OP was interested in a motorhome the thread title would be help us pick a motorhome no

 The title was actually "van", which could mean almost anything and the OP is clearly looking for ideas that have not occurred to him yet.

What exactly was your contribution?

 

Cheers,

Peter




He states he will be towing with a LC 200 and would like to keep the ATM to 3,000 kgs so I'm pretty sure he wants a caravan and not a motorhome biggrin

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Bill B
ExExpat


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Hi All
Thanks for the feedback. I am new to this forum and I didn't mean to start an argument about the pro's and Cons of a motor home over a caravan. Clearly when I stated that I was looking for a van that was 20 to 22 ft long and I was towing it with a LC200 I was referring to a caravan. Pete n Margaret I'm very happy that you are enjoying your motor home and I hope that you have safe travels, but telling me to sell my LC200 is not very helpful in helping me to choose my Van (sorry caravan ). Clearly you are very proud of your DIY Motor home as you should be, but they are not for everyone.
So anyway if anyone else has some good brands and ones to stay away from keep the posts coming.
Cheers
Mark

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Possum3


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Get good advice and free downloads of check-list at Caravan Council of Australia; www.caravancouncil.com.au/compliance

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Peter_n_Margaret


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All cool Mark.... :)
It was a genuine suggestion that is a viable option for those wishing to get further off the bitumen, which it seemed that you wanted to do, but without leaving your comforts behind, or destroying your vehicle.
I just got a bit peed off when someone who made no contribution criticised one which was not addresses to him.

Check Gemhunter caravans (new or second hand), a small bespoke manufacturer of off road vans built from FRP sandwich panel which would be more structurally suitable and lighter than most other caravans claimed to be suitable for "off road" use.
www.facebook.com/Gemhuntervan/

Cheers,
Peter

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OKA196, 4x4 'C' Class, DIY, self contained motorhome. 960W of solar, 400Ah of AGMs, 310L water, 280L fuel. https://www.oka4wd.com/forum/members-vehicles-public/569-oka196-xt-motorhome
 

 
ExExpat


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Thanks Peter. I will look at GemHunter. Also thanks to Possum 3 for the link.

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Tony Bev


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Welcome to the forum ExExpat

Unfortunately I can not give any advice on newer caravans

It took me six months of searching, before I purchased my second hand caravan, many years ago

The only advice I can give, is to not jump in and buy the first one you look at

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Woody n Sue


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And its welcome from us two 2 exExpat have fun looking

Woody

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 When the power of Love becomes greater than the love of power the World will see peace !  24ft Trailblazer 5th wheeler n 05 Patrol ute and Black Series Dominator camper trailer ( for the rough stuff) 
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