Looks really nice Phil. Unfortunately I had a look at Jayco today, including the Starcraft but something was just not right so walked away. I have just put a post in General.
Enjoy you new toy as I am sure you will.
Phil C said
09:53 AM Aug 31, 2014
Cloak wrote:
Wow that's fancy... What's the tug?
Hey Cloaks, hope you are well.
The van has ATM of 2500Kgs so we drag it around with a 2012 Ford Ranger XL dual cab. Not a bad little 2.2L 4 cyl common rail diesel donk. I was very surprised to see the average consumption (when towing) of 14L per 100KMs over a 700KM trip.
We settled for the XL rather than the XLT due to budget and economy (5 cyls V 4)
Safe travels
Cloak said
07:08 PM Aug 31, 2014
Cheers Phil you have a great setup there.
We are a little way out from making buying decisions so are watching what others are doing.
A Van that size would be awesome for us but we're planning a much larger tug so that we
can carry loads of water, gas and sola / batteries and stay remote for months at a time.
The van only needs to be a bedroom / bathroom and be reasonably comfortable.
I read on the other thread about your knee and pass on my sympathies I understand what
you've been through as Judie has both to be replaced eventually. She's in tears most days with the pain.
Cheers mate.
Vic41 said
09:22 PM Aug 31, 2014
Very nice van Phil, I had a small Jayco pop top at one time.
I see the Velcro straps around the awning arms (I did the same thing) but what is the black strap in the middle of the roller, is that the pull down strap? Also is that a light on top of your jockey wheel?
Phil C said
09:20 AM Sep 2, 2014
Vic41 wrote:
Very nice van Phil, I had a small Jayco pop top at one time.
I see the Velcro straps around the awning arms (I did the same thing) but what is the black strap in the middle of the roller, is that the pull down strap? Also is that a light on top of your jockey wheel?
The strap in the middle is to secure the awning, I have two loops top and bottom and use a strap to hold that awning in place. May be a bit of an overkill but better than the alternative, takes 5 mins to install.
Its not a jockey wheel, its a hydraulic jack called a trail a mate. I have it sitting on a flat plate rather than a wheel. Cost about $350 but worth every cent. I use a rearview camera mounted just above the tow hitch to back up onto the van, works every time and stops a lot of he/she antagonism.
-- Edited by Phil C on Tuesday 2nd of September 2014 01:22:47 PM
Russue said
09:58 AM Sep 2, 2014
We are on our third van now, and in 2012 bought a 21ft Starcraft tow with a Territory and we love it, all set up for free camping when we picked it up, 2 batts , 2 solar panels and plenty of 12volt plugs
Gas bayonet etc, and never had a problem.
Good luck with your's Phil.
Jayco has great service so we feel good when travelling that we can get things fixed if needed, and even when out of warranty they usually do most things for very little or free of charge.
We added a Truma Gas heater and it is brilliant.
Enjoy your travels
Cloak said
02:42 PM Sep 3, 2014
What's the starcraft like for dust proof?
Dougwe said
06:42 PM Sep 3, 2014
You just keep the door shut Steve
Sorry all
Cloak said
03:38 PM Sep 4, 2014
lol @ Doug.
That's not as funny as it sounds. I can't tell you how many time I drive off with the roof vents open.
Phil C said
03:21 PM Sep 12, 2014
I drove it over 60KMs on dirt road and there was no dust in the van at all.
It may be as it gets older the "sealant" may harden and we could get a bit of an ingress.
We leave for Pildappa Rock in a few weeks to see the spring in the outback, lots of dust there so it will be a good test for that.
Safe travels
grahos said
09:23 PM Sep 14, 2014
I am also looking at the new Starcraft as it has room for a washing machine in the ensuite , unlike the Journey.
Phil C said
07:33 PM Oct 1, 2014
grahos wrote:
I am also looking at the new Starcraft as it has room for a washing machine in the ensuite , unlike the Journey.
Hi grahos
The thing that is a big surprise to us is the amount of space in this van. The kitchen is about 300mm shorter than our old home, the bed is a good size and heaps comfortable..
Shower, loo, washing machine etc are all accesable and easy to use. we had a small issue with the sink and water leaking in the shower but Jayco were brilliant and fixed it all.
Storage is great, and the van is fantastic. If you are in Adelaide, see Lisa at Australian caravans on South Rd (under the overpass) she is brilliant and willing to give you the best deal. Please tell her Phil Crockart sent you.
I hope you are all well.
frangipani said
09:05 AM Oct 2, 2014
Nice Van Phil, sounds like it has everything, what more would you want, happy travels
frangipani said
09:07 AM Oct 2, 2014
Cloak wrote:
lol @ Doug.
That's not as funny as it sounds. I can't tell you how many time I drive off with the roof vents open.
Yep Cloak, I've had ppl chasing me, waving, me waving back thinking how nice are they, only to be advised that my vents and TV arial were up LOL
Love this van.
Enjoy you new toy as I am sure you will.
Hey Cloaks, hope you are well.
The van has ATM of 2500Kgs so we drag it around with a 2012 Ford Ranger XL dual cab. Not a bad little 2.2L 4 cyl common rail diesel donk. I was very surprised to see the average consumption (when towing) of 14L per 100KMs over a 700KM trip.
We settled for the XL rather than the XLT due to budget and economy (5 cyls V 4)
Safe travels
We are a little way out from making buying decisions so are watching what others are doing.
A Van that size would be awesome for us but we're planning a much larger tug so that we
can carry loads of water, gas and sola / batteries and stay remote for months at a time.
The van only needs to be a bedroom / bathroom and be reasonably comfortable.
I read on the other thread about your knee and pass on my sympathies I understand what
you've been through as Judie has both to be replaced eventually. She's in tears most days with the pain.
Cheers mate.
Very nice van Phil, I had a small Jayco pop top at one time.
I see the Velcro straps around the awning arms (I did the same thing) but what is the black strap in the middle of the roller, is that the pull down strap? Also is that a light on top of your jockey wheel?
The strap in the middle is to secure the awning, I have two loops top and bottom and use a strap to hold that awning in place. May be a bit of an overkill but better than the alternative, takes 5 mins to install.
Its not a jockey wheel, its a hydraulic jack called a trail a mate. I have it sitting on a flat plate rather than a wheel. Cost about $350 but worth every cent. I use a rearview camera mounted just above the tow hitch to back up onto the van, works every time and stops a lot of he/she antagonism.
-- Edited by Phil C on Tuesday 2nd of September 2014 01:22:47 PM
We are on our third van now, and in 2012 bought a 21ft Starcraft tow with a Territory and we love it, all set up for free camping when we picked it up, 2 batts , 2 solar panels and plenty of 12volt plugs
Gas bayonet etc, and never had a problem.
Good luck with your's Phil.
Jayco has great service so we feel good when travelling that we can get things fixed if needed, and even when out of warranty they usually do most things for very little or free of charge.
We added a Truma Gas heater and it is brilliant.
Enjoy your travels
You just keep the door shut Steve
Sorry all
That's not as funny as it sounds. I can't tell you how many time I drive off with the roof vents open.
It may be as it gets older the "sealant" may harden and we could get a bit of an ingress.
We leave for Pildappa Rock in a few weeks to see the spring in the outback, lots of dust there so it will be a good test for that.
Safe travels
Hi grahos
The thing that is a big surprise to us is the amount of space in this van. The kitchen is about 300mm shorter than our old home, the bed is a good size and heaps comfortable..
Shower, loo, washing machine etc are all accesable and easy to use. we had a small issue with the sink and water leaking in the shower but Jayco were brilliant and fixed it all.
Storage is great, and the van is fantastic. If you are in Adelaide, see Lisa at Australian caravans on South Rd (under the overpass) she is brilliant and willing to give you the best deal. Please tell her Phil Crockart sent you.
I hope you are all well.
Yep Cloak, I've had ppl chasing me, waving, me waving back thinking how nice are they, only to be advised that my vents and TV arial were up LOL