We picked up the caravan on the 9 Dec 2015 and set out for a shakeout trip through Central Victoria. The caravan was made by Van Cruiser at Carrum Downs, near Frankston. The model is known as Interceptor which is just under 19 feet and was somewhat customised to suit our needs.
All in all we were happy with the performance of the caravan. We wound up with a list of thirteen defects, all of which I would classify as fairly minor. The most annoying was when a fuse blew, there were no spares so I had to use one from a less required piece of gear. The trouble was the fuses were extremely tight to get out and almost impossible to get back in. I could only manage to get it partially in place but it was enough to do the trick until we got home.
Riverbend Caravan Park - Echuca
Although we're new to caravanning, the towing wasnt too bad an experience after the first few hours of tension and nerves. Initially I needed a screw driver to release my rigamortis-like grasp on the steering wheel. Haha, not quite that bad.
There were a couple of issues with the car though which was also part of the shakeout I guess. One (which was not a Holden issue) related to the Rhino rack Xtray on the roof which lost a bolt needed to hold it onto the roof racks. The second was Im going to need to install some airbags or heavier springs to stop the back of the car dropping too much which is visable in the following pic taken at Yea.
The third was the economy was not what Id hoped for. Having said that, it improved after employing Dougwes suggestion of moving in to selective shift to force the change to a higher gear. On the return trip from Greens to Ferntree Gully (which is admittedly through the Great Divide) we averaged 15.2lt/100km whereas on the way there it was above 17.
Greens Lake
Anyway we will fix what we can and eagerly await the end of Jan when we will hit the road again for a longer period. At this stage were thinking the coast road to just below Sydney then loop inland and back down to VIC.
It all looks cool, set of airbags or stronger rear springs would certainly help.
My choice would be airbags for there flexibility, add air when needed approx 15 psi then lower back to about sub 10 when running empty.
I will now go and put my protective jacket on.
grahos said
10:13 AM Dec 28, 2015
Neat looking rig,hope you continue to have lots of good times in it.
Myrlin said
06:41 PM Dec 28, 2015
Thanks for your thoughts Radar. I went to Pedders today to have the discussion but alas, they are closed until the new year.
Cheers, Colin
Myrlin said
06:43 PM Dec 28, 2015
Thanks grades.
Dougwe said
07:12 PM Dec 28, 2015
Nice set up Colin. I'm glad there was a little improvement in economy and I think it will improve a little more once you get used to controlling the gears yourself. As for raising the back because it's not of the ute flavour I would think Airbags will work. It will be interesting what Pedders say when they return to work.
It was good to meet you both at Greens too. I have become a Greens Lake Refugee until Friday. Lovely and quiet were I am hiding so all good.
Symo2540 said
09:18 PM May 9, 2016
Have you thought about a WDH to help andd then assess if you need to upgrade the suspension? Just a thought.
We picked up the caravan on the 9 Dec 2015 and set out for a shakeout trip through Central Victoria. The caravan was made by Van Cruiser at Carrum Downs, near Frankston. The model is known as Interceptor which is just under 19 feet and was somewhat customised to suit our needs.
All in all we were happy with the performance of the caravan. We wound up with a list of thirteen defects, all of which I would classify as fairly minor. The most annoying was when a fuse blew, there were no spares so I had to use one from a less required piece of gear. The trouble was the fuses were extremely tight to get out and almost impossible to get back in. I could only manage to get it partially in place but it was enough to do the trick until we got home.
Riverbend Caravan Park - Echuca
Although we're new to caravanning, the towing wasnt too bad an experience after the first few hours of tension and nerves. Initially I needed a screw driver to release my rigamortis-like grasp on the steering wheel. Haha, not quite that bad.
There were a couple of issues with the car though which was also part of the shakeout I guess. One (which was not a Holden issue) related to the Rhino rack Xtray on the roof which lost a bolt needed to hold it onto the roof racks. The second was Im going to need to install some airbags or heavier springs to stop the back of the car dropping too much which is visable in the following pic taken at Yea.
The third was the economy was not what Id hoped for. Having said that, it improved after employing Dougwes suggestion of moving in to selective shift to force the change to a higher gear. On the return trip from Greens to Ferntree Gully (which is admittedly through the Great Divide) we averaged 15.2lt/100km whereas on the way there it was above 17.
Greens Lake
Anyway we will fix what we can and eagerly await the end of Jan when we will hit the road again for a longer period. At this stage were thinking the coast road to just below Sydney then loop inland and back down to VIC.
Cheers, Colin
It all looks cool, set of airbags or stronger rear springs would certainly help.
My choice would be airbags for there flexibility, add air when needed approx 15 psi then lower back to about sub 10 when running empty.
I will now go and put my protective jacket on.
Thanks for your thoughts Radar. I went to Pedders today to have the discussion but alas, they are closed until the new year.
Cheers, Colin
Thanks grades.
It was good to meet you both at Greens too. I have become a Greens Lake Refugee until Friday. Lovely and quiet were I am hiding so all good.