It has been four year of research into why caravaner  have settled on the rig that they have chosen to pull there van, and have had a lot of interesting conversations from the rig beaning not quite what is needed to can not be happier.

Why the research Well I had a 80 series petrol Land Cruiser that I was very happy with other than the full economy. it never let me down pulled every think I asked it to (28L per 100Klm and 21L PER 100km non towing). It had 450,000kl on it when my Son took it on and still going well.  With this all in mind and knowing that in a few years we will be hitting the road it was time to look for a new 4 x 4.

Taking into count that we will be towing some think like a  18ft- 21ft semi off road van,  we also do a lot of 4 x 4 driving  and it my be the last 4 x 4 that I would buy we needed to make the right decision for us, so we settled on a 200 Series Land Cruiser witch we have had since Christmas, and since then have done 12500Kl and 4000kl of that was traveling Adelaide to Coffins Bay on the  Eyre Peninsula then to Pt Lincoln, Streaky Bay, Kimba, Kadina, Adelaide pulling the Jayco Hawk.

Now it is time to intensify that research into the van so if anyone would like to contribute  it would be appreciated. We are looking to take a few sort trips then be away for 12 to 18 month at this stage and having the right van from the start would be good. And to show that I am A good Husband Annie requires a ensuite or she is not going any were, not that she dose not like ruffing it it's just we are getting older.      

Good to see you about Brett, what happened to the Optimum, bit big to take off road I know.

stay safe. 

Bob

Hello Gary Baker

Firstly welcome to this great forum, and I hope that you have a great time out in the playground

I am afraid that you may have asked an impossible question.
We are all different, with different ideas of what the best overall home on wheels is

I can only give reflections of my own journey, in picking the best product for me

For many years I had a very basic pop top caravan, which was very suitable for my needs of short haul holidays to caravan parks.
I used this caravan on my first long distance trip, as I was unsure what the best was for me, before I set off to taste, free camping

I will admit that I must have sent many people on the road barmy, by asking, three main questions

What did they have?
Why did they have it?
What are they thinking of changing?

At the end of my first lap, I realised that although I had adapted to my old caravan, with all the information I now had, whatever I purchased was going to be a compromise, as I was not aware of any single home on wheels, having everything I had saw, or heard about, inside that home on wheels.

Unbeknown to me, my better half thought that the car was a little small for the cat, and had decided on a motorhome, as she did not wish the cat to be separated from us, in case it felt lonely.

I now have a motorhome, which I have made some changes to, it was not exactly what I had wanted, but I have adapted.

I hope that you buy the perfect caravan for your needs, but if it is a compromise of most of the stuff you want, then you will eventually adapt to it

Hi Bob

i sold it a couple of months ago as I just wasnt using it enough. I decided to get the van and see how that goes for a couple of years. I'll be doing a few short trips over the next 12-18 months then head off full time for a couple of years after that. I'm looking forward to going to some remote places in the van.

cheers

Brett

Hi Gary & Annie,

Research is the key to been happy in the final choice. The choices we have made were for our long term retirement, with the continuation of our adventures.

We started in earnest mid 2012 on our return trip to WA towing our boat loaded with all our camping gear we use for our three month stays. 

We hit the Hume Hwy out of Wagga Wagga heading for our home town of Sydney. Climbing out over the top of the surrounding hills My Lambie speaks up.( What the hells going on here, all the B Doubles are over taking us UP HILL.)  Our top speed was 40kph.Thats all I can get out of the old girl. Our Parado was 15 years young. A V6 petrol 3.4lt With 445,000km on the clock. Ihad oiled the old girl every 5000km with an oil filter, all her life. The transmission every 20,000km.

Lambie say's enough's enough. its time you opened your wallet.

So our research began. Toyota Parado 3lt Diesel or 3.5lt Pajero diesel. As we wanted a station wagon as well. I would need to use it for work till our retirement as well.

The Parado GLX $63 DW Pajero $59 DW.

How much for the V8 TTD Cruiser $79DW.

So I started on Car Sales. New cars old Cars. Keep looking at the Cruisers.

Then I saw GX Cruisers same V8 TTD Same transmission five seats only with barn doors Yes Just right for my work, Just right for all our travels.But the cost.

The Parado diesel was the go. Reliable as the first Prado I will get 500,000km out of it.

We started on the dealers. That old parado has no commercial value we will give you $500 trade in. Bugger off.

Back to the drawing boards. We would sell it privately.All washed and polished we advertised it at $11,000 No takers. Put her out on the main road. Nibbles at last.Young guy wanted it, going through a devoirce. Not going to happen.

We were way to high, so we droped it to $8500

Nibble nibble, got this guy on the line. Can't get there till the following weekend don't have a car to get down to you. That's ok What if we drove it up on Sunday for you to have a look.

Would you do that for me. Not a problem See you on Sunday morning.

Back on carsales I see GX TTD DW @ $71990 We are selling.

We drive our Parado up to Swansea 100km each way. We meet the chap who tells us his old Nissan patrol gave up the goast and wanted a reliable 4x4 He wanted it. Didn't need a test drive as it just completed a 100km one.  But His IBD didn't mature for two weeks. He can't come at eight and a half best offer$7900 $300 cash down and cash on pick up..

Non of these GX's available in Sydney you would have to wait 3months for delivery and price could go up.

So off to the south coast to do the deal lLap top in hand.

By chance we stoped at Chatswood Toyota. They had one in stock For $79DW. No way Bud. pulled out the LTop and the Business manager walked past the door. Whats all the noise about. We showed him the lap top. And said top the sales manager SELL HIM THE CAR at that price. As long as settlement is on 30th Dec.  Done and dusted.

Best deal we have done for a long time.

Last year my sole mate went through a big operation, and I took my Lambie on a R&R thereafter. On our return we pasted bye the Sydney Caravan show on the last Saturday.

We decided to visit the following day been Sunday.

We owned a Kimberly camper for 13 years 2002 limited edition with all the fruit.

We had no intention of buying. I  had looked at the Jayco J Tect independent suspention on the previous year, and I was taken by their wisdom to go down this road.

Our Kimberly had the same setup.

We were back at the Jayco stand again just looking at the Tandum J Tect frame on display.

A rep called Travis McGee introduced himself and said you like this setup. Yes was the reply. Our camper has the same under carriage and it has  taken us around the block and through the block. It was 2.45pm and Travis says you like this Journey Outback don't you.

Its Nice.

Well we want to beat our Melbourne counter parts for the very first time in sales, We are going to sell you both this van today. 

OMG He's talking to Tight Ass Jim

We are listening. We can add this and this, And we will, throw in this as well.

Um Yes That's nice. BUT We need a second spare tyre, as we travel the outback roads.The van would need to be safe when towing so that ESC unit???? Ok we can do that 

Ho there's A problem. we can't tow it. Why he says. We don't have one of those Brake thingies. A brake controller. YES that's it You want that throwen in as well. Won't work without one will it. I'll talk to the boss.

Is there anything else you have forgotten. Ho Yes the 300mm A frame extention. Not happening. he says.

But you said you would sell us The outback today, Aren't you a man of your word. He comes back. OK but no bike carrier. OK deal done $47,258.00 Drive away.

$2000 deposit on the card. Delivery December last.

We also got the reversing camera and Safe. Not asked for, but included.

Yes We have had a few issues till now. The balance I we finish in the coming weeks. Five weeks to GN time.

Regards Jim & Lambie

Gday...

I sympathise with your problem 

However, I would think either of those vans would traverse the Gibb and Canning - and perhaps some of the VIC High Country.

Personally, I would not think of taking either of them into Wongangatta  ... perhaps the VanCruiser 17.8 .. but, whilst others may do it, I certainly wouldn't.

I did take this (Cub Camper Drover Supamatic) all over the VIC High Country ... although it is a long way from what you are looking for.

Cheers - John

Hi, I might suggest that you go to a large caravan show & look at every single one that might catch your eye, then take the brochures & look over them & prices etc even if you spend 4 or more days. When you do decide then I would go to factory where they are made & ask as many questions as you can think of, my husband & I are taking a ladder next time to even check the quality of roof finish.  That is very important to us after having a past proble.

cheers

K J

Hi Dirvine

i just ordered the mantra ray deluxe from new age in Epping and had them add in a diesel heater, full annex and generator box.

we asked as many questions as we could and had already done a heap of research so this van fitted our needs As it only has an ATM Oof 2450kg and I have a Hilux. 

Imalso looked at the JB Gator but found the salesman a bit to smart for my liking and the ensuite was a bit small. 

Good luck with your decisons

 Brett