Coromal Element 542S RTV 2014 single axle, a nicely kitted out caravan with batterys and solar panels, just right for picking where we want to stop.
Any throughts welcome negative or positive, thank you.
Treecrest14 said
07:56 PM Aug 29, 2016
Gday
We have a Coromal 542 and am extremely happy with it. Mind you I had to have the Weight increased by adding an electric breakaway and also tyres which had a heavier load capability. This cam about when I had weighed the packed van. Since then have added an extra battery and water tank and a diesel heater. Would suggest you take the van over a weigh bridge to see how much it weighs as is, without you adding anything.
Just come back from 2 weeks of seeing the WA wildflowers and some free camping, and van is great.
Glen
Radar said
08:55 PM Aug 29, 2016
Hi Treecrest14
Thank you for those reassuring words about your Coromal.
If I may ask did you have the manufacturer raise the gross weight and what do you think the loaded caravan weighs now.
macka17 said
04:28 PM Aug 30, 2016
Hi. The bigger Coromals were built a bit light on. But these smaller units not bad.
I recently boughta 525 semi Off roader Tandem axle. Full height. 2 singles. 1998
$12k insured Market value $19.800 by Ins Co. Plate says max weight 1.8ton. But sitting on a 2 ton chassis so a breakaway will make it safe for 2 ton. but we'll never put that much in it.
They built with Ally frame and chassis a bit light. but strong enough for normal use.
I came from 3 Roadstar Off roaders and they built very much the other way.
Tend to leak a lot though through Windows and seams. First thing I did was ALL the outside Vertical seams. Round windows. and several coats of heat reflective paint over whole roof.
MOST Coromals are very nice to tow.
-- Edited by macka17 on Tuesday 30th of August 2016 04:31:00 PM
Treecrest14 said
06:33 PM Aug 30, 2016
Gday Radar
I was fortunate enough to be able to do all the work myself and take it across the pits here in WA. I put the break away battery etc in the front tunnel and wired it up. Had the tyres replaced with the correct ratings for 2.3t. Hubs were already 12inch electric and the stub axles were correct ratings.
Loaded van is just under the 2.3t
As Macka says you can have issues with water leakage and just last week we had a problem with the front window when driving in heavy rain. Still yet to work out how to fix it! Never had any other leakage issues with the van.
Question - does the 542 have independant suspension or a straight thru axle?
Radar said
09:14 PM Aug 30, 2016
Treecrest14 wrote:
Gday Radar
I was fortunate enough to be able to do all the work myself and take it across the pits here in WA. I put the break away battery etc in the front tunnel and wired it up. Had the tyres replaced with the correct ratings for 2.3t. Hubs were already 12inch electric and the stub axles were correct ratings.
Loaded van is just under the 2.3t
As Macka says you can have issues with water leakage and just last week we had a problem with the front window when driving in heavy rain. Still yet to work out how to fix it! Never had any other leakage issues with the van.
Question - does the 542 have independant suspension or a straight thru axle?
Treecrest 14
I have not seen the caravan as yet to confirm
Add reads, easy tow independent suspension on 15 wheels with a tare of 1680kgs and a 2100kg gvm which I finds a bit up there. I will need paper work for those figures.
Radar said
09:31 PM Aug 30, 2016
macka17 wrote:
Hi. The bigger Coromals were built a bit light on. But these smaller units not bad.
I recently boughta 525 semi Off roader Tandem axle. Full height. 2 singles. 1998
$12k insured Market value $19.800 by Ins Co. Plate says max weight 1.8ton. But sitting on a 2 ton chassis so a breakaway will make it safe for 2 ton. but we'll never put that much in it.
They built with Ally frame and chassis a bit light. but strong enough for normal use.
I came from 3 Roadstar Off roaders and they built very much the other way.
Tend to leak a lot though through Windows and seams. First thing I did was ALL the outside Vertical seams. Round windows. and several coats of heat reflective paint over whole roof.
MOST Coromals are very nice to tow.
-- Edited by macka17 on Tuesday 30th of August 2016 04:31:00 PM
Hi Macka..
Thank you for your comment with your previous 1998 model Coromals which I find is of little use to me or anybody purchasing a late model Coromals as the company has been sold, management policy have also changed into the 21st century and we are now in the year 2016 and I did ask about a specific late model Coromals.
macka17 said
03:48 PM Aug 31, 2016
Still the same factory and staff I think you'll find.
And if it Fleetwood. hmmmm.
best of luck mate.
most earlier vans are better built than later models.
Too fixed at getting them lighter.
Had a few vans over the 50 odd yrs using them. mostly new.
But last 2 second hand. and much better value for money.
With less problems too. (already fixed)
that Independent susp (Davidson I believe?)
is a few rocker arms swinging on a coupla bolts. and leaf springs on the ends.
Not even any grease points
Basic but efficient for road. and very tyre wear happy if you load it well.
Don't use good tyres they don't last long. I have Kelly's on.
Have fun.
Radar said
07:05 PM Aug 31, 2016
Hi All
After our day out looking at Coromals around Brisbane today we doubt we would look at another, very disappointing in quality finishing, been spoilt by our last caravan and it is getting harder to much it.
So thank you folks for taking the time to answer the post.
Hi All
This is the second caravan we are looking at =
Coromal Element 542S RTV 2014 single axle, a nicely kitted out caravan with batterys and solar panels, just right for picking where we want to stop.
Any throughts welcome negative or positive, thank you.
We have a Coromal 542 and am extremely happy with it. Mind you I had to have the Weight increased by adding an electric breakaway and also tyres which had a heavier load capability. This cam about when I had weighed the packed van. Since then have added an extra battery and water tank and a diesel heater. Would suggest you take the van over a weigh bridge to see how much it weighs as is, without you adding anything.
Just come back from 2 weeks of seeing the WA wildflowers and some free camping, and van is great.
Glen
Hi Treecrest14
Thank you for those reassuring words about your Coromal.
If I may ask did you have the manufacturer raise the gross weight and what do you think the loaded caravan weighs now.
Hi.
The bigger Coromals were built a bit light on.
But these smaller units not bad.
I recently boughta 525 semi Off roader Tandem axle. Full height.
2 singles. 1998
$12k insured Market value $19.800 by Ins Co.
Plate says max weight 1.8ton.
But sitting on a 2 ton chassis so a breakaway will make it safe for 2 ton.
but we'll never put that much in it.
They built with Ally frame and chassis a bit light.
but strong enough for normal use.
I came from 3 Roadstar Off roaders and they built very much the other way.
Tend to leak a lot though through Windows and seams.
First thing I did was ALL the outside Vertical seams. Round windows. and several coats
of heat reflective paint over whole roof.
MOST Coromals are very nice to tow.
-- Edited by macka17 on Tuesday 30th of August 2016 04:31:00 PM
I was fortunate enough to be able to do all the work myself and take it across the pits here in WA. I put the break away battery etc in the front tunnel and wired it up. Had the tyres replaced with the correct ratings for 2.3t. Hubs were already 12inch electric and the stub axles were correct ratings.
Loaded van is just under the 2.3t
As Macka says you can have issues with water leakage and just last week we had a problem with the front window when driving in heavy rain. Still yet to work out how to fix it! Never had any other leakage issues with the van.
Question - does the 542 have independant suspension or a straight thru axle?
Treecrest 14
I have not seen the caravan as yet to confirm
Add reads, easy tow independent suspension on 15 wheels with a tare of 1680kgs and a 2100kg gvm which I finds a bit up there. I will need paper work for those figures.
Hi Macka..
Thank you for your comment with your previous 1998 model Coromals which I find is of little use to me or anybody purchasing a late model Coromals as the company has been sold, management policy have also changed into the 21st century and we are now in the year 2016 and I did ask about a specific late model Coromals.
And if it Fleetwood. hmmmm.
best of luck mate.
most earlier vans are better built than later models.
Too fixed at getting them lighter.
Had a few vans over the 50 odd yrs using them. mostly new.
But last 2 second hand. and much better value for money.
With less problems too. (already fixed)
that Independent susp (Davidson I believe?)
is a few rocker arms swinging on a coupla bolts. and leaf springs on the ends.
Not even any grease points
Basic but efficient for road. and very tyre wear happy if you load it well.
Don't use good tyres they don't last long. I have Kelly's on.
Have fun.
Hi All
After our day out looking at Coromals around Brisbane today we doubt we would look at another, very disappointing in quality finishing, been spoilt by our last caravan and it is getting harder to much it.
So thank you folks for taking the time to answer the post.