Hi to all! I am a new member just retired, live in QLD and looking to buy a used caravan about 17' to 20' semi-off roader. I need single beds as me and wife do'nt sleep well together.
Would like full size oven and full size fridge and any extras would be great. Sad news is when you want single beds the search engines go from 835 vans to about 24.
Saw a 2013 Crusader Excalibur that might suit but after reading "lemon caravans" and water leak problems my joy at retiring and travelling has made me very anxious and worried about blowing my hard earned .
I know you can't get wet unless you jump in,BUT any tips or comments from you guys and girls would be greatly appreciated.
Dougwe said
07:03 PM Oct 15, 2018
Welcome to the gang Lucky Loz, enjoy here and out in the playground.
I know what you mean about single beds. When I had my aluminium teepee built they looked at me stupid. Never sell they reckon. I have seen heaps around in my travells.
As for info, make sure the tug can pull the van with eze and ALL weights are under their max's. The people with pen and paper are getting tougher by the day.
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.
-- Edited by Dougwe on Monday 15th of October 2018 07:07:15 PM
Cadpete said
10:13 PM Oct 15, 2018
G'day Lucky Loz 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. Usual warning on checking all weights for both van and tug to keep legal. I'm sure possum3 will be along with his link to the caravan council website as well - but if not then google them as lots of advice and tips there as well.
Pete & Marion
Possum3 said
09:00 AM Oct 16, 2018
Welcome Loz, It's a minefield out there regarding the lemons - have a look at www.caravancouncil.com.au/compliance use the checklist from the site Don't rush in to buying - Water ingress is the biggest problem with newer caravans - if you see or smell mould, run away. Have any van you look at have a complete inspection from a caravan expert (not connected to dealer) and obtain a new weighbridge ticket - make it a condition of sale.
Tony Bev said
04:56 PM Oct 16, 2018
A warm welcome from me also, Lucky Loz
I can only describe what I have previously done
I had a list of what I would like, in the caravan
I also had a maximum amount finance, I was willing to spend
I then went looking, up to 200 kilometres of my home town
Eventually, after about six months, looking, looking, and looking some more
I purchased a second hand caravan, which ticked the most boxes, without breaking the bank
I changed a few things to suit my needs, but in the main, I adapted to what I had, and used that caravan on short trips, and then one lap
Eventually the wife wanted a vehicle, which the cat could walk from one end to the other
After about another six months, of looking, looking, and looking some more
I have the motorhome, in my Avatar
Once again it was purchased second hand, and did not tick all the boxes
I have once again changed a few things, to suit my need, and I have adapted to it
Possum3 above has given you some good advice
Enjoy looking around, and hope to see you on the road one day
LUCKY LOZ said
09:00 AM Oct 17, 2018
Thank you ALL for your welcome and advice. It certainly seems like a minefield out there. Just trying to avoid grief. Thanks Possum3 ,always appreciate your wisdom on line. And thanks Guru , I am doing exactly the same as you did ,so In guess its just a waiting game. But we have a 19 year old ****atiel(the oldest one we could see on line lived to 20). He will be 20 in Feb. So i hope the two don't meet. (cat and bird. lol. )
We just had a bad experience with a three letter 4x4 company (T-M) at Nerang. Quoted us $ 5200 to fit an Aeroklas canopy and 150kg roof racks.Can buy a second hand car or tinny for this price! Rang the Ford dealer and they could get it done for $645 less. This company said they would match this after some whining.
Took 2 hrs off work, with wife to go and pick it up. Had drilled hole in canopy in wrong place and put a white plug in it. Didnt mention it, JUST HOPED WE WOULD NOT NOTICE. Canopy was not pulled down correctly at front so sloping backwards. Gap for water and dust obvious. Roof rack nuts loose and cut way too much out of tub liner to fit internal bars. JUST TERRIBLE WORKMANSHIP. When I asked how many canopies they had fitted he said hundreds. God help them all. They have ordered a new canopy and will keep my car for another 3-4 days. Also the competition 4x4 (A-B) have stuffed up the front sensors when putting on bullbar. Now front and rear sensors don't work.Apparently they are linked. Another shoddy job. All these guys are supposed to be professionals. What a disgrace.
Thinking of changing my name from Lucky Loz. Trying to lol. Grrrr...
Hi to all! I am a new member just retired, live in QLD and looking to buy a used caravan about 17' to 20' semi-off roader. I need single beds as me and wife do'nt sleep well together.
Would like full size oven and full size fridge and any extras would be great. Sad news is when you want single beds the search engines go from 835 vans to about 24.
Saw a 2013 Crusader Excalibur that might suit but after reading "lemon caravans" and water leak problems my joy at retiring and travelling has made me very anxious and worried about blowing my hard earned .
I know you can't get wet unless you jump in,BUT any tips or comments from you guys and girls would be greatly appreciated.
Welcome to the gang Lucky Loz, enjoy here and out in the playground.
I know what you mean about single beds. When I had my aluminium teepee built they looked at me stupid. Never sell they reckon. I have seen heaps around in my travells.
As for info, make sure the tug can pull the van with eze and ALL weights are under their max's. The people with pen and paper are getting tougher by the day.
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.
-- Edited by Dougwe on Monday 15th of October 2018 07:07:15 PM
G'day Lucky Loz 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. Usual warning on checking all weights for both van and tug to keep legal. I'm sure possum3 will be along with his link to the caravan council website as well - but if not then google them as lots of advice and tips there as well.
Pete & Marion
I can only describe what I have previously done
I had a list of what I would like, in the caravan
I also had a maximum amount finance, I was willing to spend
I then went looking, up to 200 kilometres of my home town
Eventually, after about six months, looking, looking, and looking some more
I purchased a second hand caravan, which ticked the most boxes, without breaking the bank
I changed a few things to suit my needs, but in the main, I adapted to what I had, and used that caravan on short trips, and then one lap
Eventually the wife wanted a vehicle, which the cat could walk from one end to the other
After about another six months, of looking, looking, and looking some more
I have the motorhome, in my Avatar
Once again it was purchased second hand, and did not tick all the boxes
I have once again changed a few things, to suit my need, and I have adapted to it
Possum3 above has given you some good advice
Enjoy looking around, and hope to see you on the road one day
We just had a bad experience with a three letter 4x4 company (T-M) at Nerang. Quoted us $ 5200 to fit an Aeroklas canopy and 150kg roof racks.Can buy a second hand car or tinny for this price! Rang the Ford dealer and they could get it done for $645 less. This company said they would match this after some whining.
Took 2 hrs off work, with wife to go and pick it up. Had drilled hole in canopy in wrong place and put a white plug in it. Didnt mention it, JUST HOPED WE WOULD NOT NOTICE. Canopy was not pulled down correctly at front so sloping backwards. Gap for water and dust obvious. Roof rack nuts loose and cut way too much out of tub liner to fit internal bars. JUST TERRIBLE WORKMANSHIP. When I asked how many canopies they had fitted he said hundreds. God help them all. They have ordered a new canopy and will keep my car for another 3-4 days. Also the competition 4x4 (A-B) have stuffed up the front sensors when putting on bullbar. Now front and rear sensors don't work.Apparently they are linked. Another shoddy job. All these guys are supposed to be professionals. What a disgrace.
Thinking of changing my name from Lucky Loz. Trying to lol. Grrrr...